How many fighters will the Gorshkov be able to carry at the Max?

Without deckparking, hangar should accommodate about a maximum of 13-15 Mig29K, or 17 LCA. Details, see “Indian Navy News and Discussion thread”

To properly assess the capability of the ex-Gorshkov for the IN, it must be compared with the capability of previous IN vessels and not necessarily other Navy’s carriers and capabilities present or future:

R22 Viraat:
The current air group includes 12 or 18 Sea Harrier V/STOL fighters and seven or a eight Sea King or Kamov ‘Hormone’ ASW helicopters. In emergencies, the Viraat can operate up to 30 Harriers.(Global Security)
Capacity for 30 Sea Harrier (Bharat Rakshak)
12 Sea Harrier, 9 Sea King (Hazegray)

R11 Vikrant:
6 Westland Sea King Mk42B
3 Westland Sea King Mk42C
Fixed Wing 6 BAe Sea Harriers FRS.51
(http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/INS%20Vikrant)

Compared with R11 and R22, and assuming no deck park, even a vessel with just 10 Mig29K and 4 Ka31 AEW should offer equal or better air-defense and strike capability, if at the expense of ASW and Assault helicopter capability.

I would be interested to hear how many LCA’s the hangar could hold in the previously indicated hangar configurations.

MIG29K: Wing span 12.0/7.8 metres, length 17.32 metres, height 4.73 metres
LCA: Wing span 8.2 metres, length 13.2 metres, height 4.4 – 4.65 metres.
Sea Harrier FA2: Wing span 7.70 metres, length 14.17 metres, height 3.61 metres
Sea Harrier FRS: Wing span 7.70 metres, length 14.50 metres, height 3.71 metres

IMHO, if 3 LCA fit side-by-side in the hangar like the MIG29K do, then ex-Gorshkov might hold 17 LCA compared to 13-15 Mig29K (no heli’s)

Which als brings up the prospects and possibilities of embarking a LCA/Mig29K mix. (naturally assuming Ka31s will also be embarked).

The Sea Harrier F/A 2 is at best a good interceptor , that to with AMRAAM , if we even go fo the F/A-2 what happens to the AMRAAM part , The russian for sure will not part with R-77 , Does the Sea Harrier have any decent air-to-ground capability , can it penetrate heavy enemy air defence , well the 29’s can do all that , which even the FA-2 cant.

Originally, that is prior to the development of Sea Harrier, the Harrier was mainly a ground attack jet, operating from make shift bases in the forward area, close to the land battle zone. As for its effectiveness, see its role in Falklands war with UK forces and in Gulf wars in UK and US Marine service.

As for the AMRAAM, should IN get surplus Sea Harriers (or Harriers of newer GR marks, which are much like AV8B) then it is not unlikely they could also be upgraded with some Israeli equipment e.g. Derby active MRAAM in addition too or en-lieu of AMRAAM.

Now imagine the kind of enemy A/C which India might come across high seas Su-27/MKK from China , Mirages/F-16 from Pak , lets say even F-18 , can the Sea Harrier FA-2 has any chance defending the CBG against these A/C , can it reach the faster towards the target once detected considering its not even supersonic , In the battelfield of the 21 st Century and the kind of aircraft it will face on the high seas , the FA-2 dosent stand a chance, and we are being told that we should go for it.

Depends on the scenario. If you’re far away from the bases of these land-based AC and you can detect them on time, then you can engage on favorable terms. See Falklands war. Don’t forget (Sea) Harriers can do manouvres that regular jets can’t (e.g. VIFFing). In the hands of skilled pilots and back by good and timely target info, they can take on jets with apparently superior performance.

Of course, all this doesn’t automatically mean that (Sea) Harrier on a new VSTOL carrier would be a better option for IN than Mig29K on modified Improved Kiev class carrier 😉

Probably your nationality 😛

Don’t get me started on waffles!

Dang! Thats not a different forward hull/deckhouse below the bridge: there’s just a large fender hanging over the port side making it appear like there’s an opening! How could I not see this earlier!

Mmm, perhaps its just me but it looks a bit smaller than 067, especially the bow areas. Incidentally, I am surprised no one has made remarks yet about the differences in the forward area and forward deckhousings below the bridge: there really are some major structural differences (check the railing area, width of the deckhousing etc). 067 has deckhousing extending the full width of the hull at main deck level. Alledged 115 doesn’t and has a cut-out in the railing area. Suggests internal differences as well. Besides, what’s the purpose of this change? At this time, without further photographic evidence, I’m not yet convinced this is a real new ship. But if it is, perhaps it is patterned after 6000+ ton 067 but smaller, say 3-4000 ton, and possibly intended for Pakistan, as there has been talk of acquisition of ships that are substancially larger displacement than F22P.

‘pocket destroyers’

:p pffffff :p

P28 is to be an ASW corvette

Yes, but I don’t know if it’s an above or below deck operation, or if it’s automated. This facility is’nt available on any other IN warship employing the Barak.

Very unusual!