Opportunity to add one more Aircraft carrier...Should we take the bite.?

[Abingdonboy]

it's an STOVL carrier so untill 2018 when F-35B is available we won't have any aircraft capable of operating from it

IF it is on offer for India, it will be with Sea Harriers, but again I think IN has no interest in STOVL carriers and VTOL fighters anymore.

we barely have sufficient Sea Harriers to operate from INS Viraat. we've tried procuring more to replenish our squadron but to no avail and by 2018 we can probably build a new AC

If it was bought then it would most likely be bought with the air arm of ex-RAF/RN Harriers (note, the RN phased out all Sea Harriers about 6-7 years ago). As I believe the IN only has ~8 Sea Harriers in service now so there's no way it could operate off 2 ACCs if they wanted be the least bit effective.


But I highly doubt this will happen as I said earlier and anyway as post #40 says the tender closed July 6 2011 and we've not heard anything about it. IN are above operating this junk nowadays.

 

[DacterSaab]

If one of the QE class ACC was bought for IN I would think, given its size, it would be delivered in a CATBAR configuration as the IAC-2 which is in the planning and is likely to be in a similar weight class (65,000+ ton) is apparently likely to have a steam catapult or US developed EMALS which IN has seriously looked into. So in this case I think that the N-MMRCA/F-35C is the likely platform to operate off the ACC. And the N-MMRCA contenders are likely to be the Rafele-M and F-18E/F in CATBAR configuration. And if, in the unlikely situation, that STOBAR is demanded by IN then the Sea Gripen and Sea Typhoon are the contenders. But if the QE ACC is bought then I believe it will be in CATBAR configuration.

Brother correct me if I'm wrong but I think Sea Gripen is CATOBAR based for STOBAR the most likely choice will be MiG-29k equivalent of MiG-35

 

[Abingdonboy]

Brother correct me if I'm wrong but I think Sea Gripen is CATOBAR based for STOBAR the most likely choice will be MiG-29k equivalent of MiG-35

Forgive me- the Sea Gripen is both STOBAR and CATBAR capable. And whilst the Mig-29k is an excellent fighter for the IN's 40,000 ton class carriers but for larger carriers like the 65,000+ IAC-2 and QE class the IN requires more capable fighters hence the N-MMRCA if STOBAR then I see N-EFT winning not sure about CATBAR as it would a similar case as IAF MMRCA in terms of political considerations and CISMOA/LSA etc and the F-35B/C has a real chance with the IN showing real interest in it.

 

[DacterSaab]

Actually for CATOBAR we might see a mix of Rafale M (if it wins IAF MMRCA) and Sea Gripen both being used on IAC-2 just like we'r gonna use both MiG-29k and N-LCA on STOBAR carriers this will give the AC more flexibility by allowing it to operate both heavy and light jets depending on the need.