A lot more new pics here: http://pilot.strizhi.info/2009/10/25/6854#more-6854

Does the INS Viraat have a well dock? When it was with the Royal navy i thought i carried 4 LCVP in a dock? As far as i know it still can be used as a commando carrier in the IN. Any pictures of the dock or inside?

It carries 4 LCVP on davids. There is no floodable well-deck.

Remember, even if Brazil decided on a Carrier Replacement Today. It would be at least a decade or more before it entered service. So, you have to think more in the longer-term. So, by time the Carrier was ready. The Skyhawk would be just a memory.;)

I was not suggesting the A4s would be kept on indefinitely.

Br can fly other aircraft from the Sao Paolo ‘today’ if they so choose to do. But they don’t. And seem satisfied with that situation

Likewise, with a new deck, they may not feel a pressing need for e.g. F-35 or F-18E/F, or even Rafale.

“it is understood … “

By whom? [journalist]
On the basis of what? [hearsay, most likely]

The netire Sao Paolo replacement questions hinges on the aircraft which would be selected (apart from money).

The Russian got Su-33 and Mig-29K to fly of a deck with ski-jump and IIRC the main difference aside from materials, fuselage strengthening is folding wings, issues that jets such as F18C/E and Rafale have already adressed.

Mig-29K/KUB span: 11,99m unfolded (11.36 m for a non-naval ’29)
F-18E Span: 13.62 m (9.3m with wings folded)
F-18C Span: 12.30 m (8.4m with wings folded)
Rafale Span: 10,80 m
F-35B Span: 10,5 m
Tejas Span: 8.20 m

I don’t see why Brazil wouldn’t opt for an (Italian-)Indian carrier design, with e.g. either Rafale and/or (locally made?) Tejas.

Then there is the Canberra–Viraat comparison… Viraat is a 50-year-old STOVL carrier designed for ASW/attack with no amphibious capabilities, and Canberra is a new amphibious assault ship with a well dock for landing craft and troop transport helo capability… and only secondary STOVL capacity with no ASW capability. The Australians also have no current plans to buy any STOVL aircraft so they couldn’t use them to “project air power outside the range of land-based aircraft” anyway.

Again, the only thing in common is the full-length flight deck and their size.

“Originally laid down as a Centaur class ship, but completed to an extensively altered, and much more capable, design. Like the others, converted to the assault role when she could no longer operate first-line combat jets. … Converted to a commando carrier at Devenport Dockyard 1 March 1971 to 18 Aug 1973. Converted to ASW carrier 10 May 1976 to 10 Dec 1976”

“Former Centaur class light fleet carriers converted to assault ships when they were rendered obsolete as aircraft carriers. These were some of the earliest and largest dedicated assault ships. They were known as “commando carriers“. The conversion of Centaur was cancelled due to cost.

Design/Conversion: Catapults, arresting gear, etc. removed; berthing spaces altered as needed, space for vehicle and equipment storage added. Retained ability to act as interim ASW carriers. (Aircraft: 16 helicopters)
http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/uk_helo.htm#herm

So, no docking well but “The vessel [INS Viraat] retains commando transport capability, for around 750 troops and carries four LCVP landing craft aft.”
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Active/183-INS-Viraat.html

as compared to:

Juan Carlos I (L61) “strategic projection vessel” (Buque de Proyección Estratégica (BPE) with docking well:
Boats and landing craft carried: Four LCM
Capacity: 902 soldiers + up to 46 Leopard 2 tanks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buque_de_Proyecci%C3%B3n_Estrat%C3%A9gica

Australia would purchase and build two ships of the same design (to become the Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Docks).
Boats and landing craft carried: 4 x LCM
Capacity: 830 lane metres (3290 m2) Heavy vehicle deck: 1410 m2
Light vehicle deck: 1889 m2
Helo hangar capacity: 990 m2
Troops: 978 (+ 146 additional)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_class_Landing_Helicopter_Dock

The Chilean project seems to be based on the Dutch concept “Enforcer” LPD 8000.

http://www.naval.com.br/blog/2009/11/03/marinha-chilena-vai-construir-lpd/

Interesting, it appears to have RAS stations on the flanks, just forward of the cranes. Also of interest: 2x Goalkeeper, Thales I-mast 400 or 500.

This must be a variant of the project ‘joint support ship’, which is to replace the oldest of the 2 Dutch AORs in 2011.
http://www.defensie.nl/dmo/materieelprojecten/zeestrijdkrachten/verwerving_joint_logistiek_ondersteuningsschip_(jss)/