India’s Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Plan: From INS Vikrant to INS Vishal | Indian Navy’s 15-Year Vision

India’s aircraft carrier journey reflects both its maritime legacy and its future ambitions. From the legendary INS Vikrant, which blockaded the Pakistani Navy during the 1971 war, to the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya, and now the indigenously constructed INS Vikrant (IAC-1), carriers have always been central to India’s naval power projection.

Looking ahead, the Indian Navy’s 15-year prospective plan includes the development of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The proposed INS Vishal (IAC-2) is expected to be over 65,000 tons, potentially featuring nuclear propulsion, CATOBAR/EMALS launch systems, and next-generation carrier air wings including the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) and naval UAVs.

Why does this matter? As China expands its own carrier fleet with Liaoning, Shandong, and the advanced Fujian, India must ensure that its three-carrier doctrine remains credible for deterrence and sea control in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Nuclear carriers would provide India with unlimited endurance, sustained strike capability, and true blue-water dominance from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific.

This deep dive explores the history, evolution, and future of Indian aircraft carriers — and what nuclear-powered carriers could mean for India’s role in the Indo-Pacific balance of power.

👉 Stay tuned for more Strategic Vanguard Deep Dives every Wednesday and Saturday.

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