Twin CBG operation: INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant lead Navy’s mega ops in Arabian Sea

Saturday’s exercise was a twin CBG operation involving both of India’s aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant — along with a diverse fleet of escort ships, submarines and aircraft.

The two carriers served as ‘floating sovereign airfields’, providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH60R, Kamov, Sea King, Chetaks and advanced light helicopters.

The Navy said the exercise “underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability” and also marked a “significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power-projection in the Indian Ocean and beyond”.

The twin CBG operation, it said in a statement, was also a “powerful testament” to the pivotal role of sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority.

“These mobile bases can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard our national interests across the globe,” the statement said.

The Navy has been trying to get a third aircraft carrier and is discussing the feasibility of a repeat order of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.