India’s New Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant to Commence Sea Trials in 2020 and Enter Service in 2021

India’s sole aircraft carrier, the former Kiev Class warship of the Soviet Navy currently serving as the INS Vikramaditya, is set to be joint by a second lighter vessel in 2021 - the carrier INS Vikrant. The Indian Navy’s Vice Admiral A.K. Saxena stated regarding progress in completing the warship: “Construction is moving at a brisk pace. The gas turbines could be fired in the third quarter of this year. Basin trials will follow, as well as testing of the aviation complex.” While primarily manufactured in India, Russia’s Rosoboronexport will reportedly play a significant role in constructing the carrier’s aviation complex of which 17 parts are Russian made. The Vikrant will also deploy Russian made MiG-29K fighter jets from its deck alongside Russian anti submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft - providing an air wing closely mirroring that of the heavier INS Vikramaditya. It has also been announced that the Indian Navy intends to eventually deploy indigenous Tejas single engine light fighters from the deck of the INS Vikrant to complement the heavier MiG-29, although significant delays in this fighter program mean that the warship may not receive these aircraft for some time.

The INS Vikrant is the first indigenous Indian aircraft carrier, and represents very likely the most troubled carrier program of the 21st century with delays placing it five years behind schedule. The warship was initially budgeted at $0.5 billion, but is today set to cost 700% of this amount at $3.5 billion. The Vikrant was ordered by India’s armed forces in 2004 for induction into the Eastern Theatre Command, and will displace 40,000 tons when fully loaded. The warship’s relatively low endurance and lack of systems needed for effective long range power projection such as catapult launch systems means it will primarily serve to protect India’s territorial waters and patrol nearby in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy is reportedly planning a far more ambitious carrier under the INS Vishal program, although whether this program will be affordable both to acquire and to operate remains in serious question.