India is gearing up to commence the construction of its third aircraft carrier, announced Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in an interview with The Tribune. The new carrier, proposed by the Navy, will be comparable in size to the INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September 2022 with a weight of 45,000 tons.

In addition to the INS Vikrant, India currently operates another carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, acquired from Russia in 2013. Minister Rajnath Singh expressed ambitions beyond just three carriers, stating, "We will not stop at that. We will make five, six more."

These statements reveal India's long-term strategy to bolster its naval capabilities, particularly with sea-going carriers capable of launching and recovering fighter jets. The plan aligns with previous discussions, including recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, which emphasised the strategic advantages offered by carriers over military airfields in remote island territories.

Interestingly, India's ambitions coincide with China's own plans to expand its aircraft carrier fleet. China currently operates two operational aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, with a third carrier, the Fujian, undergoing sea trials as of May 1. The Fujian notably features electromagnetic catapults, a technology also utilised by US aircraft carriers for launching fighter jets. This advancement allows for heavier payloads and reduced launch intervals.

The Fujian, weighing 80,000 tons, surpasses carriers built by other nations including the UK, France, India, and Japan, underscoring China's commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities.

In addition to India and China, several other Asian nations are intensifying efforts to bolster their naval capabilities by investing in aircraft carriers. Japan, for instance, has converted its helicopter carrier JS Izumo into an aircraft carrier capable of deploying F35 fighter jets and is currently in the process of converting another helicopter carrier, JS Kaga.

Similarly, South Korea has outlined plans to launch its own carrier by the year 2030, marking a significant stride in its naval development efforts.

India's journey with aircraft carriers dates back to 1961 when it operated its first carrier, HMS Hercules, acquired second-hand from the UK. Renamed INS Vikrant, it played a pivotal role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war on the eastern front before being decommissioned in 1997.

Subsequently, India acquired its second carrier, HMS Hermes, also sourced second-hand from the UK and renamed INS Viraat. Inducted into service in 1987, INS Viraat served the Indian Navy until its decommissioning in 2017, contributing significantly to India's maritime capabilities.

Image source: The Tribune