India's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) will be commissioned by end of 2021 or by early 2022, according to Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
The IAC has entered the final phase of its construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
"By the end of next year (2021) or maybe by early 2022 she will be definitely commissioned,"the Vice Admiral said on Wednesday.
He further added that sea trials of the IAC are planned in the first half of next year, while improved flight operations on the aircraft carrier are expected to be carried out in the second half.
Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla made these remarks while addressing media persons onboard INSShardul at Naval Base in Kochi.
Basin Trials (testing of the ship machinery and equipment in floating conditions before the sea trials) of the aircraft carrier were successfully conducted at CSL on Monday.
The Navy has said the IAC project is a true example of Atmanirbhar Bharat with close to 75 per cent of the material and equipment onboard being indigenous.
(With agency inputs)
