From Hercules for the British Royal Navy during the Second World War to V15 for Bajaj motorcycles. Here is the journey of the special metal Bajaj is using to make and market their new motorcycle with.
INS Vikrant began its quest under the name of Hercules for the British Royal Navy during Second World War but the war commenced before the ship's completion. India purchased the incomplete carrier from United Kingdom in 1957, and completed construction of the 15,700 tonne warship in 1961. INS Vikrant was commissioned as the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. It also went on to play a key role in enforcing the naval blockade of East Pakistan during 1971 war.
After years of honourable service, INS Vikrant was decommissioned in January 1997. It went on to become a museum ship in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, until it was closed in 2012 due to safety reasons.
At the end of January 2014, Vikrant was sold through an online auction to a ship-breaker in Darukhana, India. In January 2016, Indian auto manufacturer Bajaj announced that metal from the INS Vikrant would be used to make their new motorcycle. Eric Vas, President, Bajaj Motorcycles, said, "After the news to dismantle INS Vikrant came in 2014, we decided to do something about it. INS Vikrant is a symbol of India's military power projection and Bajaj wanted to remind the nation, and also remember INS Vikrant's story."
The motorcycle was unveiled today, Bajaj officially stated that they have acquired some of the metal and not all, as perceived earlier. They also clearly mentioned that the motorcycle will have a limited run as the metal is not ‘infinite’. Bajaj also announced that only the tank of the motorcycle will be made of the thoroughly tested metal from the ship.
Bajaj will commence deliveries of the V15 by March, with a price tag between Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000. Read more about it here.
Picture of INS Vikrant - BL SONI
