INS Vikrant in Operation Sindoor | India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

Amid the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan and India’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, has been sent to the Arabian Sea, off the Karwar coast. This is in a strategic location closer to Pakistani waters as a strong warning and a show of India’s naval capabilities and readiness.

Some news sources claim that INS Vikrant has fired at Pakistan Navy installations in Karachi and Ormara, leading to huge blazes. The sources say several missiles were fired from the carrier at these port cities. Currently, no Indian Navy’s Action at Karachi Port, while the Indian Navy, of course, is still operational in the Arabian Sea. Read this article to know all about the INS Vikrant, its key features, Strike Capabilities and many more.

Did Indian Navy Strike Karachi Port with INS Vikrant?

After the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy has now acted strongly. INS Vikrant, deployed in the Arabian Sea. At present, No Indian Navy’s Action at Karachi Port, while the Indian Navy, of course, remains operational in the Arabian Sea.

Reports emerged of INS Vikrant attacking Pakistan’s Karachi port, but there is no confirmation yet of the move. Indian Navy has yet not initiated any strike but is protecting India from sea and is prepared to thwart any misadventure by Pakistan.

Karachi Naval Port

• Karachi Port is the principal naval base and command headquarters of the Pakistan Navy. It is the most important sea facility for Pakistan.
• Karachi receives the bulk (about 60%) of Pakistan’s foreign trade, which makes its port and naval facilities an economically and strategically important target.
• The Karachi Naval Base was strongly attacked by the Indian Navy in Operation Trident and Operation Python during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, with devastating effects on Pakistan’s naval logistics and infrastructure. December 4th, which is the day of the first strike, is celebrated as Indian Navy Day.

Ormara Naval Station

• The primary naval base at Ormara is called Jinnah Naval Base. It is named after the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
• Location: It is situated in Ormara, Balochistan, Pakistan.
• It is ranked as a strategic naval base and is the second-largest naval base of the Pakistan Navy.
• It is situated some 240 km west (149 miles) off Karachi by sea, and about 350 km (217 miles) by land through the Makran Coastal Highway. It lies around 230 km (140 miles) to the east of Gwadar.
• Construction started in 1994, and the base was opened on January 22, 2000, by then-Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

Also Read: S-400 Missile Defence System

Role of INS Vikrant in Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, which was initiated by India on May 7, 2025, the aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy, INS Vikrant, played a central role in broadening the scope of the operation to the naval sector.

INS Vikrant’s deployment highlighted India’s policy of holistic strategy in fighting terrorism and protecting its interests on all fronts—land, air, and sea. It was a turning point in India’s defence strategy that emphasised the Navy’s contributing role in multilateral operations.

INS Vikrant: Leading Western Naval Fleet

INS Vikrant is said to be commanding the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, which is based in Mumbai and kept at high operational readiness because of the situation. INS Vikrant, India’s indigenously constructed first aircraft carrier, was formally inducted into the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, a significant improvement in the country’s maritime capabilities. This strategic induction reiterates India’s effort to reinforce its naval power in the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean region.

Strategic Role of INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant: Commissioning and Operational Status

INS Vikrant was commissioned on September 2, 2022. It reached full operational status in late 2024 after final operational clearance. It formally became part of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command in August 2024.

Strike Capabilities of INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant is a key force multiplier for the Indian Navy. It has the capacity to carry 40 combat aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter planes and two squadrons of Kamov Ka-31 helicopters. Its strike capability stretches up to 1,500 kilometres, enabling it to target potentially strategic assets deep within enemy territory, such as Pakistani ports Karachi and Gwadar.

INS Vikrant: Part of a Carrier Strike Group

The aircraft carrier is sailing as part of a strong carrier strike group comprising a combination of warships, destroyers (such as INS Kolkata and INS Visakhapatnam), frigates, anti-submarine warfare ships, and support vessels. This formation facilitates coordinated air, sea, and sub-surface operations.

Conclusion

INS Vikrant is now a central component of India’s aggressive military presence in the Arabian Sea, showcasing the country’s ability to project power and react firmly to any threat in the current heightened security situation. There are reports of its active participation in attacking Pakistani naval targets, though official word from the Indian Navy is yet to come on these particular operations.

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