NEW DELHI – India has started talks with the UK over its plans to build acopycat version of the British Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS QueenElizabeth, the Mirror reported on Sunday.
The Indians are said to be mulling the purchase of detailed plans for the65,000-tonne warship and construct a new version, INS Vishal in 2022.
According to the report, an Indian delegation has already visited thebirthplace of the HMS Queen Elizabeth – Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland, whichis also where the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft, HMS Princeof Wales, is now being assembled.
“Discussions have begun with India. The design can be modified to meetIndian Navy and local industry requirements”, a spokeswoman for BAESystems, a British aerospace giant that owns the design for UK aircraftcarriers along with the French concern Thales Group, said.
If a deal is sealed, the new version of the warship would be builtin India, although UK companies could supply many of the parts.
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In the meantime, the Mirror reached UK Minister for Defence ProcurementStuart Andrew, who declined to provide any details on the alleged talkswith India.
“We have regular discussions with India on a range of equipment andcapability issues. It would be inappropriate to comment further”, Andrewtold the newspaper.
