SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant move to bolster its naval capabilities and foster international collaboration, France has expressed keen interest in partnering with India for the co-development of its next-generation nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This project aims to construct a ship with a displacement of around 75,000 tonnes, scheduled for delivery in the late 2030s.
The proposed carrier will measure approximately 305 meters in length and have a maximum beam of 79 meters, with some sources mentioning a potential displacement of up to 78,000 tonnes. The flight deck and sponsons will extend significantly beyond the main hull, which has a waterline beam of 39 meters, providing ample space for operations.
The carrier will feature a 17,000 square meter flight deck and accompanying hangars, designed to house an air group comprising approximately 30 Rafale and New Generation Fighter (NGF) jets, alongside two E-2D Hawkeye aircraft and up to six medium helicopters.
The ship will incorporate cutting-edge technology like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arrestor Gear (AAG), mirroring systems developed for the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers, enhancing the operational efficiency of aircraft launches and recoveries.
France envisions using the same design for India’s proposed Indigenous Aircraft Carrier III (IAC-III), which would be larger than the current IAC-I (INS Vikrant) and its sister ship, the planned IAC-II. This partnership would not only streamline production but also share costs and technological advancements.
France has expressed willingness to supply non-nuclear materials and systems. However, the nuclear propulsion aspect, specifically the two K22 reactors based on the K15 model from the Charles de Gaulle (CDG), will not be included in this collaboration. Instead, India will have to come with its own indigenous 190 MW reactor currently under development for its nuclear attack submarines and SSBNs.
The integration of EMALS alone will significantly elevate costs, a factor that might stretch the Indian Navy’s budget but is seen as a strategic investment in long-term naval capabilities.
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