THE INDIAN NAVY’S NEWEST

I’m not completely sure what it means, but there are changes afoot in the Indian Ocean.  This week the Russian Federation finally transferred an Aircraft Carrier from their navy to the Nation of India.  I say finally, since the deal dates back to at least 2008, and has been fraught with numerous delays.  Now, along with having their own indigenous built Aircraft Carrier, this increases their naval aviation capability to a fleet of two such vessels.  The 'why' is simple, since India sits in a strategic location with more than a few threatening neighbors who live nearby, so it makes their acquisition understandable, and their desire to increase their defense capability more than understandable.  Still, it is an interesting twist that they sought an older Russian ship for the job, when they have shown that they have the ability to produce their own.  This begs the question, “what is the hurry?”  Still, it will be interesting to see what aircraft they use, where they get them from, and how they will employ this vessel as they incorporate it into the Indian Navy.  I realize I am a defense geek, but for me, this will be very interesting to observe, since the implications are huge. ~ Michael S. Pauley