Control or denial

Navy's requirement depends on strategic intent

The commissioning of the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, while undoubtedly a triumph for indigenous design and construction, raises three important issues. First, even after having taken 17 years to build, from steel cutting in 2005 to commissioning in 2022, the Vikrant is not yet operational. Flying trials will be carried out only after the navy takes this floating airfield to sea. These trials involve checking out the integration between on-board aircraft facilities, aircraft launch and retrieval systems, and the Russian-designed Aviation Facility Complex, which integrates all flying operations. The defence ministry estimates these trials would take another 12-18 months to