Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fleet

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

The shortage of helicopters is hitting the Indian Navy hard as it continues to rely on an old, ageing fleet that needs urgent replacement to meet its operational requirements.

The Navy has at least 50 warships that are capable of operating helicopters, but it is struggling to get one helicopter per ship.

The Navy has given an insight into how it is placed during its ongoing exercise with the Royal Navy off the Goa coast. The Royal Navy's HMS Westminster - a type-23 frigate known for its advanced anti-submarine capability - is taking part in the exercise Konkan. The frigate is equipped with Merlin helicopters - the maritime version of triple-engine AgustaWestland EH-101 that is used extensively by the Royal Navy.

The Indian Navy has pitched a Delhi class destroyer, which is a formidable platform, but it carries only one helicopter although it is capable of operating two. The only helicopter on the destroyer is Chetak, which has a limited role in search, rescue and communication. It cannot carry out advanced anti-submarine or anti-surface operation.

The destroyer ought to be equipped with two Sea Kings - anti-submarine helicopters that can carry troops. The Indian Navy is left with as many as 18 Sea King 42-Bs and less than a dozen Kamov-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters as of now. The Sea King fleet is ageing and the Kamovs are awaiting a mid-life upgrade.

At the moment, the availability of anti-submarine warfare is low. The Navy is planning to buy 17 multi-role helicopters and another 123 medium helicopters, but both acquisition projects are yet to see the light of the day.

The force desperately needs new helicopters, especially for operations in a dense submarine environment. Among the light helicopters that the Indian Navy owns, only 30 Chetaks are in service. The limited capability of these helicopters does not qualify them for operational roles. In fact, it's not preferable to use the single-engine Chetak for maritime operations.

The Navy is awaiting headway in acquisitions which need to be completed soon to end the shortage of helicopters. The Ministry of Defence also hopes that the process will move forward.

Chopper shortage rattles Indian Navy during joint exercise with British fleet | Mail Online

 

[rohit b3]

Re: Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fle

Buy Dhruvs....Simple..

 

[Bheeshma]

Re: Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fle

Dhruvs can replace all chetaks and cheetahs but not sea kings. Need S-70B or equivalent in numbers.

 

[debasree]

Re: Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fle

Why navy dont use dhurabs insted of chitahs

 

[Sridhar]

Re: Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fle

Old article Should help you guys

Broadsword: The Indian Navy’s Dhruv: falling between two stools

 

[Dinesh_Kumar]

Re: Chopper shortage rattles IN during joint exercise with British fle

*************CROSS POSTING FROM NAVAL AVIATION THREAD**********

This crisis lends a perfect opportunity to develop the ALH Dhruv as a maritime platform.
> Spec wise, the Dhruv slots b/w Westland Lynx and Seaking, both being ASW platforms. No lack of engine power especially with Shakti engines

> Dhruv was optimised for ASR requirements of 6000m flight, which puts it at a disadvantage in Maritime enviroment. Different Rotor blades and new Main Gear Box needed - (consultancy with some of the Big Boys can fix this)

>Reduce some weight and put bigger tanks for endurance more than 2 hours . (Kamovs can seat 6-8 people in ASW version, Dhruv need not have 12 - 14 seater, can reduce this somewhat)

> Automatic blade folding system can be bought off the shelf.

> If HAL can build special editions like LCH and Rudra WSI, they can do spl. edition for this as well.