Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya has arrived earlier today in capital city Male in Maldives along with two other naval ships.

The modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which entered into service with the Indian Navy in 2013, is 285 feet long and 60 feet wide. The aircraft carrier was named in honour of Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India.

India's largest naval ship, the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, arrives in Maldives

Image: Getty Images

The other two navy ships harboured at the Ports Authority area are INS Mysore and INS Deepak. Upon their arrival, the Maldives National Defence Force has warned all local vessels to maintain 1 mile distance from the ships at all times.

INS Deepak is also the ship that visited Male in December 2014 to provide drinking water during the Male water crisis.

The Indian High Commission has opened the ships for public visits from February 16-17. Passes will be granted from the High Commission on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Upon the arrival of INS Vikramaditya,along with its accompanying vessels, the Maldives National Defence Force has warned all local vessels to maintain 1 mile distance from the ships at all times.

Image: Hussain Shayaahu

According to the High Commission, the visit by India’s largest naval ship represents the strong bilateral and military relations between the two countries.

All three naval ships had undergone a fleet review from February 7-9, 2016 before arriving in Maldives today.

The fleet is expected to depart Maldives on the 18th of this month.

Source: raajje.mv