As India prepares to commission Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant, Cochin Shipyard Limited MD shared valuable insights about the construction of the IAC Vikrant and the evolution of India's shipbuilding prowess.

There is a major thrust on indigenisation and 'Atmanirbharta' when it comes to construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant is concerned, said Cochin Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair.

Talking about the level of indigenisation as far as equipment and systems are concerned, the CSL MD said: "Today we have coined the term 'Atmanirbharta' (Self-Reliant) -- which was always there -- the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' cuts very strongly with us. We can say, with confidence, that this vessel -- from a value point of view -- is 76 per cent 'Aatmanirbhar'. And the confidence going forward is that this figure can rise further."

"The Aviation Flight Complex (AFC) will have planes that are still not Indian. The Indian planes will also fly from this. Light Combat Aircraft will fly from this. There are gas turbines with foreign components that have been implemented in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. So when I talk of 'Aatmanirbhar', it gives me pride as Cochin Shipyard. But it gives me even more pride talking as an Indian," he said.

"Just look at the companies that are involved. Bharat Electronics Limited, BHEL, Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Tubro, Kirloskar Oil Engines, Kirloskar Pneumatics, Steel Authority of India Limited, the DRDO labs and about 100-odd Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are directly on this (IAC Vikrant). So there is a lot of Indian flavour that has come into it."