Indian Aircraft Carrier Retreats Following Pakistan Navy Strategy

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

Latest satellite imagery indicates that the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has recently arrived back at the Indian port of Karwar after a brief period at sea. The Indian Navy had reportedly deployed INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea due to recent tensions between Pakistan and India.

The Indian government positioned INS Vikrant near Pakistani territorial waters in the North Arabian Sea on April 23. However, the Indian Navy apparently opted to recall the aircraft carrier, reportedly because of the presence and continuous patrolling of the Pakistan Navy in the area.

Satellite Images Show INS Vikrant’s Movements

According to the latest satellite intelligence (IMINT) images dated April 26, 2025, INS Vikrant has been re-moored at Karwar port. Images from April 23 showed INS Vikrant heading towards the open waters of the Arabian Sea. The deployment of INS Vikrant had generated considerable buzz in Indian media and social media circles.

Analysis of the Situation

Typically, an aircraft carrier is not deployed in the open sea for only a few days. The presence of the Pakistan Navy’s “carrier killer” missile systems potentially made a retreat the most prudent course of action.