India eyes a third carrier as China expands its naval air power
India is planning to acquire a larger, possibly nuclear-powered aircraft carrier within the next decade to keep pace with China's growing fleet and address its own maintenance gaps.
With only two operational carriers, the Indian Navy lacks the three-ship cycle that allows one vessel to deploy, one to train and a third to undergo maintenance. A capability development paper released last year calls for a new carrier within fifteen years, coinciding with the expected retirement of INS Vikramaditya. The proposed ship would weigh around 65,000 tonnes, accommodate up to 60 aircraft, and likely use electromagnetic launch technology being tested by the DRDO, mirroring the US Navy's EMALS system.
China is reportedly moving toward a nine-carrier fleet, closing the gap with the United States, which maintains eleven carriers despite lengthy overhaul periods. Analysts warn that without a third platform, India could face reduced power projection in the Indian Ocean, particularly during extended refits. The strategic push underscores the importance of a nuclear-powered, catapult-equipped carrier to sustain long-range operations and counterbalance regional naval growth.
Why it matters
A new Indian carrier would help maintain regional balance as China expands its own fleet.
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