India launches new aircraft carrier as China concerns grow

AP via Yahoo ^ | 09/02/2022 | ASHOK SHARMA

[DFG]

India commissioned its first home-built aircraft carrier Friday as it seeks to counter regional rival China's much larger and growing fleet, and expand its own indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

The INS Vikrant, whose name is a Sanskrit word for “powerful" or "courageous," is India's second operational aircraft carrier, joining the Soviet-era INS Vikramaditya that it purchased from Russia in 2004 to defend the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

The new 262-meter (860-foot) carrier, designed by the Indian navy and built at the Cochin shipyard in southern India, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the country's commemoration of 75 years of independence from British rule.

More than just adding to the country's naval capabilities, Modi stressed the importance of India now being only one of a handful of nations with an indigenous carrier program.

"It’s a historic day and landmark achievement," Modi said. “It’s an example of the government’s thrust to make India’s defense sector self-reliant.”

The carrier is the largest warship to be built in the country, and can carry a crew of around 1,600 and operate a fleet of 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters, the navy said.

[Paal Gulli]

"An aircraft carrier, in itself, is extremely vulnerable. The question is, does India have the necessary flotilla - ships, subs, etc. - to support the carrier? Probably not."

Nor do they have experience with 24/7 all-weather carrier-borne flight operations. Then again, neither do the Red Chinese. But India obviously aspires to be a blue water power, else they wouldn't be investing in flat tops and nuclear submarines.

[IndianChief]

Nor do they have experience with 24/7 all-weather carrier-borne flight operations. Then again, neither do the Red Chinese. But India obviously aspires to be a blue water power, else they wouldn't be investing in flat tops and nuclear submarines.

India has been operating Carriers since 1961. They can operate in any weather required for Indian Ocean ops. Would be pointless to compare to the USN carrier ops.

The nuke subs are only to deter the Chinese nukes. Indias interest is limited to the Indo-Pacific in the forseeable future.

[IndianChief]

An aircraft carrier, in itself, is extremely vulnerable. The question is, does India have the necessary flotilla - ships, subs, etc. - to support the carrier? Probably not.

India has enough experience operating flattops. The first was inducted in 1961. The IN carriers will be operating in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea mainly. The IN has enough ships for a CBG. Debate over the total costs of 1 more CBG is what is delaying a third, much bigger carrier.