Italian Carrier Strike Group conducts joint exercises with Indian Navy in Indo Pacific.

According to information published by the Indian MoD on October 7, 2024, the Italian Carrier Strike Group recently conducted joint training exercises in the Indo-Pacific region alongside the Indian Navy. The drills featured the Italian Navy's flagship, the aircraft carrier Cavour, engaging in coordinated maneuvers with the Indian Navy's Vikramaditya aircraft carrier and its air wing.
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Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. (Picture source: Marina Militare)

INS Vikramaditya, originally the Soviet Admiral Gorshkov, is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier that was extensively refurbished for the Indian Navy. With a displacement of 44,500 tons, it is larger than the Cavour.

The ship is 284 meters long and has a beam of 60 meters, providing a flight deck suitable for operating over 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters and various helicopters. Powered by eight boilers generating 180,000 shp, Vikramaditya can reach speeds of over 30 knots and has a range of 7,000 nautical miles with an endurance of 45 days. Its STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration allows it to launch fighters using a ski-jump and recover them with arrestor wires, which is typical for carriers of Russian origin. The ship also boasts advanced radar, communication systems, and an electronic warfare suite, making it a formidable platform for both power projection and fleet defense​.

In contrast, Cavour is a smaller carrier with a full-load displacement of around 30,000 tons. It measures 244 meters in length, with a beam of up to 39 meters. The Cavour serves as a multi-purpose carrier for the Italian Navy, with the ability to operate F-35B Lightning II jets as well as helicopters such as the NH-90 and AW101. Its propulsion system includes four LM2500+ gas turbines, providing a top speed of 29 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 16 knots.

The ship's hangar and flight deck are optimized for a mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing operations. Unlike Vikramaditya, Cavour has integrated air defense systems, including Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles, making it more self-reliant in contested environments. Its multi-role design enables not only air operations but also amphibious and humanitarian missions​.

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Italy has made strides to increase its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, viewing India as a crucial partner. In 2023, Italy became involved in India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region, reflecting a commitment to shared maritime awareness. Italian naval ships, including the patrol vessel ITS Francesco Morosini, visited Mumbai, and Italy’s Carrier Strike Group, led by ITS Cavour, also docked in Goa. These visits symbolize a growing Italian footprint in the region, as Italy seeks deeper engagement with Indo-Pacific powers like India.