India's aircraft carrier program is a cornerstone of its naval strategy to secure its maritime interests and project power in the Indian Ocean.

However, whether it is sufficient to counter China's growing naval influence is a subject of significant debate.

India's program is a key component of its naval power, but China's rapid and comprehensive naval expansion presents a formidable challenge that goes beyond a simple count of aircraft carriers.

India's Aircraft Carrier Program: A Strategic Pillar-

The Indian Navy has long held a doctrine of maintaining a three-carrier fleet to ensure that at least two are operational at all times, one on each of its eastern and western seaboards, while the third undergoes maintenance.

• Current Status: India currently operates two aircraft carriers: the Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously built INS Vikrant. The INS Vikrant's commissioning in 2022 was a major milestone, showcasing India's growing shipbuilding capabilities and its commitment to naval self-reliance.

• Future Plans: The Indian Navy is pushing for the construction of a second indigenous aircraft carrier, IAC-II, which is likely to be a repeat of the INS Vikrant's design. This would replace the aging INS Vikramaditya, ensuring India maintains a two-carrier fleet. While a larger, more advanced carrier (INS Vishal) with a Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system was once planned, it has been shelved for now due to budgetary and technological hurdles.

China's Naval Expansion: A Pacing Threat-

China's naval modernization is a far more extensive and rapid-paced endeavor. Its strategy is not just about building carriers but also about developing a holistic "blue-water" navy capable of projecting power globally.

• Growing Fleet Size: China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has surpassed the U.S. Navy in fleet size and is the largest naval force in the world. It is commissioning an astonishing number of new ships, including destroyers, frigates, and submarines, annually.

• Advanced Carriers: The PLAN currently has two operational aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. Its third and most advanced carrier, the Fujian, is a next-generation supercarrier with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), similar to that of the most advanced U.S. carriers. This gives its aircraft a significant advantage in payload and range compared to the "ski-jump" launch systems used by Indian carriers.

• "String of Pearls" Strategy: China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean is a key part of its broader "String of Pearls" strategy. This involves establishing military and commercial infrastructure in key maritime chokepoints, such as the port in Djibouti and strategic partnerships with countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This provides China with logistical support and an ability to operate in India's backyard.

Comparison and Conclusion-

Comparing India's aircraft carrier program to China's growing naval influence reveals a significant disparity.

• Qualitative and Quantitative Gaps: While India's carriers are a potent symbol of its naval power, China is rapidly closing the qualitative gap with its advanced carriers and widening the quantitative gap with its sheer fleet size. A single supercarrier like the Fujian, with its advanced launch system, can project more power and carry more diverse aircraft than India's current carriers.

• Broader Naval Power: China's strategy is not solely focused on carriers. It is building a robust fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, destroyers, and support ships to create multiple, highly-capable carrier battle groups. In contrast, India has faced delays and budgetary constraints in its submarine and destroyer programs.

• Strategic Vulnerabilities: A parliamentary panel in India has expressed concern about China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean, noting that it poses "substantial risks to India's national security." While India's carriers are essential for sea control, they alone are not enough to counter the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan.

In conclusion, India's aircraft carrier program, while a source of national pride and a key component of its defense, is not sufficient on its own to counter China's growing naval influence. India is playing catch-up in a maritime arms race where China is investing heavily in a comprehensive and rapidly modernizing naval force. For India to truly secure its maritime borders and maintain strategic balance in the Indian Ocean, it must not only continue its carrier program but also urgently address its weaknesses in submarine strength, fleet size, and technological capabilities across the board.