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India luaches it's first homebuilt carrier

They've had an aircraft carrier since 1961 - the first Vikrant - ex HMS Hercules. They currently have the Viraat (ex HMS Hermes) and Vikramaditya (ex Admiral Gorshkov).
I guess they reckon building their own was better than buying cast-offs.
 
Both, and primarily to secure the vital sea lines across the Indian Ocean. India is now a major trading nation and so access to the seas is just as vital to them as it is to nations like the United States. Carriers represent power projection, a ready means to project airpower across the region to places where national interests are threatened. China and Pakistan are two such primary challengers to India. Say China projects its navy into the Indo-China or East Indies waters that could threaten to cut off or interfere with commerce. Without the carrier, India is in little position to respond. But, with a carrier, likely working in close cooperation with the US Navy, India can directly influence events to its favor.

Relations with India and the US are getting better, which is something I've long wanted to see happen. Their air force is outstanding and I've never seen any reason why the two most populated democracies on the planet could not and should not become excellent strategic allies.

So, I'm glad to see it happen.

Ken
 
SPman said:
They've had an aircraft carrier since 1961 - the first Vikrant - ex HMS Hercules. They currently have the Viraat (ex HMS Hermes) and Vikramaditya (ex Admiral Gorshkov).
I guess they reckon building their own was better than buying cast-offs.
Click to expand...


They have the money now to do it, and by building it for themselves, they also develop the technology to be self-sufficient. India now has a lot of national wealth to protect, and they are willing to spend a small portion of it to do so. I predict that India will ween itself off Russian military technology and treat US technology as a temporary means until they can develop their own national aviation technology to produce their own stuff.

Ken
 
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