Mumbai: Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Thursday boarded a fighter jet on board India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Mumbai. The Australian PM sat inside the fighter jet while Indian Navy officials shared details and information on board India’s largest aircraft carrier. “I am deeply honored to be here today aboard the Indian-designed and built INS Vikrant, my visit reflects my government’s commitment to placing India at the heart of Australia’s vision for India in the Pacific and beyond.” , I am delighted to have met the brilliant and highly professional men and women of the Indian Navy. What takes the defense relationship to new levels is the resolve and foresight of those who see the relationship not only for what it is, but also for what it could be. One such person is my friend, Prime Minister Modi,” the Australian PM said while interacting with media persons after boarding INS Vikrant.
He thanked PM Modi for his “dedication to advancing our defense and security partnership, which is growing in strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together”.
#Watch Australian PM Anthony Albanese receives guard of honor onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant pic.twitter.com/Uv7nplQP7B– ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2023
“For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to the security and prosperity of both countries. And there has never been a point in our country’s history where we have had such a strong strategic alignment that my I have been further strengthened by the current India visit and will be further strengthened by Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the Quad leaders’ meeting,” the Australian PM said.
Albanese continued, “In the short run, we both depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and our economic well-being. And we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international Are.” order and ensure the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”
#Watch , Australian PM Anthony Albanese inside the cockpit of LCA onboard INS Vikrant off Mumbai coast pic.twitter.com/hXqSqPIHcF– ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2023
He said, “For the first time in November, we conducted complex and sophisticated exercises in the Indo-Pacific Endeavor and Exercise Oostrahund. It was capped off by the Malabar exercise, where we, along with close allies Japan and the United States, demonstrated our military interoperability with India.” strengthened.”
Albanese said, “More important than these statistics is the extreme complexity and high-end nature of our military relationship which is unprecedented. I predict that 2023 will be busier than ever for our defense cooperation.”
The inaugural Australia-India General Rawat Defense Officer Exchange Program is currently taking place in India. “This pioneering exchange program created by Prime Minister Modi will ensure our defense personnel develop familiarity and trust that cements a close and long-lasting relationship,” Albanese said.
He announced that later this year, Australia will host ‘Exercise Malabar’ for the first time, while India will also participate in Australia’s ‘Talisman Sabre’ exercise for the first time in August. to Navy Australia in August and I thank them again for their generosity in hosting us here today,” the Australian PM signed off by saying.
Albanese was seen munching Indian snacks along with naval officers on the aircraft carrier. In what was a major milestone in the journey of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant on September 02, 2022.
Like a floating city, the aircraft carrier produces electricity that is enough to power 5,000 homes. Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, INS Vikrant is the largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history . ,
The 262.5 m long and 61.6 m wide Vikrant displaces approximately 43,000 t, and has a maximum design speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. The ship has approximately 2,200 compartments, designed for a crew of approximately 1,600. The ship is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, besides indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Is. ,
Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as Short Take-off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), INS Vikrant is equipped with a ski jump for launching aircraft, and onboard ‘arrestor wires’ for their recovery. There is a set of ‘. With 76% indigenous content, the construction of INS Vikrant has resulted in direct employment generation for over 2,000 employees of CSL.
In addition, it has also resulted in indirect employment generation for around 12,500 employees from over 550 OEMs, sub-contractors, ancillary industries and over 100 MSMEs. Australia. On his first visit to India, Albanese and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday briefly watched the ongoing fourth and final Test between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad.
A special coin minted to mark the occasion was used at the toss. The Prime Ministers take a ride around the stadium on a specially designed chariot to mark the occasion. Albanese compared the cricket match to the growing bilateral ties between India and Australia, saying the two countries are collaborating to build a better world. Cricket teams were competing to be the best in the world.