A third aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy has “clearly emerged as a necessity” in view of changing maritime challenges, especially from China, according to Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, India’s Chief of Naval Staff. He emphasized in an exclusive interview that the Indian Navy is still a force that is prepared for battle and the future, committed to maintaining maritime security in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) program.
Admiral Tripathi emphasized that the Chinese Navy has significantly modernized over the last ten years, resulting in a larger number of warships than the Indian Navy. He pointed out that since 2008, China has kept a constant naval presence in the Indian Ocean while claiming to be conducting anti-piracy operations. To strengthen collective maritime security, India is responding by expanding its operational reach through more deployments and cooperative drills with ally warships.
The government intends to soon start building its third aircraft carrier, a 45,000-ton ship modeled after the INS Vikrant. According to Rajnath Singh, the minister of defense, this is only the start, with plans to construct five or six more carriers in the future. It is believed that this growth is essential.
Building aircraft carriers domestically has an impact on the economy in addition to military capability. With every rupee spent on shipbuilding apparently generating 1.82 rupees in economic circulation, the shipbuilding industry contributes to economic growth and creates a substantial number of jobs. In order to protect India’s national interests, the Navy’s plan calls for building a multifaceted, balanced force that can operate simultaneously over large maritime areas.
An essential step for India as it negotiates the intricate geopolitical waters of the Indo-Pacific region is the construction of a third aircraft carrier. India is establishing itself as a strong naval force that can exert influence far beyond its borders due to growing challenges from regional enemies and a dedication to improving maritime capabilities.
