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The Indian Navy is currently navigating a crucial transition in its maritime strategy, opting for practical combat readiness over sheer size.
As the Ministry of Defence prepares to potentially approve the second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) in 2026, planners have moved away from the idea of a massive 65,000-tonne supercarrier. Instead, the focus has pivoted towards a versatile, hybrid aviation platform.
This new approach embraces modern combat philosophies, prioritising drone integration, scattered firepower, and adaptable sea command over a single, monolithic vessel.
Consequently, the proposed IAC-2 will not be a simple replica of its predecessor, INS Vikrant. The ship's core design is undergoing major revisions to heavily incorporate unmanned technology.
Modifications to the flight deck are underway to ensure that swarms of drones can be launched and recovered seamlessly alongside traditional piloted jets.
A key element of this upgrade is the inclusion of the 'Abhimanyu' drone—a jet-powered, stealthy "loyal wingman" developed under the Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) programme by Bangalore-based NewSpace Research & Technologies.
Designed to fly alongside crewed fighters like the MiG-29K and the upcoming Rafale-M, these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will allow the carrier to function as a central command hub for a complex network of airborne, surface, and underwater drones.
Ultimately, this evolution highlights a departure from conventional carrier strike group tactics.
The Navy is shifting its focus towards highly connected maritime battle networks, where the primary advantages are information superiority and dispersed offensive capabilities rather than relying purely on traditional fighter launches.
The Argument for a Massive Supercarrier
The original concept of building a 65,000-tonne supercarrier still holds strategic appeal. A vessel of that magnitude would provide overwhelming air superiority, accommodate a much larger fleet of aircraft, and sustain longer deployments deep into hostile territories.For projecting power far beyond India's immediate coastal waters and deterring major rivals across the broader Indo-Pacific, a supercarrier would offer an unparalleled physical presence and formidable strike options.
Despite these advantages, the immense financial and industrial resources required for such a mammoth project are daunting. Building a supercarrier would dramatically stretch construction schedules.
Furthermore, relying on one extremely expensive, high-value asset as the core of naval deterrence creates significant strategic vulnerabilities if the vessel were to be targeted.
Recent developments indicate that the government is instead poised to grant the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) this year for a 45,000-tonne carrier.
Expected to be constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), this vessel will largely mirror the displacement of the INS Vikrant but will feature extensive deck adaptations for drone operations and preparations for potential Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) systems.
This pragmatic decision bridges the gap between grand ambitions and operational reality.
By capitalising on an already proven hull design, the Navy can significantly speed up the delivery process, control the budget, and continue to foster local shipbuilding skills—advancing domestic defence manufacturing—without straining the nation's industrial capacity.
