As far as IN is concerned they just need both A/C’s in service by 2012-15 and they will have it. As long as they don’t waste money on a useless stuff like saipan or ordering some crap from euro shipyards they should be fine. They just have to spend money where its required.

I am not saying India shouldn’t build the IAC. Just with both Carrier Programs running “years” behind. A foreign yard could help them get back on schedule……and South Korea has a excellent record for delivering on budget and on time. So, I would continue with the Conversion of the Vikramaditya in Russia and the first IAC in India. I would just add one more IAC in a foreign yard with South Korea being the likely choice.;)

I doubt any navy would hand over construction of a new A/C to foreign yard? CSL has to overcome its shortcomings if it needs to emerge as a premiere defence shipyard. After all instead of building 6 of the T-45’s in britain and scrapping a the bottom of the barrel, sending them to be made in SK or China would have have probably given RN 8-10 T-45’s for the same amount, not to mention 3 CVF’s for the price of 2 in britain. 😀 😀 :diablo:

How does building commercial ship or even 10 k ton destroyer translate into experience of building a aircraft carrier?? Even CSL has built 95 ktonne cargo ships, that doesn’t mean buildling an A/C is the same. Spanish and Italians would definitely have the edge in this area.

Yes the Ai riyadh class looks bigger but still very poorly armed. IN will not accept exocet or aster-15. The future ships would have to have brahmos and Barak-NG. I guess it depends on who is willing to accommodate all of IN’s need at the cheapest price. SK would certainly be an option since they don’t really have a SSM or Naval SAM to push for export.

ItaLY has experience building cavour, what experience does SK have?Italy or spain would be a good idea, but they are only going to decide (lay keel) after first IAC is launched. Which means they have not decided on when to start building it yet.

The viraat was always intended to serve till 2012-15. Why else would they have the harrier upgraded? Care to name a source on Viraat being in poor condition? I am willing to bet it is in far better shape than gorky? Viraat unlike vikrant has had periodic upgrades and is still fit.

India is buying 230 MKI’s, it has to place them somewhere. All IAf needs is 4-5 squardons of MKI in the western and south western command. Frankly 2 squardons each at tezpur and hasimara would be useful. The china card is just the journalists interpretation. I suppose the rest would go to the central command around UP.

Not sure about MMRCA but if they increase the number it will be to replace the mig-23/27 and older jags.