Form of words:
New Delhi: The Indian Navy is sticking to its plans for a third aircraft carrier, but discussions are underway to change the design plans to accommodate unmanned aerial vehicles in addition to fighter jets, ThePrint has learned.
This combination of manned and unmanned systems would mean that the aircraft carrier’s total displacement would be less than the proposed 65,000 tonnes, while also reducing the cost and time taken to build it.
The development comes as the Navy is working on a revised 15-year Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP), which will be in line with the 10-year Integrated Capacity Development Scheme (ICDP.)) that the Department of Military Affairs working on To ensure an integrated approach to procurement.
“We are looking at a combination of both unmanned and unmanned aircraft on the third aircraft carrier,” a source in the Defense and Security Establishment said.
When asked whether the unmanned aircraft would be only for surveillance, the source said, “They will be of different types. Surveillance and attack capability will be a mix of both.”
A second source spoke about the reduction in weight and cost of the aircraft carrier.
“The whole design of an aircraft carrier is based on the type of aircraft it will carry and their number. With a mix of both manned and unmanned assets, the weight will be reduced from the proposed 65,000 tonnes. This will also bring down the cost,” said another source.
Sources said it would be the first aircraft carrier to carry both a fighter jet and a drone.
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‘Navy prepares budget for third aircraft carrier’
there was one Discussion In the defense establishment on whether India needs a third aircraft carrier.
Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat in the past, questioned The viability of the third aircraft carrier, emphasizing that the focus should be on submarines.
“All these (third aircraft carrier, new submarine, maritime patrol aircraft) have a definite role. To create a balanced force, all these are needed for capability,” Vice Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Satish Namdev Ghormade, said in response to a question by ThePrint during a briefing on the upcoming commissioning of the Visakhapatnam range earlier. Missile destroyer and fourth Scorpene submarine.
He said the Navy’s MCPP has factored in aircraft carriers, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft.
To allay any fear of budget shortfall, he said the MCPP is based on the projected growth of the budget, and how much money is available. “In our budget, we have accomplished for all three,” he said.
Ghormade underlined that the marine environment is a complex one and it only grows as more players get involved.
“We live in a time when the global and regional balance of power is changing rapidly and the region of rapid change is undoubtedly the Indian Ocean region,” he said. “Therefore, we are making constant efforts to ensure that our force continues to grow in order to enhance the capability of the Indian Navy to meet the emerging challenges.”
(Edited by Arun Prashant)
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