Indian Navy Developments & Discussions

sorcerer

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GRSE Lays Keel of 3rd Ship of Prestigious Project 17A Advanced Stealth Frigate



Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) achieved a major milestone with 'laying of the Keel' of Yard 3024 a ship of the Advanced Stealth Frigate Project, P 17A. As per GRSE tradition, the Keel was laid by a senior operative Shri. Mithailal Pasi, Structural Fitter of Shipbuilding Shop at the Main Works Unit of GRSE, in the august presence of Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy and Rear Admiral GK Harish, VSM, Director General of Naval Design. The occasion was graced by Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, Cmde. Sanjeev Nayyar, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), Cmde. PR Hari, IN (Retd), Director (Personnel) and Shri. RK Dash, Director (Finance)and other senior officials of the Indian Navy and GRSE.

The contract for construction of three Stealth Frigates under Project 17A is the largest ever order awarded to the shipyard by the Ministry of Defence with a value of over Rs.19293 crores. The shipyard despite all challenges amid Covid - 19 pandemic, launched 1st ship of P17A Stealth Frigate "INS Himgiri" ahead of schedule on 14 Dec 20. The Keel laying of Yard 3024 has also been achieved ahead of schedule. It is important to note that the Keels for both 1st & 2nd ships viz, Yard 3022 and Yard 3023 were also laid ahead of schedule on 10 Nov 18 and 24 Jan 20 respectively.

The important milestones of ship building involve the process of Cutting of steel which is called the 'Start Production' stage followed by 'Keel laying' subsequent to which, the other blocks are built around the keel block. The next phase is launching, when the Ship is placed in water for the first time, Subsequently, the ship is outfitted with equipment and systems post launch, followed by trials of equipment. On completion of all trials and once the compartments are ready, the ship is delivered to customer.

P17A ships shall be the most advanced state-of-the-art Guided Missile Frigates, 149 m long, with a displacement of approximately 6670 T and advanced CODOG Propulsion enabling speed of over 28 knots. These complex platforms are equipped with a powerful weapon & sensor package capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of Air, Surface & Sub-surface. P17A Stealth Frigates are being built using Integrated Construction Methodology with enhanced pre-outfitting to enhance quality and reduce build periods. M/s Fincantieri, Italy is the Knowhow Provider for Technology Upgrade and Capability Enhancement in this project. An advanced PDM-PLM system is being implemented at GRSE to manage the project over its life cycle.

Since its takeover by the Government of India in 1960, GRSE has delivered high end warships ranging from Fast Patrol Vessels, Survey Vessels, Landing Ship Tanks, Landing Craft Utility, Fleet Tanker to Frigates and Missile/ASW Corvettes. The shipyard has made a significant advancement towards self-reliance in state-of-the-art warship design and construction and furthered 'Atmanirbhar' abhiyaan by achieving over 90% indigenous content onboard ASW Corvettes and Landing Craft Utility ships. Having modernised its infrastructure facilities, today GRSE is in a position to construct 20 warships concurrently using Advanced Modular Integrated Shipbuilding Technology in line with the best in the world.

GRSE's Design Unit has been recognized by Dept. of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR). The complete designs of LCUs, Water Jet FACs, Survey Vessel (Large) and ASW - SWCs have been developed by the 100+ member Strong Design Team. The 3D Virtual Reality Lab at GRSE aids in identification of Design/ Construction issues at early Design Stage. GRSE has proven design capabilities to integrate systems onboard its platforms to meet specific needs of its customers.

GRSE is currently executing two more major projects of Indian Navy pertaining to construction of 04 Survey Vessel Large ships and 08 ASWSWC ships apart from the 03 P17A ships. The Shipyard also received an Export Order from Govt of Guyana for Design, Construction and Delivery of 01 Ocean Going Passenger cum Cargo Ferry Vessel and delivered FPV "SGPS Zoroaster" to Govt. of Seychelles. With proven export credentials backed by a healthy order book, the shipyard is well on its way to realise its vision of being a global leader in shipbuilding!

Shares of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd was last trading in BSE at Rs.203 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 208.1. The total number of shares traded during the day was 14718 in over 389 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 213.35 and intraday low of 200.35. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 3053073.​
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Navy pilots to train on Anti-submarine helicopters in the US; MH-60R Seahawks to arrive soon
Soon a team of Indian Navy pilots and ground staff will leave for the US to be trained for the new helicopters the navy is expected to receive later this year. The Indian Navy is expected to receive the first batch of MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters from the US-based Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin later this year. Sources have told the Financial Express Online that, “A letter has been received from the US based company inviting the pilots and ground staff for training. The number of pilots and the ground crew has yet to be decided. The training was to take place last year. However, due to the global pandemic of Coronavirus and the subsequent shutdown delayed this process.

“Now, as the world is opening up gradually, the training process will start,” the sources added.

When are the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters arriving?

The first three out 24 MH-60R Seahawks are expected to be delivered between June – September, 2021. Will these be handed over to the Indian Embassy in the US and used for training of the pilots, is being worked out.

Sources who are familiar with the process confirmed “Some of these helicopters will be used for training before they fly to India. The original timeline for the delivery is expected to be followed.”

The whole process had to be put on hold due to the global shut down. The deal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) last year in February before the former US President Donald Trump’s visit to India.

This deal for 24 helicopters is through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for approximately $ 2.6 billion and is expected to help the Indian Navy to play a critical role in the Indian Ocean.

More about MH-60Rs `Romeos’ Helicopters

These are fourth-generation MH-60Rs `Romeos’ helicopters which the Indian Navy will get.

They will come loaded with torpedoes and missiles. These missiles can be used in anti-submarine roles. Though there is still no clarity on the off-sets, according to sources, there is a 30 per cent offset clause as well.

The package for India includes training, spares and air-to-ground weapons and support.

From the time the contract will be signed, in five years the delivery of 24 machines will be completed.

These machines which are going to replace the British Sea King helicopters received government approval in 2018 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). As has been reported earlier, through a competitive process earlier 16 helicopters were to be procured and there was an optional clause for eight more. However that fell through and the deal was cancelled over the pricing and other issues.

Later a fresh tender was floated for 24 MH-60R helicopters. And, this was processed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.

Eye in the Sky

Combined with the P8-I which the Indian Navy is already operating, the Indian Navy’s submarine hunting will grow stronger when combined with these helicopters and the Sea Guardian Drones which are also being operated by the navy.

Modifications

The first three helicopters which India will receive is going to be modified to the initial Indian configuration by the US based Lockheed Martin Company. According to an earlier statement which was issued by the Pentagon, the modification work will be carried out in Owego, New York; and Stratford, Connecticut, based facilities.

India will receive three new (undelivered) MH-60R helicopters which were meant for the US Navy and Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems (LM RMS) will integrate and install an India MH-60R System Configuration USN Government Furnished aircraft.

The helicopter is a naval version of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family and the most significant modifications include the folding main rotor. And the modification will also include a hinged tail, this will reduce the footprint aboard ships.

These can handle not only anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW) operations, but they have the capability of being used in naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, vertical replenishment (VERTREP), search and rescue (SAR), as well as combat search and rescue (CSAR), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
 

Gessler

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Can we design a LPD based on this ship design?
If we can design a 40,000 ton carrier then LHDs, LPDs, Oilers etc. are pieces of cake.

No idea why MoD/IN wants a foreign design for MRSV...could just tell DND to downsize the Vikrant, eliminate the angled flight deck & ski-jump, add a well deck. Give production contract to L&T Kattupalli.

No idea what's going on.
 

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