India is set to have two fully operational aircraft carriers by the end of the year. The INS Vikrant, which is being built in Kochi, and the INS Vikramaditya, which is already in service, will be ready for deployment after the monsoon season.
The INS Vikrant is India's first indigenous aircraft carrier and has been under construction since 2009. The carrier is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy by the end of 2022, after undergoing sea trials and tests. The INS Vikrant will have the capability to carry up to 30 fighter jets and helicopters.
Meanwhile, the INS Vikramaditya, a refurbished Soviet-era carrier, has been in service with the Indian Navy since 2013. It can carry up to 26 fighter jets and helicopters and has already been used in several major exercises and operations. Last year, the Indian Navy tested two fighters at its shore test facility in Goa and has now submitted a report on the results to the Department of Military Affairs. The government will make a final decision based on their advice.
The addition of these two carriers to the Indian Navy will significantly boost its maritime capabilities and allow it to project power and influence in the region. It is also a part of India's ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and enhance its defensive capabilities.
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