The Indian Navy is homing in on electric propulsion for a planned future aircraft carrier. China is projected to operate up to 10 of the warships by 2049

by Manu Pubby

NEW DELHI: Raising an alarm over the ongoing expansion of the Chinese Navy that will rapidly add warships to its fleet in the next decade, navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh said India requires at least three aircraft carriers to meet operational needs in the region.

Strongly advocating the addition of another aircraft carrier to the Indian fleet—the only operating carrier currently is the INS Vikramaditya while an indigenous carrier is under construction at Kochi— the officer said China is projected to operate up to 10 of the warships by 2049.

The navy chief’s comments come as a formal proposal to start work on the third aircraft carrier— planned to be the largest warship to be made in India—have not found favour with the defence ministry that has reservations on the funds required for the project.

“Our overall strategy is centred around the operation of Carrier Task Groups supported by multidimensional, state-of-the-art surface and air platforms… an aircraft carrier is central to Indian Navy's operating philosophy… accordingly, we are pursuing induction of the third carrier to ensure we have the requisite force levels to meet all operational imperatives,” the navy chief has said in his first detailed comments on the stalled project.

The Indian Navy is homing in on electric propulsion for a planned future aircraft carrier, with a hybrid system likely to be considered for development, most likely in partnership with a US-based partner. As per preliminary design plans, the ship would displace 65,000 tons and would be of the CATOBAR (catapult assisted take off but arrested recovery) type.