India plans to build another indigenous aircraft carrier in addition to the INS Vikrant, which is expected to join the country’s navy in 2016.
“The indigenous aircraft carrier [IAC] program is planned to be [a] continuing process over the next decade-plus, with the Indian navy’s medium-term aim being to have at least two fully operational and combat worthy carriers available at any
given time,” says Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Nirmal Verma.
The second planned IAC could weigh about 65,000 tons and is likely to be christened INS Vishal.
Vikrant is under construction at the public-sector Cochin Shipyard in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The keel-laying for Vikrant, which will weigh about 45,000 tons, took place in February 2009.
Verma says the Indian navy has articulated a development plan up to 2027 that is “capability-based rather than threat-based.”
This comes after the converted-Kiev sailed for sea trials. I think with this, and other plans, we are seeing a new power bloc appear in Asia. Either way India will be quite interesting to watch over the next few years.
Photo Credit: Russia Today
This comes after the converted-Kiev sailed for sea trials. I think with this, and other plans, we are seeing a new power bloc appear in Asia. Either way India will be quite interesting to watch over the next few years.
Photo Credit: Russia Today
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