COMMENT
India’s only operational aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (a modified Soviet Kiev class carrier) entered Indian service in 2013. Vikramaditya replaced India’s ancient carrier INS Viraat (ex HMS Hermes) which was decommissioned in 2017).
Meanwhile India's much troubled INS Vikrant was laid down in 2009, launched 2013, and may enter service in 2021.
As India's main SSN, SSBN and carrier competitor is the much faster builder China, India has more problems than accidents.
ARTICLE
China’s Global Times, April 29, 2019reported:
“Indian carrier's fire likely result of lax military regulation: Chinese experts”
Chinese military experts on [April 26, 2019] said that India's military culture cannot keep up with its ambitious weapon and equipment development,which might be the reason behind its aircraft carrier's fatal fire on [April 24, 2019].
A fire broke out at the engine room of India's aircraft carrier Vikramaditya while it was entering harbor in Karnataka's Karwar on Friday. The fire killed a naval officer who led the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment, according to a [April 25, 2019] report by the Times of India.
The cause of the fire is yet to be announced by Indian authorities.
Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times on [April 26, 2019] that the fire was more likely to be out of human error rather than mechanical problems. The fire and the extinguishing process suggested that they are unprofessional and unprepared to address such an emergency, he said.
India has been actively developing its military in recent years, but "its military culture is lax and it has loose regulations," which cannot effectively train soldiers to operate advanced military equipment, Li said.
[Earlier] India's nuclear submarine, $2.9 billion worth [INS] Arihantwas left out of commission after water rushed in as a hatch on the rear side was left open by mistake while it was at harbor in early 2017, the Hindu reported on January 2018.
Blasts of submarine [INS]Sindhurakshakthat killed 18 personnel in 2013 was induced by mistakes made during the arming of the torpedoes. Extensive checks on weapon related safety systems and audit of Standard Operating Procedures on all operational naval units were made as corrective steps, the Economic Times quoted defense ministry official as saying in July 2018.
But Li noted that the Indian Navy's lax regulations mean sailors may neglect or fail to obey the rules on handling advanced equipment.
"Meanwhile, the cutting-edge weapons and equipment have higher requirement for the soldiers, who need to learn the knowledge of operation and maintenance," Li said....”
[See the WHOLE GLOBAL TIMES ARTICLE]