Bingo! Thank you for stating the obvious That is challenging to do on BRF at times.RCase wrote:True. But deep out in the Indian Ocean, what are the 'targets' that these planes will have to fly to great distances to deliver their payload? Our carriers are pretty much in action closer to our coasts. For all practical purposes, our naval range of action is pretty much Pakistan, may be from the Gulf to straits of Malacca. As all our politicians and even armed forces heads tout we are never on expeditionary missions to conquer/invade other countries!
Same goes for the IAF. Their range of action is pretty much Pakistan and Tibet at best.
As you indicated, India's theatre of operations is largely limited to the IOR and more so closer to the coast.
Since India will not be venturing outside of the IOR, the question then needs to be asked is what is the purpose of a super carrier with catapult launch? This is exactly why the third aircraft carrier (with steam catapults or EMALS) is finding it so challenging to get sanction of funds from the Govt. They see no need for this capability, regardless of what the IN's wish lists are.
This is the same GOI that is running a never ending competition for six P-75I vessels, 26+ MRCBF aircraft, 114 MRFA, etc. In addition to all this, the Directorate of Naval Design has stated that the design work for the six P75 Alpha vessels (India's six-build SSN program) will be completed by the end of 2023. That too will get sanctioned, but the third aircraft carrier (in the configuration that the Indian Navy wants) is going nowhere.
In light of India's limited IOR theatre of operations, which of the two (F-18SH or Rafale M) do you believe will serve the IN better? To answer that, we need to step out of our own personal biases and wishes. Then the decision becomes clear. This is one of the key areas where the Navy will be looking at. And in this limited IOR theatre of operations, a land-based in-flight refuelling capability becomes more viable and practical. IFR will also open the door for an AEW capability as well.