Indian Navy Developments & Discussions

[aditya g]

when did IN get Mk.3 Dhruvs?.........................

 

[Anupu]

India Crafts Naval Technology Plan

NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy has finalized a plan to acquire 100 cutting-edge technologies in the next 15 years to build its war-fighting capabilities, but how realistic that will be is a million-dollar question.

The 15-year prospective plan unveiled last month calls for acquiring a range of futuristic technologies. These include naval missiles and guns, propulsion and power generation, surveillance and detection systems, torpedoes and directed energy weapons, submarines and anti-submarine warfare systems, naval aviation, network-centric warfare and combat management systems.

"By 2027, we want 200 warships and around 600 aerial assets, hypersonic and loitering missiles, and laser weapons," said Rear Adm. Dinesh Tripathi, the Indian Navy's assistant chief of naval staff for policy and plans.

The navy has 138 warships and submarines and about 230 aerial assets, he said.

"In addition, we need to reduce import content for our sensors and weapons and need a high-range of hypersonic and loitering missiles and laser and directed energy weapons," Tripathi added.

Future naval technologies will be built domestically under the "Make in India" a "Indigenization" categories.

The Make in India policy encourages foreign defense companies to collaborate with Indian companies to set up manufacturing facilities for transfer and absorption of cutting-edge manufacturing technology. This is intended to boost jobs and skill development in the country.

The Indigenization policy is largely meant for domestic [defense] companies, encouraging them to develop products that are currently sourced through imports.

Analysts are divided about how this will work.

"It is true that whereas weapons and sensors and their associated software suites are concerned, there has been sub-optimal indigenization," said Pradeep Chauhan, a retired Indian Navy vice admiral.

Several electronic warfare suites, including Ajanta, Ellora and Porpoise, all of which are fitted on the Navy's latest frontline surface, airborne and subsurface combatants, and which are designed to detect the presence of enemy combatants without disclosing one's position or identity, are an unqualified success, he said.

Likewise, the Indian Navy's family of advanced underwater-sensors, including Advanced Panoramic Sonar Hull mounted (APSOH), Hullmounted Sonar Advanced (HUMSA) and USHUS, are a huge success.

"In the future, high-definition radars, sonars, infra-red seeker and electronic warfare suites will be required," said Birinder Singh Randhawa, retired Indian Navy vice admiral said.

"Immediately, larger-caliber guns, 127mm and anti-missile guns (Vulcan Phalanx type), extended range and guided munitions would also be required. To start with these would need to be built under license," Randhawa said.

Chauhan further argues that the future cannot be assured by resting upon past success, particularly since both government and private industry spent pathetically small amounts of money on research and development.

To build future naval war-fighting capabilities, Chauhan said, the navy will need to acquire disruptive technologies, including electromagnetic rail guns and kinetic energy projectiles; laser-directed weapons, weapon-control systems and communication suites; hypersonic missiles and space planes; blue-green lasers for submarine detection; directed-energy weapons; autonomous advanced drones and unmanned combat vehicles that are truly autonomous and fusion-based power sources.

"However, aviation-based R&D in India has been particularly poorly funded and overseen," Chauhan said. "The only way that new naval aviation assets — such as carrier-borne fixed-wing aircraft, ship-borne multirole rotary-wing aircraft, ship/carrier-launched-and-recovered UAVs and UCAVs can be meaningfully built in India is through the Make in India program."

As regards the network-centric warfare capabilities, Randhawa said the building blocks are in place; data links are produced indigenously, and a naval communication satellite is in place. The capability can be built on and foreign collaboration may be resorted to for initial catch-up.

"The Indian Navy will also require directed energy weapons and laser weapon systems, Chauhan said. "The short-term answer is to exploit the potential of the 'Make in India' policy initiative. The long-term answer is to invest heavily in highly paying R&D."

 

[garg_bharat]

L&T Corvette Design


-------------------------------

This is the ship we should be producing in large numbers for protection of EEZ from foreign subs.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India Crafts Naval Technology Plan

In my personal speculatios, watching current projects
Destroyers - 20-25
Frigates -20
Submarines (Conventional and Nuclear) ~40-42
Out of which, Nuclear Submarines ~10-12
Aircraft Carriers- 3-4
Laser and Directed Energy Weapons(DEWs)
Not a big deal, will be prepared in a decade. For army, Air Force and Navy.
Go through this entire thread.
Indian Laser Weapon and Directed Energy Weapon(DEW) Thread | Indian Defence Forum

 

[Indx TechStyle]

4 Indian Ships To Take Part In Exercise With Us, Japan

INS Trikand, incorporates innovative stealth technologies to reduce her radar cross-section, infrared and magnetic signatures, as well as radiated underwater noise
Four ships of the Indian Navy will participate along with vessels from the US and Japan in an exercise to be held off the Japan coast in June.

The Malabar exercise is set to take place off Okinawa island -- roughly 640 km south of the rest of Japan, and around the same distance off the coast of China -- in the second half of June, official sources said on Tuesday.

The Indian fleet will include two stealth frigates, one tanker and a corvette, along with helicopters.

INS Trishul Stealth Frigate

Malabar is a joint exercise between India and the US, and now has Japan as a permanent partner.

In 2007, Australia was included along with Japan in the exercise. An outlash from China led to its withdrawal. Last year, Australia again expressed interest in participating in the Malabar exercise.

On his visit to India, Commander of the Pacific Fleet of US Navy Admiral Scott Swift had said Australia was welcome, adding that the approach to the exercise should be "inclusive".

The admiral said China's objection to the inclusion of Australia earlier was also "fine", as it was not participating in the exercise itself.

Source>>

 

[MKM]

In my personal speculatios, watching current projects
Destroyers - 20-25
Frigates -20
Submarines (Conventional and Nuclear) ~40-42
Out of which, Nuclear Submarines ~10-12
Aircraft Carriers- 3-4
Laser and Directed Energy Weapons(DEWs)
Not a big deal, will be prepared in a decade. For army, Air Force and Navy.
Go through this entire thread.
Indian Laser Weapon and Directed Energy Weapon(DEW) Thread | Indian Defence Forum

In my personal speculations, watching current projects
Destroyers - 15-20(All P15B will be ready only by 2024, may be 3-5 additional )
Frigates - 20-30(14 current+7 P17A+ 4 Talwar/P17A additional+3-5 additional - 2 Godavari-class)
Big corvettes- 12 P28A + 10-25 NGMV
Small corvettes- 20-30
Submarines (Conventional and Nuclear) ~30-35(6-8 SSBN + 6 SSN + 9-12 Kalvari-class+6 P75I by 2030)
Out of which, Nuclear Submarines ~12-14 by 2030
Aircraft Carriers- 3-4
LHDs - 4+
Laser and Directed Energy Weapons(DEWs)

 

[Indx TechStyle]

In my personal speculations, watching current projects
Destroyers - 15-20(All P15B will be ready only by 2024, may be 3-5 additional )
Frigates - 20-30(14 current+7 P17A+ 4 Talwar/P17A additional+3-5 additional - 2 Godavari-class)
Big corvettes- 12 P28A + 10-25 NGMV
Small corvettes- 20-30
Submarines (Conventional and Nuclear) ~30-35(6-8 SSBN + 6 SSN + 9-12 Kalvari-class+6 P75I by 2030)
Out of which, Nuclear Submarines ~12-14 by 2030
Aircraft Carriers- 3-4
LHDs - 4+
Laser and Directed Energy Weapons(DEWs)

Well, there's other destroyer project known underway to be started in next decade.
Anyway, did you check Laser Weapon Thread whose link I provided? :biggrin2:
Lasers and DEWs will be ready to induct around 2025.

 

[MKM]

Well, there's other destroyer project known underway to be started in next decade.
Anyway, did you check Laser Weapon Thread whose link I provided? :biggrin2:
Lasers and DEWs will be ready to induct around 2025.

About Destroyers
5 Rajput class - 0
3 Delhi Class - 3
2 Kolkata class - 3
4 P15B class - 4
So by current it's only 10 in 2024.
I am not following DEW thread until it's inducted, neither saying no but there is 11 years for 2027 to come so I'm positive.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

About Destroyers
5 Rajput class - 0
3 Delhi Class - 3
2 Kolkata class - 3
4 P15B class - 4
So by current it's only 10 in 2024.
I am not following DEW thread until it's inducted, neither saying no but there is 11 years for 2027 to come so I'm positive.

There have beem rumours of project 18 class destroyers on 3 different forums. So, decided to inform you here as well.
Other question:
Should we make LCS(Littoral Combat Ships)? :biggrin2:

 

[MKM]

There have beem rumours of project 18 class destroyers on 3 different forums. So, decided to inform you here as well.
Other question:
Should we make LCS(Littoral Combat Ships)? :biggrin2:

I know about rumours of P18 but until it's confirmed we can't count that, So IN have plans for only 10 destroyers till 2024.

I think we shouldn't make LCS like US navy, it's good to make high speed ships as LCS have top speed of more than 45 kn, it will be very good for IN, but again LCS aren't equiped with good offensive weapons.
Again LCS are too expensive.
I think P28 is almost like LCS where P28 have torpedos & LCS have more gunnes & helfire missiles.
I think first IN should replace older ships & submarines.
After that can be MRSVs.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I know about rumours of P18 but until it's confirmed we can't count that, So IN have plans for only 10 destroyers till 2024.

But we're trying to predict till 2030. Surely, more destroyers will be inducted between 2024 and 2030.
Wouldn't be? :biggrin2:

 

[MKM]

But we're trying to predict till 2030. Surely, more destroyers will be inducted between 2024 and 2030.
Wouldn't be? :biggrin2:

I'm not talking about that, we can predict that a follow on P15B can start even before 2020.
But I was predicting on current projects, just think IN announces that number of P18B is going to be 6 which can be built by 2024, then also number increases.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India’s Submarine Modernisation Plans
Abhijit Singh
May 05, 2016

India’s submarine modernisation plans have long been a subject of conjecture and debate in the Indian strategic affairs community. After an August 2013 explosion gutted the INS Sindhurakshak – the Navy’s premier Kilo class submarine – there has been much introspection over the depleting status of its submarine arm. Unfortunately, with the Navy unable to stick to scheduled timelines in the Scorpene programme – its principal submarine project – all talk of revamping the submarine arm has sounded hollow.

Last week, however, brought some cheery news. As Kalvari, India’s first indigenous stealth submarine, commenced sea-trails outside Mumbai Harbour, there was renewed optimism among naval managers. The Kalvari is the first of six Scorpene-class submarines being built under the much-delayed Project-75. Its sail-around was widely seen as an important step forward in meeting the September 2016 target for the submarine’s commissioning.

Despite the absence of its "primary weapon" – ‘Black-Shark’ torpedoes – the Kalvari’s presence in the open seas emphasized India’s efforts at rejuvenating its indigenous submarine production programme. While the project has faced long delays, naval technicians and project-managers have worked tirelessly to meet construction deadlines. Kalvari’s appearance in the open seas last week consequently created new hope for India’s submarine ambitions.

The cheery tidings aren’t limited to the conventional submarine programme. Indian maritime watchers are pleased with the impending induction of the first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, the Arihant. Having cleared its diving trials and missile tests, the Arihant could soon be commissioned into the fleet as India’s first nuclear ballistic missile platform (SSBN). At 6,000-tons of displacement, the new submarine is a unique technology demonstrator and showcases the best of Indian naval design capability. Even though it draws heavily from Russian technology and has a limited ballistic missile capability (its twelve indigenous K-15 Sagarika missiles have a range of only 700 kms) the Arihant’s commissioning is a milestone for Indian designers who have worked tirelessly for years to refine procedures for the submarine’s construction.

Needless to say, the prospects of the induction this year of two submarines – one conventional, the other nuclear ballistic – has caused a fair bit of curiosity about the Navy’s proposed submarine force structure, particularly in the wake of reports that India has been exploring the possibility of manufacturing nuclear attack (SSNs) submarines. At an international seminar in New Delhi a few days ago, a participant wondered why the Navy was continuing with its dependence on conventional submarines when most advanced navies have shifted to all-nuclear submarine forces.

Indeed, there has been a long-running debate in the Navy about the inherent attributes of an all-nuclear undersea arsenal. Notwithstanding the distinct advantages that nuclear submarines (SSNs) enjoy over their conventional counterparts (SSKs), an all-nuclear Indian submarine force, in the Indian context, is an essentially flawed idea. This is because a conventional submarine offers benefits in littoral waters that more than adequately offset its most glaring constraint – limited operating endurance. A diesel electric submarine’s biggest advantage is that it has a smaller hull that is easier to manoeuvre in shallow waters and harder to detect. The fact that it costs a fraction of the price for a typical nuclear submarine makes a diesel electric an irresistible proposition for a mid-sized navy. Its attractiveness is only enhanced by the ease of operation and the absence of the risk of dangerous nuclear leaks. Simply put, developing maritime states like India cannot afford to overlook the practical utility and effectiveness of an SSK in South Asia’s littoral spaces.

That said, nuclear submarines confer an edge to a fighting force that diesel electrics find difficult to match. The fact that SSNs are bigger, tougher, more heavily armed and longer-ranged than conventional submarines makes them indispensable assets. They can also perform functions that diesel-electric submarines generally cannot – like cross an ocean underwater and at high speed or remain submerged for weeks outside critical littoral spaces. The powerful weapons and sensors they host far outweigh the combat capabilities of conventional submarines.

In 1999, when the Navy first proposed a 30 year building plan for the construction of 24 submarines, it did not intend constructing nuclear attack submarines. The plan then was to construct six submarines each with Western and Eastern-stream technology in the initial phase, before undertaking the development of 12 conventional submarines of an indigenous design. Unfortunately, the plan failed to take off as intended. Many reasons have been attributed for the lack of success in its implementation: the apparent lack of funds, strong divisions within the Navy over the proposal for a mix of conventional and nuclear submarines, and the apparent absence of visionary leadership. Whatever be the reasons for its initial failure, New Delhi is now making up for lost time and opportunity by combining its ongoing construction of conventional submarines with a proposal to build six nuclear attack submarines.

Notably, barring some top-tier navies such as those of the US, UK and France, no other submarine operating force has completely done away with conventional submarines. While the SSK’s simple advantages like ease and quietness of operations have been a factor of interest, the past few years have seen technological advances that have helped diesel electrics overcome their traditional disadvantage of less submerged time before surfacing to charge batteries. Air independent Propulsion technology and fuel cells have made it possible for conventional submarines to remain underwater much longer than earlier.

Not surprisingly then, navies today prefer a combination of nuclear and conventional submarines, with each class filling in a specific role. Increasingly, modern maritime forces deploy advanced non-nuclear submarines like the German Type 214 for sensitive operations. Some European navies, like the Norwegian Navy, have prioritized procurement of non-nuclear submarines to carry out specific tasks, such as protecting the Arctic’s fringes. Expectedly, there have been offers to partner the Indian Navy in developing the design of the new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The US has made an expression of interest, though New Delhi is said to have its heart set on the new Baracuda SSN being developed by the French firm DCNS. Meanwhile, reports that New Delhi has approached Moscow for the lease of a second Akula class submarine (after the INS Chakra) has caused speculation of another India-Russia collaborative venture for the construction of SSNs.

India’s choice of partners for its tactical submarines, however, is independent of its efforts to develop a nuclear ballistic missile submarine. A cherished endeavour of the Indian defence scientific community for over two decades, New Delhi has invested a great deal of financial and political capital in making the dream a reality. After the Arihant, three more submarines in the same class are currently under construction at the shipyards in Visakhapatnam. There are plans for a fifth submarine that will incorporate improvements over the lead boat. While India’s “No first use” nuclear policy mandates the establishment of a “triad” of air, sea and land deterrence capabilities, policy makers and strategic experts appear convinced that the sea-based leg is the most survivable component.

Looking ahead, India’s future submarine fleet operations are likely to involve SSKs and SSNs operating in the littoral spaces, in a strategic environment sanitized and protected by SSBNs. If New Delhi can ensure compliance with present construction deadlines, it could put its submarine modernization plans back on track.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Indian naval vessels to make port of call in Dubai - Khaleej Times

Three Indian naval vessels - the Deepak, Tarkash and Delhi - will visit Dubai from May 7 to 10.

The ships are part of the Indian Navy's Western Naval Command based in Mumbai, and will be on a month-long deployment to the Arabian Gulf to enhance bilateral ties with friendly regional navies.

During the visit, the ships will have professional interactions with local defence forces aimed at enhancing cooperation and sharing experiences of naval operations including disaster management and the fight against maritime terrorism and piracy.

Currently, the Indian navy is the largest resident navy in the Indian Ocean region, with capabilities including aircraft carriers, submarines, aircraft and marine commandos. The overwhelming majority of its vessels are designed and constructed in India.

Maritime cooperation between India and the UAE has increased steadily in recent years, and there are frequent port visits by ships of both countries.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India Increased Air Assets at Port Blair Prior to 2016
May 7, 2016 By Chris Biggers

DigitalGlobe satellite imagery acquired on 10JAN2016 shows a Dornier 228 (left) and a P-8I Neptune (right) at Port Blair.
India bolstered its air assets deployed to theAndaman and Nicobar island chain in 2015, recently obtained commercial satellite imagery confirms.

With Chinese conventional and nuclear submarines expanding patrols near the subcontinent—a common headline since 2009—India has stepped up the deployment of manned and unmanned assets to India’s strategic outpost in theBay of Bengal, or so the story goes.

In January, New Delhi officially announcedthat it would be sending two of its Indian Navy P-8I Neptune to complete a two-week deployment at the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The article, first published in the Times of India, quoted defence ministry sources.

Of course, what many don’t know is that satellite imagery of Port Blair has already shown the advanced aerial sub hunters touching down with regularity. Two were even observed at the station by December 2015. [1]

The US-built platform, expected to replace India’s ageing fleet of Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-142 turboprops, are based at Tamil Nadu’s INS Rajali. Both aircraft are subordinate to India’s Eastern Naval Command.

Sources in the country say the Naval Arm has received the 8th and final Neptune late last year fulfilling the original 2009 order. India also has plans to acquire four more which the Defence Ministry’s Defence Acquisition Council approved last July.

India became the first international customer of the aircraft with the initial order estimated at USD 2.1 billion. The orders are said to help strengthen US-India ties, though the South Asian giant has yet to sign several foundational agreements that would lead to greater interoperability.

DigitalGlobe satellite imagery acquired on 10JAN2016 shows an IAI Heron (left) parked on the apron at Port Blair.

Beyond the Neptune, other surveillance aircraft previously unreported were identified. A review of space snapshots from 2015 showed an IAI Heron parked on the apron throughout the year. It’s currently unknown how many are deployed.

The Heron, a long sought-after UAV for the island command, is a medium altitude, long endurance drone with a 400 km range. India is one of the largest operators of the Israeli-built platform and the world’s largest importer of UAVs.

January’s announcement also noted that the Indian Navy Searcher-II platform was dispatched to the archipelago. To date, available satellite imagery hasn’t captured the smaller UAV operating from the airbase. Though that’s not to say it’s not deployed: both Israeli-built platforms have been observed operating at other naval stations like INS Garuda in Kochi.

Comment

What’s particularly interesting is the timing of the January announcement which followed closely on the heels of the Pathankot air force station attacks. On 02JAN16, Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistani-backed group, launched a pre-dawn attack on the Punjab-based airbase killing 7 Indian security personnel and wounding another 22. It took Indian forces over 4 days to resolve the situation leaving many analysts critical of India’s handling of the situation.

Given what we know, there are a couple of conclusions that could be drawn. Firstly, we could take the January announcement at face value and say that telegraphing the deployment activity suggests that India is slowing pushing to operationalize a larger role for the neglected Andaman and Nicobar Command. While certainly a long term goal as India puts greater emphasis on “Looking East”, construction activity that would support a larger military presence has not been observed at this time.

Which leads to greater emphasis on our second conclusion. Given previous imagery observations, the existing deployments provided a strategic communication opportunity after the Pathankot episode. In this light, India chose to save face and bolster confidence that it can mitigate perceived threats whether from India’s east or west. While difficult to confirm, this isn’t a hard stretch. Pakistan and China remain all-weather allies and India’s security strategy focuses on a two front war.

Bottom Line

Regardless of conclusions, India needs to do more to bolster its capability in its immediate neighborhood. However, satellite imagery suggests India isn’t pushing toward that goal in the Andamans with any speed.

Notes

[1] Prior to India’s induction of the P-8I platform, the older IL-38 ASW platformwere noted at the airfield in 2012.

@pmaitra @sayareakd
Do we have more Heavy Bombers hidden?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Image Credit: REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade
Why India Needs Both Nuclear and Conventional Submarines
In an Indian context, an all-nuclear submarine force is an essentially flawed idea.
By Abhijit Singh
May 07, 2016

Last week, the Kalvari, India’s first indigenous stealth submarine’s sea trials outside Mumbai Harbour created considerable excitement in India’s maritime circles. The Kalvariis the first of India’s six submarines based on the Scorpene-class being built under the much-delayed Project 75. Its sail-around was widely seen as an important step forward in meeting the September 2016 target for the submarine’s commissioning.

Despite the absence of its “primary weapon” – the heavyweight “Black-Shark” torpedoes – the Kalvari’spresence in the open seas emphasized India’s efforts at rejuvenating its indigenous submarine production program. While the project has faced long delays, Indian naval technicians and project managers have worked tirelessly to meet construction deadlines. The Kalvari’s appearance in the open seas last week then created new hope for India’s submarine ambitions.

The cheery tidings aren’t limited to the conventional submarine program. Indian maritime watchers are pleased with the impending induction of the first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, theArihant. Having cleared its divingtrials and missile tests, the Arihant could soon be commissioned into the naval fleet as India’s first nuclear ballistic missile platform (SSBN). At 6000 tons displacement, the new submarine is a unique technology demonstrator and showcases the best of Indian naval design capability. Even though it draws heavily from Russian technology and has a limited ballistic missile capability (its twelve indigenous K-15 Sagarika missiles have a range of only 700 kilometers) the Arihant’s commissioning is a milestone for Indian designers who have worked tirelessly for years to refine procedures for the submarine’s construction.

Needless to say, the prospects of the induction this year of two submarines – one conventional, the other nuclear ballistic – has caused a fair bit of curiosity about the Indian Navy’s proposed submarine force structure, particularly in the wake of reports that India has been exploring the possibility of manufacturing nuclear attack (SSNs) submarines. At an international seminar in New Delhi recently, a participant wondered why the navy was continuing with its dependence on conventional submarines when most advanced navies had shifted to all-nuclear submarine forces.

Indeed, there has been a long-running debate within the Indian Navy about the inherent attributes of an all-nuclear undersea arsenal. Notwithstanding the distinct advantages that nuclear submarines (SSNs) enjoy over conventional subs (SSKs), however, an all-nuclear submarine force, in an Indian context, is an essentially flawed idea. This is because a conventional submarine offers benefits in littoral waters that more than adequately offset its most glaring constraint –limited operating endurance. A diesel electric sub’s biggest advantage is that it is smaller hull that is easier to maneuver in shallow waters and harder to detect. The fact that it costs a fraction of price of a typical nuclear sub, makes a diesel electric an irresistible proposition for a midsize navy. Its attractiveness is only enhanced by the ease of operation and the absence of the risk of dangerous nuclear leaks. Simply put, developing maritime states like India cannot afford to overlook the practical utility and effectiveness of an SSK in South Asia’s littoral spaces.

That said, nuclear submarines confer an edge to a fighting force that diesel electrics find difficult to match. The fact that SSNs are bigger, tougher, more heavily armed and longer-ranged than conventional subs makes them indispensable assets. They can also perform functions that diesel-electric subs generally cannot – like cross an ocean underwater and at high speed or remain submerged for weeks outside critical littoral spaces. The powerful weapons and sensors they host far outweigh the combat capabilities of conventional submarines.

In 1999, when the Indian Navy first proposed a 30-year plan for the construction of 24 submarines, it did not intend to build nuclear attack submarines. At the time, the plan was to construct six submarines each with Western- and Eastern-stream technology in the initial phase, before developing 12 conventional submarines of an indigenous design. Unfortunately, for New Delhi, the plan failed to take off as intended. Many factors have been blamed for this lack of success in implementation: the apparent lack of funds, strong divisions in the navy over a proposal for a mix of conventional and nuclear submarines, and the apparent absence of visionary leadership. Whatever the reasons for its initial failure, New Delhi is now making up for lost time and opportunity by combining its ongoing construction of conventional submarines with a proposal to build six nuclear attack submarines.

Notably, barring some top-tier navies such as the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and French Navy, no other submarine operating force has completely done away with conventional subs. While the simple advantages of SSKs like ease and quietness of operation have been factors of interest, the past few years have seen technological advances that have helped diesel electrics overcome their traditional disadvantage of less time submerged before surfacing to charge batteries. Air independent propulsion technology and fuel cells have made it possible for conventional submarines to remain underwater much longer that previously.

Not surprisingly then, navies today prefer a combination of nuclear and conventional submarines, with each class playing a specific role. Increasingly modern maritime forces deploy advanced non-nuclear subs like the German Type 214 for sensitive operations. Some European navies, like the Norwegian Navy, have prioritized procurement of non-nuclear submarines to carry out specific tasks, such as protecting the Arctic’s fringes. Unsurprisingly, there have been offers to partner the Indian Navy in developing the design of the new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The U.S. has made an expression of interest, though New Delhi is said to have its eyes set on the new Barracuda-class SSN being developed by the French firm DCNS. Following reports that New Delhi has approached Moscow for the lease of a second Akula-class (after the INS Chakra), there is also speculation of another collaborative venture with Russia for the construction of SSNs.

India’s choice of partners for its tactical submarines, however, is independent of its efforts to develop a nuclear ballistic missile submarine. A cherished endeavor of the Indian defense scientific community for over two decades, New Delhi has invested a great deal of financial and political capital in making the dream a reality. After the Arihant, three more submarines in the same class are currently under construction at the shipyards in Visakhapatnam. There are plans for a fifth submarine that will incorporate improvements over the lead boat. While India’s “No first use” nuclear policy mandates the establishment of “triad” of air, sea and land deterrence capabilities, policymakers and strategic experts appear convinced that the sea-based leg is the most survivablecomponent.

Looking ahead, India’s future submarine fleet operations are likely to involve SSKs and SSNs operating in the littoral spaces, in a strategic environment sanitized and protected by SSBNs. If New Delhi can ensure compliance with present construction deadlines, it could put its submarine modernization plans back on track.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Indian Navy launches the state-of-the-art harbour defence system in Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy has launched the state-of-the-art harbour defence systems, viz., integrated underwater harbour defence and surveillance system and mine warfare data centre, which would enhance the Navy’s surveillance capability and response to security threats at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam yesterday.

Vice admiral HCS Bisht, AVSM flag officer Commanding-In-Chief, Eastern Naval Command inaugurated the two systems.

The IUHDSS is a multi-sensor system capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and generating warnings for all types of surface and underwater threats to Visakhapatnam harbour.

Post 26/11, the Indian Navy was made responsible for the security of the country’s vast coastline of 7516 km in coordination with other agencies like Indian Coast Guard, Marine Police, fisheries, etc.

The creation of the Sagar Prahari Bal, induction of Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) and commissioning of the IUHDSS are some of the Navy’s measures to strengthen security.

While the MWDC will collate, analyse and classify data collected by the Navy’s Mine Hunting Ships from various ports along the East coast.

This state-of-the-art facility will be the nodal centre for maintaining an underwater information database of harbours along the East coast.

The Harbour Defence Systems will function under the control of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh), Commodore Sanjiv Issar.

 

[Rushil51]

http://idrw.org/ukraine-to-help-india-modernise-its-fleet/


Ukrainian state-run arms manufacturer UkrOboronProm announced it would construct engines and power units for Indian fleet. The relevant contract was signed between the corporation and the Ministry of Defence of India. UkrOboronProm reps informed, the deal was reached as a part of the Ukrainian-Indian agreement on the replacement of engines and gear boxes that had been taken out of service.

It was reported, the programme would be carried out over the course of two years. “We have successfully cooperated with India before. 30 ships in their fleet have been equipped with our engines. In the nearest future we are going to start to fully repair the engines used in their ships”, the message said. The corporation also reported, it had plans to sign several other contracts with India regarding the manufacture of modern weapons and vehicles. UkrOboronProm reps said , Indian companies were interested in developing joint projects in the field of aircraft manufacturing, radar and maritime surveillance systems, modernization of armored vehicles, air defense systems, development of target-seeking devices, as well as joint development of air-to-air missiles. Earlier UkrOboronProm reached an agreement with Turkey on joint development and production of radar stations.

 

[MKM]

First follow on waterjet fast attack craft (FOWJFAC) INS Tarmugli was handed over to navy on 15th April.

HINDUSTAN TIMES, NEW DELHI
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 ,2016

THE TIMES OF INDIA
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 ,2016

THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 21,2016

THE ECONOMIC TIMES
THURSDAY, APRIL 21,2016

HINDUSTAN TIMES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

DAINIK JAGRAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

PROBHAT KHABOR
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016

 

[Chinmoy]

Plan for nuclear-driven carrier with US help

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160516/jsp/nation/story_85943.jsp#.VzmFniG8rfY

Goa, May 15: India's navy has all but finalised plans for a nuclear-powered super-carrier, which is scheduled to be built in Kochi with US help.


In preparation for the long-gestation project, estimated for the year 2028, the navy is setting up the building blocks that will identify the aircraft to be based on the carrier, called the Vishal (to be pre-fixed with "INS" on commissioning).


Nuclear energy enables a carrier to sail for months without needing to dock for refuelling. The navy wants a nuclear-powered carrier for "longer sea legs", to enhance its reach beyond territorial waters.


It has determined that the carrier will need a nuclear reactor generating 180MW for propulsion, and may go for two reactors of 90MW each. Talks with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) are at an advanced stage.


The Vishal is being designed to be between 60,000 and 70,000 tonnes. (India's first carrier, the INS Vikrant, displaced 18,000 tonnes. The second, soon-to-be decommissioned INS Viraat, 24,000 tonnes. Both were of British origin. The operational INS Vikramaditya displaces 45,000 tonnes. It is of Russian origin.)


The navy has bolstered its case for a nuclear-powered carrier by citing the nuclear deals India has signed not only with the US but also with Japan and Germany, albeit for peaceful uses of nuclear technology.


The navy chief said in Goa earlier this week that the government was yet to freeze the design and specifications for the Vishal.


In official papers, the Vishal is described as the IAC (indigenous aircraft carrier) II. The IAC I, called the Vikrant after India's now-decommissioned first carrier, is due in 2018. It was launched in 2014.


"We are setting up the naval test flying team in INS Hansa to evaluate potential and future aircraft: to evaluate everything from aircraft to weapons," said Commodore Raghunath Nair, commanding officer of naval air station Hansa.


"The navy now has 240 aircraft but not enough infrastructure. We are finding an energetic response from the government to the plans."


The navy had invited preliminary inquiries from foreign entities for the design and development of the Vishal: DCNS of France, Rosoboronexport of Russia, Lockheed Martin of the US. Within the top brass, however, there is now a congealing of opinion that the US option may be the one to go after.


This is as much because of the technology regime that India promises to enter following the nuclear deals as because the US is actually operating carriers and building them, the latest being the Gerald R Ford class.


"We've practically written the carrier operations manual for the Russians," said one officer. He pointed to the Russian navy ordering the MiG29K fighter aircraft after India bought the planes from them.


The MiG29K are now operational with the INS Vikramaditya (the Admiral Gorshkov, which too was bought from Russia).


The Chinese, who also reconverted a Russian vessel to get their carrier, the Liaoning, are yet to commission the vessel.

"We have an institutionalised memory of carrier operations since 1961. Of this much we are sure - we are far ahead of the Russians and Chinese in carrier operations. But now it is time we go for the new carriers. And the US is practically the only one building them," the officer said.


India and the US have a joint working group on sharing, and possibly co-producing, the electromagnetic aircraft launch system that is going into the USS Gerald R Ford.


"In the Arihant (the Indian nuclear submarine now in sea trials) we have gained, with some Russian help, the ability to develop a reactor for our purpose. Barc is confident that it can build for the carrier too," the officer said.


In February, the US chief of naval operations, John Richardson, had said about talks with India that "we are making very good progress".


"I am very pleased with the progress to date and optimistic we can do more in the future. That's on a very solid track," Richardson had added.


The Indian navy is fairly certain that it does not want the indigenously built light combat aircraft (navy) for the Vishal. The IAC II has been planned as a catobar (catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery) that would launch aircraft with a catapult powered electromagnetically.


The only operational carrier now is the Vikramaditya. At 45,000 tonnes it has a flight deck that is still too small for the new dimensions of carrier operations the navy is envisaging from the Vishal, the officer said.


The light combat aircraft (navy) that has been in the making with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 25 years has only done ramp take-offs in trials so far and "no traps" (or arrested recovery) yet.


A possible fighter aircraft to be based on the Vishal would be in the category of an advanced medium combat aircraft that is being designed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.


But the navy believes the advanced medium combat aircraft too would need a foreign (western) partner to make the jump from the design to the series-production stage.