The Indian Navy has added another aircraft carrier, demonstrating strong military ambitions. Despite the fact that it already has two aircraft carriers, Vikramaditya and Vikrant, India is not satisfied and plans to add a domestic aircraft carrier. As the first country in Asia to be equipped with aircraft carriers, India has always maintained a high degree of self-confidence and pursuit in the development of aircraft carriers. Previously, the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier equipment was mainly from the United Kingdom, and carrier-based aircraft were also purchased from the United Kingdom.
However, with the introduction of the USS Vikramaditya and the MiG-29K carrier-based aircraft, India has gradually moved away from its dependence on British equipment and turned to seek independent research and development and procurement. In the face of the challenges of aircraft carrier construction, the Indian Navy is also not lacking in risks and tests. For example, the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant of the Indian Navy was put into service without the installation of significant radar equipment, and the Indian military dared to conduct practical training on the unfinished aircraft carrier.
On the other hand, India is actively seeking new carrier-based aircraft, and the final introduction of the Rafale M carrier-based aircraft from Dassault of France from a global tender will enhance the comprehensive combat capability of the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers. This series of measures shows the ambition and self-confidence of the Indian Navy in the construction of aircraft carriers. However, the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier construction also faces many challenges, including outdated technology, imperfect equipment, and high construction and maintenance costs.
Compared with India, China has made great progress in aircraft carrier construction, successively built the Liaoning and Shandong, and continuously improved the performance and technology of the carrier-based aircraft J-15. In the context of international military competition, the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier construction will face more challenges and competition. However, with India's unremitting efforts in aircraft carrier construction, it is believed that the Indian Navy's future aircraft carrier force will usher in new developments and breakthroughs.
India is planning to build a second domestically built aircraft carrier, which will feature a glide take-off deck and carry French Rafale M fighter jets. The move has sparked widespread concern, with some arguing that India is preparing for a Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. India has always seen China as its biggest threat, and increasing the number of aircraft carriers seems to mean further military expansion for India. At the same time, India has also imported Rafale fighters from France in an attempt to compete with China's J-20 Veyron fighter jets.
India's arms development initiatives have aroused the vigilance of the international community, especially the relations between China and the United States. In the game of geopolitics, India's ambition is not only to win more voice in the regional pattern.