The four companies that received the letter are the US-based Lockheed Martin; Britain’s BAE Systems, French shipbuilder, DCNS; and Russia’s Rosoboronexport state arms exporter.
India has requested a 300-meter long aircraft carrier that displaces 65,000 tons. The Navy also said that the ship should be able to travel at 30 knots and carry 30-35 fixed wing combat aircraft and about 20 rotary wing aircraft.
Unlike India’s existing aircraft carriers, which utilize ski-jump launch systems, the new one, expected to be called INS Viraat, will have a catapult launched but arrested landing (CATOBAR) system, The National Interest wrote on Monday.
It might also use an advanced electromagnetic system to launch fixed-wing aircraft.
Responses to the letter of request are expected by July 22, with potential contractors due to provide technical and costing proposals for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2 (IAC-2), which is likely to be named INS Vishal (Grand).
Lockheed Martin and Russia’s Rosoboronexport are seen as the frontrunners to win the contract.
