INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier

Full Specifications

INS Vikramaditya: India’s Modern STOBAR Carrier

The INS Vikramaditya stands as one of the Indian Navy’s most pivotal capital ships, projecting maritime airpower across the Indian Ocean Region. Commissioned in 2013, the carrier was originally built as the Soviet Kiev-class Admiral Gorshkov before undergoing an extensive rebuild by Russia’s Sevmash Shipyard, transforming it into a modernized STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) platform. Today, it operates as a frontline air-defense and strike carrier alongside the indigenous INS Vikrant.

Role and Capabilities

INS Vikramaditya serves as a floating airbase, carrying MiG-29K fighters for air superiority, maritime strike, and anti-ship missions. Its onboard aviation wing also includes Ka-31 AEW helicopters and multi-role ASW platforms, significantly expanding the carrier’s situational awareness and maritime surveillance reach.

Powered by a conventional steam-turbine propulsion system, the carrier reaches speeds of around 30 knots, enabling rapid deployment across strategic chokepoints. Its STOBAR ski-jump deck allows high-tempo flight operations without catapult systems, making it versatile for regional and expeditionary missions.

Operational Use

The carrier is central to India’s doctrine of sea control and carrier task group operations. It routinely participates in exercises such as Malabar, Varuna, and TROPEX, enhancing interoperability with U.S., French, and allied naval forces. With advanced command systems, upgraded radars, and a reinforced flight deck, INS Vikramaditya supports sustained air operations during both peacetime security missions and high-intensity conflict scenarios.

INS Vikramaditya Price in US

The approximate cost of INS Vikramaditya—including purchase, modernization, and integration—was around $2.3 billion, making it one of the most significant naval acquisitions in India’s modern maritime history.