INS Vishal | Indian Navy
INS Vishal, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 2 (IAC-2), is a planned aircraft
carrier to be built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian
Navy. It is intended to be the second aircraft carrier to be built in India
after INS Vikrant (IAC-1). The proposed design of the
second carrier class will be a new design, featuring significant changes from Vikrant, including an
increase in displacement. An Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) CATOBAR system
is also under consideration. Its name Vishal means 'giant'
in Sanskrit.
In April 2011,
Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma stated that construction of the second
carrier was some years away as there were a number of higher spending
priorities for the navy.The design stage of IAC-2 began in 2012, and was
undertaken by the navy's Naval Design Bureau. The navy decided not to seek
outside help in preparing the design concept and implementation plans, but
might seek help from the Russian Design Bureau later to integrate Russian
aircraft into Vishal. IAC-2 is proposed to be a flat-top carrier with a
displacement of 65,000 tonnes and might have a CATOBAR system, unlike
the STOBAR system on IAC-1. On 13 May 2015, Defence Acquisition
Council (DAC) allotted Rs.30 crore for initial construction planning process of
INS Vishal.
In May 2015, Chief of
the Naval Staff Admiral Robin K. Dhowan initially floated the
possibility of nuclear propulsion, saying that "all options are open
for the second indigenous aircraft carrier. Nothing has been ruled out." The
initial plan for the aircraft carrier included nuclear propulsion system but
this was later changed to an integrated electric propulsion system
due to the complexities involved in developing a nuclear reactor with a
capacity of 500 to 550 megawatts that would possibly take 15 to 20 years.
The Indian Navy also reached out to four
international defence companies for suggestions with the design of Vishal,
with letters of request sent to the British BAE Systems, French DCNS,
American Lockheed Martin and Russian Rosoboronexport on 15
July 2015, according to a report in Jane's Navy International. The
letter asked the companies to "provide technical and costing
proposals" for the IAC-2 program.
In 2013, the Indian Navy reportedly sought
to equip the aircraft carrier with EMALS, which could enable the launching
of larger aircraft as well as unmanned combat aerial vehicles. General
Atomics, the developer of EMALS, also gave a briefing of the technology to
Indian Navy officers with the permission of the US Government. In
April 2015, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Frank
Kendall stated that the Obama administration was supportive of
selling EMALS to India, amongst other technologies. A Joint Working Group
on Aircraft Carrier Cooperation was also formed between India and the United
States to collaborate on the design and development of aircraft carriers,
with the first meeting between Indian Navy and United States
Navy naval officers held in August 2015. In October 2017, just ahead
of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to India, the Trump
administration approved the release of technology for the EMALS for Vishal.
On 3 December 2018, Chief of the Naval
Staff\ Sunil Lanba told media that the work on Vishal had
moved ahead and the construction of the ship is expected to begin in 3 years. Initially,
the carrier was expected to enter service by the 2020s, but the expected
date of completion was later postponed to the 2030s.
British newspaper Daily Mirror reported
on 5 May 2019 that India was in talks with the United Kingdom to purchase the
detailed plans for HMS Queen Elizabeth to use as the basis of
INS Vishal's design.
Naval planners believe that, with INS Vishal likely to enter service in the early 2030s, they should plan on operating UCAVs from that carrier, as well as a fixed wing ASW aircraft, and medium and light fighters. According to a naval planner, it "could greatly expand our mission envelope with UCAVs, using the pilot-less aircraft for high-risk reconnaissance and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD). Mid-air refueling would let us keep UCAVs on mission for 24–36 hours continuously, since pilot fatigue would not be a factor."
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