Latest news with #INSVikramaditya
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
This Word Means: Aircraft carrier
Why now? Addressing officers and sailors onboard INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday (May 30) said that Pakistan would have split into four parts if the Navy had come into 'full form' during Operation Sindoor. INS Vikrant is one of two aircraft carriers in the fleet of the Indian Navy, the other being the flagship INS Vikramaditya. It is the Navy's most potent weapon as well as its most strategic asset, one that Pakistan simply has no answer for. As the name suggests, an aircraft carrier is a warship meant to serve as a seagoing airbase, one that allows for both the deployment and recovery of aircraft. A carrier typically comes with a functional flight deck from and on which fighter jets, helicopters, and small military transport planes can take off and land, as well as a hangar to park these aircraft. Its main offensive weapon are fighter aircraft, which can ensure air superiority even in places far away from home. But aircraft carriers are also massive, multi-billion floating targets for enemies. This is why they seldom travel alone, and generally lead what is known as a 'carrier strike/battle group' comprising destroyers, missile cruisers, frigates, submarines, and supply ships. These other ships both protect the carrier and add to its offensive capabilities. Carriers came into their own during World War II, by which time fighter aircraft had become advanced and reliable enough to become more capable than the naval guns as offensive weapons. Aircraft carriers could strike much deeper into enemy territory than any other ship, and do so with a level of unprecedented accuracy. Today, a carrier is considered the most potent marine military asset for any nation, and essential for any 'blue water navy', that is, a navy with the capacity to project power in the high seas. But only a very select group of nations possesses an aircraft carrier, fewer possess more than one carrier, and fewer still possess the capability to build one. INS Vikrant was the first indigenously-built aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. Vikramaditya is a modified Russian Kiev-class carrier. The Navy plans to add a third carrier into its fleet over the next decade or so. With a displacement of 45,000 tonnes, INS Vikrant is the largest warship to have ever been built in India. The Navy claims that roughly 76% of the ship comprises indigenous content, including 23,000 tonnes of steel, 2,500 km of electric cables, 150 km of pipes, 2,000 valves, and a wide range of finished products including rigid hull boats, galley equipment, air-conditioning and refrigeration plants, and steering gear. Vikrant can carry up to 34 aircraft, with Russian-made MiG 29K fighter jets being its primary offensive weapon. It is operated by a crew of 1,600, and effectively operates like a small town in the high seas, one that has its own hospital with two operation theatres and an ICU, workshop for mechanics, and three galleys which can feed 600 people at a time.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia envoy: S-400, BrahMos were top guns during Operation Sindoor
The S-400 was credited with the shooting down of Pakistani drones and missiles during the conflict that followed Operation Sindoor NEW DELHI: The S-400 system and the jointly-manufactured BrahMos missiles were used by India in the conflict with Pakistan and their performance was exemplary, said Russian ambassador Denis Alipov. The ambassador also said that discussions between India and Russia on the procurement of more S-400 air defence system units are "ongoing" as both countries continue to solidify the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. "From what we know, India has clearly stated the goals and undertook actions after having identified the targets and the terrorists it promised to do. As far as we know, during the operation, the S-400 system was used and the BrahMos missiles were engaged. Judging by the reports available, the performance of these weapons was exemplary," Alipov told IANS news agency. The S-400 was credited with the shooting down of Pakistan drones and missiles during the conflict that followed India's Operation Sindoor that targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan. While India maintained that it had only hit terrorist camps and its actions on May 7 were non-escalatory, Pakistan chose to launch a military operation against India three days later that was rebuffed by Indian armed forces. India has longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia in the field of defence. India and Russia have been involved in several bilateral projects, including the supply of S-400, licenced production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI, supply of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), production of Ak-203 rifles in India and BrahMos missiles. Sources indicate that considering the strategic planning and military preparedness, New Delhi may procure more S-400 air defence systems soon. "Our discussion, on this particular topic, as on many others, is ongoing. It is a continuous one, but it would be incorrect for me and also premature to speak about the results," confirmed Alipov. He mentioned that Moscow is also "very satisfied" with the 'Made in India' BrahMos missiles, a product of joint collaboration with Russia. "We have a joint venture, designing and producing these weapons. We are very satisfied with the results of this collaboration. It has very promising prospects. And, we wish to expand on that track, as on many others that we discussed are in the pipeline or are being implemented already," Alipov remarked.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Talks On": Russian Envoy On India Buying More S-400 Air Defence Systems
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Wednesday said discussions between India and Moscow on the procurement of more S-400 air defence systems are "ongoing" as both countries continue to solidify the special and privileged strategic partnership. In an exclusive chat with IANS, Mr Alipov, while citing various reports on Operation Sindoor, termed the performance of the S-400 system and jointly-manufactured BrahMos missiles as "exemplary". "From what we know, India has clearly stated the goals and undertaken actions after having identified the targets and the terrorists. As far as we know, during the operation, the S-400 system was used and the BrahMos missiles were engaged. Judging by the reports available, the performance of these weapons was exemplary," Mr Alipov told IANS. India has a longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia in the field of defence. The cooperation is guided by the IRIGC-M&MTC mechanism, headed by the Defence Ministers of both countries. Time-tested partners, both countries have been involved in several bilateral projects, including the supply of S-400, licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI, supply of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), production of Ak-203 rifles in India and BrahMos missiles. New Delhi and Moscow acknowledge that the military technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research and development, co-development and joint production of advanced defence technology and systems. As the Indian Armed Forces successfully retaliated and also inflicted significant losses on Pakistan earlier this month, the S-400 air defence system has been credited with shooting down several incoming missiles from across the border. Sources had indicated earlier that, considering the strategic planning and military preparedness, New Delhi may procure more S-400 air defence systems soon. "Our discussion, on this particular topic, as on many others, is ongoing. It is a continuous one, but it would be incorrect for me and also premature to speak about the results of it at the moment," Mr Alipov said.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Discussions on further procurement 'ongoing', confirms Russian Ambassador after 'exemplary' S-400 showing during Op Sindoor
New Delhi: Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Wednesday said that discussions between India and Moscow on the procurement of more S-400 air defence system units are "ongoing" as both countries continue to solidify the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. In an exclusive chat with IANS, Alipov, while citing various Operation Sindoor reports, termed the performance of the S-400 system and jointly-manufactured BrahMos missiles as "exemplary". "From what we know, India has clearly stated the goals and undertook actions after having identified the targets and the terrorists it promised to do. As far as we know, during the operation, the S-400 system was used and the BrahMos missiles were engaged. Judging by the reports available, the performance of these weapons was exemplary," Alipov told IANS. India has longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia in the field of defence. The cooperation is guided by the IRIGC-M&MTC mechanism, headed by the Defence Ministers of both countries. Longstanding and time-tested partners, both countries have been involved in several bilateral projects, including the supply of S-400, licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI, supply of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), production of Ak-203 rifles in India and BrahMos missiles. New Delhi and Moscow acknowledge that the military technical cooperation has evolved over time from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research and development, co-development and joint production of advanced defence technology and systems. As the Indian Armed Forces successfully retaliated and also inflicted significant losses on Pakistan earlier this month, the S-400 air defence system has been credited with shooting down several incoming missiles from across the border. Sources indicate that considering the strategic planning and military preparedness, New Delhi may soon procure more S-400 air defence systems soon. "Our discussion, on this particular topic, as on many others, is ongoing. It is a continuous one, but it would be incorrect for me and also premature to speak about the results of it at the moment," confirmed Alipov. He mentioned that Moscow is also "very satisfied" with the 'Made in India' BrahMos missiles, a product of joint collaboration with Russia. "We have a joint venture, designing and producing of these weapons. We are very satisfied with the results of this collaboration. It has, very promising prospects. And, we wish, to expand on that track, as on many other, that we discussed are in the pipeline or are being implemented already," Alipov remarked.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
India, U.S. discuss carrier cooperation
Continuing the dialogue on aircraft carrier cooperation, India and the U.S. discussed plans for future co-operation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology at the 8th round of the India-U.S. Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC), constituted under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), the Navy said in Tuesday. A six-member U.S. delegation headed by Rear Adm. Casey Moton, Programme Executive Officer (PEO), Aircraft Carriers, was in Delhi for the dialogue held from May 13 to 16; they also visited various defence establishments in Delhi and Goa. From India, the dialogue was co-chaired by Rear Adm. Vishal Bishnoi, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects. The working group held its first meeting in 2015 and the last edition was held in the U.S. in April 2024. Also read | Budgetary allocations and the recurring lament of the Indian Navy 'Both sides appreciated the remarkable work undertaken by the Joint Working Group towards valuable information exchange on Aircraft Carriers. Plans for future co-operation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology were discussed and a Joint Statement was also released,' the Navy said. At Goa, professional interactions were undertaken with the Indian Navy's aviation specialists on carrier operations and technical aspects, it added. The Indian Navy currently operates two carriers — INS Vikramaditya, acquired from Russia, and the indigenously designed and manufactured INS Vikrant — both of which operate the Mig-29K fighter jets. Unlike the bulk of the U.S. nuclear-powered super carriers displacing 100,000 tonnes, the Indian carriers are medium-sized with a displacement of over 40,000 tonnes, conventionally powered and use a ski-jump to launch aircraft. The ambitious DTTI initiative between India and the U.S. was announced a decade ago with two joint working groups and four path funder projects for co-development and co-production, though they made no progress.
