The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) last week discussed the Indian Navy’s proposal for acquiring a second Vikrant-like aircraft carrier displacing 45,000 tonnes, and estimated to cost of around ₹40,000 crore, according to defence sources. However, the DPB is yet to clear it after which it will be put for final approval by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by the Defence Minister, a source said.
The DPB which met last Friday discussed the issue and they are expected to continue in the next meeting as well, the source said.
The project estimated to cost around ₹40,000 crore and will see some modifications and upgrades to the design of the country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022, and will also be manufactured by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), another source stated.
