CAWAT: For India, Russia is a more logical partner when it comes to the construction of an aircraft carrier

Russia appears as the most logical partner for India, when it comes to the construction of the latest aircraft carrier – the IAC-2, and equipping it with the required fighter jets, RIA Novosti learned on Wednesday from the official representative of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT).

Earlier, media reports claimed that India had sent to – the Russian Rosoboronexport, the American Lockheed Martin, the British BAE, and the French DCNS – requests to participate in the development and construction of a modern Indian aircraft carrier with a total displacement of 65,000 tons.

“Currently, the foundation of India’s naval power is the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, built in Russian shipyards, and today one of the most powerful combat units in the Indian Ocean. Cooperation would be logical when it comes to assistance in the design and construction of a modern Indian IAC-2 aircraft carrier, using the latest relevant Russian technologies,” said the representative of CAWAT.

He added that, based on the principle of harmonization and combat effectiveness, it would be logical for India to equip the future aircraft carrier with carrier-based MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets, which are already serving aboard the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.

In CAWAT, they noted that the new aircraft carrier would most likely be a nuclear powered ship, as this would fully meet the needs of the Naval Forces of India, allowing virtually unlimited autonomous operations.

The agency source recalled that in the recent past, Russia has actively contributed to the modernization of the Indian Navy, by supplying Kilo-class diesel submarines and Project 11356 frigates.

The Russian Federation is also involved in building the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant, which was launched on June 11 of this year. In 2011, Rosoboronexport signed a contract with the Indian side to supply the ship with aero-technical equipment, together with everything needed for its installation and operations. The air-wing of the Vikrant will consist of Russian MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets.

First published in Russian by RIA Novosti.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.