Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Saturday that the navy is working on plans to build a new aircraft carrier, develop an indigenous deck-based fighter jet, and buy high-tech drones from the US to strengthen itself militarily, even as it monitors Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean region and is ready to protect the country’s interests in the far seas.
“Maintaining credible deterrence while being prepared to go to war to protect, maintain, and promote national interests will remain our top priority.” This component is supported by our aim of being a combat-ready, credible, unified, and future-proof force,” the navy commander said during his annual news conference on the eve of Navy Day.
The navy is also dedicated to being entirely self-sufficient by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence, by eliminating obsolete colonial-era traditions, methods, and symbols, and feels that collaboration across the three services is the best way ahead, he added.
After commissioning its first locally constructed carrier, INS Vikrant (formerly known as IAC-1), in September, the navy is considering building a second indigenous aircraft carrier to spread India’s naval dominance in the remote seas.
“We are still working on various elements of IAC-2, such as its size and intended capabilities.” But, for the time being, we have placed a hold on it (IAC-2) since we have recently commissioned the Vikrant and are quite pleased with the ship. We are considering a repeat order for IAC-1 rather than IAC-2 in order to capitalise on the experience gained during the former’s development. “Right now, we’re at the discussion stage,” he explained.
The 45,000-tonne Vikrant cost 20,000 crore to build at Cochin Shipyard. Only the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China are capable of building aircraft carriers. IAC-2 is projected to be larger (65,000 tonnes) and more expensive than IAC-1.
India now possesses two aircraft carriers: INS Vikrant, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned in Kochi on September 2, and INS Vikramaditya, which was purchased secondhand from Russia for $2.33 billion. The navy has argued that three such floating airfields are required to improve its sea control and power projection capabilities, as well as to help it meet its growing responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific.
Kumar stated that the navy is working on a draught cabinet note for the design and development of the indigenous twin-engine, deck-based fighter (TEDBF) that India intends to operate from its aircraft carriers. “The first prototype of the TEDBF is expected to be ready around 2026, with production beginning in 2032,” he said.
The navy is collaborating on the TEDBF project with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency. The Vikramaditya is equipped with Russian-made MiG-29K fighter jets, and some of them are currently stationed on INS Vikrant for critical flight trials. By the middle of next year, Vikrant is expected to be fully operational and integrated with its air wing. Because TEDBF is still a decade away, the navy is considering importing deck-based fighters as a stopgap measure.
To satisfy the navy’s requirements, India aims to acquire 26 new fighters for Vikrant in a government-to-government agreement, with French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M vying with US business Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. “Trials on both boxers have been completed, and the assessment process is begun.” “We’ll make a decision based on what’s best for us,” the naval leader added.
He also stated that India is on track to purchase Predator drones from the United States for the three services, and that discussions are ongoing to finalise the numbers required. The previous intention was to purchase 30 such drones, 10 each for the navy, air force, and army, in a $3 billion transaction.
The navy leased a pair of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones (an unarmed variant of General Atomics’ Predators) from the US in 2020 to improve its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The MQ-9Bs have assisted the navy in keeping a close eye on the Indian Ocean at a time when it has increased surveillance in the region in order to check China’s ambitions.
When asked to comment on China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region following the recent sighting of two Chinese surveillance vessels in the area, Kumar said the Indian Navy was keeping a close eye on the developments and its job was to ensure India’s interests in the maritime domain were protected. “Aside from the Chinese, the Indian Ocean region is home to a large number of extra-regional forces.” We keep a close eye on them and track them to ensure that no one engages in any activity that is detrimental to India’s interests.”
In response to a question about eight former Indian Navy personnel being held in Qatar on unspecified charges, Kumar stated that the issue had been raised at the highest levels of the government with the Qatari authorities, and he was hopeful that it would be resolved soon. “When you join the navy, you join the naval family.” “You are still a part of it even after you leave,” he said. “Efforts are being made to resolve this issue.”
India said on Thursday that it is still investigating the navy personnel’s case, despite the fact that families of the detained men have been allowed to meet or speak with them more frequently. The guys were seized on August 30, but Qatari officials have yet to formally explain why. All eight men were employed by Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private company run by a retired Oman air force officer that offers training and other services to Qatar’s armed forces.
On September 2, 2022, Prime Minister Modi commissioned India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, Vikrant, at Kochi. With this, India’s naval fleet currently boasts two aircraft carriers.
Two more aircraft carriers are rumoured to be in the works. The third aircraft carrier will strengthen India’s position as a “Blue Water Navy,” or a marine force with global reach and the capacity to operate in deep waters.
There are 163 high-altitude logistics drones. 200 logistics drones at medium height. 1,000 unmanned surveillance drones.
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