Amid China’s PLA Navy commencing sea trials of its third aircraft carrier, the 80,000-ton Fujian, a former Indian Navy chief has proposed that India and France collaborate on constructing a nuclear-powered next-generation aircraft carrier.

Fujian is China’s largest warship. Launched in June 2022, it is the country’s first supercarrier and the first domestically developed carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices.

Admiral Arun Prakash (retired) has suggested that the two countries are already collaborating on manufacturing engines for India’s fighter jet engines; they are supplying Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy and joining hands to manufacture the next-generation aircraft carrier is the “logical step.”