The Importance of Indian Navy Aircraft Carriers: From Humanitarian Missions to Combat Operations

Globally, naval aviation forms an integral part of maritime power, and the Indian Navy shares these aspirations, consistently striving to advance and expand its aviation capabilities. At the heart of this ambition lie aircraft carriers—formidable assets that significantly enhance operational reach, flexibility, and dominance at sea. These carriers strengthen India’s ability to project power far beyond its shores, a capability not possible with fixed aircraft bases.

The role of Indian aircraft carriers extends well beyond mere strategic importance. Naval aviation, operating from these floating airbases, enables the rapid deployment of air power, surveillance, and coordinated operations across vast oceanic spaces. Hence, aircraft carriers remain central to India’s vision of becoming a capable and influential blue-water navy.

INS Vikrant (R11)

The journey of India’s aircraft carrier fleet began with INS Vikrant, originally launched in 1945 as HMS Hercules and later commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1961. This marked India’s entry into the elite league of nations capable of operating aircraft carriers, with INS Vikrant playing a decisive role in early operations, including the 1971 war. After serving for 36 years, it was decommissioned from active service on 31 January, 1997.

INS Viraat (R22)

Commissioned in 1987, INS Viraat significantly expanded India’s carrier capabilities. It not only aced a set of tests and trials but also proved its capabilities in operations such as Operation Jupiter as part of Peacekeeping Operations in Sri Lanka & Operation Vijay during the Kargil War. Over three decades, it logged over 22,000 flying hours and sailed more than 5.8 lakh nautical miles before being decommissioned on March 6, 2017.

INS Vikramaditya (R33)

Known as a “floating city”, the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov was commissioned as INS Vikramaditya in Russia on November 16, 2013. Currently serving as the flagship of the Indian Navy, it operates MiG-29K fighters, Kamov-31 AEW, Sea King, and Chetak helicopters. Being India’s largest ship, it enhances India’s carrier-based air power and operational reach.

The Self-Reliant Rebirth of INS Vikrant

The rebirth of INS Vikrant marked a defining moment in India’s journey toward maritime self-reliance in 2022. Significantly larger and more advanced than its predecessor, the new INS Vikrant is built with a high degree of automation for machinery operations, navigation, and survivability.

Operating alongside INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant plays a significant role in India’s twin-carrier capability, ensuring a sustained naval presence across critical regions. Designed to accommodate a versatile mix of aircraft, it stands as a powerful symbol of technological progress and a cornerstone of India’s evolving blue-water navy.

Goa Liberation Operation: The original INS Vikrant played a crucial role by enforcing a naval blockade off Goa’s coast, preventing Portuguese reinforcements and escape. Its embarked aircraft conducted reconnaissance and maintained maritime dominance, demonstrating India’s early ability to use carrier-based air power in joint operations.

1971 Bangladesh Liberation War: The original INS Vikrant also played a decisive role in the Bangladesh Liberation War by enforcing a naval blockade in the Bay of Bengal. Its aircraft carried out repeated air strikes on ports like Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, crippling enemy supply lines and ensuring maritime dominance in the eastern theatre.

Operation Jupiter: INS Viraat undertook its first major operation during peacekeeping efforts in Sri Lanka. In July 1989, it launched 76 helicopter sorties from Kochi, transporting over 350 soldiers and 35 tonnes of supplies for the 7 Garhwal Rifles. Remaining deployed for weeks, it also enabled troop training, demonstrating remarkable operational adaptability and logistical strength.

Operation Vijay: During the 1999 Kargil War, INS Viraat was deployed as part of a larger naval posture. It helped enforce maritime pressure on Pakistan, safeguarded sea lanes, and ensured that any escalation at sea could be swiftly countered.

Operation Parakram: Following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the Indian Navy undertook a large-scale mobilisation under Operation Parakram. INS Viraat was deployed as a key component of naval forces in the Arabian Sea, maintaining a high state of combat readiness.

Operation Sagar Bandhu

The new INS Vikrant played a key humanitarian role during Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in response to severe cyclone impacts in Sri Lanka in November 2025. Acting as a mobile airbase, it deployed helicopters for search-and-rescue missions, evacuated stranded civilians, and delivered essential relief supplies. The operation highlighted Vikrant’s capability as a rapid-response platform, reinforcing India’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

MV Heilan Star Rescue

The new INS Vikrant demonstrated its humanitarian capability during the rescue of crew members from the distressed merchant vessel MV Heilan Star in the Arabian Sea in March 2025. The carrier deployed a Seaking helicopter for a swift MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) operation, safely airlifting the injured crew and providing urgent medical assistance.

India’s aircraft carriers are more than instruments of war—they are reflections of a nation’s evolving maritime consciousness. They enable India not only to defend its interests but also to uphold a broader responsibility—as a reliable partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

As the Indian Navy charts its course ahead, the emphasis will not merely be on expanding fleets but on deepening capability, integration, and indigenous innovation. In doing so, India is shaping a maritime future where strength is balanced with responsibility—sailing not just toward dominance, but toward enduring strategic relevance and trust.

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