MoD all set to okay a ₹40,000cr project for another aircraft carrier

The case for having another carrier of the 45,000-tonne class — the same as INS Vikrant—has been okayed by the tri-services defence procurement board. INS Vikrant was commissioned into the Navy in September last year. It will have more or less the same design as that of INS Vikrant with technological upgrades expected over the next eight to ten years.

A key element of an aircraft carrier is the launch mechanism technology it uses to allow a fighter jet to take off and land on its deck. The Navy plans to stick to the short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) technique. Indian carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, both use the STOBAR technology.

India is racing to match China’s naval strength, which has two operational aircraft carriers—Liaoning and Shandong. In July this year, it launched another one, Fujian, expected to be commissioned in 2025.