The future of the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is uncertain, with potential retirement by 2037 contingent on a structural audit set for 2035. Despite extensive refurbishment, the vessel’s Soviet-era hull, now 43 years old, raises concerns over metal fatigue and corrosion. Upgrading the carrier may incur costs comparable to constructing a new ship, prompting the Navy to consider shifting focus to a repeat order of the Vikrant-class carrier to avoid a capability gap. This situation underscores the strategic and economic challenges of maintaining aging naval assets while ensuring India’s maritime power remains robust amid evolving security dynamics in the region.