Integration Of Aircraft With INS Vikrant Likely By June 2023: Navy Chief

The sea-going trials are already over after which the carrier was commissioned. Now, the aircraft integration trials have been started, he told reporters after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the 143rd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla in Maharashtra's Pune district.

Chief of Naval staff Admiral R Hari Kumar today said the integration of aircraft with the newly commissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is likely to be accomplished by May or June next year.

The sea-going trials are already over after which the carrier was commissioned. Now, the aircraft integration trials have been started, he told reporters after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the 143rd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla in Maharashtra's Pune district.

"The first thing we need to check is about the aircraft landing system. Those trials are going on currently. Normally, the integration of the aircraft takes anytime between six to eight months from the commissioning of the aircraft. We hope to accomplish it by May or June before the monsoon," he said.

On the induction of the first batch of women cadets in the NDA, he said, "Our forces are gender neutral. Women are already doing combat services. There are women officers in the forces including Navy." The Navy has started inducting women sailors as well which is a landmark achievement, he said.