Indian media: India's move sends a strategic signal to China. Vikram | Aircraft Carrier | Strategy
On June 11th, the website of The Times of India published an article titled "India simultaneously allows two aircraft carrier battle groups to participate in exercises and sends a strategic signal to China", written by Rajat Pandit. The full text is excerpted as follows:
Currently, India has dispatched two aircraft carriers to carry out coordinated operations, in addition to multiple warships, submarines, and more than 35 aircraft participating in military exercises in the Indian Ocean region. India is determined to demonstrate to the outside world that its maritime control and power delivery capabilities are increasingly strengthening in the main strategic interests of the country, from the Strait of Malacca to the Persian Gulf.
The two carrier battle groups led by the old aircraft carrier "Super Sun King" imported from Russia by India and the new domestically produced aircraft carrier "Vikrant" with a displacement of around 44000 tons are cruising in the high seas, marking their first large-scale exercise in the Arabian Sea.
The aircraft carrier battle group can travel a distance of 400 to 500 nautical miles per day and is a floating air force base with fighter jets and helicopters on top, capable of clearing obstacles within a range of 200 nautical miles.
Indian Navy spokesperson Vivek Madwal said on the 10th that this is an "important milestone" for the Indian Navy in seeking to strengthen maritime security and power delivery capabilities in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
The seamless integration of two aircraft carrier battle groups and combat exercises, coupled with the recent long-range strike exercises conducted by the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter and Su-30MKI fighter in the western and eastern coastal areas of India, is undoubtedly a strategic signal to China, aimed at pointing out the vulnerability of the latter in the Indian Ocean region.
Although China is exerting pressure on India along its land borders, it is also steadily strengthening its military power in the Indian Ocean.
China will also begin deploying aircraft carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean region in the near future. At present, it has two aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, and will soon have a third carrier: the Fujian ship with a displacement of over 80000 tons.
For now, due to China's logistical support issues in the Indian Ocean region, India holds a favorable position. However, the Indian Navy also has its own difficulties. It did not even obtain preliminary permission to build a third aircraft carrier, and building such a carrier would take more than 10 years.
The Vikrant aircraft carrier, built by India at a cost of approximately 200 billion rupees, is the largest warship it has ever built. In order for the Vikrant to fully enter combat readiness, MiG-29K fighter jets will need to be tested on the carrier's flight deck, and this work is expected to be completed in early 2024.
However, the Indian Navy is currently enthusiastic. Madwal said, "The Vikrante and Super Sun are both mobile air bases that can be deployed anywhere, increase mission flexibility, respond promptly to emerging threats, and continue air operations."
The successful demonstration of the coordinated operation of the dual carrier battle group is a strong proof that India's sea-based air forces play a crucial role in maintaining maritime superiority. Madwar said, "The coordinated operation of the dual carrier battle group has given our friends the assurance that the Indian Navy has the ability to support our 'collective' security needs in the Indian Ocean region and is prepared for it."
Of course, India needs three aircraft carriers, one on each of the east and west coasts, and one for regular repairs and maintenance.
Due to budget constraints, the Indian Navy is currently finalizing a preliminary plan to add an order for the Vikram aircraft carrier, rather than building a more powerful 65000 ton aircraft carrier as reported earlier by The Times of India.
