WesWorld

1942...

BNS Air Groups as of 1942

CV Urumi (Max = 45), function = Scout/Air Defence
-24 Fighters
-20 Torpedo-bombers

CV Talwar (Max = 60), function = Strike
-24 Fighters
-24 Torpedo-bombers
-12 Dive-bombers

CV Val (Max = 60), function = Strike
-24 Fighters
-24 Torpedo-bombers
-12 Dive-bombers

CV Bichawa (Max = 40), Not in Service
-0 A/C

CVS Gaudhi Sagar (Max = 18), function = Patrol
-12 Float-Observation
-4 Float-fighters

CVS Nizam Sagar (Max = 18), function = Patrol
-12 Float-Observation
-4 Float-fighters

AVU Vel (Max = 28), function = Patrol
-14 Fighter
-14 Torpedo-Bomber

AVT Lathi (Max = 2), function = Training/Development
-2 Utility
-Autogyros deck-parked as required for developmental activities

Notes

Lathi continues to function as a basic training vessel in which pilots learn to land and take-off. She has also taken on the ASW doctrinal work that had previously been assigned to Katar.

The airgroup previously deployed to Aruval (16 fighters, 16 torpedo-bombers) has been slightly reduced (to 14 and 14 aircraft, respectively). This group has now deployed aboard the Vel as an interim measure through 1942. The squadrons will form the core of Bichawa's air group once that ship completes its refit and work-up in early 1943.

BNS Air Groups as of 1943

CV Urumi (Max = 45), function = Scout/Air Defence
-24 Fighters
-18 Torpedo-bombers
-2 Auto-gyro

CV Talwar (Max = 60), function = Strike
-24 Fighters
-24 Torpedo-bombers
-12 Dive-bombers

CV Val (Max = 60), function = Strike
-24 Fighters
-24 Torpedo-bombers
-12 Dive-bombers

CV Bichawa (Max = 45), function = Strike
-18 Fighters
-12 Torpedo-bombers
-12 Dive-bombers
-2 Auto-gyro

CVS Gaudhi Sagar (Max = 18), function = Patrol
-12 Float-Observation
-4 Float-fighters

CVS Nizam Sagar (Max = 18), function = Patrol
-12 Float-Observation
-4 Float-fighters

AVU Vel (Max = 28), function = Training/Development
-6 Fighter
-6 Torpedo-Bomber
-12 Dive-Bomber
-2 Auto-gyro

AVT Lathi (Max = 2), function = Training/Development
-2 Autogyros deck-parked as required for developmental activities

Notes

Lathi continues to function as a basic training vessel in which pilots learn to land and take-off. She has also taken on the ASW doctrinal work that had previously been assigned to Katar.

Bichawa is working up as a strike platform, and will operate with Talwar and Val. She has received the airgroup previously trained aboard Aruval.

A mixed airgroup has deployed to Aruval, which has two tasks: Develop additional dive-bomber units for Talwar and Val, and then build up a large (~80 A/C) airgroup for Bagh Nakh, which will enter service next year.

BNS Air Groups as of 1945

CV Urumi (Max = 45), function = developmental
-12 Tira ("Arrow") fighters
-12 Cakravata ("Cyclone") fighter-bombers
-12 Hathi and Hathi-P ("Elephant") torpedo-bombers
-4 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela ("Petrel") helicopters

CV Bichawa (Max = 45), function = strike
-24 Tira fighters
-18 Hathi torpedo-bombers
-2 Petrela helicopters

CV Talwar (Max = 60), function = strike
-24 Tira fighters
-18 Griba ("Grebe") dive-Bombers
-18 Hathi torpedo-bombers

CV Val (Max = 60), function = strike
-24 Tira fighters
-18 Griba dive-bombers
-18 Hathi torpedo-bombers

CV Bagh Nakh (Max = 84), function = strike
-36 Tira fighters
-24 Griba dive-bombers
-24 Hathi torpedo-bombers

AVT Vel (Max = 28), function = training
-6 Tira fighter
-12 Cakravata fighter-bomber
-6 Hathi torpedo-bomber
-4 Petrela helicopter

Notes

Operational re-organization of the BNS has left the carrier arm as the undisputed, primary form of power projection; capital ships now function as screening elements. The Bagh Nakh is now fully operational, but the two seaplane carriers and the training carrier Lathi have all been sold, leaving the BNS with six decks in total. A new carrier, Trishula, is to be laid down in 1945, with trials completed in 1949.

Several new airframes are being introduced into service:

-The Cakravata fighter-bomber, a single-seat multi-role aircraft capable of aerial combat or bomb or torpedo attacks. It will likely replace the current Griba dive-bombers and possibly supplant some of the existing Tira fighters and Hathi torpedo-bombers.

-The Hathi-P is an improved Hathi torpedo-bomber with onboard radar. It will likely replace existing Hathi airframes.

-The Hathi-PR is a specialized ASW version of the Hathi, with improved forward-firing armament, lights, cockpit visibility, and payload configuration, at the expense of defensive armament and overall payload weight. Its current employment is not clear; the BNS is uncertain if a dedicated ASW platform is necessary or not.

-The Petrela is a helicopter capable of carrying one passenger and a limited amount of payload. It is being eyeballed for utility personnel/mail transfer and pilot rescue functions.

A consequence of these new models is that the BNS has tasked CV Urumi to take on a contingent of Cakravatas, Hathi-Ps, Hathi-PRs, and Petrelas in a doctrinal development role. This exercise will inform decisions about future airgroup composition, possibly for some time. AVT Vel, meanwhile, will carry a number of Cakravatas for advanced training purposes.

BNS Airgroups as of 1946

CV Urumi (Max = 45), function = strike
-18 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-12 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-4 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

CV Bichawa (Max = 45), function = strike
-18 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-12 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-4 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

CV Talwar (Max = 60), function = strike/developmental
-12 Tira fighters
-12 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-18 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-6 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

CV Val (Max = 60), function = strike
-12 Tira fighters
-12 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-18 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-6 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

CV Bagh Nakh (Max = 84), function = strike
-24 Tira fighters
-24 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-24 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-6 Hathi-PR ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

AVT Vel (Max = 28), function = training
-4 Tira fighters
-8 Cakravata fighter-bombers
-4 Hathi and Hathi-P torpedo-bombers
-2 Hathi ASW aircraft
-2 Petrela helicopters

Notes

The Cakravata torpedo-bomber is now in widespread service, and offers some flexibility in air group usage given that it can function both offensively and defensively. This is especially welcome for the the Urumi and Bichawa air groups given their limited size and correspondingly small air groups. The type has not supplanted the Tira fighter on the larger carriers, as the latter is just as capable as the Cakravata in the fighter role, yet smaller and, at this point, reasonably well broken-in. The Cakravata remains new enough that its maintenance-related quirks are still being learned.

The Hathi-P and -PR models are now deployed across the fleet in small numbers. Production rates for the type's radar has not allowed for a complete replacement of the baseline Hathi in service and there are doubts this will happen until at least 1947.

Utility of the Petrela helicopter has been accepted at large and a flight of two are deployed on each deck.

Between a general sense of security and the relatively large size of the Cakravata, the overall size of each carrier air group is somewhat less than its theoretical value; the Urumis are embarking 36 of a theoretical 45 machines, the Talwars 50 of a theoretical 60, Bagh Nakh 80 of a theoretical 84. Periodical surges of additional aircraft do take place for training and development purposes, but the lesser number of aircraft does make operation and maintenance easier.

The BNS will be undertaking some initial trials with one or more experimental jet aircraft in the latter part of 1946. At face value, Bagh Nakh would seem to be the most logical choice for the host vessel, as she has the largest and widest deck of the BNS carrier fleet. However, as one staff officer noted, "Nice new carrier - be a shame if anything happened to her". Consequently, the trials will be conducted on Talwar, which is due for a mid-life refit in 1948 anyway. If she should incur damage during the trials, it would not be a big deal to advance the refit.