Could India and France Build Aircraft Carriers Together? A Navy Veteran Thinks So

Folks, a former big boss of the Indian Navy, Admiral Arun Prakash, has started a buzz online that could make waves in how we build our warships. He's suggesting India and France team up and build their next major aircraft carriers at the same time!

What's the big deal, you ask? Well, the idea is to build France's fancy new carrier, the PA-NG, over there and our homegrown Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-III (IAC-3) right here in India. Admiral Prakash believes this would be a win-win. We'd get to learn from the French, experts in shipbuilding, and they could tap into our knowledge. Plus, maybe we could even snag some know-how for our dream of nuclear-powered warships. And, of course, both countries could split the work and make the whole thing a smoother ride.

India's already shown how serious we are about aircraft carriers. We've got the IAC-I in action, a mighty ship at 45,000 tons, and the IAC-II on the way. But the IAC-III? That's a whole different beast, a potential 60,000-ton powerhouse.

Meanwhile, the French aren't messing around either. The PA-NG looks set to be incredible – around 75,000 tons, packed with cutting-edge tech like those cool electromagnetic catapults to launch planes. You throw in fighters like the Rafale M (which we're already getting comfy with), and that's a force to be reckoned with.

So, picture this: master shipbuilders from both countries sharing ideas, maybe even swapping engineers. It's the kind of partnership that makes India and France stronger together on the high seas.

Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. Building two monster carriers at once? That's a tricky dance, even for the best planners. And nuclear technology… well, let's just say sharing those secrets is a whole different ball game.

Still, it's a bold idea. The kind that could change how India builds its future navy. What do you think? Should we go for it?

 

[Anant]

Could L&T build 1 of the 65000 Ton class carrier while CSL builds the 2 or 1st one - giving India the ability to concurrently (not exactly in parallel) build carriers... same theory of L&T and MDL for Project 76s, after both take 3 each of P-75Is.

Perhaps, Sir, but I would honestly doubt that. L&T doesn't have experience in building warships that are anywhere near that in size.

As for Project 75I, I have a feeling L&T-Navantia have a better chance of winning that, so perhaps it would be better for L&T to focus on that, and position themselves as a major contender for Project 76 and midget submarine construction?

 

[Anant]

We should buy the EMALs and AAG even if it is expensive, while building IAC-2 45000 Ton carriers with IEC now, but plan on using EMALS in the 2 - 65000 ton conventional IEC carriers...could be accelerated if we buy and tweak the UK designs...I agree nuclear carriers is a long shot unless the French sell them (like AUKUS) - maybe our PM could persuade French President for nuclear propulsion for SSNs and Carriers, besides pumpjet technology...French nuclear tech is its crown jewel, but we could buy it...It is possible, as no one thought the US will give 80% TOT for GE 414s...I predict by 2030 we will have a few squadrons of F-35s flying with IAF and also IN...We need to spend money if we need the technology while building stuff domestically.

Sir, while we could EMALS and AAG from the Americans, the core challenge remains: You need a massive amount of power to make EMALS work, and a conventionally-powered carrier would have to go for a very large powerplant for using such systems. It should be doable, but there may be challenges there.

As for nuclear propulsion technology, France has outright rejected sharing it with absolutely anyone. I don't think we will be able to convince the French to share / sell the technology.

Similarly, while I have a feeling that the IAF may fly F-35s one day, the Navy won't. The F-35C is not capable of STOBAR operations presently, and the F-35B is useless for a carrier of our size.