Yes, aircraft carriers are sitting ducks without a protective armada around them. The key to protecting U.S. carriers is that nobody gets close to one that not a friendly. Potential threads are identified and tracked hundreds of miles away.
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.
Yes, aircraft carriers are sitting ducks without a protective armada around them. The key to protecting U.S. carriers is that nobody gets close to one that not a friendly. Potential threads are identified and tracked hundreds of miles away.
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.
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.