INS Vikrant (IAC1) & INS Vikramaditya - News & Discussions
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Navy demonstrates twin-carrier operations, MiG-29K jets take off simultaneously from INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, and then land on opposite decks
The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024 concluded on Friday.
The first part of the conference was held at sea on board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on Tuesday during which the Navy showcased its “twin-carrier operations” with MiG-29K fighter jets taking off simultaneously from both INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, and then landing cross deck. The operations were witnessed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan.
The twin-carrier operations also demonstrate that the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September 2022, has been fully operationalised and fully integrated into the operational cycle. The twin operations were followed by a sail by several warships of the Indian Navy, a combined tonnage of around 1,40,000 tonnes, in addition to aircraft mobilised from across the country’s coastline.
MiG-29K jet on the flight deck of INS Vikramaditya | Photo Credit: Dinakar Peri
The conference happened amid high operational tempo of the Navy in the last six months with developments in the Red Sea and renewed piracy attempts in the Gulf of Aden.
The remainder of the conference was held in New Delhi. The commanders’ conference is an institutional forum that enables deliberations on important maritime security issues at the military-strategic level.
In his address to the top commanders, Mr. Singh mentioned the recent incidents in West Asia and the adjoining seas, and underscored the leadership role expected of the Indian Navy towards ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region.
The proceedings at New Delhi on March 7 and 8 included review of major operational, material, infrastructure, logistics and personnel-related initiatives, the Navy said in a statement on Saturday. “Besides, the senior naval leadership reviewed existing and future plans, including capability enhancements in the island territories, to mitigate contemporary and future challenges in the maritime domain.”
A Sea King helicopter on the flight deck of INS Vikramaditya. INS Vikrant is seen in the background. | Photo Credit: Dinakar Peri
The chiefs of Army and Air Force also addressed and engaged with the naval commanders, sharing their assessment of the operating environment, outlining readiness levels to defend national interests amidst the prevailing and evolving security challenges, the Navy stated.
On the sidelines of the conference, the naval commanders also interacted with various think tanks at a ‘Sagar Manthan’ event on March 8. The forum provided an opportunity to engage with micro, medium and small enterprises, innovators and academia to deliberate ways, means and novel avenues to further atmanirbharta initiatives and enhance self-reliance in defence production, the Navy added.
Episodes of takeoffs and landings of Indian MiG-29K fighters, Russian-made, from the Indian aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya R 33 and INS Vikrant R 11. The Vikramaditya aircraft carrier was created on the basis of the deeply modernized Soviet aircraft-carrying cruiser "Admiral Gorshkov", project 1143.4. In the USSR, the ship was launched in 1982, in 2004 it was purchased by India, underwent modernization in Russia, becoming a full-fledged aircraft carrier from an aircraft-carrying cruiser, and in 2013 the ship went to India. The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, developed jointly by India, Russia and Italy, the development of the ship began in 1999, was launched in 2013 and handed over to the fleet in 2022. This is the first aircraft carrier built in India. The ship took a long time to build, but the country gained its first experience in creating ships of this class.
Twin deck operations are extremely interesting - as they mitigate low sortie rates inherent to smaller carriers based on STOBAR.
One carrier could provide air defence sorties while other sends for strike for example
Work on third aircraft carrier to start soon, more to follow, says Rajnath Singh
India will soon start making its third aircraft carrier, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while talking to The Tribune. He was referring to the pending proposal of the Navy to make another indigenous carrier same in size as INS Vikrant, which weighed 45,000 tonne and was commissioned in September 2022
India has one more carrier — INS Vikramaditya — sourced from Russia in 2013. “We will not stop at that (three carriers). We will make five, six more,” said Rajnath.
These are first indications of long-term plans for having sea-going carriers that can launch and recover fighter jets from the deck while sailing. Till now, India has been speaking about having three carriers. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in January last year suggested the need for having a third sea-going aircraft carrier. It had said, “The reach and flexibility of a carrier is far superior to military airfields in far-flung island territories.” What Rajnath said is setting is a fresh target for India and it matches China’s plan to have aircraft carriers.
Three years ago, a US Department of Defence report, ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2021’, warned, “China continues to build a multi-carrier force. Plans are for six carriers by 2030.”
China has two operational aircraft carriers — Liaoning and Shandong. On May 1, it started a week-long sea trial of its next-generation aircraft carrier Fujian. This is China’s third aircraft carrier and the first equipped with electromagnetic catapults. The US aircraft carriers use the technology of electromagnetic catapults to launch fighter jets from deck. A catapult launch allows jets to carry heavier payload and reduce the time between the launch of two jets.
Fujian, an 80,000 tonne warship, is bigger than carriers made by the UK, France, India and Japan.
Not just India and China, other Asian countries are also racing to project power at sea and make carriers. The Japanese have converted helicopter carrier JS Izumo into an aircraft carrier capable of flying F35. It is converting another helicopter carrier, JS Kaga.
South Korea has a plan to launch a carrier by 2030.
India operated its first carrier — HMS Hercules — in 1961. It was sourced second hand from the UK and was renamed ‘INS Vikrant’. It played an important role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war on the eastern front before getting decommissioned in 1997.
India’s second carrier, HMS Hermes, also sourced second hand from the UK, was renamed INS Viraat. Inducted in 1987, it was decommissioned in 2017.
“We will not stop at that (three carriers). We will make five, six more,” said Rajnath.
3 STOBAR by 2032? Then 3 EMALS Nuke powered ?
I hope we are working on Next Generation Ninda. Kadi Ninda is becoming outdated.
More vikrant are useless & just a waste of precious time & money.... Time to go for bigger EMALS Nuke powered one's.
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As China Unleashes 80,000-Ton Fujian, India’s Ex-Naval Chief Wants France’s Help To Construct Nuke-Powered Aircraft Carrier
Amid China’s PLA Navy commencing sea trials of its third aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian, a former Indian Navy chief has proposed that India and France collaborate on constructing a nuclear-powered next-generation aircraft carrier.
Fujian is China’s largest warship. Launched in June 2022, it is the country’s first supercarrier and the first domestically developed carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices.
Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) has suggested that the two countries are already collaborating on manufacturing engines for India’s fighter jet engines; they are supplying Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy and joining hands to manufacture the next-generation aircraft carrier is the “logical step.”
France has already started work on its next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the French Navy, the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PA-NG). The PA-NG will replace the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Construction is expected to commence in 2025, and commissioning is scheduled for 2038.
Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique are jointly building the PA-NG, and TechnicAtome will provide the two nuclear reactors that power the ship.
Admiral Prakash contends that this is the right time should India want to join the project and France is ready to share the technology. He believes India’s next indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) should be technologically ahead of the first IAC INS Vikrant.
The Fujian is more technically advanced than the other Chinese carriers
“French companies have started work, and at this stage, it is possible for India to collaborate. Repeat order for INS Vikrant would not be a great step forward. It has a ski jump (for aircraft take-off) and is propelled by a gas turbine. Next carrier should have a catapult for better performance from aircraft and nuclear propulsion for endless endurance,” Admiral Prakash told the EurAsian Times. But, first, he said, the government has to decide whether we want to go for the next aircraft carrier.
INS Vikrant, a 44,000-ton warship, was inducted into the Indian Navy on September 2, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
Apart from being unable to operate a large number of aircraft (INS Vikrant can operate 18 fighter jets), unlike their American counterparts, India’s 45,000-tonne indigenous carrier is also constrained by limited range and power. Unlike conventional propulsion, nuclear propulsion offers higher and unlimited power to the carriers. The nuclear-powered floating bases become more agile and can be deployed for extended periods.
Compared to the big carrier, small flattops have less potent onboard defense systems and are particularly vulnerable to drone swarm attacks. A small aircraft carrier’s peacetime importance is not under contestation, but its combat role is limited.
“Aircraft carriers remain in service for 30-40 years. The second indigenous aircraft carrier will take 7-9 years to build and will be ready by 2035. This means we are going to keep it in service till 2075. A 45,000-tonne carrier will not be able to meet India’s need to counter China, which is going to have a formidable presence in the Indian Ocean Region in the next 5-7 years,” Commodore Anil Jai Singh, an Indian Navy Veteran and Vice President of the Indian Maritime Foundation told the EurAsian Times.
Given the kind of capability we need in the future, we need bigger aircraft carriers in the future, Commodore Singh opined.
“The PLA Navy is going for a bigger aircraft carrier. India takes pride in the fact that we can turn any situation in the IOR favorably. If we need to maintain it, a 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier is not enough. We are not only looking at the present day but also our capability for the next 40 years. We need at least a 65000-70000-ton aircraft carrier,” Commodore Singh added.
Indian Navy’s 2nd Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
The Indian Navy wants to go for the second indigenous aircraft carrier as the life of the Russian-built Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, is also nearing its end.Indian Navy Chief Admiral Hari R. Kumar revealed on October 6, 2023, that the Navy is moving a case for the third aircraft carrier, which will be a repeat of the indigenous INS Vikrant. There has been no encouragement from the government for getting bigger aircraft carriers.
Representation of the Porte-avions de nouvelle génération.
The need for three aircraft carriers was laid down in the first Plan Paper made for the Indian Navy in 1948 to enable it to exercise sea control in the Indian Ocean.
“If France is willing to share the technology, it would be a good idea. Building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would take decades. With France’s help, India can achieve it in the next 6-7 years,” the former Indian Navy Chief suggested. He adds that India can share the financial burden of the project and provide labor for the construction. Also, the construction of PA-NG and the IAC-2 can run concurrently should the collaboration take shape.
In 1988, DCN France was asked to audit Cochin Shipyard Limited and lend help in the concept design of a “sea control ship.” DCN-CSL came up with the concept of the 37,000-ton ship with ski jump/catapult options, costing around INR 3,000 crores, but it was found unaffordable.
The PA-NG will be bigger and more powerful than its predecessor, Charles de Gaulle. It will be a 75,000-ton warship and can carry up to 30 new-generation maritime variants of the future combat air system (FCAS), comprising new-generation fighter aircraft and remote carrier vehicles.
India has been able to manufacture nuclear-powered submarines with the help of Russians. However, making a reactor for a 60,000-ton warship is a different ballgame.
Another factor is that both INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant use the older ‘ski-jump’ technology to help the deck-based fighter jets take off. The new aircraft carriers are coming with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). These complex technologies offer advantages like precise control over launch speed, are suitable for heavy aircraft, and are compatible with future aircraft designs.
India-France
Over the past decade, France has emerged as India’s second-largest arms supplier after Russia. The defense cooperation between the two countries has strengthened significantly, and several key defense deals have been struck. France’s public endorsement of India’s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council has also made it a trusted ally for New Delhi.
India has already inducted 36 Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation into its air force. In 2023, the Indian government received initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale M fighter jets for its Navy.
The Rafale jets have enhanced India’s air combat capabilities and contributed to its national security. Before these, in the 1980s, India bought Mirage jets, which continue to be in service and comprise two Air Force squadrons.
India’s defense ministry granted the Approval of Necessity (AoN) for procuring three additional Scorpène-class submarines under the Buy (Indian) category. These submarines will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in India. The Indian Navy already operates six Scorpène submarines manufactured by the French Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS).
Indian aerospace maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is currently looking to manufacture the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), a medium-lift helicopter to replace the aging Russian Mi-17 helicopters. These helicopters will be used for air assault, air attack, anti-submarine, anti-surface, military transport, and VIP transport. The company has already signed a workshare agreement for the joint development of engines with France-based Safran.
At this moment it's not too bad. Given R33 is steam powered Soviet era ship, having a modern R11 quickly will ensure greater availablity of a CBG on station.
As China Unleashes 80,000-Ton Fujian, India’s Ex-Naval Chief Wants France’s Help To Construct Nuke-Powered Aircraft Carrier
Amid China’s PLA Navy commencing sea trials of its third aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian, a former Indian Navy chief has proposed that India and France collaborate on constructing a nuclear-powered next-generation aircraft carrier.
Fujian is China’s largest warship. Launched in June 2022, it is the country’s first supercarrier and the first domestically developed carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices.
Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) has suggested that the two countries are already collaborating on manufacturing engines for India’s fighter jet engines; they are supplying Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy and joining hands to manufacture the next-generation aircraft carrier is the “logical step.”
France has already started work on its next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the French Navy, the Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PA-NG). The PA-NG will replace the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. Construction is expected to commence in 2025, and commissioning is scheduled for 2038.
Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique are jointly building the PA-NG, and TechnicAtome will provide the two nuclear reactors that power the ship.
Admiral Prakash contends that this is the right time should India want to join the project and France is ready to share the technology. He believes India’s next indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) should be technologically ahead of the first IAC INS Vikrant.
The Fujian is more technically advanced than the other Chinese carriers
“French companies have started work, and at this stage, it is possible for India to collaborate. Repeat order for INS Vikrant would not be a great step forward. It has a ski jump (for aircraft take-off) and is propelled by a gas turbine. Next carrier should have a catapult for better performance from aircraft and nuclear propulsion for endless endurance,” Admiral Prakash told the EurAsian Times. But, first, he said, the government has to decide whether we want to go for the next aircraft carrier.
INS Vikrant, a 44,000-ton warship, was inducted into the Indian Navy on September 2, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
Apart from being unable to operate a large number of aircraft (INS Vikrant can operate 18 fighter jets), unlike their American counterparts, India’s 45,000-tonne indigenous carrier is also constrained by limited range and power. Unlike conventional propulsion, nuclear propulsion offers higher and unlimited power to the carriers. The nuclear-powered floating bases become more agile and can be deployed for extended periods.
Compared to the big carrier, small flattops have less potent onboard defense systems and are particularly vulnerable to drone swarm attacks. A small aircraft carrier’s peacetime importance is not under contestation, but its combat role is limited.
“Aircraft carriers remain in service for 30-40 years. The second indigenous aircraft carrier will take 7-9 years to build and will be ready by 2035. This means we are going to keep it in service till 2075. A 45,000-tonne carrier will not be able to meet India’s need to counter China, which is going to have a formidable presence in the Indian Ocean Region in the next 5-7 years,” Commodore Anil Jai Singh, an Indian Navy Veteran and Vice President of the Indian Maritime Foundation told the EurAsian Times.
Given the kind of capability we need in the future, we need bigger aircraft carriers in the future, Commodore Singh opined.
“The PLA Navy is going for a bigger aircraft carrier. India takes pride in the fact that we can turn any situation in the IOR favorably. If we need to maintain it, a 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier is not enough. We are not only looking at the present day but also our capability for the next 40 years. We need at least a 65000-70000-ton aircraft carrier,” Commodore Singh added.
Indian Navy’s 2nd Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
The Indian Navy wants to go for the second indigenous aircraft carrier as the life of the Russian-built Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, is also nearing its end.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Hari R. Kumar revealed on October 6, 2023, that the Navy is moving a case for the third aircraft carrier, which will be a repeat of the indigenous INS Vikrant. There has been no encouragement from the government for getting bigger aircraft carriers.
Representation of the Porte-avions de nouvelle génération.
The need for three aircraft carriers was laid down in the first Plan Paper made for the Indian Navy in 1948 to enable it to exercise sea control in the Indian Ocean.
“If France is willing to share the technology, it would be a good idea. Building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would take decades. With France’s help, India can achieve it in the next 6-7 years,” the former Indian Navy Chief suggested. He adds that India can share the financial burden of the project and provide labor for the construction. Also, the construction of PA-NG and the IAC-2 can run concurrently should the collaboration take shape.
In 1988, DCN France was asked to audit Cochin Shipyard Limited and lend help in the concept design of a “sea control ship.” DCN-CSL came up with the concept of the 37,000-ton ship with ski jump/catapult options, costing around INR 3,000 crores, but it was found unaffordable.
The PA-NG will be bigger and more powerful than its predecessor, Charles de Gaulle. It will be a 75,000-ton warship and can carry up to 30 new-generation maritime variants of the future combat air system (FCAS), comprising new-generation fighter aircraft and remote carrier vehicles.
India has been able to manufacture nuclear-powered submarines with the help of Russians. However, making a reactor for a 60,000-ton warship is a different ballgame.
Another factor is that both INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant use the older ‘ski-jump’ technology to help the deck-based fighter jets take off. The new aircraft carriers are coming with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). These complex technologies offer advantages like precise control over launch speed, are suitable for heavy aircraft, and are compatible with future aircraft designs.
India-France
Over the past decade, France has emerged as India’s second-largest arms supplier after Russia. The defense cooperation between the two countries has strengthened significantly, and several key defense deals have been struck. France’s public endorsement of India’s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council has also made it a trusted ally for New Delhi.
A Rafale Marine attached to squadron 17F of the French Navy lands during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
India has already inducted 36 Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation into its air force. In 2023, the Indian government received initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale M fighter jets for its Navy.
The Rafale jets have enhanced India’s air combat capabilities and contributed to its national security. Before these, in the 1980s, India bought Mirage jets, which continue to be in service and comprise two Air Force squadrons.
India’s defense ministry granted the Approval of Necessity (AoN) for procuring three additional Scorpène-class submarines under the Buy (Indian) category. These submarines will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in India. The Indian Navy already operates six Scorpène submarines manufactured by the French Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS).
Indian aerospace maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is currently looking to manufacture the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), a medium-lift helicopter to replace the aging Russian Mi-17 helicopters. These helicopters will be used for air assault, air attack, anti-submarine, anti-surface, military transport, and VIP transport. The company has already signed a workshare agreement for the joint development of engines with France-based Safran.
I'm a fan of an Indianized PANG + SCAF for the third carrier.