INS Vishal: Necessity or Luxury?

 

                                                     Picture for representation purpose

By Soumyadip Sarkar

As the name implies, an aircraft carrier is a naval vessel that can operate as a mobile airbase by launching and recovering aircraft. These carriers are essential for countries contemplating to have a strong navy. The few nations deploying aircraft carriers are the United States, Russia, India, China, Italy, Thailand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. On the other hand, countries that formerly used these kinds of ships, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, have since withdrawn them.

There are two types of aircraft carriers: nuclear-powered and traditional diesel-electric. Only the United States and France have nuclear-powered carriers, whereas most of the world's fleet comprises diesel-electric aircraft.

Why Do Few Nations Operate Aircraft Carriers?

The main obstacle to running an aircraft carrier is its exorbitant expense. The vessel is costly to acquire, but maintaining it successfully necessitates a significant investment in aircraft, crew training, and maintenance. A single aircraft carrier, for example, might cost about ₹23,000 crore, and adding two squadrons of naval aircraft costs a further ₹10,500 crore. An aircraft carrier's initial operationalization costs come close to ₹40,000 crore. Only countries with strong economies and strategic imperatives for maritime domination can handle such a financial load. 

                                     Read about Unmanned Surface Vessel ( USV ) 

India's Current Aircraft Carrier Fleet

The INS Vikramaditya, a modified Kiev-class carrier of Russian origin, is presently operated by India. INS Vikramaditya (then known as The Admiral Gorshkov), a diesel-electric carrier put into service in 2013, was a member of the Russian Navy from 1987 to 1996 before being purchased by India for $2.35 billion.

The INS Vikrant (IAC-1), a diesel-electric aircraft carrier that recently finished sea testing and is scheduled for commissioning, is the nation's first indigenous aircraft carrier. An important accomplishment that shows India's developing naval engineering capability is the construction of INS Vikrant. However, building an aircraft carrier takes much time; it usually takes seven to fifteen years from start to finish.

Does India Need INS Vishal?

A robust naval presence is essential given India's vast maritime borders and advantageous placement at the intersection of important international trade routes. India needs at least two operational aircraft carriers to protect its maritime borders and demonstrate its dominance in the Indian Ocean Region, as its territorial seas extend into the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

The INS Vikramaditya currently carries out the majority of this duty. The INS Vikrant will complement Vikramaditya once it goes into service, but as both are conventional carriers, they will need regular maintenance and refueling. As a result, there are operational gaps where one carrier is left to handle everything while the other is serviced.

Furthermore, India cannot afford any weaknesses in its maritime security, given the Chinese Navy's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean. In order to retain regional dominance and guarantee ongoing operational preparedness, INS Vishal, a third aircraft carrier, becomes essential.

                                                 

                                                             Read about Types of Jets 

What Should INS Vishal Offer?

Nuclear-powered carriers offer demonstrable benefits, even though diesel-electric carriers are more prevalent. Long-term self-sufficiency, infrequent refueling, and the ability to accommodate a broader range of aircraft and operations are all advantages of nuclear-powered carriers. They are more expensive and require more sophisticated technology, but they are the way of the future for naval combat.

India has already built nuclear submarines like the INS Arihant, showcasing its nuclear-powered technological prowess. India can use this knowledge to create a nuclear-powered carrier. Even though a nuclear-powered ship may not be necessary given the current strategic environment, getting ready now will make transitions easier when naval needs change.

Conclusion

India must strengthen its naval capabilities to defend its maritime interests and counter growing threats. Beyond adding another ship to the fleet, the INS Vishal's development represents India's ambition to become a dominant naval force in the Indian Ocean Region. A nuclear-powered INS Vishal would symbolize India's technological superiority and strategic vision and increase operational effectiveness.

INS Vishal is a strategic requirement rather than a luxury since the long-term advantages greatly exceed the expenses despite the considerable initial investment.