India’s Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has handed over the lead Vikrant-class ship, indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant, to the Indian Navy.

It was marked by the signing of acceptance documents in the presence of officials from the Indian Navy and CSL.

This delivery also marks the culmination of the vessel’s design, build and trial phases.

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Beginning in Egypt, the collaboration is due to be rolled out across the region, with countries including KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria ultimately feeling the benefit.

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Vikrant underwent extensive user acceptance trials, which were carried out between August 2021 and July 2022. It has recently concluded the fourth phase of sea trials.

The trials were conducted to validate the performance of the ship, including its main propulsion, weapon and sensors, hull, auxiliary equipment and aviation facilities.

Other capabilities, such as sea keeping and manoeuvring, were also evaluated during the trials, conducted in compliance with the protocols and system parameters.

In a press statement, the Indian Navy said: “The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant which would bolster India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water Navy.”

Once commissioned, the ship will be capable of operating an air wing comprising 30 aircraft, including Kamov-31, MIG-29K fighter jets, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, advanced light helicopters (ALH) and light combat aircraft (LCA).

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The plan to transform patient outcomes in the Middle East through the use of AI

A partnership between Microsoft and Roche, leveraging AI and cloud solutions, is promising to redefine healthcare possibilities in the Middle East.

In December 2021, Swiss pharmaceutical and diagnostics giant Roche agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft. The aim is to use the power of AI and cloud technology to improve outcomes for patients across the Middle East, and help healthcare providers embrace early adoption of new diagnostic tools.

Beginning in Egypt, the collaboration is due to be rolled out across the region, with countries including KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria ultimately feeling the benefit.

BY MICROSOFT AIREAD MORE

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), the 262m-long lead Vikrant-class ship offers a displacement of nearly 45,000t.

It is much larger than the predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier, which played a crucial role in the 1971 war.

Launched in 2013, the vessel has been developed in three different phases at an estimated cost of $2.52bn (R2s00bn).

The vessel comprises of 76% indigenous content and supports the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.