Pakistan Navy’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy appears to have successfully repelled the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which has now withdrawn to the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, near the Pakistani border.
According to the latest satellite imagery, the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was deployed to the Arabian Sea amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India, has returned to port after only a few days at sea. Satellite intelligence (IMINT) images dated April 26, 2025, confirm that INS Vikrant has re-moored at Karwar port. Earlier images from April 23 showed the vessel heading towards open waters in the North Arabian Sea.
The Indian government had initially deployed INS Vikrant on April 23, positioning it close to Pakistan’s territorial waters. However, following sustained patrolling and the active presence of the Pakistan Navy, the decision was made to recall the aircraft carrier.
The sudden withdrawal has drawn attention, especially given that aircraft carriers are typically deployed in open waters for extended periods. Analysts suggest that the Pakistan Navy’s effective use of anti-ship and “carrier killer” missile systems at sea may have played a decisive role in forcing INS Vikrant to retreat. Continuous surveillance and naval patrols by Pakistan likely increased operational risks for the Indian side, leaving withdrawal as the safer option.
Indian media and social media platforms were initially abuzz over the deployment of INS Vikrant, viewing it as a major show of force. However, the brief deployment has raised questions about the Indian Navy’s operational strategy in the region.
The ongoing tensions have already impacted broader sectors, with Indian airlines facing longer routes and higher operational costs due to Pakistan’s airspace restrictions.