SOURCE: AFI
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has declared the need for a third aircraft carrier in response to the rapid expansion of the Chinese Navy, particularly with its ambitious aircraft carrier program. Speaking at a recent press conference, Admiral Tripathi underscored the strategic necessity of enhancing India’s naval capabilities to maintain regional maritime balance.
The proposed Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-II (IAC-II), which will follow in the footsteps of the recently commissioned INS Vikrant (IAC-I), is currently in the advanced stages of planning. Admiral Tripathi highlighted that the IAC-II would incorporate significant design changes to support operations involving Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), reflecting the evolving nature of naval warfare where drones play an increasingly crucial role.
The IAC-II is expected to be an evolved version of the IAC-I, with modifications aimed at enhancing its capability to operate a mix of manned and unmanned aircraft. These changes include adjustments to the flight deck for drone launches and recoveries, and possibly integrating systems for advanced UAV control.
he inclusion of UAVs not only extends the carrier’s reach for surveillance and combat operations but also allows for safer engagement in high-threat environments by using drones for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and even strike operations.
The project for IAC-II is awaiting the final Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), a critical step in the Indian defense procurement process where the requirements are formally accepted by the Ministry of Defence. Once the AoN is granted, the proposal will move to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for financial clearance, which is essential before construction can commence.