INS Vikrant Leads Western Naval Fleet In High Alert Deployment Near Pakistan Coast Amid India's Operation Sindoor

As a precautionary and strategic move, the Navy deployed its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, near the Karwar coast in the Arabian Sea, bringing it closer to Pakistani waters as a stern warning. INS Vikrant can carry up to 40 combat aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and two squadrons of Kamov Ka-31 helicopters.

In a powerful show of strength and preparedness, the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, headquartered in Mumbai, is on high operational alert amid India’s Operation Sindoor, launched against Pakistan after it’s continuous provocation.

According to an Aaj Tak report, as a precautionary and strategic move, the Navy deployed its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, near the Karwar coast in the Arabian Sea, bringing it closer to Pakistani waters as a stern warning.

About INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant is the pride of the Indian Navy and a major force multiplier. With a displacement of 45,000 tonnes, the aircraft carrier measures 262 meters in length and 59 meters in width. It is capable of carrying up to 40 combat aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and two squadrons of Kamov Ka-31 helicopters.

Powered by General Electric turbines delivering 1.10 lakh horsepower, the vessel is armed with 64 Barak surface-to-air missiles and the deadly BrahMos missiles. Its strike range extends up to 1,500 kilometers, enabling it to target strategic assets deep inside enemy territory, including Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Gwadar.

Details On Other Fleet Members

The carrier strike group led by INS Vikrant includes a robust mix of warships, destroyers, frigates, anti-submarine warfare vessels, and support ships. Among them is INS Kolkata, the first of the Kolkata-class destroyers commissioned in 2014. With a displacement of 7,500 tonnes and a speed of 56 km/h, it is equipped with 32 Barak-8 and 16 BrahMos missiles, as well as advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems.

Another major asset is INS Visakhapatnam, a stealth guided missile destroyer inducted in 2021. With a range of 7,400 km and the ability to remain at sea for 45 days, it houses 250 personnel and is armed with Barak-8, BrahMos missiles, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rocket launchers.

INS Mormugao, another Visakhapatnam-class destroyer, was commissioned in 2022 and mirrors similar firepower. INS Chennai, from the Kolkata class, has been in service since 2016 with a motto “Shatru Sanharak” (Destroyer of the Enemy), boasting similar offensive capabilities.

The fleet also includes INS Talwar, a stealth guided missile frigate with a displacement of 3,850 tonnes. It can operate at sea for 30 days and is equipped with a wide array of weapons, including BrahMos missiles, medium-range Shtil-1 missiles, CIWS guns, and torpedo tubes. It also supports advanced helicopters like the Kamov-28/31 or Dhruv.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ins-vikrant-leads-western-naval-fleet-in-high-alert-deployment-near-pakistan-coast-amid-indias-operation-sindoor