Context: Recent media reports suggest that the Indian Navy's long-standing demand for a third aircraft carrier is finally moving closer to realization, with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) poised to commence construction of an additional Vikrant-class platform, weighing around 40,000 tonnes.
About aircraft carrier:
- It is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft.
- It is fundamental to command, control and coordination of operations from the sea and to project combat power ashore, over the seas or in the air,
History of Aircraft Carriers in India:
Right from its Independence, India was aware of the need for aircraft carriers to establish itself as a blue water navy. Since the sixties, the Indian Navy has had the unique distinction of operating all variants of aircraft launch and recovery systems.
- INS Vikrant (R11)- India’s First Aircraft Carrier: It served in the Indian Navy from 1961 to 1997. Originally, it was being built by the British as HMS Hercules. The 19,500-tonne Carrier, played a crucial role in the 1971 war.
- INS Viraat: It was originally commissioned by the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes. It played a pivotal role in Operation Jupiter (in 1989 as part of Peacekeeping Operations in Sri Lanka, following the breakdown of the Indo- Sri Lankan Accord of 1986) and Operation Parakram (carried out in the wake of the 2013 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament). It was decommissioned from service in 2017.
- INS Vikramaditya: Russia’s refurbished Admiral Gorshkov was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at Severodvinsk, Russia in November 2013. It is a state-of-the-art ship, capable of operating a versatile range of high-performance aircrafts, such as the MiG 29K fighters, KM 31 AEW helicopters, multi-role Seakings and utility Chetaks.
- India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1): INS Vikrant was inducted into the Indian Navy by 2020.
- Vikrant can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).
- It uses the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) method to launch and recover aircraft for which it is equipped with a ski- jump to launch aircraft, and three ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery.
- A second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-II), a repeat of a Vikrant-like carrier. The IAC-II displacing 45,000 tonnes will see some modifications and newer technologies incorporated in the original design of the Vikrant. The proposed IAC-II has often been referred to as India’s third aircraft carrier.
Why India needs 3rd aircraft carrier:
- Enhances Indian Navy’s capability to protect India’s 7,500-kilometre coastline, enables operations far from India’s shores, reinforcing status as a ‘blue water’ navy.
- Critical for protecting India's seaborne trade, which constitutes over 90% of the country's trade volume. Essential for asserting Indian presence in key strategic areas like the Straits of Malacca, Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, and the South China Sea, would help India project power and counterbalance China’s growing influence.
- Showcasing India’s capability to design and build aircraft carriers.
- Can boost domestic heavy and medium industries, create a network of MSME sector , enhance youth skills, and generate job opportunities.