| Publication |
2013.
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The commissioning of the ex Gorshkov as INS Vikramaditya last month, was not just path breaking for the Indian Navy (IN) but more significantly for this important maritime nation. Many prophets of doom had predicted a 'dead bargain' and 'unrealistic time and cost overruns' as the forerunner of uncertainty for the future of naval aviation. They stand proven wrong.
Vikramaditya is not about keeping the art of carrier-aviation 'alive' for India (that was never in peril); nor was it a mere case of the current carrier being replaced. The 45,000 tonne Vikramaditya is about power projection, as against just air defence of the fleet, and, force projection that Light aircraft carriers are capable of. So, where are we and what does Vikramaditya bring with her? Well, we are somewhere there and she will surely be a game changer after a long, long time.
|