(Image source from: Narendra Modi does a maiden tour of INS Vikramaditya})

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made his first jaunt to the military installation of INS Vikramaditya, country's largest and latest aircraft carrier recently inducted into the Indian Navy.

Displaying its power and operational capability, Mr. Modi set sail the country's largest warship INS Vikramaditya off Goa coast in Arabian Sea.

He arrive the warship docked at the Panjim port in a Sea King chopper. He was welcomed aboard with ceremonial guard of honor by the Navy. Later, they briefed him on the warship, which will be dedicated to the nation today.

He also got aboard the MIG 29 aircraft and got a feel of the combat fighter, sailing on the ship off the Goa coast.

The Prime Minister spent a few hours on the 44,500-tonne warship, acquired from Russia for over Rs 15,000 crore, and saw a host of exercises by the frontline warships and aircraft.

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During his stay on the ship, Modi was treated to 'air power demonstration' by various naval aircraft, including MiG 29K, Sea Harriers, P 8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, TU 142M and IL-38SD maritime surveillance planes along with Kamov and Sea King helicopters.

He also saw the high-speed manoeuvres by the Navy's Western Fleet ships including aircraft carrier INS Viraat, Delhi-class destroyers and Talwar-class frigates.

He also saw the take-off and 'arrestor wire landing operations' and high-speed low-level operations of MiG29 K integral fighters planes on board the flight deck of Vikramaditya.

Apparently, the deal for the aircraft carrier was commissioned during the previous NDA regime in 2004 by the then defence minister A K Antony in Russia. It took a decade for the vessel to join the Indian Navy. It arrived at the Indian shores on November 16, 2013.

Vikramaditya, a floating airfield, has an overall length of about 284 metres and a maximum beam of about 60 metres, stretching as much as three football fields put together. Standing about 20 storeys tall from the keel to the highest point, the ship has a total of 22 decks and carries 1,600 personnel.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury