SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant strategic pivot, the Indian Navy has decided to abandon its plans for a third aircraft carrier, opting instead to focus on the development of the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) as a replacement for the aging INS Vikramaditya. This decision recalibrates the Navy’s operational structure to maintain two aircraft carriers, a move that has sparked discussions on India’s naval capabilities and strategic priorities.
The government has overruled the Navy’s long-standing argument for operating three aircraft carriers simultaneously, which was seen as crucial for ensuring continuous carrier presence in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, even when one carrier is under maintenance.
INS Vikramaditya, inducted into the Indian Navy in 2013, has a projected operational life of 25 years. With its lifespan nearing an end by 2038, the Navy will replace it with the IAC-2. This ship, currently in the planning phase, will not expand the fleet but will maintain the current strength.
Former Navy chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar had advocated for a repeat order of INS Vikrant for IAC-2. This choice would mean another 45,000-tonne carrier, focusing on proven technology and cost efficiency over expanding capabilities. But now that IAC-2 will not enter production till early 2030, the Navy might switch back to its original demand to go for IAC-2 which has a 65000-tonne displacement and has advanced features like Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
With only two carriers, India’s ability to project power and maintain a continuous carrier presence in diverse maritime theaters could be constrained, especially in scenarios requiring prolonged engagement or multiple fronts.
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