India's navy aircraft carrier program faces critical hurdles in advancing to CATOBAR capabilities, vital for enhanced combat projection in the Indian Ocean. Currently, the fleet relies on two STOBAR carriers: the refurbished INS Vikramaditya and the homebuilt INS Vikrant. These ski-jump systems limit aircraft launches to lighter loads, reducing fuel, weapons, and range—key drawbacks for long-range strikes and surveillance amid regional tensions.
 
印度海军航空母舰计划在推进CATOBAR(弹射起飞)能力方面面临关键障碍,这对增强印度洋地区的战斗投射至关重要。目前,印度海军依赖两艘STOBAR(滑跃起飞)航空母舰:经过翻修的INS维克拉玛蒂亚号和自主建造的INS维克兰特号。这些滑跃起飞系统将飞机起飞时的负载限制为较轻的负荷,减少了燃料、武器和航程——这些都是在区域紧张局势下进行远程打击和侦察的关键缺陷。
 
The ambitious third carrier, INS Vishal—a 65,000-ton behemoth eyed for electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and potential nuclear propulsion—remains mired in delays. Initial 2015 defense pacts promised tech collaboration on EMALS, but export controls, high costs, and reliability issues have stalled transfers, pushing timelines beyond 2030.
 
雄心勃勃的第三艘航空母舰INS维沙尔号——一艘重达65,000吨的庞然大物,计划配备电磁弹射系统(EMALS)和潜在的核动力系统——仍然深陷延误之中。2015年的初步国防协议曾承诺在EMALS技术方面进行合作,但由于出口管制、高昂的成本和可靠性问题,技术转移陷入停滞,推迟了时间表,预计要到2030年以后才能完成。
 
 This leaves the program vulnerable, risking outdated assets against evolving threats to sea lanes and trade routes.Self-reliance drives progress: DRDO accelerates indigenous EMALS prototypes under Atmanirbhar Bharat, while a $8 billion Rafale-M deal bolsters carrier-compatible stealth fighters. Explorations with France for nuclear reactors and UK firms for electric drives offer alternatives. Without CATOBAR upgrades, the navy could prioritize submarines over carriers, widening capability gaps. Swift diversification and firm tech transfers are essential to fortify deterrence and regional influence.
 
这使得该计划变得脆弱,面临着过时的资产无法应对不断变化的海上航道和贸易路线威胁的风险。自力更生推动进步:在“自力更生印度”倡议下,印度国防研究与发展组织(DRDO)加速了本土EMALS原型的开发,同时,价值80亿美元的“阵风-M”战斗机交易为兼容航空母舰的隐形战斗机提供了支持。与法国的核反应堆合作以及与英国公司合作探索电驱动技术也为解决方案提供了替代选项。如果没有CATOBAR升级,海军可能会优先考虑潜艇而非航空母舰,这将加大能力差距。迅速的多元化和稳定的技术转移对于加强威慑力和区域影响力至关重要。