I agree with you. I'm still waiting from the others on how India would use its carriers. And if its for fleet defense, how would the AC use for fleet defense?I can't wait for the answers.
Actually you shouldn't...bcoz no matter how many replies will be given you will not learn as you are not here to learn but to troll(sorry so say that!!)
Why only Cape of Good Hope? I m sure we also have economic interests in Brazil and the North Sea. So lets get 27 ACCs.
After all, India, in due course, has to replace the US as protector of free commerce and sea lanes.
I m sure that countries with far bigger trade than India, but with no ACCs, are having their ships held up by hostile navies everyday.
Couple of things you should keep in mind if you are here to actually discuss things...i mean that is what a defence forum is all about...however to achieve the goal one has to give respect and show patience....Look no matter how much you or I rant here IN thinks that they need 3 AC's and they are going to have them...so let's try to find logic in that or debunk it..but again by debating like men and not kids high on adreline..
Now we all know that IN have a long ambition of becoming a true blue water navy...and we all know what is really needed for being one...Of-course AC are here for power projection but that is what nuclear weapons/BM/ASAT weapons are for...no?? Does countries who possess these weapons use them on everyday basis?? and just like AC lot of money is spent on possessing/maintaing these weapons as well...so to be quiet honest money is not a concern...You also mentioned about the fact that we lack better tanks etc etc and money should be spent on those....well, how naive of you...Are you suggesting here that money that was meant for upgrading tanks and other weapons in your list have been taken and moved towards AC's?? you can't be more wrong than that....
Anyhow let's try to anwer your basic question...why does IN wants AC
- Power projection(not just limited to Pakistan/China)
- Achieve Blue water Navy role
- With growing commercial interests in the China sea, as well for everlasting presence in Arabian sea(future need)
- As said earlier prime role of our AC is to protect our naval ships from Enemy Air attack and also launch limited attacks against enemy feets and coastal targets(have been exibited in 71 war)..
- Think about a task where your goal is to invade and occupy an Islant in Indian Ocean
- throw in couple of amphibious landing ships(another aspect which is work in progress)
- Your AC will act as a force multiplier of humungous magnitude..
- They also act as a Second Strike capability and add another string to so called nucear triad...very important in our perspective as we are surrounded by 2 potential nuclear adversaries who are "all weather friends"...In other words our threat perception is of huge proportion and we may face a so called two frontal war scenario....it is no rocket science that you need to be prepared for the worst...
- Last but not the least...AC is a mean to provide/sell security to smaller neighboring countries and to protect vital shipping lanes...
I can keep on adding here..anyhow my basic theme is that India is growing economical muscle and we would need an equal growing military muscle.....AC is a very important arsenal to achieve that....