The Indian Navy is discussing the feasibility of going for a repeat order of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier or IAC 1 — INS Vikrant — to meet immediate operational requirements instead of a planned second indigenous aircraft carrier with a much higher tonnage and capability.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Saturday said as of now plans for the second indigenous aircraft carrier, or IAC 2, had been put on hold as the navy was satisfied with the trial performance of the INS Vikrant, which was commissioned into the navy on September 2.
India has two aircraft carriers – Russian-made INS Vikramaditya and IAC 1, or INS Vikrant. IAC 2, when made and commissioned, will be the third aircraft carrier.
Addressing the media ahead of Navy Day on December 4, Admiral Kumar said internal discussions were on at this stage and there was no firm plan as the proposal was yet to be placed for government examination. “We are examining whether we should look at a repeat order of IAC 1 instead of IAC 2 to capitalise on the expertise available,” he said, elaborating on the quantum of expertise gained in building the IAC 1 by Cochin Shipyard Ltd and ancillary industries that had come up in the process.