Editorial: INS Vikramaditya and the Aircraft Carrier Debate

By Abhijit Singh

A new carrier like India’s does more than just denote blue-water capability.

The Indian Navy has been energized by the commissioning of its new aircraft carrier, the INSVikramaditya. Coming two months after another significant achievement – the nuclear reactor of theArihant, India’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine, going critical – the Vikramaditya is being seen as a game changer, with the potential to transform the Indian Navy’s profile in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.

The ship’s proportions and capabilities are indeed significant. At 45,400 tons, the Vikamaditya is considerably larger than any ship the Indian Navy has ever had. Its primary aviation assets, the Kamov-31 helicopters and MiG 29K multirole fighter aircraft – the mainstay of its integral combat capability – are among the most advanced in the world. In addition, the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) may also be positioned onboard, making the Vikramaditya the first Indian aircraft carrier to operate two aircraft of the Short Take off but Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) variety. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat

India: INS Vikramaditya Adds A New Dimension to Navy’s Operational Capabilities - Antony INS Vikramaditya Commissioned in Indian Navy

Marking a new high in India-Russia strategic cooperation, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today commissioned the completely refurbished 44,500 tonne carrier Admiral Gorshkov into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at an impressive ceremony at sub zero temperature in the wind- swept  Sevmash Shipyard in the beautiful city of Severodvinsk in Russia. Snow flakes kept falling as the ceremony was held.

Speaking at the event, Shri Antony said INS Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the reach and capability of the Indian Navy. He said, the country has a rich maritime history and the Indian Ocean has guided our fate over the centuries.

“India’s economic development is dependent on the seas and safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests is central to our national policy.  Aircraft carriers have been part of the Indian Navy’s force structure since our independence and have effectively served the country over the past five decades or so.  The induction of ‘Vikramaditya’ with its integral MiG29K fighters and Kamov-31 helicopters, not only reinforces this central policy, but also adds a new dimension to our Navy’s operational capabilities.  The meaning of ‘Vikramaditya’, which literally translates into “Strong as the Sun” is complemented by the Ship’s motto –“Strike Far, Strike Sure”,he said.

News Story: India receives aircraft carrier Vikramaditya from Russia

SEVERODVINSK, RUSSIA (BNS): India's maritime capabilities received a major fillip on Saturday when the Russian-built Kiev-class giant aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya was inducted into service after a prolonged wait of over five years.

The 44,570-tonne warship was officially handed over to India at the Sevmash Shipyard in a ceremony attended by Defence Minister A K Antony and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin along with senior government and naval officials of the two countries.

The Russian flag on the vessel was lowered and the flag of the Indian Navy was raised in its place, Ria Novosti news agency reported. 

The commissioning documents were signed by deputy director of Russia's arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Igor Sevastyanov and the warship's captain Suraj Berry.

Read the full story at Brahmand

News Story: India To Commission Russian Carrier

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — India will commission the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, now renamed INS Vikramaditya, Nov. 16 when Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony will receive the carrier in Russia.

The Indian Navy had to pay nearly $ 1.75 billion above the contracted price of the aircraft carrier, and wait nearly five years more than the scheduled delivery, which had been planned for 2008.

Antony will receive the carrier ahead of its departure on Nov. 30. It is expected to reach India by early January, an Indian Navy source said.

Russian shipyard Sevmash carried out the refit on the Vikramaditya, which will carry Russian-made MiG-29K aircraft, which have already been received. The carrier was modified to undertake short-takeoff, assisted-recovery operations.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Indian Navy set to induct INS Vikramaditya tomorrow

SEVERODVINSK, NORTH RUSSIA (PTI): The long- delayed and much awaited USD 2.3 billion aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will be inducted into the Indian Navy in Russia on Saturday, enhancing India's maritime capabilities.

Defence Minister A K Antony, who is arriving at Severodvinsk, North Russia this evening, will be inducting the aircraft carrier into the force in the presence of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and senior government and naval officials of the two countries.

The aircraft carrier will be inducted in the Indian Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard, Russia's nuclear submarine building centre.

INS Vikramaditya is a Kiev class aircraft carrier which was commissioned by Russian Navy in 1987 under the name Baku.

It was later renamed as Admiral Gorshkov and last sailed in 1995 in Russia, before being offered to India.

Read the full story at Brahmand

News Story: INS Vikramaditya all set to join Indian Navy on Saturday

NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Minister AK Antony will induct the long-delayed aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, designed to boost India's maritime capabilities, at a shipyard in Russia on Saturday.

Antony will leave for Russia on Friday with a high-level delegation, including Defence Secretary RK Mathur, on a four-day visit during which, apart from commissioning the aircraft carrier, he will also co-chair the India-Russia Inter -Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Shoigu.

Contracted for in 2004, during the NDA regime, the vessel has been delayed by over five years and has seen several time and cost overruns in the last nine years.

"The commissioning ceremony will take place at Sevmash Shipyard, Severodvinsk, on Saturday and the IRIGC-MTC meeting will take place in Moscow on Monday," a Defence Ministry release said.

Read the full story at Brahmand

Think Tank: Indian Airpower Afloat

INS Vikrant Under-Construction (File Photo)

Vivek Kapur

The first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was launched on August 12, 2013. While still several years from being operational, the launch of the carrier, which has been designed to carry 36 fixed wing fighter aircrafts, comprising a mix of MiG-29K and the indigenous LCA (naval variants) in addition to Ka-31 AEW and ALH helicopters, will provide air cover to Indian Navy (IN) vessels. The launching of the hull of INS Vikrant with the power plant and generators integrated is the first step in the further development of the ship, particularly the weapon systems. This work is likely to consume the better part of two years before the ship can join the operational fleet. Only the UK, the US, France, and Russia have demonstrated the ability to design and build such ships. Reportedly, the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) is under design already.

One particular feature of the aircraft carrier is that it does not plan to utilise steam catapults, like the US super carriers, for the launch of the fixed wing aircraft. Instead, the bow of the ship sports a ski-jump configuration, in which the aircraft rolling down the very short available runway on take off is lofted into the air like a skier.1 This will impose limitations on the type of aircraft operable. The IAC-2 is likely to have catapults for aircraft launch.

The importance of air power at sea can not be overstated especially since the Battle of Coral Sea (May 4–8, 1942), in which two opposing fleets fought a major sea battle through the use of aircrafts launched from their carriers. Replacement of the battleship of yore with aircraft carriers, as the new capital ship, has been a strategic choice for the navies of the world since then.

News Story: India to Get Rebuilt Russian Aircraft Carrier in June 2013

Russia plans to deliver aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in June 2013, said vice president of United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Sergei Forafonov at the handover ceremony of frigate INS Tarkash. 

"We have agreed with Indian partners that aircraft carrier Vikramaditya will be delivered after replacement of boiler insulation in 2013", reports ITAR-TASS citing Forafonov. 

The USC vice president reminded that the carrier's boiler insulation being redesigned on demand of Indian party broke down during sea trials. 

"That wasn't a design fault, those insulating materials were put upon demand of the Indian partners. They overlooked all vibration characteristics and hull movement deformations", he pointed out. 

"At last, we got just what should happen", stressed Forafonov.

Read the full story at RusNavy

News Story: Russia to Deliver Indian Carrier in Fall 2013 – Minister

Russia to Deliver Indian Carrier in Fall 2013 – Minister

14:00 10/10/2012 Russia plans to deliver the overhauled aircraft carrier Vikramaditya to the Indian Navy in the fourth quarter of 2013, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Wednesday after an intergovernmental meeting in New Delhi.> Read the full story HERE <

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