INS Vishal

History

INS Vishal ("huge") is the second of two new indigenous aircraft carrier designs currently under construction (2012) by the Indian Navy. INS Vishal follows INS Vikrant, which is expected to be commissioned sometime after 2017 due to ongoing project delays.

Prior to these two ventures, the Indian Navy relied extensively on existing foreign models of British or Soviet-Russian origin, which were adapted for use in the Indian Navy, so these new launcher developments will be a major symbol of national pride. The INS Vishal project is led by the Naval Design Bureau, and the ship requirements are expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

Over the years. The Indian Navy used two former Royal Navy aircraft carriers, known locally as INS Vikrant (R11) and INS Viraat (R22), although by the late 1980s these aging systems had passed their prime and were being considered for retirement. A new indigenous initiative was announced in 1989 to provide indigenous solutions for the Indian Navy under the 'Air Defense Ship' (ADS) project. The build will include two 28,000-ton vessels focused on the launch and recovery of the UK's BAe Sea Harrier Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) attack aircraft.

However, economic difficulties hit the Indian country and the project ended in failure.

In 1999, the initiative of Indigenous porters was again exposed as economic problems eased. By this time, the Sea Harrier stable had been reduced to less than a dozen aircraft, and was pioneering a more flexible carrier solution as part of a new homegrown carrier program. The class will include the original 40,000 ton INS Vikrant (not to be confused with the original R11) and her sister, the 65,000 ton INS Vishal.

Both are capable of launching updated Mikoyan MiG-29K Fulcrum naval fighter jets and naval helicopters as needed. The Vikrant was assigned a STOBAR (Short Takeoff But Obstructed Recovery) configuration with a "jump ramp" ramp installed at the bow end to meet the required STOB requirements.

However, the Vishal will be quite different in scope and functionality, in a CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Takeoff But Obstructed Recovery) configuration - essentially a "flat-top" deck more in line with U.S. Navy products.

This particular configuration can now launch heavier and larger mission-oriented fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) type, and gives the Indian Navy a significant advantage in the South Asia-Pacific especially in similar Area aircraft from China and Pakistan.

The design plan was developed in 2001, funded in 2003, and Vishal started construction in 2012 (in progress today). Whether Vishal will be powered by a nuclear reactor or conventional means has yet to be decided. In the latter case, it will have four GE LM2500+ series gas turbine engines powering both shafts. The maximum speed in ideal conditions is 28 knots and the range is up to 7,500 nautical miles.

Dimensions include an 860-foot barrel length, 200-foot beam and 28-foot draft. The crew is expected to include 1,400 officers, sailors, service personnel, pilots and mechanics.

The livelihood of Vishal Carrier will be its wings, consisting of 29 fixed-wing aircraft and 10 rotary-wing helicopters. The main installation is expected to be the Russian Mikoyan MiG-29K Fulcrum, the naval version of the successful land-based light fighter. These are supplemented or replaced by indigenous HAL Tejas aircraft with delta wings (navy). However, the Indian Navy is also interested in buying heavier aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-33, Boeing F/A-18 Hornet or the French Dassault Rafale (especially the Rafale has just been selected by the Indian Air Force to replace its outdated Mikoyan MiG - 21 Fishbed Hunters in stock). The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is mentioned for a fixed-wing AEW role, as is an improved AEW version of the Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor helicopter.

Expected helicopter types include the Russian Kamov Ka-31 family (airborne early warning (AEW)) or the British Westland Sea King (anti-submarine warfare (ASW)) - both for maritime/surface warfare.

The ship is defended by a network of 4 x 76mm Otobreda cannons, surface-to-air missile launchers and a close-in weapons system (CIWS) like the US 20mm phalanx. The Selex RAN-40L L-Band Early Warning Radar (EWR) will be part of an extensive and advanced sensor and processing system.

At the time of this writing (2012), the arrival of INS Vishal is still some time away as the Indian Navy promises to meet other stricter requirements. The ship's launch date is tentatively scheduled for sometime in 2017, with sea trials in 2020 and official commissioning in 2022. Because of the ambitious nature of the plan, with the commissioning year closer to 2025, many of the considerations lie in finding local solutions without outside help, the sources said.

This will bring existing airlines such as INS Viraat into service after 2014. INS Vikramaditya is a converted ex-Soviet/Russian Kyiv-class airline that is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2012 as a more viable and modern solution for the Indian Navy ahead of the arrival of INS Vikrant and INS Vishal.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing