Kochi: Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar-headed Empowered Apex Committee (EAC) on Monday reviewed the progress of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-P71) project at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The review critically examined the current status of the project as the IAC is in a very advanced stage of construction and is scheduled to commence Basin Trials in early 2020 followed by the Sea Trials by mid 2020, a defence official said.
This is the 13th EAC Review Meeting of the Project and the first to be held after the signing of the Phase-III of the IAC Contract on October 31, 2019 between Government of India, Ministry of Defence & Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The Defence Secretary was accompanied by Indian Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ashok Kumar, Vice Admiral GS Pabby, Vice Admiral SR Sarma, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition from IHQ MoD(Navy) and other senior officers from IHQ MoD(Navy), Warship Overseeing Team and Carrier Acceptance & Trials Team.
IAC construction is in an advanced state with all four Gas Turbines, main engines having been started, Power Generation Systems comprising of eight Diesel Alternators ready and trials of ship’s major systems and auxiliary equipment in progress.
IAC had successfully completed the Pre-Contractors Sea Trials dry dock work package in Dec 2019.
Basin trials are conducted for proving of the propulsion, transmission and shafting systems and is scheduled in early half of 2020.
The Aircraft Carrier would be ready to commence the Sea Trials once the Basin trials are successfully completed.
