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| CGI of the 1st Indigenous Carrier "Vikrant" |
NEW DELHI — Observers are questioning the wisdom of India’s decision to begin design work on its second homemade aircraft carrier, even as its first indigenous carrier faces more than two years of delays due to technical snags and its quest to refit a Russian-built carrier has been beset by years of delays and billions in cost overruns.
Sources said the second indigenous carrier, to be named the Vishal, will have a displacement of 65,000 tons, 25,000 tons heavier than the first indigenous carrier, called Vikrant.
Vishal will feature steam catapults, operate larger fighter aircraft, and carry an airborne early-warning (AEW) system and aerial refuelers.
An Indian Navy official said Vishal will also fly naval versions of the Light Combat Aircraft, which is in development.
The decision to go ahead with such a complex and costly project has evoked mixed reactions among analysts here.
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