Indian Navy Carries Out Mega Operation With 2 Aircraft Carriers, 35 Combat Planes

New Delhi: In a major show of power in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy on Saturday demonstrated its formidable maritime capabilities as two aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and the recently commissioned INS Vikrant carried out co-ordinated exercises involving more than 35 aircraft in the Arabian Sea.

The exercise, a first of its kind, also showed India’s air power in the maritime area and was carried out at a time when the Chinese Navy has been trying to flex its muscle in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy exercise involved seamless integration of two aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously-built INS Vikrant, along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India’s technological expertise in the maritime domain.
“It marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power-projection in the Indian Ocean, and beyond,” said Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal.

A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, centre-pieces of the exercise, served as ‘floating sovereign airfields’, providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH60R, Kamov, Sea King, Chetak and ALH helicopters. These mobile bases can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard our national interests across the globe.

“This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India’s commitment to safeguard its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain,” said Commander Madhwal.
The officials said almost all air assets of the Navy operated from the two aircraft carriers and they operated as mobile bases.

Recently, the Indian Air Force’s Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets also carried out long range precision strikes in the Indian Ocean Region in training missions which involved flying for six-eight hours with mid-air refuelling.