New Delhi: The commissioning into service of INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy (IN)’s first indigenous aircraft carrier-1 or IAC-1, has seen frenzied celebrations over the country’s proficiency in domestically sourcing material, systems and components to successfully build the 43,000-tonne platform.

Official and media paeans over Vikrant’s construction by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) were right in acclaiming that 76% of the carrier’s overall ‘float’ content was local in origin. This included 23,000 tonnes of warship grade steel, 2,500 km of electrical cables and 150 km of specialised pipes, all of which were obtained from scores of domestic private and public sector manufacturers and micro, small and medium enterprises.

Other internally procured equipment provided to CSL for integration, included rigid hull boats, air conditioning and refrigeration plants, anchor capstans, galley and communication and combat network systems, amongst other assorted kits that comprise Vikrant’s 14 decks and support its 1600-strong crew, including 200 officers. The warship also incorporates an elaborate medical complex, comprising a modular operation theatre, dental centre, specialised cabins for future women officers and kitchens that serve an assortment of cuisines.

However, one of the initial impediments in IAC-1’s Project 71 programme centred on sourcing AB/A steel, after efforts to import it from Russia were abandoned in 2004-05. To overcome this, the Defence Research and…