• UGI USER
  • Jun 11, 2024
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WHY INDIA NEEDS A THIRD AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Syllabus:

GS-3:

  • Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.
  • Security Challenges and Their Management in Border Areas: Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism

GS-2:

Indigenization of Technology

Focus:

Recent reports indicate that Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is set to begin construction of a new Vikrant-class 40,000-tonne platform, advancing the Indian Navy’s long-standing demand for a third aircraft

carrier to bolster its maritime capabilities and retain shipbuilding expertise.

  • Operational Requirement: Ensures one carrier per seaboard and one in reserve.
  • Avoid Skill Depletion: Maintains CSL’s carrier-building expertise.
  • Strategic Deterrence: Counters China’s A2/AD threats.
  • Sea Control: Enhances power projection with carrier battle groups.
  • Geopolitical Presence: Strengthens Indian Ocean Region influence.
  • Capability Upgrades: IAC-2 offers advanced features and greater local content.
source:ssbcrack

Understanding the Long-Standing Demand and Strategic Importance:

  • Imminent Construction: Recent media reports indicate that Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is set to begin constructing a new Vikrant-class 40,000-tonne platform, moving closer to fulfilling the Indian Navy’s long-standing demand for a third aircraft carrier.
  • Expertise Retention: Building the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2 (IAC-2) aims to prevent the dissipation of CSL’s carrier-building expertise, ensuring continuous development and modernization.
  • Historical Lessons: The navy is conscious of avoiding the ‘lost decade’ (1995-2005) when Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) submarine building skills were neglected, leading to costly reconstruction efforts later.
  • Strategic Necessity: The third carrier will complement the existing INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, fulfilling the navy’s requirement for one carrier per seaboard and one in reserve.
  • Preventing Skill Decay: Continuous construction and upgrades will maintain the shipbuilding capabilities of CSL, crucial for long-term naval strength.
Key Features of Indian Aircraft Carriers:

About INS Vikrant:

  • Origin: Name from India’s first aircraft carrier, played a key role in 1971 War, decommissioned in 1997.
  • Design & Development: By Indian Navy’s WDB, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
  • Operational Capability: Operates 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K, Kamov-31, MH-60R, ALH, and LCA (Navy).
  • Military Instrument: Projects air power for offensive, interdiction, anti-surface, counter-air, anti-submarine, and early warning.

About INS Vikramaditya:

  • Origin: Formerly Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov.
  • Induction: Integrated into Indian Navy on November 16, 2013.
  • Size: Length 285m, width 60m, height 60m.
  • Capacity: Houses 1,600 personnel, carries 30 aircraft (MiG 29K fighters, Kamov helicopters).
  • Systems: Equipped with advanced LUNA and DAPS launch/recovery systems.

Size and Speed:

  • INS Vikrant:
  • Weighs around 43,000 tonnes and is 262 meters long.
  • Prioritizes maneuverability with a top speed of 28 knots.

INS Vikramaditya:

  • Slightly larger, weighing around 44,500 tonnes and measuring 284 meters in length.
  • Can reach speeds of up to 30 knots.

Firepower and Flexibility:

Both carriers:

  • Carry MiG-29K fighter jets for air defense and ground attack.
  • Operate Kamov-31 helicopters for airborne early warning.
  • Include MH-60R helicopters for multi-role operations.
  • Utilize indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for utility tasks.

Modernity and Innovation:

INS Vikrant:

  • Incorporates the latest advancements in design, sensors, and electronics.
  • Features a new combat management system for superior situational awareness and operational efficiency.
  • Utilizes the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) method.

INS Vikramaditya:

  • Modernized but uses older technology.

India’s Future Plans:

  • Carrier Battle Groups:
  • Plans to establish four aircraft carrier battle groups (CBGs) to strengthen naval presence.

Fleet Expansion:

  • The 15-year plan includes four fleet carriers and two light fleet carriers.
  • New indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vishal (IAC-3), to be built at Cochin Shipyard, similar to INS Vikrant.

Key Facts about INS Vishal:

  • Displacement: 65,000 tonnes.
  • Launch System: CATOBAR.
  • Engines: Four GE LM2500+ gas turbines.
  • Speed/Range: 28 knots, 7,500 nautical miles.
  • Aircraft: Mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing.
  • Capability: Enhanced naval operations and AEW.

What is the Blue-Water Navy?

  • Global Operation: Capable of operating across open oceans.
  • Power Projection: Projects power far from home country.
  • Sustained Operations: Maintains prolonged presence in deep waters.
  • Aircraft Carriers: Typically includes one or more carriers.
  • Comparison: Contrasts with brown-water and green-water navies.

Future Concerns and Operational Challenges:

  • Cost and Efficacy: The debate over IAC-2 involves concerns about its high cost ($5-6 billion) and its effectiveness amidst the anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities developed by China and Pakistan.
  • Technological Advancements: Advances in cruise missile technology have made A2/AD strategies more accessible and effective, posing significant threats to carrier operations.
  • Global Comparisons: Even the U.S. Navy views China’s A2/AD strategy as a serious threat, indicating the high level of challenge for any naval power.
  • Strategic Divisions: Within the Indian Navy, there is a split opinion between pursuing a ‘sea denial’ strategy with submarines or a ‘sea control’ strategy with carrier battle groups.
  • Resource Allocation: Some argue that the funds for a new carrier could be better spent on additional submarines (SSKs), critical surface combatants, and other essential naval equipment.

Financial Constraints and Prioritization:

  • Revised Goals: Financial constraints have forced the Indian Navy to revise its goal of operating 200 assorted warships by 2027 as per the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP).
  • Reduced Demands: Fiscal shortages have also led to reduced demands for mine counter-measures and long-range maritime aircraft.
  • Inter-Service Competition: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army compete for a larger share of the limited defense budget, impacting the navy’s funding.
  • IAF’s Perspective: Some IAF veterans view the aircraft carrier as a costly indulgence vulnerable to A2/AD threats, suggesting alternatives like enhanced maritime strike fighters.
  • Alternative Solutions: The IAF’s SEPECAT Jaguar IM/IS and Su-30MKI fighters, with upgraded maritime strike capabilities, are seen as more economical and secure options for power projection.

Upgrading Capabilities and Alternative Strategies:

  • Enhanced Fighter Squadrons: The IAF has commissioned Su-30MKI squadrons equipped with BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missiles, enhancing maritime engagement capabilities.
  • Maritime Strike Efficiency: Upgraded Jaguars armed with AGM-84L Block II Harpoon missiles and advanced radar systems offer potent maritime strike options.
  • Andaman and Nicobar Upgrades: Some naval strategists advocate for enhancing the military capabilities of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago to create an A2/AD maritime ‘exclusive zone’.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Upgrading the archipelago’s defenses is seen as a cheaper and more permanent alternative to building a new aircraft carrier.
  • Strategic Location: The archipelago’s strategic location makes it an unsinkable asset for monitoring and deterring Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean Region.

Way Forward:

  • Strategic Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive strategic assessment to evaluate the necessity and potential impact of a third aircraft carrier in the context of India’s maritime security and regional power projection.
  • Resource Allocation: Prioritize efficient allocation of financial resources to ensure that the development of the IAC-2 does not compromise the funding for other critical naval assets such as submarines, surface combatants, and naval utility helicopters.
  • Technological Advancements: Integrate cutting-edge technologies into the design and construction of IAC-2, including advanced radar systems, missile defense capabilities, and enhanced electronic warfare systems to counter A2/AD threats.
  • International Collaboration: Explore international partnerships for technology transfer, joint exercises, and operational training to enhance the carrier’s capabilities and ensure interoperability with allied navies.
  • Capability Development: Focus on developing indigenous capabilities in carrier construction and maintenance to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and foster self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
  • Balanced Fleet Composition: Maintain a balanced fleet composition by concurrently investing in submarines, corvettes, destroyers, and other surface vessels to ensure a versatile and resilient navy.
  • Regional Cooperation: Strengthen regional maritime cooperation with neighboring countries and allies to enhance collective security, share intelligence, and conduct joint maritime operations to safeguard strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

Conclusion: Strategic Necessity vs. Financial Pragmatism

  • Balanced Approach: While the construction of IAC-2 is strategically important, it must be balanced with other critical needs of the navy and the broader defense requirements.
  • Future Readiness: Ensuring that CSL’s carrier-building expertise is maintained is crucial for future naval capabilities and readiness.
  • Resource Optimization: The debate highlights the need for careful allocation of resources to balance carrier development with other essential naval assets.
  • Strategic Autonomy: Maintaining a strong and capable navy is vital for India’s strategic autonomy and its ability to project power in the region.
  • National Security: Ultimately, the decision to build a third aircraft carrier should be guided by comprehensive national security considerations and long-term strategic interests.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/why-india-needs-a-third-aircraft-carrier/article68273426.ece#:~:text=IAF%20veterans%20reasoned%20that%20under,to%20formidable%20A2%2FAD%20threats.

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the strategic importance of a third aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy in the context of regional security and operational capabilities. How do financial constraints and evolving military technologies influence this decision? (250 words)

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