Neelam Mathews

As India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (INS Vikrant, IAC-1) reaches its third and final phase of construction at the Kochi Shipyard in South India, with sea trials to start in mid-2020, Chief of Naval Staff Sunil Lanba confirmed to AIN that the design for the follow-on IAC-2 has been frozen. India currently has one aircraft carrier, the refurbished 44,000-tonne Soviet-era Kiev-class carrier INS Vikramaditya, which is equipped with RAC MiG MiG-29K fighters.

 


IAC-2 will take at least a decade to construct and will be a 65,000-tonne conventionally powered vessel in CATOBAR (catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery) configuration. “This will give the navy an operational capability of two battle groups at a time. We have decided on the form and fit and costing details of IAC-2,” said Lanba.

 


The construction of the IAC-2 will take between seven and 10 years. “We see it starting within a three-year period,” noted Lanba, adding, “We are also hopeful for a new fighter produced in India [for the IAC-2]. This will move progressively from the LCA Navy to a twin-engine&nbsp;deck-based fighter.” He confirmed that this project is unrelated to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft&nbsp;(AMCA) program.

 


Having earlier <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-12-14/indian-navy-charts-independent-course-carrier-fighter">rejected the original LCA Navy </a>version, the Navy is supporting the government’s naval Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 (LCA) program, for which two technology demonstrators have been produced. Based on the Indian air force LCA, the naval version of LCA Mk2 will require a higher thrust engine, an increased wing area, lighter landing gear and structure, and a tailhook. However, a Request for Proposal for 57 twin-engine&nbsp;naval fighters is to be issued by next year in which both the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Dassault Rafale M could be considered. “The size of the carrier deck lift will be decided later on,” said Lanba.

 


Meanwhile, Lanba told AIN that India’s ministry of defense is working on how payments could be made to Russia on current, ongoing, and future contracts. This follows U.S. sanctions on Russian companies under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act),&nbsp;which seeks to preclude countries from buying Russian weapons. This has led to apprehension within the military concerning the serviceability of Russian equipment and the supply of spares. Lanba commented, “There is no issue on&nbsp;supplies of&nbsp;spare parts from&nbsp;Russia at&nbsp;the moment…the MiG-29K fleet has been performing well now.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Indian Navy Embarks on Quest for Fighters for Indigenous Carrier

The Indian Navy has plans to field at least two indigenous aircraft carriers, and would like to populate their decks with home-grown fighters

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

French start-up's new headquarters is located at Rochefort Airport

VoltAero Opens Assembly Facility for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

More In Aircraft