Navy plans for another Vikrant-size carrier before Vikramaditya retires

• The Indian Navy is looking to develop an INS Vikrant-size Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)-2, with some modifications before the INS Vikramaditya leaves service.

Highlights

• The Initial plan was to build the IAC-2 bigger than IAC-1 (INS Vikrant)
  • i.e. IAC-2 was planned for around 65,000 tonnes as compared to INS Vikrant’s size of around 44,000 tonnes.
• The Indian Navy requires three aircraft carriers as when the ship undergoes maintenance, it takes time given its size and the possible delays.
• The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) which has gained significant expertise in building an aircraft carrier with INS Vikrant has expressed confidence about building an INS Vikrant-sized carrier (with modifications) within 8 years from when the order is placed.

Prelims Take Away

• INS Vikrant
• INS Vikramaditya