Indian Navy to build new aircraft carrier at its shipyards

The Indian Navy intends to order a new aircraft carrier designed and built in India, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy Admiral Hari Kumar has said.

Kumar delivered a speech at the shipyard of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai during the launching ceremony of the new Indian frigate Mahendragiri, TASS reports.

“We are working on a third aircraft carrier, which will be the same as the Vikrant aircraft carrier. We have gained a lot of experience during the construction of this aircraft carrier. We are considering an opportunity of building an aircraft carrier to follow it,” Kumar said.

“I would say a re-order is being prepared. We are developing a rationale for it,” the admiral added.

There are currently two aircraft carriers in the Indian Navy. This is the Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier of its own Indian design and construction (translated from Sanskrit as "brave", "dared man"), which was accepted into the fleet last year and Vikramaditya (named after the legendary Indian king) - the former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov, converted by Indian order.