India : Budding Blue-Water Navy Capabilities

India’s recent acquisition of the Russian-made aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya demonstrates its desire to increase its naval strength. Building a blue-water navy suggests that India is seeking to project both force and influence in the Asia–Pacific and hedge against China’s growing sphere of influence and continued naval buildup. India’s newest carrier joins the INS Viraat to form the foundation of India’s carrier fleet. The Vikramaditya is expected to be operational through 2018. At this point, the nation’s second aircraft carrier,…