Recent navy chiefs, such as Admirals Sunil Lanba and Karambir Singh, have been forthright in advocating the need for a third aircraft carrier. After intense debate, the Indian Navy has decided against designing IAC-2 as a U.S. Navy-style “catapult-launched but arrested recovery” (CATOBAR) carrier. Another aspect linked with the IAC-2 tender is the Indian Navy’s on-going acquisition of 26 multi-role carrier-borne fighters (MRCBF) for operating from its future aircraft carriers. The INS Vishal proposal is before a high-level committee of the Indian Defense Ministry, headed by the Chief of Integrated Defense Staff. But its addition to the Indian Navy’s arsenal will provide a significant boost to one of the most capable U.S. allies in an area where China’s sway is growing stronger.