Aviation
India to Commission Second Aircraft Carrier
NEW DELHI – India will commission its second aircraft carrier Saturday in an attempt to bolster its presence in the region as neighbor, China, beefs up its naval strength.
The Russia-built INS Vikramaditya, formerly known as Admiral Gorshkov, will join the U.K.-built INS Viraat—currently the Indian Navy’s only aircraft carrier in operation. The delivery of the carrier was delayed by about five years because of disagreements over the cost of refurbishments.
India in August launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. The Vikrant, which was named after the country’s first and now decommissioned aircraft carrier, is likely to be combat-ready in 2018.
India’s Defense Minister A. K. Antony will commission Vikramaditya at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk, during a four-day visit to Russia, A defense ministry official told India Real Time Thursday that Vikramaditya is expected to join the Indian Navy’s fleet early next year.
Named after a legendary Indian king, the addition of the carrier would be a shot in the arm for the navy as the country’s first air craft carrier was decommissioned in 1997 after 36 years’ service. That left India with only one such vessel–the INS Viraat, which was also acquired from the U.K. in 1987.
With a displacement of 44,500 tons and a length of 284 meters, the Vikramaditya can carry more than 30 aircraft, including Russia-made MiG-29K and U.K.-built Sea Harrier fighter jets, as well as Kamov, Sea King, Dhruv and Chetak helicopters. It has an extensive array of sensors, including long-range air surveillance radars, an advanced electronic warfare suite, which allows surveillance to be maintained over 500 kilometers around the ship, according to the navy.
“An aircraft carrier carrying potent long range multi-role fighters is a platform inherently designed for power projection,” the navy said in a statement. “In as much as Gorshkov was transformed to create Vikramaditya, so also Vikramaditya will transform the face of the fleet air arm of the Indian Navy.”The ministry said the ship, which would be a “game-changer”, would have about 1,600 navy personnel and travel up to 13,000 kilometers. The Vikramaditya is powered by eight boilers with a maximum speed of 30 knots, equivalent to about 55 kilometers an hour.
India signed a pact in April 2004 to buy the Admiral Gorshkov and refurbish the ship for total of 48.82 billion rupees ($775 million), eight years after Russia decommissioned the ship.
The Vikramaditya was originally scheduled to be delivered in 52 months but it was delayed because of extensive refurbishments that were originally not factored in and cost escalations by Russia that led to disagreements with India.
According to the navy, the entire length of cables, large portions of the ship’s hull, and all its motors, boilers and turbines had to be replaced resulting in “cost escalation and time slippage.”
“Though the re-negotiated price was significantly higher than what was originally agreed upon, the fillip that the addition of Gorshkov would give to the blue water requirements of the Indian Navy compensated the greater price,” it said.The navy didn’t disclose the revised cost of refurbishing the aircraft carrier.
The addition of the Vikramaditya forms part of India’s efforts to build its naval strength–key to controlling its vast coastline and also counter China, which is several decades behind India in operating a fully-fledged aircraft carrier.
India commissioned its first aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, in 1961 while China’s navy began training maneuvers last year with its first carrier–the hull of which was purchased from Ukraine.
China has however begun a rapid modernization drive of its navy and also been venturing away from its home waters, with warships sent on anti-piracy patrols off Somalia and voyages between the islands of Japan into the Pacific Ocean.
Tensions between China and India — the world’s two most-populous nations — have intensified in recent years, especially along the neighbors’ disputed Himalayan border. India has also grown increasingly worried about China’s presence in the Indian Ocean region with Beijing funding the construction of ports in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
– WALL STREET JOURNAL
An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.
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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).
She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.
Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.
He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”
The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.
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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.
The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.
Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.
“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.
To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.
Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.
“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.
As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.
The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.
Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.
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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.
“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.
Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.
“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.
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