Indian Defense
India’s Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier: Why Is It Important?
by Dr Rupakjyoti Borah
The new aircraft carrier will replace an aging Russian model and assist India’s Navy in conducting an increasing array of naval exercises with friendly nations.
India’s government recently made the major decision to kickstart the process of acquiring its second indigenous aircraft carrier. This assumes significance because though the Indian Navy is one of the biggest actors in the Indian Ocean region, the Chinese Navy is now the world’s biggest navy in terms of sheer numbers.
The new aircraft carrier will be known as Indian Aircraft Carrier-II. It will likely carry at least 28 fighter jets and helicopters when commissioned and will have a displacement of approximately 45,000 tonnes.
The carrier will use the naval variant of the French Rafale fighter jets. More importantly, it will be constructed domestically at the Cochin Shipyards Limited.
Host of Reasons To Acquire Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
In the long term, the Chinese would be putting pressure on the Indian Ocean. This will occur even as the United States becomes engaged in other parts of the world. It is especially occupied in the Middle East due to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
In addition, if there are any hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, the US would need to redeploy its naval forces to the Indo-Pacific region.
At the same time, the Indian Navy has a wide area of operation in the greater Indo-Pacific region. Its area includes the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
In addition, the Indian Navy conducts an increasing array of naval exercises with friendly nations. A second carrier will allow the it to deploy carriers in joint exercises with partner countries.
Updating Its Fleet
India currently operates two aircraft carriers. One, the Admiral Gorshkov (rechristened as the INS Vikramaditya) is of Russian origin. However, INS Vikramaditya was originally commissioned way back in 1987. Hence the need for an indigenous replacement is loud and clear.
The second is India’s first indigenously developed aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned this carrier in September 2022.
In the past, New Delhi maintained a distinct edge over Pakistan in the naval realm. Furthermore, there is a strong commitment to continuing this edge in times to come.
It is to be noted that New Delhi faces a two-pronged threat — one in the West from Pakistan and one in the North and East from China. Pakistan has been acquiring warships from China at a rapid rate, including two new Chinese frigates earlier this year. Besides, in the past, terrorists have used the sea route to attack the Indian financial capital, Mumbai (in November 2008). Hence, New Delhi needs to be on alert.
Preparing For The Future
In the future, New Delhi may be called upon to undertake various missions in its near abroad and this will require a big carrier fleet. In addition, as India is an oil-importing nation, keeping the sea lanes of communication will be important for its energy security.
Recently, India’s leading body for clearing defence purchases, the Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the decks for procurement of 97 home-grown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft for the Indian Air Force and 156 home-grown Prachand attack helicopters for the Indian Army.
The Modi Government has made a big pitch for indigenization. Construction of the second indigenous aircraft carrier will be another step in that direction. The new aircraft carrier would also generate a huge number of jobs.
There Will Be Challenges
The first of course, would be in pairing the new proposed aircraft carrier with weapon systems from other countries.
A second challenge would be the reaction from Beijing. It has already taken note of the new developments.
Commenting on the decks being cleared for the second aircraft carrier, the Chinese state-owned Global Times quoted a Chinese analyst in its report. He said, “Not many countries in the world can independently build aircraft carriers, so in that sense, India has made a great accomplishment. India can rightfully develop its navy, but if its strategy is aimed at China, then it has tunnel vision.”
Clearly, his comments show that Beijing is worried in the maritime arena. The Indian Navy can easily cut off or stymie China’s access to the Straits of Malacca. And that has always been China’s Achilles heel.
Implications For Japan And Lookout For The Future
For Japan, this is welcome news. Already, the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) have been collaborating in a big manner. The two conduct joint exercises known as the JIMEX. And they are also a part of the Malabar naval exercises, which includes Australia and the US.
A second homegrown Indian aircraft carrier would work to Japan’s advantage as well. This would mean that China’s PLA Navy would have to deploy sufficient resources and manpower to counter India. In return, that would lessen the pressure on Japan.
In addition, the Indian Navy requires a three-carrier fleet. It is configured with one ship on either flank while the third one can technically be on standby.
In 2015, early in his first term, PM Modi laid out the concept of the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). Besides, India also has the “Act-East Policy.” As part of the same, New Delhi has been looking at a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific.
It is in the naval realm that India has the biggest advantage. That is due to its long coastline. Things have also begun to change in India’s immediate neighbourhood.
For example, in countries like Sri Lanka, New Delhi needs to take advantage of the favourable geopolitical situation, especially with the departure of the Rajapaksa brothers. As they say, “A stitch in time saves nine.”
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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