I am aware that the sheer body of expertise that the USN has built and accumulated over the decades, including design, construction, fleet integration, operations of both the carrier battle group itself and its air arm, the global reach of their logistics, their training facilities as well as the CBGs very effective exploitation in variously troubled scenarios and last but not the least, its hugely capable and stupendous MIC that sustains such complex platforms and keeps on relentlessly pumping out newer and more advanced platforms like the Gerald Ford can never ever be duplicated by India. I have absolutely no illusions in this regard.Rakesh wrote:Chetak: There are people - having seen the brutal effectiveness of American CBGs - think it can be so easily replicated by India. Just one data point to put into question this entire discussion.
You know how much the newest American carrier - the USS Gerald Ford - costs? Almost $13 Billion....for ONE vessel! And R&D cost another almost $5 Billion. We are not even talking about the battle group that protects the vessel, which runs to yet even more billions. Congress is whining about Rafale deal, imagine this.
No wonder the MoD balked at the Navy's idea for a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, earlier this year. And I am glad they scaled it down to a conventional carrier. The cost of a CBG is not cheap. Better off investing that money in various platforms, including cheaper carriers.
But one day, I am certain that the IN will also go nuclear for some of its surface ships, smaller though they be, in comparison to the USN.
The congis and the commies want a jantha class IN complete with reservations and all capital ships replaced with refurbished wooden fishing trawlers. They well understand that the invaders who came here were all emboldened by our weak militaries and though we were prosperous because of trade, we were never able to protect our national, commercial and social interests without the strong military to back us. Times are changing now.
The hans would have long ago had us for breakfast if not for our launch capabilities. Even now they are very unsure of their footing with this new govt.
They had successfully caged and domesticated the congis for decades now, traitorously aided by the commies who are ideologically and financially aligned with them. That's one of the reasons why the Indian commies habitually punched much above their weight category.
Since the arrival of Modi on the scene, the commies are fearfully lying very very low, trying to protect their coveted RS seats which they got with the help of other political parties.
For the hans, aligning closely with the commie parties in various countries and subverting them has paid rich dividends for such meagre investment.
So, when any party in India talks of cutting defence expenditure, Its that hans who are pushing the agenda in the background.