So are there any pics of what these ships are finally going to look like?

Other than the pics already posted, I’ve only found this tantalizingly small pic from ada.gov.in (the guys making the LCA).

Can’t make out much other than a STOBAR config with an island that is fwd of midships. The dark siloutte, I think, is a naval LCA but looks too big in scale with the carrier.

The British Def. Min. (might have been Hoon or the one previous) is on record in the Parliament as saying that they have recieved inquiry, in writing, from the Indian Navy regarding the possible acquisition of the Invincible.

We also know that the IN is looking to get 16 low-hour Seakings.

That much is for certain.

What is not clear is if the IN is interested in the Vinny’s SHARs. Also, it is not clear if the Indian Def. Min. and Fin. Min. will approve and then allocate the necessary funds. It could also be that the proposal has hence been axed by either the British govt. or by the Indians.

13 dead in Pakistan chopper crash

K J M Varma in Islamabad | August 05, 2004 21:48 IST

Thirteen Pakistani troops, including three officers, were killed in a helicopter crash in the North West Frontier Province, defence ministry spokesperson Major General Shoukat Sultan said on Thursday.

A second helicopter following the ill-fated MI-17 landed and its personnel tried to carry out a rescue operation, but in vain.

Gen Sultan said the pilot of the helicopter reported technical problems to the ground control and headed for emergency landing before crashing into the mountains of Karak.

The helicopters were on a routine mission, he said.

Thanks for the correction about Fincantieri’s role. They will also help with final integration and testing right?

In the penciled drawing, why are the elevators drawn as boxes? Also, the take off runway is not colinear with the centerline (CL) of the ship. Is that correct?

In this image, the takeoff runway is colinear with the CL and same with the pic that I posted before. What dictated the change to the angled takeoff runway? Unless it’s a mistake in the drawing…

An earlier model of the the ADS by the IN. Expect a revised island and some modifications of the flight deck after Fincantieri (and Russians according to some sources) makes some design changes.

That’s a naval MLRS. It is meant as a beachhead clearing device to remove mines and physical obstacles from beaches prior to an amphib landing.