Several nations which currently possess aircraft carriers are in the process of planning new classes to replace current ones. The world's navies still generally see the aircraft carrier as the main future capital ship, with developments such as the arsenal ship, which have been promoted as an alternative, seen as too limited in terms of flexibility.
Military experts such as John Keegan have noted that in any future naval conflict between reasonably evenly matched powers, all surface ships—including aircraft carriers—would be at extreme and disproportionate risk, mainly due to the advanced capabilities of satellite reconnaissance and anti-ship missiles. Contrary to the thrust of most current naval spending, Keegan therefore postulates that eventually most navies will move to submarines as their main fighting ships, including in roles where submarines play only a minor or no role at the moment.
A "blue water navy" is designed to operate far from the coastal waters of its home nation. Aircraft Carriers are capable of maintaining station for long periods of time in deep ocean, and will have a long logistical tail for their support. Many are also nuclear powered to save having to refuel.
but for pakistan its better to buy a helicopter carrier or a amphibious assault ship (Force Projection Vessel) Like (French DCNS Mistral Class LHD) instead of purchasing an aircraft carrier like INS Viraat or INS Vikrant with old sea harriers onboard.
Mistral has the capability to be use as a helicopter carrier with its 6 helicopter landing spots and the capacity to accomodate 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters. The flight deck of each ship is approximately 6,400 square metres (69,000 sq ft).
The Mistral is also an efficient commandement and control center. with a 850-square-metre (9,100 sq ft) command centre which can host up to 150 personnel. Information from the ship's sensors is centralised in the SENIT system (Système d’Exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques, "System for Naval Usage of Tactical Information"), a derivative of the US Navy's Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS). SENIT 9 is based around Thales' tri-dimensional MRR3D-NG Multi Role Radar, which operations on the C band and incorporates IFF capabilities. SENIT 9 also be connected to NATO data exchange formats through Link 11, Link 16 and Link 22.
As of 2008, the two Mistral class ships were armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral missiles, two Brenda Mauser 30 mm/70 guns, and four 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns.
With its powerful communications system, its fully redundant equipment and excellent maneuvering capabilities, it plays a pivotal role in the deployment of peacekeepers, in deterrence or the projection of naval power. Mistral class ships can accommodate up to 450 soldiers, although this can be doubled for short-term deployments. The 2,650-square-metre (28,500 sq ft) vehicle hangar can carry a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion, or a 13-strong Leclerc tank company and 46 other vehicles. By comparison, Foudre class ships can carry up to 100 vehicles, including 22 AMX-30 tanks in the significantly smaller 1,000-square-metre (11,000 sq ft) deck. The 885-square-metre (9,530 sq ft) well deck can accommodate four landing craft. The ships are capable of operating two LCAC hovercraft, and although the French Navy appears to have no intention of purchasing any LCACs, this capability improves the class' ability to interoperate with the United States Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. The LCACs can make landfall on 70% of the coastlines of the world; conventional landing craft can only make landfall on 30%, as they are limited to sand beaches or swamps. The DGA is contemplating modernisation of the landing craft fleet with 59-tonne landing crafts (EDA, Engins de débarquement amphibies).
Mistral can also be used as a Hospital ship. Each ship carries a NATO Role 3 medical facility, comparable to the hospital of a 25,000-inhabitant city. Any pathology can be treated aboard, including complex issues like neurosurgery, though the use of a SYRACUSE-based telemedicine system.
The hospital provides 20 rooms. There are two surgery blocks with 7 intensive care beds, and a radiology room fitted with a scanner. Capacity is 69 beds, including 50 for intensive care, but it can be extended to 120 beds by installing a mobile medical facility in the helicopter hangar.
Type:landing platform helicopter
Displacement:16,500 tons (empty)
21,300 tons (full load)
32,300 tons (with ballasts)
Length:199 metres (650 ft)
Beam:32 metres (100 ft)
Draught:6.3 metres (21 ft)
Installed power:3 Wärtsilä diesels-alternators 16 V32 (6,2 MW) + 1 Wärtsilä Vasaa auxiliary diesel-alternator 18V200 (3 MW)
Propulsion:2 Mermaïd electric motors (2 × 7 MW), 2 5-bladed propellers
Speed:18.8 knots (35 km/h)
Range:10,800 kilometres (5,800 nmi) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
19,800 kilometres (10,700 nmi) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Boats and landing
craft carried:4 CTM (chaland de transport de matériel)
alternatively, 2 LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion)
Capacity:59 vehicles (including 13 Leclerc tanks) or a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion
Troops:900 (short duration)
450 (long durations)
150 (serving as operational headquaters)
Complement:20 officers, 80 petty officers, 60 quarter-masters
Sensors and processing systems:DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 navigation radar
MRR3D-NG air/surface sentry radar
2 optronic fire control systems
Armament:2 x Simbad systems
2 x 30 mm Breda-Mauser guns
4 x 12.7 mm M2-HB Browning machine guns
Aircraft carried:16 heavy or 35 light helicopters
Aviation facilities:6 helicopter landing spots
Export
Since 1997, and particularly since the Euronaval 2007, the Mistral type has been promoted for export. The "BPC family" comprises the BPC 140 (13,500 tonnes), the BPC 160 (16,700 tonnes) and the BPC 250 (24,542 tonnes, 214.5 metres (704 ft) long). The BPC 250 was the design from which the final Mistral class design was derived: the reduction in length and other modifications were a price-saving exercise.
According to the DGA, the South African Navy, the Deutsche Marine, the Canadian Forces Maritime Command, the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Swedish Navy might show an interest in the ships. The Indian Navy has also expressed interest in the design of the Mistral type. Brazil and Turkey could in time consider purchasing BPCs. Algeria is also considering the purchase of two BPCs.
US Wasp or Tarawa class amphibious assault ships have much more facilities and aircrafts onboard as compare to Indian Navy aircraft carriers. and by the way american did not even call tarawa ro wasp class as aircraft carrier. they call them amphibious assault ship.
