The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 1, soon to be known as INS Vikrant, has commenced another set of sea trials. The anticipated addition to the Indian Navy, INS Vikrant is renowned for being the largest and most intricate warship ever constructed in India.
Aircraft Carriers: A Brief Overview
Functioning as floating air bases, aircraft carriers are unique ships equipped with a full-length flight deck that supports not only the carrying but also arming, deploying, and recovering military aircraft. These carriers act as the command and control nucleus for a naval fleet during peaceful and wartime situations. An aircraft carrier and its escorts collectively form what’s known as a carrier battle group.
These groups were first deployed on a large scale during World War II when the Imperial Japanese Navy assembled many carriers into one task force, referred to as Kido Butai. This force played a significant role in the infamous Pearl Harbour Attack.
India’s Storied History with Aircraft Carriers
India’s engagement with aircraft carriers began with INS Vikrant, acquired from the United Kingdom in 1961. Serving until 1997, INS Vikrant played a pivotal role in the 1971 war against Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. However, it was decommissioned and dismantled in Mumbai in 2014.
INS Viraat, a Centaur-class carrier renamed from HMS Hermes, succeeded INS Vikrant and served from 1987 to 2016. Presently, INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy’s central aircraft carrier, converted from the Russian Navy’s decommissioned Admiral Gorshkov/Baku. It was commissioned into service in November 2013.
The new INS Vikrant, honouring the legacy of its namesake, is currently under construction at the Cochin Shipyard Limited. With its commissioning anticipated in 2023, this ship will place India among a select group capable of building advanced aircraft carriers.
Operational Modalities and Significance of Aircraft Carriers
The forthcoming warship, as stated by the Indian Navy, will host a variety of aircraft like MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, and domestically manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
In the current geopolitical climate, technologically advanced aircraft carriers are indispensable for safeguarding maritime rights and interests. Thirteen diverse navies operate aircraft carriers worldwide, including notable names like Nimitz Class (US), Queen Elizabeth Class (UK), Admiral Kuznetsov (Russia) and Liaoning (China). For India, these carriers provide crucial deterrent naval capability given its area of responsibility spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Western Pacific.
India’s Future Endeavours with Aircraft Carriers
Since 2015, the Indian Navy has been seeking approval to build a third aircraft carrier. If sanctioned, this carrier will be India’s second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) carrying the moniker of INS Vishal. Boasting a proposed size of 65,000 tonnes, INS Vishal will significantly outrank both IAC-1 and the INS Vikramaditya.