India to speed up acquisition of further aircraft carrier
India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, seen under way in the Arabian Sea. (Photo: Indian MoD)
India's first domestically built aircraft carrier was massively late by six years, but the country thinks it can do better with the next ship.
India’s MoD is fast-tracking the Indian Navy’s (IN) proposal to indigenously build a follow-on 43,000t aircraft carrier, similar to INS Vikrant that was commissioned late last year.
At its 22 September meeting, the MoD’s Defence Procurement Board (DPB) discussed various aspects of constructing Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2 (IAC-2) at Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), which also built Vikrant, for an estimated INR400 billion ($4.81 billion).
IN sources said the DPB was expected to imminently forward the proposal for IAC-2, featuring ‘extensive modifications and upgrades’ over Vikrant, for approval to the Defence Acquisition Council before work on the project formally
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS]()
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
