Indian Naval Aviation

[aarav]

Indian Coast Guard to induct 16 Advanced Light Helicopters in July, 2 of them for North-East

Statesman News Service
1 day ago

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is all set to induct 16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), this July, out of which, the first two are expected to be inducted for the North East (NE) Region for patrolling over North Bay of Bengal. The director general (DG) of the ICG is to visit the NE Region headquarters in Kolkata on Tuesday to review the coastal security network Phase II operations in the region.
According to a senior ICG official, “The ICG has long been waiting to induct the ALH for its patrolling operations. These helicopters are finally going to be inducted into the force, this July. Out of these 16 ALH, a total of four helicopters will be inducted for the North East Region of the ICG that includes Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar. Two of the helicopters will either be based out of Kolkata or Bhubaneshwar, depending on the availability of space. However, these two ALHs that will be inducted into the NE Region, will help in patrolling the North Bay of Bengal region.”

It is learnt that the ICG had already laid out its plan for capacity augmentation concerning its assets. The Advanced Light Helicopters will be delivered to the Coast Guard by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The move by the ICG is in the light of strengthening its patrolling operations along the country’s coastline since the force is responsible for coastal security that includes enforcing country’s maritime law with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including its contiguous zone and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).



The official further highlighted: “The ICG has also planned to get its Dornier aircraft upgraded. The ICG has a total of 36 Dornier aircraft. In the NE Region, there are three Dornier aircraft stationed at Kolkata airport while three more are in the Bhubaneshwar airport. These aircraft are approximately six to eight years old. Though they are advanced aircraft, they need upgradation in terms of avionics which include fitting of LED display. However, all of them cannot be sent to HAL at the same time as that will affect the patrolling operations. The Dorniers will be upgraded in turns when they go for a major servicing after every 12 months of flying.”

Talking on security measures taken in NE Region post Balakot incident, sources in the ICG claimed, “Post-Balakot incident, for the last one month, there is a high alert warning prevailing due to which the our operations have been heightened, using both our sea and air assets. Though we maintain a good relation with Bangladesh and conduct exercise with their Coast Guard arm, there is always a chance of rogue elements and non-state actors infiltrating to our side. However, the river routes are more risk prone than the seas.”

It is further learnt that the Director General of the ICG, Rajendra Singh, will be visiting the North-East Region headquarters at Kolkata, tomorrow, to review the Phase II coastal security network operations in this region. He is also slated to visit the Haldia base of the ICG. It is learnt that the ICG is setting up two new radar stations in the region that will help strenghten its coastal security network. The work has already entered its Phase II status.

 

[Filtercoffee]

US approves sale of 24 MH 60 Romeo Seahawk helicopters to India for $ 2.6 billion
Designed for hunting submarines as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea, the Lockheed Martin-built helicopters, would replenish India’s aging fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.


Economic Times - 3rd April; 2019.Today.

 

[Slevin]

US sells SeaHawks to India

 

[Shashwat]

Dhruv-N at Vikramaditya

With fold-able blades these will be an awesome asset, I hope it gets selected over the archaic Panther.


Source - BRF
- Original source Unknown Twitter a/c

 

[Defcon 1]

American Romeo Helicopters: Best Acquisition for Indian Navy


Multi-Role Helicopters are an essential part of any modern naval fleet. They have a critical role in the fleet’s anti-submarine capabilities. The Indian Navy’s capabilities in the area of anti-submarine warfare is limited by its lack of modern helicopters to undertake the crucial role. It’s after more than a decade that we seem to have reached a point where we can expect the MH 60 R Romeo of Lockheed Martin to be procured. The author analyses the Navy’s requirements, current holdings and the MH 60R helicopter’s capabilities.

………………………………………………………………………………………

In any operation at sea today modern Multi – Role Helicopters (MRH) are crucial eyes, ears and long arms of the Fleet. The only platform that can strike fear in a submarine Captain’s mind is the Fleet’s integral air element of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopters. For India, with neighbours who are consolidating their Navies with potent submarines, lack of a capable MRH in adequate numbers is a critical operational capability gap in the vital area of Indian Ocean Region (IOR), more so because the Chinese presence in the IOR has risen sharply in terms of both submarine and surface activity.

This vulnerability was starkly visible at last year’s annual cooperative naval exercise, ‘Malabar’ where the Indian Navy operated alongside the US and the Japanese Navies in the Philippine Sea. One of the key elements of this exercise was the ‘Joint Anti-Submarine Warfare Work-Up’, where the Indian Navy found itself vastly handicapped. While the US and Japanese Navies strutted around their modern fleet of ASWs in terms of the erstwhile Sikorsky, now Lockheed Martin’s MH-60R ‘Romeo’ model and S-70B Seahawks, the Indian Navy had to be content with the 1960 era Chetak helicopters for ‘Search and Rescue’ operations.

Image Courtesy: Sikorsky

The last attempt to acquire this class of helicopters was thwarted in 2017, after nine years of deliberate efforts, when negotiations broke off with US manufacturer Sikorsky over differences in pricing with the procurement process being finally foreclosed. The helicopter selected was Sikorsky’s S-70B Seahawk, wherein the proposal was to acquire sixteen helicopters initially, with an option for eight more.

Under these circumstances when India’s integral naval ASW capability is at an all-time low, the recent US approval for the sale of 24 Naval Multi-Role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters to India in a Government to Government deal has come at the right moment and as a great relief to the Navy, though the actual contract is likely to be inked later this year.

Present Status: Naval Helicopter Fleet

While the Indian shipyards continue to roll out stealth frigates and guided missile destroyers with the latest radars, sensors and weapon systems, their hangars remain bereft of the most crucial component, the helicopters, especially the ASW category. Helicopters form a key element of a naval fleet at sea due to its ability to easily operate from frigate size ships and carry out diverse roles from ASW to Electronic Warfare, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Search and Rescue.

Presently The Indian Navy operates a helicopter fleet consisting of the Sea King-42B and Kamov-28 ASW helicopters, the Kamov-31 AEW helicopter and the modified Chetak-MATCH (Mid Air Torpedo Carrying Helicopter). In addition, they have a fleet of Chetak helicopters for shipborne operations. These helicopters are old vintage and in inadequate numbers, with most of them needing replacement and upgrade.

The HAL manufactured Dhruv (naval variant) was inducted into the air arm in March 2002. However, the Navy found the Dhruv unsuitable for its role as an ASW platform, though they may continue to procure limited numbers for employment as multi-role utility platforms- 16 Dhruvs are now part of the naval fleet. The Kamov-31 AEW helicopters acquired from Russia in the 1990s have proved to be a versatile platform for airborne operations at sea but their numbers are limited. However, the main workhorse’s in the ASW category, the British Sea King-42B and Russian Kamov-28 are old and lack availability of spares to keep them flying and their much required replacement process has floundered for over a decade plus.

Presently, the Navy has a highly limited inventory of 12 Sea King-42B and 10 Kamov-28 ASW helicopters to look after the 150 plus warships, leaving a critical void in this vital segment of ASW. In fact, the Kamov-28 ASW helicopters held are currently undergoing an upgrade under a $294 million deal inked with Russian Helicopters in 2017. Some of these helicopters have already been upgraded. The upgrade involves engine overhaul and fitment with state of art sensors and avionics. The Navy requires at least 123 Naval MRH and had released a global request for information in August 2017. As usual, no progress has been made on this critical project till now, due to bureaucratic lethargy in failing to finalise the ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ under the ‘Make in India policy’.

Case for MH-60R ‘Romeo’ MRH

Keeping in mind the dire need and critical requirement of the Navy for helicopters that can undertake missions ranging from anti-submarine operations to fire support and early warning at sea, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters in August 2018. Thereafter, in November the Government made a formal request to the US Government for the purchase of these helicopters under the ‘Foreign Military Sales’ (FMS) route.

Image Courtesy: South Coast Register

Accordingly, a ‘Letter of Request’ was given to the US Government for the acquisition of these helicopters as an urgent requirement. The US in April this year has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters to India at an estimated cost of $2.4 billion, under the FMS route–these Sirkorsky/Lockheed Martin-built helicopters will replace India’s ageing fleet of British-Westland Sea King Mk 42B and Russian Kamov Ka-28 helicopters.

The twin-engine MH-60R is the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter armed with Hellfire Missiles, MK-54 Torpedoes and precision kill rockets for potent ASW capabilities and is currently deployed with the US Navy as the primary anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface weapon system for open ocean and littoral zones. According to industry experts, it is the most capable naval helicopter available today, designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers, with the capability to handle numerous contacts in confined spaces, as well as for open-water operations.

MH-60 Romeo Seahawks will add lethal capabilities to the Indian Navy, which indeed is the need of the hour, given the aggressive behaviour of China in the Indian Ocean region. According to US Naval Air System Command, the MH-60R Seahawk missions are anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, combat search and rescue, naval gunfire support and logistics support.

The helicopter has a fully integrated mission system which builds complete ‘Situational Awareness’ and ‘Actionable Knowledge’ enabling target engagement both close-in and over the horizon. The MH-60R is also fitted with a suitable ‘Cargo Hook’ for vertical replenishment missions. The helicopter has dual controls and is equipped with a digital integrated glass cockpit. More than 300 of these helicopters are in operation with the Australian, Danish, Saudi and Qatar Navies including the US and have accumulated over 60000 flight hours.

In addition to the helicopters, the purchase will include a multitude of support and embedded equipment like engines, multi-mode radars, sonobuoys, weapon systems and other essential associated equipment. In addition, the US will provide night vision devices, high-frequency radios and identification friend or foe transponders as part of the deal. India will also receive personnel and equipment training, as well as support for engineering, technical and logistics support services.

MH-60R Seahawk Characteristics

The Seahawk is powered by two General Electric T-700 turbo-shaft engines with a rating of 1425 kW. It has a maximum speed of 267 km/hour, a range of 834 km and a service ceiling of 3435 metres. With regards to weapon systems, the helicopter can be equipped with a range of weapons on the four weapon stations, with the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for anti-surface missions and the ATK MK-54 active/passive lightweight torpedoes for ASW- it can also be mounted with a 7.62mm machine gun for self-defence.

Image Courtesy: Royal Saudi Naval Forces

The helicopter is fitted with a modern and advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and state of art sensors. For anti-submarine operations, it is equipped with a Sonobuoy Launcher and an advanced Airborne Low-Frequency Dipping Sonar. The MH-60R is also fitted with a detecting/tracking system which includes a FLIR and laser rangefinder. The MH-60R Seahawk incorporates all such features which enhance survivability. It can withstand small arms fire and medium calibre high explosive projectiles and has a self-sealing fuel tank. The flight controls have dual redundancy, with the upper controls and hub being ballistically tolerant. The helicopter is fitted with high energy absorbing landing gear and its high mass components are retained in case of a high impact crash. The survivability features of the MH-60R rank amongst the best in helicopters.

The Navy is inducting four to five warships every year, in tune with its plan to become a 212 strong warship force by 2027 and has virtually run out of the MRHs to operate from their decks to detect, track and kill enemy submarines. Most of the warships have been operating with a Chetak helicopter instead, for multi-purpose duties, a helicopter that is even older than the limited Sea King helicopters held and is itself awaiting replacement for over a decade.

The critical shortage of helicopters has emerged as the most alarming operational gap in the Navy today. Given the critical situation, the US approval for the sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk under the FMS route could not have come a day later – the contract for the same needs to be signed at the earliest. Navy’s requirement is of 123 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) for which a global Request for Information (RFI) was released in August 2017. However, despite the critical operational situation, the NMRH programme has not progressed as fast as the Navy would have liked and currently runs the risk of getting stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire if a clear strategy is not evolved.

Under the circumstances the MH-60R Romeo Seahawk is a suitable NMRH platform. Going in for 24 of these next-generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopters is an excellent plan. It would be practical to pursue additional induction of theses helicopters under the Strategic Partnership Model of the Defence Procurement Procedures.

Lt Gen B S Pawar (Retd)

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BharatShakti.in)

https://bharatshakti.in/american-romeo-helicopters-best-acquisition-for-indian-navy/

 

[Anikastha]

How to upload image more than 1 mb

Compress it online and then upload.....

 

[IndianHawk]

American Romeo Helicopters: Best Acquisition for Indian Navy


Multi-Role Helicopters are an essential part of any modern naval fleet. They have a critical role in the fleet’s anti-submarine capabilities. The Indian Navy’s capabilities in the area of anti-submarine warfare is limited by its lack of modern helicopters to undertake the crucial role. It’s after more than a decade that we seem to have reached a point where we can expect the MH 60 R Romeo of Lockheed Martin to be procured. The author analyses the Navy’s requirements, current holdings and the MH 60R helicopter’s capabilities.

………………………………………………………………………………………

In any operation at sea today modern Multi – Role Helicopters (MRH) are crucial eyes, ears and long arms of the Fleet. The only platform that can strike fear in a submarine Captain’s mind is the Fleet’s integral air element of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopters. For India, with neighbours who are consolidating their Navies with potent submarines, lack of a capable MRH in adequate numbers is a critical operational capability gap in the vital area of Indian Ocean Region (IOR), more so because the Chinese presence in the IOR has risen sharply in terms of both submarine and surface activity.

This vulnerability was starkly visible at last year’s annual cooperative naval exercise, ‘Malabar’ where the Indian Navy operated alongside the US and the Japanese Navies in the Philippine Sea. One of the key elements of this exercise was the ‘Joint Anti-Submarine Warfare Work-Up’, where the Indian Navy found itself vastly handicapped. While the US and Japanese Navies strutted around their modern fleet of ASWs in terms of the erstwhile Sikorsky, now Lockheed Martin’s MH-60R ‘Romeo’ model and S-70B Seahawks, the Indian Navy had to be content with the 1960 era Chetak helicopters for ‘Search and Rescue’ operations.

Image Courtesy: Sikorsky

The last attempt to acquire this class of helicopters was thwarted in 2017, after nine years of deliberate efforts, when negotiations broke off with US manufacturer Sikorsky over differences in pricing with the procurement process being finally foreclosed. The helicopter selected was Sikorsky’s S-70B Seahawk, wherein the proposal was to acquire sixteen helicopters initially, with an option for eight more.

Under these circumstances when India’s integral naval ASW capability is at an all-time low, the recent US approval for the sale of 24 Naval Multi-Role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters to India in a Government to Government deal has come at the right moment and as a great relief to the Navy, though the actual contract is likely to be inked later this year.

Present Status: Naval Helicopter Fleet

While the Indian shipyards continue to roll out stealth frigates and guided missile destroyers with the latest radars, sensors and weapon systems, their hangars remain bereft of the most crucial component, the helicopters, especially the ASW category. Helicopters form a key element of a naval fleet at sea due to its ability to easily operate from frigate size ships and carry out diverse roles from ASW to Electronic Warfare, Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Search and Rescue.

Presently The Indian Navy operates a helicopter fleet consisting of the Sea King-42B and Kamov-28 ASW helicopters, the Kamov-31 AEW helicopter and the modified Chetak-MATCH (Mid Air Torpedo Carrying Helicopter). In addition, they have a fleet of Chetak helicopters for shipborne operations. These helicopters are old vintage and in inadequate numbers, with most of them needing replacement and upgrade.

The HAL manufactured Dhruv (naval variant) was inducted into the air arm in March 2002. However, the Navy found the Dhruv unsuitable for its role as an ASW platform, though they may continue to procure limited numbers for employment as multi-role utility platforms- 16 Dhruvs are now part of the naval fleet. The Kamov-31 AEW helicopters acquired from Russia in the 1990s have proved to be a versatile platform for airborne operations at sea but their numbers are limited. However, the main workhorse’s in the ASW category, the British Sea King-42B and Russian Kamov-28 are old and lack availability of spares to keep them flying and their much required replacement process has floundered for over a decade plus.

Presently, the Navy has a highly limited inventory of 12 Sea King-42B and 10 Kamov-28 ASW helicopters to look after the 150 plus warships, leaving a critical void in this vital segment of ASW. In fact, the Kamov-28 ASW helicopters held are currently undergoing an upgrade under a $294 million deal inked with Russian Helicopters in 2017. Some of these helicopters have already been upgraded. The upgrade involves engine overhaul and fitment with state of art sensors and avionics. The Navy requires at least 123 Naval MRH and had released a global request for information in August 2017. As usual, no progress has been made on this critical project till now, due to bureaucratic lethargy in failing to finalise the ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ under the ‘Make in India policy’.

Case for MH-60R ‘Romeo’ MRH

Keeping in mind the dire need and critical requirement of the Navy for helicopters that can undertake missions ranging from anti-submarine operations to fire support and early warning at sea, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters in August 2018. Thereafter, in November the Government made a formal request to the US Government for the purchase of these helicopters under the ‘Foreign Military Sales’ (FMS) route.

Image Courtesy: South Coast Register

Accordingly, a ‘Letter of Request’ was given to the US Government for the acquisition of these helicopters as an urgent requirement. The US in April this year has approved the sale of 24 multi-role MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters to India at an estimated cost of $2.4 billion, under the FMS route–these Sirkorsky/Lockheed Martin-built helicopters will replace India’s ageing fleet of British-Westland Sea King Mk 42B and Russian Kamov Ka-28 helicopters.

The twin-engine MH-60R is the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter armed with Hellfire Missiles, MK-54 Torpedoes and precision kill rockets for potent ASW capabilities and is currently deployed with the US Navy as the primary anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface weapon system for open ocean and littoral zones. According to industry experts, it is the most capable naval helicopter available today, designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers, with the capability to handle numerous contacts in confined spaces, as well as for open-water operations.

MH-60 Romeo Seahawks will add lethal capabilities to the Indian Navy, which indeed is the need of the hour, given the aggressive behaviour of China in the Indian Ocean region. According to US Naval Air System Command, the MH-60R Seahawk missions are anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, combat search and rescue, naval gunfire support and logistics support.

The helicopter has a fully integrated mission system which builds complete ‘Situational Awareness’ and ‘Actionable Knowledge’ enabling target engagement both close-in and over the horizon. The MH-60R is also fitted with a suitable ‘Cargo Hook’ for vertical replenishment missions. The helicopter has dual controls and is equipped with a digital integrated glass cockpit. More than 300 of these helicopters are in operation with the Australian, Danish, Saudi and Qatar Navies including the US and have accumulated over 60000 flight hours.

In addition to the helicopters, the purchase will include a multitude of support and embedded equipment like engines, multi-mode radars, sonobuoys, weapon systems and other essential associated equipment. In addition, the US will provide night vision devices, high-frequency radios and identification friend or foe transponders as part of the deal. India will also receive personnel and equipment training, as well as support for engineering, technical and logistics support services.

MH-60R Seahawk Characteristics

The Seahawk is powered by two General Electric T-700 turbo-shaft engines with a rating of 1425 kW. It has a maximum speed of 267 km/hour, a range of 834 km and a service ceiling of 3435 metres. With regards to weapon systems, the helicopter can be equipped with a range of weapons on the four weapon stations, with the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for anti-surface missions and the ATK MK-54 active/passive lightweight torpedoes for ASW- it can also be mounted with a 7.62mm machine gun for self-defence.

Image Courtesy: Royal Saudi Naval Forces

The helicopter is fitted with a modern and advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and state of art sensors. For anti-submarine operations, it is equipped with a Sonobuoy Launcher and an advanced Airborne Low-Frequency Dipping Sonar. The MH-60R is also fitted with a detecting/tracking system which includes a FLIR and laser rangefinder. The MH-60R Seahawk incorporates all such features which enhance survivability. It can withstand small arms fire and medium calibre high explosive projectiles and has a self-sealing fuel tank. The flight controls have dual redundancy, with the upper controls and hub being ballistically tolerant. The helicopter is fitted with high energy absorbing landing gear and its high mass components are retained in case of a high impact crash. The survivability features of the MH-60R rank amongst the best in helicopters.

The Navy is inducting four to five warships every year, in tune with its plan to become a 212 strong warship force by 2027 and has virtually run out of the MRHs to operate from their decks to detect, track and kill enemy submarines. Most of the warships have been operating with a Chetak helicopter instead, for multi-purpose duties, a helicopter that is even older than the limited Sea King helicopters held and is itself awaiting replacement for over a decade.

The critical shortage of helicopters has emerged as the most alarming operational gap in the Navy today. Given the critical situation, the US approval for the sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk under the FMS route could not have come a day later – the contract for the same needs to be signed at the earliest. Navy’s requirement is of 123 Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) for which a global Request for Information (RFI) was released in August 2017. However, despite the critical operational situation, the NMRH programme has not progressed as fast as the Navy would have liked and currently runs the risk of getting stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire if a clear strategy is not evolved.

Under the circumstances the MH-60R Romeo Seahawk is a suitable NMRH platform. Going in for 24 of these next-generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopters is an excellent plan. It would be practical to pursue additional induction of theses helicopters under the Strategic Partnership Model of the Defence Procurement Procedures.

Lt Gen B S Pawar (Retd)

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BharatShakti.in)

https://bharatshakti.in/american-romeo-helicopters-best-acquisition-for-indian-navy/

212 ships navy by 2027. Inducting 4-5 ships every ear. Indian navy is silently turning into a giant.

212 ships including 2 aircraft carriers each with 40 aircraft air wing. 10+ nuclear submarine ( 5 SSBN + 5 SSN ) , 16+ ssk. ( Scorpion + 75i included) .

Much more powerful and capable than french or UK navy. Clearly in a league of its own.

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[Indx TechStyle]

212 ships navy by 2027. Inducting 4-5 ships every ear. Indian navy is silently turning into a giant.

212 ships including 2 aircraft carriers each with 40 aircraft air wing. 10+ nuclear submarine ( 5 SSBN + 5 SSN ) , 16+ ssk. ( Scorpion + 75i included) .

Much more powerful and capable than french or UK navy. Clearly in a league of its own.

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

What's the current strength of major ships?

Moreover, how would it fare against Japanese and Russian navies?

 

[IndianHawk]

What's the current strength of major ships?

Moreover, how would it fare against Japanese and Russian navies?

1 aircraft carrier
1 amphibious transport dock
8 landing ship tanks
11 destroyers
13 frigates
22 corvettes
1 mine countermeasure vessel
2 nuclear submarines
14 diesel submarines
29 patrol vessels
4 replenishment oilers

This is as of march 2018 on wiki.

100+ ships by this excluding auxiliary ships.

What we know incoming are
1 more aircraft carriers.
4 more SSBN already building or on trial.
6 kalvari class ssk.
3 Visakhapatnam destroyers.
4 grigorovich frigate.
16 shallow water anti submarine corvette.

What's on design / planning stage
6 SSN. + 6 75i submarine + 4 LHD + new tankers with turkey collaboration.
Follow on of shivalik class.

All an all we are adding very powerful capital assets.


Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[Indx TechStyle]

1 aircraft carrier
1 amphibious transport dock
8 landing ship tanks
11 destroyers
13 frigates
22 corvettes
1 mine countermeasure vessel
2 nuclear submarines
14 diesel submarines
29 patrol vessels
4 replenishment oilers

This is as of march 2018 on wiki.

100+ ships by this excluding auxiliary ships.

What we know incoming are
1 more aircraft carriers.
4 more SSBN already building or on trial.
6 kalvari class ssk.
3 Visakhapatnam destroyers.
4 grigorovich frigate.
16 shallow water anti submarine corvette.

What's on design / planning stage
6 SSN. + 6 75i submarine + 4 LHD + new tankers with turkey collaboration.
Follow on of shivalik class.

All an all we are adding very powerful capital assets.


Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

I actually meant what are they counting as "212"?
This strength I can see counts to 106. So, we are going to double our Navy till 2027?

 

[IndianHawk]

What's the current strength of major ships?

Moreover, how would it fare against Japanese and Russian navies?

Now to compare with Japan Russia etc.

https://en.everybodywiki.com/List_of_navies_by_displacement
This link gives rough estimate of tonnage.

With almost 3 lakh ton displacement we are on par with UK France right now.
With Vikrant we will surpass France by quite a margin. UK will also add 2nd qe career but with nuke SSBN and SSN by 2030 we will leap ahead of UK comfortably.

Usa has 35 lakh ton displacement
Russia 10 lakh ton
China 10 lakh ton
Japan 4.7 lakh ton.

(All data 2018)

Russia has almost 5 lakh ton displacement in nuclear submarine alone. USA has 7 lakh ton while Japan has no nuke submarine.

We will leapfrog Japan by 2030 as Vikrant will add 40k displacement and 5 more SSBN + 6 SSN will add atleast 60k displacement adding more surface vessels + more SSK ( 75+ 75i) and we shall reach 4.5 ton displacement atleast but more deadly than Japan as Japan doesn't have fixed wing carriers or nuke submarines. We also have bramhos and are ahead of Japan in hypersonics.

And when third carrier Vishal jumps in it might add 1 lakh ton displacement in Carrier+ escort group easily.

Chinese are ahead in every dimensions specially in amphibious warfare . But other than USA no one has any ability to fight far from home.

China and Russia have no overseas bases to support major warfare there aircraft carriers are troubled and carrier air wing a failure ( both su33 and it's Chinese clone are useless )

They can send submarines but without air cover these submarine will be hunted down .

Conclusion: other than USA no one can challenge India in indian ocean . We have geographical advantage too which negates shortcomings of carriers or amphibious vessels.

Even then we have advantage over china as we have access to both Russian and western technology.
We have bramhos and p8i with harpoon and mk54 tarpedo. Our jaguar carry Harpoon too.
Su30 MKI + bramhos can make even American carriers to remain 1500km away from Indian shore. Bramhos Ng is coming . Barak Sam is better than anything Chinese so are Israeli radars on India warship.

Plus we have advantage of regular practice with usa and Japan with Malabar exercise.

New addition will add more teeth. Romeo mh60 + more p8i + sea guardian.

So despite smaller size we have quite an upper hand over china in Indian Ocean although we don't have any capacity to operate in South China sea unless we work under US umbrella.



Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[IndianHawk]

I actually meant what are they counting as "212"?
This strength I can see counts to 106. So, we are going to double our Navy till 2027?

They are probably counting auxiliary ships too.
As they said they will have 150 ships navy by 2019. It's here already.

Sent from my C103 using Tapatalk

 

[bhramos]

Indian Navy is set to commission the fifth Dornier Aircraft Squadron, Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313 at Chennai on 22 July. CNS Admiral Karambir Singh to do the honours.

 

[WolfPack86]

Yes, @HALHQBLR still builds the Chetak/Alouette III. Here’s a brand new one just handed over to the @IndianNavy ahead of schedule on a 2017 order for 8 airframes. The 111 NUH program looks to replace all Chetaks in naval service.

 

[bhramos]

IN MiG-29 takeoff straight up into the Sun !!!

 

[bhramos]

Kamov, Seaking and Chetak helicopters in formation.

 

[Anikastha]

Kamov, Seaking and Chetak helicopters in formation.

i bet this is vizag...........
00000000000000000000000000

 

[Babloo Singh]

Niyazi Chikened Out.... Nuclear Takat will go to every country to plead....

 

[Babloo Singh]

Niyazi Chikened Out.... Nuclear Takat will go to every country to plead....

Sahbaz Sharif now on " hum ney aya chudiyan pahni hain" putting pressure on Bajwa & Co.

 

[Babloo Singh]

Sahbaz Sharif now on " hum ney aya chudiyan pahni hain" putting pressure on Bajwa & Co.

TV Channels in Pakistan, switched to other news when Sahbaz Sharif became too hot for PAK Army...