PM Modi commissions INS Vikrant, calling it "another step toward becoming a developed country."

India's first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was commissioned on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who noted that it was another step toward making India a developed country.

INS Vikrant was officially launched by PM Modi during a ceremony at Kerala's Cochin Shipyard Limited. INS Vikrant was dedicated to the nations by PM Modi "Such aircraft carriers have only ever been produced by industrialised nations to date. By joining the league, India has advanced closer to being a developed nation."

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi commissions indigenous Aircraft Carrier IAC Vikrant, the largest & most complex warship ever built in India's maritime history, into the Indian Navy at a ceremony in Kochi, Kerala. #INSVikrant pic.twitter.com/8oiQN2AnMg

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2022

Additionally present at the occasion were State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor Arif Mohamad Khan, and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

PM Modi also revealed the Indian Navy's new ensign at the ceremony. Instead of the St. George's Cross, the new ensign contains Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's royal seal.

The big ship's indigenization efforts, particularly the steel used in its construction, were emphasised by PM Modi.

"INS Vikrant is evidence of India's competence and aptitude rather than just a military machine. It is unique, distinctive, "added PM Modi.

The flying deck of the INS Vikrant, which cost Rs 20,000 crore to build, is 262 metres long and 62.4 metres broad, or the equivalent of two football fields. Over a hundred indigenous pieces of machinery and equipment from India's largest industrial companies were used in its construction.

With the building of "Vikrant," India has joined a small group of countries with the specialised expertise to design and construct an aircraft carrier domestically, including the US, the UK, Russia, China, and France.

India will have two operational aircraft carriers after Vikrant is commissioned, which would improve the country's maritime security.