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The Indian Navy has launched a hunt for integrated anti-submarine warfare suites to fill a void in the security framework that renders its frigates and destroyers vulnerable to underwater threats.
The new system is being procured as there has been a substantial delay in the development of advanced towed array sonars, a crucial component of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite, by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The defence ministry, which was earlier in favour of waiting for the DRDO to complete its project, has given the go-ahead for procurement.
The towed array sonar is essential for warships in anti-submarine warfare. Even the last inducted INS Kamorta (pictured) does not have the advanced component
Sources said progress on the home-made towed array sonar is far from satisfactory.
The delay has already exposed the Navy's fleet to threats from submarines and torpedoes. Even the latest warships, like aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and brand new destroyer INS Kolkata, were inducted without advanced towed array sonars, which are more effective in detecting underwater threats than hull-mounted sonars.
Hostile submarines pose a grave challenge as Pakistan has a superior underwater arm.
The new Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette too joined the fleet without a towed array sonar and it is fitted only with the HUMSA hull-mounted sonar, which offers partial deterrence at best. The towed array sonars trail behind ships to detect traces of hostile submarines and torpedoes more effectively.
Read more: Navy begin hunt to procure anti-sub armour- | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
The new system is being procured as there has been a substantial delay in the development of advanced towed array sonars, a crucial component of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite, by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The defence ministry, which was earlier in favour of waiting for the DRDO to complete its project, has given the go-ahead for procurement.
The towed array sonar is essential for warships in anti-submarine warfare. Even the last inducted INS Kamorta (pictured) does not have the advanced component
Sources said progress on the home-made towed array sonar is far from satisfactory.
The delay has already exposed the Navy's fleet to threats from submarines and torpedoes. Even the latest warships, like aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and brand new destroyer INS Kolkata, were inducted without advanced towed array sonars, which are more effective in detecting underwater threats than hull-mounted sonars.
Hostile submarines pose a grave challenge as Pakistan has a superior underwater arm.
The new Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette too joined the fleet without a towed array sonar and it is fitted only with the HUMSA hull-mounted sonar, which offers partial deterrence at best. The towed array sonars trail behind ships to detect traces of hostile submarines and torpedoes more effectively.
Read more: Navy begin hunt to procure anti-sub armour- | Daily Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
