SOURCE: AFI
Recently, a wave of misinformation has surfaced on social media, alleging that India’s newly commissioned aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, has stability control issues. This disinformation campaign, primarily propagated by accounts affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), leverages a video from INS Vikrant’s second sea trials. In the video, the carrier is seen performing a high-speed stop maneuver.
The video showing INS Vikrant’s high-speed stop trial has been misinterpreted by CCP-affiliated accounts to suggest stability control issues. In reality, the trial is a standard and necessary procedure for any naval vessel. The ship’s controlled stopping during the trial does not indicate any problems but rather confirms its capability to perform critical maneuvers safely.
The video in question captures INS Vikrant undergoing a high-speed stop trial, a critical part of its sea trials. In this maneuver, the carrier is brought to its maximum speed, but since aircraft carriers don’t have brakes to stop in sea but it uses astern throttles that are engaged. This involves reversing the ship’s propellers to generate a backward thrust, counteracting the forward momentum and bringing the ship to a stop more quickly.
The primary objective of the high-speed stop trial is to validate the carrier’s safety mechanisms. It ensures that the vessel can stop within a reasonable distance in emergency situations, preventing potential collisions and other hazards at sea.
This test evaluates the ship’s propulsion and braking systems. It helps identify any potential issues that need to be addressed before the carrier becomes fully operational. Ensuring the propulsion system’s reliability is crucial for the carrier’s performance in various maritime conditions.
Contrary to the false claims, the high-speed stop maneuver actually assesses the ship’s stability and handling under extreme conditions. Successfully completing this trial demonstrates the vessel’s ability to maintain control and stability during rapid deceleration, an essential capability for operational effectiveness.
The allegations spread by CCP-affiliated accounts regarding INS Vikrant’s stability control issues are unfounded and misleading. The high-speed stop trial is a routine and essential part of the ship’s sea trials, aimed at ensuring safety, operational readiness, and engineering validation. By understanding the purpose and importance of these trials, it becomes clear that INS Vikrant’s performance is not a cause for concern but rather a demonstration of its robust capabilities.