Fleet Modernisation of the Indian Navy

[shubhamsaikia]

To increase our Blue water capabilities and have designated fleets. Also increase our preparedness by having Carrier Battle Groups.

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Currently the Indian Navy has 2 Operational Fleets under the Western and Eastern Command. Of the designated policy the IN should have two fleets around 2 Aircraft Carriers. But looking at the Geo-Political importance of India and the strategic interests India has in the future. India should have a more pro-active approach and the Navy should be the front runner in this. We are looking at the Destroyers, Carriers, Frigates, LSTs and Corvettes.

Vessels of the Indian Navy

Aircraft Carriers (1)

Centaur Class STOVL - 1

Submarines (15)

Sindhughosh (Kilo) Type - 10
Shishumar (Type -209) - 4
Akula Class - 1

Destroyers (8)
Delhi Class (Project 15) - 3
Rajput Class(Kashin II) - 5

Frigates (12)
Shivalik Class - 2
Talwar Class - 3
Brahmaputra Class - 3
Godavri Class - 3
Nilgiri Class - 1

Corvettes (24)
Kora Class - 4
Khukri Class - 4
Veer Class - 12
Abhay Class - 4

LSTs/ Amphibious War Ships (10)
INS Jalashwa
Sradul Class - 3
Magar Class - 2
Kumbhir Class - 4

To this we are going to add the future procurement s and also keep in mind the already sealed deals and build a Blue Water capable Navy. Also this thread is going to look at Vessels that can fill the gap in the Indian Navy

 

[shubhamsaikia]

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Sindhughosh Type

Shihumar Type 209

Akula Class

 

[shubhamsaikia]

FRIGATES

Shivalik Class

Talwar Class

Brahmaputra Class

Godavari Class
\

Nilgiri Class

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Corvettes

Kora Class

Khukri Type

Veer Class

Abhay Class

 

[shubhamsaikia]

LSTs/ Amphibious Ships

INS Jalashwa - Ex USS Trinton

Shradul Class

Magar Class

Kumbhir Class

 

[shubhamsaikia]

The Pie of any Navy - Destroyers


Delhi Class

Rajput Class

 

[shubhamsaikia]

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Currently India has 2 Fleets, I am proposing atleast 3 Full fledged War Fleets and 2 Carrier Battle Groups.
Also Each Fleet should have their dedicated FAG's (Fast Action Groups) for any contingencies including Disaster Managements.

I am also looking at these FAG's for
1. Forward Deployments
2. Assisting the Carrier Battle Groups
3. Perifencing the Sea Scape in case of a War (Including a Double front war against Pakistan and China)

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Now our Naval vessels are divided amongst the Eastern and the Western Fleets with a few vessels with the Training Command. Now because of military synergy India needs to move out of its defensive outlook and become better prepared. So in addition to the 2 Fleets , I am proposing the following additions

1. Southern Fleet for Indian Ocean Dominance. Including Tackling of the Seychelles Islands Naval Base of the Chinese. Also to impose a complete restriction on Chinese Trade incase of a confrontation.

2.Carrier Battle Group (East) - Should be based at Vietnam where India has Oil Interest and to protect our Interests there, setting up of a full fledged Carrier Battle Group. This CBG can also be used for an offence and later be assisted by both the Eastern and the Southern Fleet. It can act as our 'Naval Cold Start Doctrine'.

3. Carrier Battle Group (West) - Should be a mobile CBG with prime objective of showcasing dominance in the Middle East. Aimed to tackle pirates and help Transport Ships pass. The CBG (West) Should because of having an established objective in hand should be equipped with the best of IN Vessals. Also the CBG (West) can act as our final resort to China. (The Western Fleet is more than capable to render Pak Navy Incapable of combat. So the remaining 2 Fleets and CBGs can tackle the Chinese.

4. Special Submarine Group (SSG): The SSG is a NUCLEAR Capable Submarine group in Triads. ie 3 Submarine in a group, 2 Frigates and a Helicopter Carrier. The Triad will be a combination of 2 SSN (Fast Attack Crafts) and 1 SSBN (Arihant Class). There should be atleast 2 SSGs both pointed at China. The Helicopter Carrier shall act as an Amphibious Ship with Helicopters used for Transport and Anti Submarine Manoeuvres.

5. Fast Action Group (****): The **** are part of the 3 Fleets. The **** will be dedicated Fast Attack Ships which incase of an attack shall swarm the sea to cause maximum damage. Also these will be the Forward Observation Ships of a Fleet. The Southern Fleet FAG can be based at Timor Sea to impose a bottle neck hinge for the Chinese.

 

[shubhamsaikia]

The Tri Services Command at A&N Islands should be developed like the US Marine Corps, except that the Operational Command should be given to the Navy and manning the Troops should be to the Indian Army, The Amphibious capabilities of the IN should be based here. Also a small group of these ships should be given to the Southern Fleet which in case of a war with Pakistan can be quickly mobilized.

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Now the Big Buck question and looking into the future. Pointing out our deficits and what all we need in the future.

Air Craft Carriers (5) - (Deficit of 4)
Helicopter Carriers/Amphibious Assault Ships (4) - (Deficit of 4)

Destroyers (19) - (Deficit of 11)
Frigates (33) - (Deficit of 21)
Corvettes (61) - (Deficit of 37)

Attack Submarines (Nuclear/Conventional) (35) - (Deficit of 20)
Ballistic Missile Submarines (6) - (Deficit of 6)

LPDs Capable of Housing 2 Hover Crafts (10) - Deficit of 9)
LSTs (30) - (Deficit of 21 + 2)
Our Amphibious Landing capabilities should be capable of delivering at least a Division along along with an Artillery Brigade and a Mechanized Brigade.
Here the work can be divided where the Arty Brigade can be party air dropped. This shall help in opening a second front which will divert the will of the enemy to concentrate.

 

[shubhamsaikia]

The LPDs are capable of Holding two such Hover crafts which in turn can Hold 6 BMP'/ MBTs. India bought the INS Jalashwa from the US we need some more of those to bridge the Gap.

IN Jalshwa

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Helicopter Carriers/ Amphibious Assault Ships

We need these Mini Air-Craft Carriers for forward deployment and force projection. Also they will be the Lead ships of the SSGs, which at all times shall have atleast a Mini Brigade ready for delivering at any part of the world.

Each ship is capable of hosting 1,894 personnel; almost the half the strength of a Mixed Brigade. The vessel can transport up to 2,860 square metres (30,800 sq ft) of cargo, and another 1,858 square metres (20,000 sq ft) is allocated for the MEU's vehicles, which typically consists of 5 Main battle tanks, up to 25 AAVs, eight howitzers, 68 trucks, and up to 12 other support vehicles. An internal monorail is used to shift cargo from the cargo holds to the well deck. Each such ship can have a hospital with 600 patient beds and six operating rooms.

 

[arya]

well you are somehow right but do you think govt is any one serious on defence in India .

we all know we have solider to give there life .

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Well may be not now, but a pre emptive war against India will channelize the Indian Government's Focus. LIke after the war of 1965 which India on by chance, the Indian Govt, doubled the size of the Indian Army. So it was relatively better prepared for the 71 war. Similarly we can see that there is alarm and the defence modernization is starting.

Even during the Kargil War, the Eastern fleet was shipted to Mumbai in full media glare, that to an extent did startle the Pakistanis. So Navy is always going to add edge.. And its high time we shift focus and actually build a capable Navy

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Western Fleet under Western Naval Command based at Mumbai

Area of Operation - the Arabian Sea
Objective - Engage in Western Indian Maritime Shores and Power projection towards Pakistan and its littoral area, Assisting the Carrier Battle Group (West) in case of any Contingency, Obliterate Karachi in case of any contingency.

Fleet Vessels
Command Ship - INS Viraat (To Remain in Service till 2020, So can be replaced by IAC II subsequently)
Destroyers - 4
Frigates - 6
Corvettes - 15

 

[shubhamsaikia]

Eastern Fleet under Eastern Naval Command at Vishakhapatnam
Area of Operation - The Bay of Bengal
Objective - Engage in Eastern Indian Maritime Shore and Power Projection towards the Straight of Malacca and the Coco Islands Naval Base of the Chines., Assist Carrier Battle group (East) during any contingency and also provide support during any assault on Chinese Maritime shores and impose economic barricade in the Straight of Malacca.

Fleet Vessels
Command Ship - INS Vikramaditya
Helicopter Carrier/Amphibious Assault Ships - 1
Destroyers - 5
Frigates - 7
Corvettes 15

The Idea of giving the Eastern Fleet the AAS is that a rapid deployment of a mini brigade. Because India can hope for a double front war from both China and Pakistan, it is only sensible that India opens a second front on China from the seas. Subsequently an entire division can be deployed using the amphibious capabilities of both the Tri Services Command and the Southern Fleet.

 

[shubhamsaikia]

All Subsequent Carriers of the Indian Navy should be Nuclear based and I believe atleast the size classification of a super carrier. The UK has offered the queen Elizabeth class AC for sale to India. With the Varyag being commissioned by 2017, the The Carrier Battle group should be amply suited to confront the Chinese fleet.

 

[john70]

The Indian Navy remains weakest in its submarine arm. With most of them being of the eighties vintage, this crucial element warrants immediate attention. Thankfully, even though after much delay, robust plans are in place to strengthen the underwater arm. in 2006, the Indian government cleared a 30-year submarine building program. The scorpene + Akula + Arihant .... filling the gap recently; but these should be further strenghthened.