France Proposes Co-Development of 76k tonne Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier with India, Offer to Share Design Expertise with IAC-III Project

In a potential leap forward for India's naval ambitions, France has proposed a collaborative project to co-develop a formidable 76,000-tonne nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This ambitious venture, with a projected delivery date in the late 2030s, aims to equip India with a cutting-edge maritime asset while solidifying the strategic partnership between the two nations.

The proposed carrier, a behemoth with dimensions of roughly 305 meters in length and a maximum beam of 79 meters, would be a significant upgrade from India's current carrier capabilities. Some sources suggest the displacement could even reach 78,000 tonnes. Its expansive flight deck and sponsons, extending beyond the main hull, would provide ample space for aircraft operations.

With a 17,000 square meter flight deck and spacious hangars, the carrier is designed to accommodate an impressive air wing of approximately 30 Rafale and New Generation Fighter (NGF) jets. This aerial contingent would be further bolstered by two E-2D Hawkeye aircraft for airborne early warning and control, along with up to six medium helicopters for diverse missions.

This collaborative project envisions leveraging advanced technologies, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arrestor Gear (AAG). These systems, similar to those employed on the U.S. Navy's Ford-class carriers, promise to enhance the efficiency and safety of aircraft launches and recoveries.

France proposes utilizing this design as a blueprint for India's own Indigenous Aircraft Carrier III (IAC-III) program. This move would not only streamline the construction process but also facilitate the sharing of costs and technological expertise between the two nations. The IAC-III, envisioned as a larger successor to the current IAC-I (INS Vikrant) and the planned IAC-II, would significantly bolster India's carrier fleet.

While France has expressed its willingness to provide non-nuclear materials and systems, the nuclear propulsion technology will be an exclusively Indian endeavor. The carrier will be powered by two K22 reactors, derived from the K15 model used in the French Charles de Gaulle (CDG) aircraft carrier. However, these reactors will be built by India. India is expected to utilize its own indigenous 190 MW reactor currently under development for its nuclear attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines.

The integration of EMALS, while offering significant operational advantages, represents a considerable financial investment. This addition, along with the overall scale of the project, is anticipated to strain the Indian Navy's budget. However, the acquisition of such a technologically advanced carrier is viewed as a strategic investment in India's long-term naval capabilities and its ambition to maintain a powerful presence in the Indian Ocean region.

 

[Arin Kumar]

India should go ahead with this project ONLY and ONLY IF the nuclear reactor, the propellor and the engine of this aircraft carrier is FULLY designed and built in India.

Indian labour is cheap and we have shipyards which can handle these type of projects. So it should not be a problem.

In all other cases India would be only subsidizing the French military with non-existent benefits for its own strategic interests.

 

[Aditya Mahapatra]

Plus they never delivered the ToT which was signed for.

They are asking for joint development. They don't have anything to give TOT for

 

[abhinav srivastava]

It will take much more time and cost...

Why? Any benchmarks? French equipment had always been costly.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

We need only two Aircraft carriers. Instead we should spend more money on Submarines.

 

[Rama Hota]

India should accept only one condition 50:50 partnership with ship production should be at India shipyard

 

[Instant Karma]

They are asking for joint development. They don't have anything to give TOT for

They want to steal Indian technology.

 

[Indian1]

France wants to siphon out more money from india. First rafale, now aircraft carrier.

 

[Anant]

Ignorance is a bliss!

The Rafale is arguably one of the best 4.5th generation fighters, but Egypt does not have the Su-35. Did you mean some other jet, or was some test done back when Egypt was considering the Su-35?

 

[Anant]

They want to steal Indian technology.

And what Indian technology would they steal? They are working on that carrier project regardless of anything else.

 

[Anant]

So,

1. Steal Indian technology and at the same time
2. Sabotage the project like the development of fighter jet engines.
3. Consequences of a political party that presumes personal relationships can achieve everything.

1. What Indian technology do you think the French will steal, eh?
2. With IAC-III on hold for now, there is no chance of sabotaging anything.
3. Not going to dive into Indian politics unless it is in regards to national security.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

India must learn the construction technique, planning of resources, protection, siting of water and fuel tanks, accommodation, working places, equipment piping, wiring, and maintenance of watertight and gas-tight integrity, positioning of lifts and their sizes for aircraft ammunition, missiles and bomb magazines, hangars and fire safety protocols, hangar and deck positioning of aircraft, their availability, operations rooms for air, surface and subsurface environment, engine rooms and generator rooms, and many AC plant compartments with redundancy of over 500% view tropical environment. EMALS and aircraft recovery systems. The consultancy must then extend to design and build an Indian aircraft carrier of 75000 to 100000 tons capable of carrying 4 squadrons of fighters, 10 other including AWACS like E-4D and vertical lift and landing aircraft for passenger and stores transfers, and 8 heavy/medium ASW/AAW helicopters and 4 single-engine choppers for pilot recovery during launch and recovery.

 

[Nagendra simh]

Aircraft carriers are increasingly vulnerable in modern warfare, given the threat posed by drones, hypersonic missiles, and advanced anti-ship weaponry. That said, India has never been a nation driven by aggressive military expansion or global dominance. Unlike the U.S., which actively engages in global policing, or China, which has territorial ambitions, India prioritizes strategic defense and regional stability over projecting power far beyond its shores.

 

[BCharlie]

We should try develop our own tech.

Sir, Like Tejas.. our own tech? Even China reverse engineered after getting the first one;

 

[Indian-American]

Since India already has nuclear submarines, it has mastered the art of making a nuclear reactor and the turbines small enough to fit the limited space of a submarine. Also we have built conventional aircraft carrier. So all the critical technologies to build a nuclear aircraft carrier is already available in India. Hence not sure what France would bring to the table.