INS Vikrant likely to be based in Visakhapatnam from the fag of 2024, says ENC chief Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta

The first batch of Agniveers, including women, are expected to join the Indian Navy by mid 2023, says Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta

If everything goes as per plan, INS Vikrant, the indigenously-built aircraft carrier, will be based in Visakhapatnam, in Eastern Naval Command, from the end of 2024.

Addressing the media here on Saturday on the eve of the Navy Day, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta said a berth would be built at the outer harbour to accommodate INS Vikrant.

“The ship is currently undergoing final trials and tests at Kochi, and for a brief period it may be based in Chennai,” he said.

The aircraft carrier would augment the Eastern Fleet, and more ships would be added to the existing fleet.

Responding to a question on the Chinese Navy setting up a base at Djibouti and increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta said, with the addition of INS Vikrant and other ships, the fleet would become more robust.

“We are continuously monitoring the Chinese movement. We already have a robust fleet, and with the addition of the new ships, including the aircraft carrier and submarines, we will have enough capability to counter any threats,” Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta said.

Speaking about the Agniveer scheme, he said 3,474 candidates out of 10.82 lakh had been shortlisted, and of them 340 were women.