Significance of carrier aviation

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Context:

• Both aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, showcased "twin carrier operations" with MiG-29K fighter jets taking off simultaneously from both and landing cross deck.

Details:

 

• INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, showcased "twin carrier operations" with MiG-29K fighter jets.
• As the two carriers sailed, they were joined by a fleet of frontline warships of the Indian Navy, a combined tonnage of around 1,40,000 as well as aircraft.
• This demonstrated an ability that only a handful of nations can boast.

INS Vikrant

• INS Vikrant is indigenously designed and constructed.
• Commissioned in September 2022 it is operationalised and integrated into the operational cycle in record time.

What does INS Vikrant signify?

• A carrier is a floating city.
• The design (IAC)-1, later christened Vikrant, began in 1999;.
• In 2005-2006 crucial decision was taken on the warship grade steel, which till then was procured from Russia.
• It would be developed and produced in India, a collaborative effort between the steel authority of India, the Research Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Navy.
• DMR-249 steel is now being used for the construction of all warships in the country.

What is the composition of INS Vikrant?

• Vikrant is an engineering marvel. It has a total area over 12,450 m2 which equals about two and a half hockey fields.
• 262m long and 62m wide ship is powered by four General Electric LM2500 engines generating 88 MW of power giving it a maximum speed ods knos and an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.
• Built at an overall cost of around 220,000 crore and 76% indigenous content, the ship has around 2,200 compartments, for a crew of around 1,600 that include specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailors.
• Vikrant houses two galleys that cater to all onboard, preparing upto 4,500-5,000 meals every day.

What are its capabilities?

• Vikrant can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-GOR multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenous Advanced Light (Navy).
• It uses the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) method to launch and recover aircrait for which it is equipped with a ski- jump to launch aircraft, and three 'arrester wires' for their recovery.
• Vikrant has larger deck space and visibly larger hallways compared to previous carriers including
• India is currently negotiating with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M carrier jets as the MiG-29Ks are in short supply while an indigenous twin engine deck-based fighter is currently under development.

Chronology of Aircraft Carrier Induction in India:

• While the present Vikrant was the first carrier built in the country, India has had a long history of operating carriers.
• The erstwhile 19,500 tonne Vikrant was India's first carrier purchased from the U.K., which arrived in 1961 and played a vital role in the 1971 war.
• Then came the 28,700 tonne INS Viraat commissioned in 1987, formerly HMS Hermes, also from the U.K.
• INS Vikramaditya procured from Russia and commissioned in 2013 is India's third carrier.

Significance of Aircraft Carriers:

• An aircraft carrier is fundamental to command, control and coordination of operations from the sea and to project combat power ashore, over the seas or in the air.
• They are particularly significant given that the fragile maritime security situation across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and India's stature as the largest resident naval power necessitates a strong and robust Navy. Aircraft carriers play a pivotal role in this.
• Concument availability of two Carrier Battle Groups facilitates credible presence and preparedness on both the Western and Eastern seaboard.
• There is a renewed global interest with several countries now going for carriers of varying sizes. The U.S. is fielding new supercarriers, and the U.K. has inducted new carriers while Japan has begun converting its helicopter carriers to operate F.35 fighter jets. Last month, China announced that it is building its nuclear-powered supercarrier. China's pace of building IACs is unprecedented.
• The current global trajectory shows that with the growing carrier targeting missiles and drones notwinstanding, the days of carnier aviation seem to be bright for the foreseeable future.

Future prospects:

• The Navy has already moved a case for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-II), a repeat of a Vikrant-like carrier. The proposal was cleared by the Defence Procurement Board last September and has since been forwarded for approval by the Defense Acquisition Council, expected to be taken up once it meets after the elections.
• The IAC-II displacing 45,000 tonnes will see some modifications and newer technologies incorporated in the original design of the Vikrant and will also be manufactured by CSL.
• The Navy has shelved its earlier plans for a 65,000-tonne carrier given the whole new technology cycle involved and the resultant cost and timelines.

INS Vikrant and INS Vikramadiatya:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/integration-of-ins-vikrant-and-ins-vikramaditya

Source:

The Hindu

https://pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?NoteId=151135&ModuleId%20=%202

PRACTICE QUESTION Q)Consider the following statements about the capabilities of INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously designed and constructed aircraft carrier: 1. It can operate an air wing of 20 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, and indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters. 2. It utilizes the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) method for launching and recovering aircraft. 3. Its displacement of 43,000 tonnes makes it the third largest among aircraft carriers worldwide. 4. It employs the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) method and can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters, and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy). How many of the above statement’s is/are correct? A.Only one B.Only two C.Only three D.All four Answer: A Statement 1 is incorrect: ●The correct number of aircraft that INS Vikrant can operate is 30, not 20. The air wing includes a variety of aircraft types, such as MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters, and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy). Statement 2 is incorrect: ●INS Vikrant employs the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) method, not the CATOBAR method. In the STOBAR method, aircraft take off using a ski-jump ramp and land with the assistance of arresting wires, while in the CATOBAR method, aircraft are launched using catapults and recovered using arresting wires. Statement 3 is incorrect: ●While INS Vikrant has a displacement of 43,000 tonnes, it is not the third largest among aircraft carriers worldwide. It is stated in the passage that INS Vikrant is the seventh largest among carriers or carrier classes in the world. Therefore, this option is inaccurate. Statement 4 is correct: ●INS Vikrantutilizes the STOBAR method for launching and recovering aircraft. Additionally, it can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft, which includes MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters, and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy). Therefore, this option accurately represents the capabilities of INS Vikrant as described in the passage.