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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
INDIA
AIRCRAFT CARRYING SHIPS
VIKRANT aircraft carrier (1961)
Photo
Vikrant 1971
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| विक्रान्त [Vikrant] (ex-Hercules) | R11 | Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne, UK | 12.10.1943 | 22.9.1945 | 4.3.1961 | stricken 1.1997 |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 16000 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | 19550 |
| Length, m | 192.0 pp 213.6 oa |
| Breadth, m | 24.4 wl 32.0 fd |
| Draught, m | 7.32 deep load |
| No of shafts | 2 |
| Machinery | 2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 Admiralty 3-drum boilers |
| Power, h. p. | 42000 |
| Max speed, kts | 24.5 |
| Fuel, t | oil 3000 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 12000(14) |
| Armament | 4 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 5, 7 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 7, 22 aircraft (Sea Hawk attackers, Alizé ASW planes, Alouette II helicopters) |
| Electronic equipment | type 960, type 977Q, type 293Q, type 963 radars |
| Complement | 1075 (peace), 1345 (war) |
Air group
| Year | Attackers | ASW planes | Helicopters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 10 Sea Hawk | 4 Alizé | 2 Alouette II |
| 1975 | 12 Sea Hawk | 4 Alizé | 2 Cheetak |
| 1985 | 6 Sea Harrier Mk 51 | 4 Alizé | 9 Sea King |
| 1989 | 6 Sea Harrier Mk 51 | --- | 9 Sea King Mk 42 |
Standard scale images
Vikrant 1975
Graphics
Vikrant 1971
Aircraft facilities
(fd - 5,131m², ha - 2,142m² / 11,355m³): Flight deck: 210.3x32.0.4m; hangar: 135.6x15.8x 5.3m. Two lifts: 16.5x10.4m, 6.8t. 1 catapult BS-4. Aircraft fuel stowage: 341,000l.
Project history
The last of the light fleet carriers to be completed, HMS Hercules was bought in January 1957 by the Indian Navy, building to a recast design resumed at Harland & Wolff's yard in Belfast three months later. When she was ready in 1961 she had received a steam catapult, an angled deck, air conditioning and new radar, similar to HMAS Melbourne.
In 1979 it was announced that re-equipment with Sea Harrier V/STOL aircraft would take place. Delivery of eight began in January 1983.
Protection
There were mantlets around aircraft torpedoes warheads rooms only. Their thickness was 10mm. Longitudinal watertight bulkheads covered the machinery.
Modernizations
1979-1/1982: - 4 x 2 - 40/60, type 960, type 977Q, type 293Q, type 963 radars; + LW-08, DA-05, ZW-06, ZW-10/11 radars
1985: + IPN-10 CCS
1987-1989: 6°-skyjump was fitted for take off of Sea Hariers with full load, catapult was removed.
Naval service
No significant events.
