The recently commissioned INS Vikrant is undergoing sea trials and is yet to be deployed. (Photo: Indian Navy)
Bengaluru: The Indian Navy chief, Admiral Radhakrishan Hari Kumar, said the force is still studying for its third indigenous aircraft carrier, which will be bigger than the IAC-1, now commissioned as INS Vikrant. Adm Hari Kumar said this during an interaction with reporters on the sidelines of the Aero India – 2023, which concluded on February 17.
The project for the third carrier, which was ought to be the second indigenously built carrier, was originally called the IAC-2. However, as the Navy has gone for a repeat order of the IAC-1, the original IAC-2 project is now being called the IAC-3.
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Adm Hari Kumar said, “Initially we will go for the repeat order (of IAC-1) with improved capabilities. In the meantime, we will go to study larger carriers. Because the third aircraft carrier will come and by the time it is commissioned, the life of INS Vikramaditya may end.”
INS Vikramaditya is a Russian-built aircraft carrier, which was refurbished and modified for the Indian Navy after the Russian navy decommissioned it following a massive fire. The 41,400-tonne (loaded displacement) carrier is currently undergoing a major refit since last year. At present, the Indian Navy is operating without any aircraft carrier. INS Vikrant, which is a 45,000-tonne (loaded displacement) carrier, is expected to be deployed towards the end of 2023. Currently, it is undergoing sea trials and validation processes.
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The IAC-3, should the Navy go for it, will be around 65,000 tonnes.
The Navy decided to go for a repeat order of the IAC-1 due to several factors, including construction time, costs involved, and the time trajectory of indigenization of the aviation assets, like the twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF), etc, which will be needed for a much larger carrier.
Adm Hari Kumar said the repeat order will also ensure that the expertise gained in the IAC-1 programme will not go idle or be wasted. He said, “When we have to design a new aircraft carrier, it will take time and we have to bring new technologies because the present arresting, landing through catapult system is being changed now. For new design, the ship-building facility will have to be upgraded. So, we thought if we went for the repeat order the work would start soon.”
Read also: LCA and MiG-29K fighters begin flight trials from INS Vikrant
The Navy has maintained that it requires three aircraft carriers because refits and repairs of such big and complex platforms take time, which can be from a few months to a year and half, as we are likely to witness in the INS Vikramaditya case.
As the situation is heating up in the Indian Ocean Region with Chinese naval vessels significantly increasing their presence and the rapid expansion and modernization of Pakistan’s navy, India always needs two aircraft carriers on each of its seaboards – western and eastern.
