Riding INS Vikrant! Bajaj Auto bike made from India’s first aircraft carrier

“These qualities also form the essence of our new brand”, said Eric Vas, president of the motorcycle business at Bajaj Auto.

Bajaj Auto, the homegrown motorcycle manufacturer, announced in a video that its upcoming motorcycle brand will be called “V”.

Originally commissioned as the HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy for participation in World War II, the carrier was bought by the Indian government in 1957 and inducted into our naval services in 1961.

Commodore (Retd) Medioma Bhada from Vikrant Memorial Forum, an ex-pilot of the carrier who conceived and donated parts of the ship for the sculpture, said the metal needed for the memorial was collected from the decommissioned vessel at the ship breaking yard.

After India’s first aircraft carrier was scrapped in 2014, the automaker chose to use its “invincible metal” in its own products.

We expect Bajaj Auto to launch the new bikes in the 150cc segment and might come with the same engine as Bajaj Discover 150. Suspension duties will be handled by telescopic forks up front, and twin shocks at the rear. Only that they will be badged Bajaj V, get a special logo, and will be introduced on February 1.

So, Bajaj purchased the metal from the ship that was being scrapped and the rest is a series of motorbikes. “We are proud that Bajaj Auto is playing a role in keeping the legacy of India’s first aircraft carrier alive”.

He further added, “For the warship, the name Vikrant was taken from the Sanskrit word Vikrānta meaning “stepping beyond”, i.e. “courageous” or “bold”.