IAC 2 Update

[anant_s]

I agree, very important aspect we tend to bury under nuclear or conventional AC's debate here.
Quality and Quantity of fighters in the sea determines how effective a cbg will be.

i recall one old post from @sancho where he rightly observed that unlike others, India cannot brush aside J-31as far as IOR is concerned. If and when China will start fielding J-31 on its fleet of ACs in next decade or so, there is no product presently that can counter it. Capabilities of J-31 are not very widely and reliably known, but if this threat is factored in calculations for future CBGs, we need something like F-35C. The program is delayed but if offered (i'm sure in future it will be), a squadron each of them on 3 flatbed ACs will be an amazing amount of fire-power and if i may add so true realization of Indian Navy's might in IOR as is planned till 2040.

Meanwhile India must also not piss off Russia beyond point of no return

Russians have their hands full. If we list out, FGFA, Kamov 226T deal, more frigates, MTA and possibly some lucrative submarine deal too. & from Indian perspective, the whole point of having options is to protect ourselves from getting taken for a costly ride as it happened throughout 70s,80s and 90s.

 

[Optimos Prime IA]

Nice move nuclear powered AC from US and Nuclear power subs from the Russians