Indian Aircraft Carrier Retreats After Pakistan Navy Deployment

KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy’s anti-access/area denial strategy has apparently deterred an Indian aircraft carrier, leading to India’s withdrawal of its INS Vikrant. The vessel was previously stationed at the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, near the Pakistani border.

According to recently obtained satellite imagery, the INS Vikrant has abruptly returned to the Indian port of Karwar after a brief period at sea. The Indian Navy had stated that the INS Vikrant’s deployment in the Arabian Sea was in response to recent tensions between Pakistan and India.

The Indian government had positioned the INS Vikrant near Pakistani territorial waters in the North Arabian Sea starting April 23. However, the Indian Navy reportedly decided to recall the aircraft carrier due to the presence and ongoing patrols conducted by the Pakistan Navy in the area.

The latest satellite intelligence images, dated April 26, 2025, show the INS Vikrant re-moored at Karwar port. Images from April 23 had indicated the vessel was moving towards open waters in the Arabian Sea. The initial deployment of the INS Vikrant had generated considerable buzz in Indian media and on social platforms. Typically, an aircraft carrier is not deployed to open sea for a short duration. The presence of Pakistan Navy’s active “carrier killer” missile systems at sea likely made retreat the most prudent option.