Reference News Network, September 6 report. According to Reuters, September 5 report, India may build a third aircraft carrier, which is a nuclear-powered one. This is part of India's 15-year defense modernization plan announced on September 5, which also includes the first use of domestically produced fighter jets by the navy.
The Indian Ministry of Defense's 2025 roadmap states: "In the coming decades, as the country faces greater challenges and assumes greater responsibilities, the military must be equipped with appropriate equipment. Therefore, strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors is the direction for future development."
India currently has two aircraft carriers, one manufactured by Russia and the other domestically built. The proposed carrier is expected to be nuclear-powered, India's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with a longer range and more stealthy combat capabilities.
India also plans to use a new generation of twin-engine carrier-based fighters and light fighters. Both aircraft are being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a state-owned company, for the navy.
In April, India signed a deal worth 63 billion rupees (about 800 million US dollars) with France to purchase 26 multirole Rafale jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, to be deployed on India's two carriers, the "Vikrant" and "Vikramaditya".
India hopes to have 62 Rafale fighters in service by 2030, including 36 delivered to the air force starting from 2020. Currently, the two carriers are equipped with the Soviet-origin MiG-29K squadrons.
The roadmap also anticipates the procurement of two electromagnetic catapult systems. This system was specifically developed for the U.S. Navy, using electromagnetic force instead of traditional steam catapults to launch aircraft from the aircraft carrier. (Translated by Ge Xuele)
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