Toward a ‘New Age of Carriers’ in Asia Pacific

After decades of unchallenged naval supremacy in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, new naval powers are looming in the area, and new alliances are formed.

The ceremonial commissioning of the first aircraft carrier by China, and the planned commissioning of the ex-Russian aircraft carrier Vikramaditiya (planned for December but later delayed to 2013) are two points indicating this new vector of growing importance of regional naval air power in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

While the two carriers, by themselves, are not challenging the US supremacy at sea, undoubtedly, more will be fielded over the coming decade.

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