Indian Navy Developments & Discussions

[gogbot]

Navy refuses land for upgradation of Goa airport: Minister

New Delhi: Indian Navy has refused to give 51 acres of land sought by Airports Authority of India for upgradation of Dabolim Airport at Goa, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told Rajya Sabha today.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, he said AAI has sought 7.5 acres of additional land for extending the apron at the airport.

While the Indian Navy had in past given 31.946 acres to AAI, 2.52 acres out of 8.77 acres given by state government was being disputed by the Indian Navy, he said.

"Indian Navy has claimed that this 2.52 acres of the land which has been given to AAI by the Goa government belongs to Indian Navy and not to the state government," he said.

Patel said tender process for upgradation of Dabolim airport was underway and would be completed by end-May following which physical construction will start.

A second airport at Goa, which Patel said he personally felt was needed, has to be piloted by the state government. To a separate question, he said work on second phase of Jaipur airport expansion would begin in 2010.

The Minister said the Government does not decide on the routes of public sector or private carriers and it was purely a commercial decision of the airline.

Presently, international flightsto Dubai, Muscat and Sharjah, besides 19 domestic flights, operate from Jaipur, he said adding there was no plans before Air India to introduce more international flights from Jaipur.

Source:zeenews.com

You know the Indian Navy is being real jerk, as of late.

First they don't let Mumbai residents to have their own helicopters.
As a result Mukesh Ambani leaned he may have the worlds most expensive house but with no heli-pad.

Now they prevent construction of an airport.

What is it they have against civilian aviation

 

[nandu]

In a freak accident, the Navy guns down one of its own

It was a misfire that killed Anil Kumar Pradhan, a young sailor with the Western Naval Command. Official versions put it as a rarest of rare incident, but sources indicate a big operational faux pas on one of India's finest warships.

On March 12, Pradhan, onboard the INS Delhi in Visakhapatnam, came under fire from an anti-aircraft gun on another warship. The 12.5 mm bullet killed him on the spot.

More alarmingly, the mishap occurred on one of the Indian Navy's finest warships, INS Mumbai. "It's unbelievable that the incident took place on INS Mumbai. It is the finest warship with a battle hardened crew which simply can not commit any mistake," said a naval officer on the condition of anonymity.

"But the vital question is about the round which should not have been there in the anti-aircraft gun during the system check. It indicates towards gross negligence on part of the crew of the INS Mumbai. Thankfully, it was a single bullet, otherwise the gun, which is used to shoot down aircraft, would have caused massive damage to the crew and other systems of INS Delhi," said another officer .

The incident occured soon after the culmination of the joint exercise, Tropex 10, by all the three armed forces, off the Visakhapatnam coast-the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. "After the exercise was over, some of the ships had anchored at Vizag port and were scheduled to sail for their return passage to the base port, Mumbai," said a naval officer.

INS Mumbai and INS Delhi were anchored side by side and were scheduled to undergo final systems check before sailing. But apparently during the procedure, the anti-aircraft gun mounted on the deck of INS Mumbai fired accidentally. The bullet directly hit chief radio electrical artificer (equivalent to the rank of chief petty officer) Anil Kumar Pradhan, posted on INS Delhi, and killed him. "There is a procedure to check every single system on the warship before it sails for the high seas. During that exercise the anti-aircraft gun fired, which was loaded with one single round," the officer added.

Pradhan (31) was unmarried and is survived by his parents. He was a native of Sarangpur district in Orissa. Indian Navy spokesperson, Commander PVS Satish said: "A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to investigate the incident, but it's an extremely rare incident."

Navy officials also ruled out any doubts regarding the AK-360 anti-aircraft gun. "It's one of the most dependable guns with the Navy and this is the first such unfortunate incident related to it. The actual cause would be known only after the CoI. But it surely indicates towards a very serious blunder on the part of the crew and command of the INS Mumbai," said an officer.

Losing Good Men
It's not just the Indian Navy which has been robbed of good sailors by freak mishaps. On Sunday night, four Indian Army jawans lost their lives when an 81 mm mortar cell exploded at a firing range in Pokhran. A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered into the incident. The Navy lost two of its pilots earlier this month, when an aerobatic display plane crashed into a building in Hyderabad.

Source:NDTV

 

[NiketRC]

They are doing just in favor of national interest .

 

[Sridhar]

Antony to commission indigenously built OPV on Wednesday

BY : PTI
ICGS ‘VISHWAST’, first-of-its kind, indigenously designed Offshore Patrol Vessel will be commissioned by Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), one of the prominent defence shipbuilding yards, has built the ship which has state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipments.
The vessel, 90 meter in length, has an Integrated Bridge Systemand is also provided with Platform Management System, a GSL spokesman said.”Propelled by two MTU engines, this vessel delivers a maximum speed of 26 knots and has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles. The vessel is capable of operating an helicopter. The vessel is also equipped with a 30 mm gun to counter undesirable intruders,” he said.
This is the only vessel in this class in the world with a large range of facilities for Pollution Control, Fire Fighting, Search & Rescue and Patrolling, the spokesman added.

Indian Coast Guard would be using the ship for patrolling and policing maritime zones, search and rescue operation, maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling operation, pollution response against oil spillage and external fire-fighting.


http://idrw.org/?p=888

 

[Sridhar]

Northrop Grumman to Supply Integrated Bridge Systems for New Indian Navy Fleet Tankers

BY: Northrop Grumman Corporation PR
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to supply integrated bridge systems (IBS) for two new fleet tankers being built in Italy for the Indian Navy.
The IBS orders were placed with Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine unit by the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, which is under contract to build the two tankers at its shipyards in Liguria and Palermo. Terms of the contract for the IBS were not disclosed.
Each of the ships will be fitted with a complete Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT™ IBS, including radars, electronic chart display and information systems, adaptive self-tuning autopilots, gyrocompasses and repeaters, speed sensors, echosounders, differential GPS and other navigation subsystems and sensors. All critical systems have been duplicated for built-in redundancy and survivability. Sperry Marine will also supply the ship’s inertial navigation system and data distribution system, which will be interfaced with the combat management system.
Compagnia Generali Telemar S.p.A, Sperry Marine’s sales and service representative in Italy, will be responsible for the installing, commissioning, testing and technical support for the project.
“This important contract win builds on our longstanding relationship as a key supplier to the Indian Navy,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of International Naval Systems at Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division. “We are especially pleased to have this opportunity to work with Fincantieri on this major naval shipbuilding program.”
The 175-meter tankers are being built with double hulls to meet the International Maritime Organization’s requirements for marine pollution control. They are scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy in 2010-2011.
Northrop Grumman has a well-established relationship with India that spans more than 25 years and has an office in New Delhi.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.


http://idrw.org/?p=883

 

[Sridhar]

In a freak accident, the Navy guns down one of its own

BY : NDTV
It was a misfire that killed Anil Kumar Pradhan, a young sailor with the Western Naval Command. Official versions put it as a rarest of rare incident, but sources indicate a big operational faux pas on one of India’s finest warships.
On March 12, Pradhan, onboard the INS Delhi in Visakhapatnam, came under fire from an anti-aircraft gun on another warship. The 12.5 mm bullet killed him on the spot.
More alarmingly, the mishap occurred on one of the Indian Navy’s finest warships, INS Mumbai. “It’s unbelievable that the incident took place on INS Mumbai. It is the finest warship with a battle hardened crew which simply can not commit any mistake,” said a naval officer on the condition of anonymity.
“But the vital question is about the round which should not have been there in the anti-aircraft gun during the system check. It indicates towards gross negligence on part of the crew of the INS Mumbai. Thankfully, it was a single bullet, otherwise the gun, which is used to shoot down aircraft, would have caused massive damage to the crew and other systems of INS Delhi,” said another officer .
The incident occured soon after the culmination of the joint exercise, Tropex 10, by all the three armed forces, off the Visakhapatnam coast-the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. “After the exercise was over, some of the ships had anchored at Vizag port and were scheduled to sail for their return passage to the base port, Mumbai,” said a naval officer.
INS Mumbai and INS Delhi were anchored side by side and were scheduled to undergo final systems check before sailing. But apparently during the procedure, the anti-aircraft gun mounted on the deck of INS Mumbai fired accidentally. The bullet directly hit chief radio electrical artificer (equivalent to the rank of chief petty officer) Anil Kumar Pradhan, posted on INS Delhi, and killed him. “There is a procedure to check every single system on the warship before it sails for the high seas. During that exercise the anti-aircraft gun fired, which was loaded with one single round,” the officer added.
Pradhan (31) was unmarried and is survived by his parents. He was a native of Sarangpur district in Orissa. Indian Navy spokesperson, Commander PVS Satish said: “A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to investigate the incident, but it’s an extremely rare incident.”
Navy officials also ruled out any doubts regarding the AK-360 anti-aircraft gun. “It’s one of the most dependable guns with the Navy and this is the first such unfortunate incident related to it. The actual cause would be known only after the CoI. But it surely indicates towards a very serious blunder on the part of the crew and command of the INS Mumbai,” said an officer.
Losing Good Men
It’s not just the Indian Navy which has been robbed of good sailors by freak mishaps. On Sunday night, four Indian Army jawans lost their lives when an 81 mm mortar cell exploded at a firing range in Pokhran. A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered into the incident. The Navy lost two of its pilots earlier this month, when an aerobatic display plane crashed into a building in Hyderabad.


http://idrw.org/?p=880

 

[nandu]

First Indian round-the-world sailor braves 'furious' weather
(CNN) -- Furious winds, giant waves and lack of sleep have all plagued the journey of Dilip Donde, the first Indian to attempt sailing solo round-the-world.
But, Donde remains unruffled: The Indian navy commander hand picked by the Navy for the voyage told CNN he had anticipated the violent weather in the rough far southern waters that skim the Antarctic coast.
"Sailing through the Southern Ocean, it was bound to happen some time so I was expecting it, though that does not make it any more comfortable," he said. Donde set off in August 2009 and is hoping to reach Mumbai by mid-May.
Donde has blogged throughout his voyage, giving regular updates as well as breaking down various sailing jargon for the uninitiated, like the famous beaufort Scale .
The scale, is the international standard for determining wind speeds based on observable sea conditions, such as the height of waves. The scale goes from zero (no wind, glassy sea) to 12 (hurricane winds of over 100 kilometers per hour and "phenomenal" seas with waves that can sometimes reach above 17 meters).
And in the open ocean, often days away from help, these conditions also have a palpable psychological effect on a sailor's state of mind, according to Donde.
Sailors seek out the exhilaration that comes from sailing in strong winds -- just under 40 km/h is ideal -- but it's a fine line, and as winds get stronger, delight can be tinged with anxiety which can quickly turn into terror.
While on a brief stop in South Africa, 42-year-old Donde spoke to CNN about his own state of mind while at sea and how rough weather can affect it.
CNN: What has your most extreme day on the boat like?
I was sailing through winds gusting to 55 knots (101 km/h) and waves of up to nine meters high in the "furious fifties" through the Tasman sea between Australia and New Zealand.
Rounding Cape Horn was bad too with steep breaking waves, strong currents and winds gusting to 45 knots (83 km/h) in the "roaring forties." And, yes, it was bitterly cold in those latitudes.
Do you ever worry that you could be seriously injured?
The biggest worry when the sea is violent, is always falling off the boat. When the sea is dangerous, visibility is low and you get thrashed around. The boat is on auto-pilot so if you fall it continues alone. I wear a harness.
When you are going through bad weather all your attention is focused on keeping the boat in one piece ... so there is not much time to start thinking about death. If the boat is alive, you're alive.
That probably helps in keeping your mind focused and [away from] worrying unnecessarily about other things that may or may not happen.
How scary does the weather get?
When you are in the middle of nowhere there is little choice: One has but to keep going if the weather turns nasty, so you just grin and bear it, keep the boat safe and tell yourself that "this too shall pass."
But I have probably experienced all the states of mind except for "I want my mummy!" (see factbox) although it has come pretty close.
Do sailors secretly hope for giant waves and storms, because it makes the experience more exciting?
I don't think so. While you do hope for good winds, you always hope that the sail will be as uneventful as possible. Any sailor will try his best to avoid a storm.
Why do sailors constantly push themselves in to extreme situations?
Probably there is an element of thrill; of understanding oneself and the elements better. With long-distance sailing, like everything else in life, you get a package deal of good days and bad days.
It is wonderful to sail on a good sunny day with a clear sky and moderate breeze, and one has to be ready to suffer the bad weather as and when it comes. The good days more than make up for the bad ones.

 

[RPK]

Water wars

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Opinion | An eye on the coast


AN EYE ON THE COAST

WATER WARS
Given the present security concerns, the Indian navy must acquire a balanced fleet


Admiral Noman Bashir, brother of the Pakistani foreign secretary, Salman Bashir, who was in New Delhi to hold talks with India, recently said, “The Indian navy’s current force structure and future expansion plans reflect its hegemonic mindset to further flex its muscles and become a ‘blue water’ navy.”

Yes, India must have ‘blue water’ navy; but that is not a reflection of its “hegemonic mindset to further flex its muscles....” Bashir, despite being the navy chief, displayed a lamentable lack of knowledge and understanding of the naval situation in Asia.

Compared to Pakistan’s 567 nautical mile Arabian Sea coastline, India has a 4,104 nautical mile coastline with the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal. That makes India’s coastline, approximately, 7.23 times bigger than Pakistan’s. India, therefore, cannot afford to have a tiny navy with archaic machines to protect its territorial waters.

The differences in role, operation, tactical doctrine and deployment of these two naval forces need to be analysed carefully. According to Jane’s World Navies 2009, the Pakistani navy’s tactical doctrine includes, among other things, “aggressive deployment of submarines to destroy Indian navy’s major surface combatants”. In naval parlance, the Pakistani naval doctrine emphasizes “fleet-in-being”(guerrilla-warfare). Islamabad’s submarine assets would be a major factor in a combat with the Indian navy as the enemy carrier group would be extremely vulnerable to underwater operations within a limited combat radius. Understandably, therefore, the overall operational task of the Indian navy is daunting. However, India’s self-imposed diplomatic and defensive restraint does not allow its navy to go beyond limited sea-denial capability.

Theoretically, however, the Indian navy has the ability to undertake a two-fold role: sea control and sea denial, say up to 1,500 nautical miles from its operational base. Sea control is essentially about cooperation with littoral and other friendly navies. For sea denial, however, submarine and anti-submarine capabilities would be essential to counter any hostile manoeuvre by non-littoral fighting ships. Being larger and more populous, India has its own share of problems, given the hostile environment. It is imperative that the Indian navy pre-empts hostile guerrillas in sea and secures the shore.

The Indian navy’s vision of a “force architecture centred around 140 to 145 vessels by 2020”, of which “more than half will be ocean-going and the remainder assigned to coastal duties”, makes a lot of sense. The only caveat should be to have more indigenous warships on the naval inventory. With the growing threat of piracy, the rapid modernization of the Chinese navy and Islamabad’s fleet-in-being acquisitions, it is now time for some restructuring in the Indian navy. A balanced naval force, consisting of missile destroyers, frigates and corvettes, based on at least two aircraft carrier battle groups, supplemented by submarines and aviation assets equipped with long-range, precision-guided weapons capable of anti-ship and land-attack missions, is compulsory.

Admiral Bashir would perhaps be better off managing Pakistan’s coastline instead of eyeing India’s shoreline.

 

[RPK]

http://publication.samachar.com/pub_article.php?id=8345237&nextids=8345237|8345238|8345239|8345240|8345241&nextIndex=1

India to buy French surveillance ships
Updated on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 23:45 IST Tags:Couach, French, Surveillance

Bordeaux: A French luxury yacht manufacturer announced today a USD 21-million contract to supply India with 15 coastal surveillance ships.

The deal with Couach shipping yards is thought to be part of India's efforts to bolster security over its waters after it accused Pakistani extremists behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai of travelling by sea.

Couach said the contract was for 15 ultra-fast 13-metre cutters and that the first three could be delivered in February 2011. Seven extra vessels could also be purchased.

 

[nandu]

Indian navy deploys INS Nirdeshak for hydrographic assistance to Mauritius

1. INS Nirdeshak set sail for Mauritius for a hydrographic survey mission on 17 Mar 10. The ship is likely to operate in Mauritian waters for about four weeks.
2. The deployment of INS Nirdeshak is in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mauritian government. During the last four years about ten hydrographic surveys have been conducted by the Indian Navy in Mauritian waters. Some of the important surveys undertaken include those for Mauritian capital Port Louis harbour, Port Mathurin in Rodrigues Island, Carajos Cargados Shoals and Agalega Island. It is noteworthy that before the survey by the Indian Navy, Agalega was last surveyed over 100 years ago.
3. In addition to hydrographic survey of important ports, harbours and designated sea areas around the islands, the MoU encompasses training of Mauritian hydrographic personnel at National Institute of Hydrography at Goa and provision of expertise for setting up of a hydrographic infrastructure at Mauritius.
4. As a result of the sustained hydrographic assistance, four navigational charts of Mauritian waters have been produced and handed over. This is likely to give a boost to their sea trade. The survey will also be assisting land based ocean industries being set up in Mauritius.
5. This survey will also include collection of supporting data for the continental shelf claims of Mauritius. Surveys related to the development of the tourism industry in the islands are also conducted.
6. The regular presence of Indian Naval survey ships in Mauritius has generated a swell of goodwill and further reinforced the strong links between the two countries. The crew of the survey ships have not only been involved in surveying unchartered waters but have also endeared themselves to the local populace by participating in community building exercises during their short visits to the harbour, providing assistance in reaching supplies to far flung islands and acting as goodwill ambassadors.
7. It may be recalled that Indian Naval Ship Nirdeshak was the last ship to visit Mauritius during March - April 2009. On her return passage to India the ship was diverted to Seychelles to demonstrate Indian Naval presence and to deter piracy in the region. During her deployment off Seychelles the ship was involved in the successful capture of nine pirates in an operation which was coordinated with Spanish frigate Numancia.

Source:eLAGAAN

 

[Sridhar]

Courtesy:Indian Navy.

 

[nandu]

Vikrant sails closer to new life

A full-fledged maritime museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier IMS Vikrant will finally see the light of day, with the state government likely to finalise the bids for the project by April. The government had announced a proposal to convert the Old Lady of the Indian Navy into a museum on the very day she was decommissioned, on January 31, 1997.

Manukumar Srivastava, secretary, urban development and special projects said, “Five bidders—HCC Infrastructure Ltd, Srei Infrastructure Ltd, Kalpataru Power, Dhoot Developers and Zoom Developers— were asked to submit financial bids after they qualified in the technical bids round. The project is being executed on the build-own-transfer basis and financial bids will be finalised before April 2010.’’

Maharashtra Urban Infrastructure Development Company Limited (MUINFRA)is implementing the project. Ajay Saxena, public-private-partnership expert and officer on special duty, MUINFRA, said, “The successful bidders will be given six months to achieve financial closure. We will give a time-frame of 36 months to the succesful bidder to complete work on the project.’’

The ship will grouted off Oyster Rock near the Radio Club alongside the Gateway of India. “A 1.5 km road, including the jetty, will be constructed to provide access to visitors to the museum which will be located on Deck 3 of the ship. The project has been designed in such a way that the visitor will be straightway led to the maritime museum once he enters the ship,’’ an official said.

The entire project is expected to cost approximately Rs 450 crore. And if all goes according to plan, the state government will not have to shell out any amount as viability gap funding for the project. Saxena said, “The bidders have been asked to submit two separate bids—for 35 years and 50 years. Bids for the 35-year-period will be opened first. A bidder willing to pay highest premium to the government, will qualify first for the project. If the bids are not satisfactory then bids for the 50-year-period will be opened. A bidder quoting a premium or seeking least sum of money as viability gap funding will have an edge in the qualification process.’’

The bidders are also expected to provide a modern security system, including a team to help evacuate people in an emergency or terrorist attack.

The IMS Vikrant has 2.60 lakh sq. feet of space, of which 50,000 sq feet has been earmarked exclusively for the museum. The remaining space can be commercially exploited by the bidder. Artefacts for the museum will be provided by the Indian Navy. “The navy have agreed to upgrade their artefacts every three years so as to keep visitors interested in the project.’’ A study carried out by the CRISIL estimates nearly 2,500 visitors may visit the museum daily.

Saxena further said, “The bidders will be allowed to commercially exploit the premises to earn revenue by opening retail outlets and eateries, with permission from the concerned department.’’ However, he clarified that the operator will not be allowed to open a casino or dance bar or anything prohibited by the law of the land.
As for entry fees, Saxena said the museum will be “for the common man and we will ensure that the bidder does not charge exorbitant entry fees”.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 

[youngindian]

India to showcase indigenous warship in Doha exhibition

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) Showcasing its ship-building prowess, the Indian Navy is sending its missile frigate INS Betwa to a maritime defence systems exhibition in Doha from March 28 to April 3.

"INS Betwa will represent India at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference 2010 in Qatar and showcase India's capability of building warships on its own," Navy officials said here.

India has indigenised and developed its shipbuilding capabilities and is now making big-size warships such as the 38,000 tonne Indigenous Aircraft Carrier also, they added.

Along with the Navy, the other significant Indian exhibitors at the show would be the BrahMos Aerospace Corporation and the Goa Shipyard Limited.

Pakistan is also participating in a big way in the show with its latest submarines and surface vessels such as the French-origin Agusta 70 B 'Khalid' submarine, Zulfiquar F-22P missile frigates and the Jalalat Fast Attack Craft.


http://www.ptinews.com/news/578625_India-to-showcase-indigenous-warship-in-Doha-exhibition

 

[RPK]

The Indian Navy invites applications from unmarried male candidates for Pilots in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. The Course will start from January 2011at the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, Kerala.

The Educational Qualifications is graduation with min 65% marks. Candidates should have qualified 10+2 level with Math & Physics at. The age limit is 19 – 23 years.

Short Service Commission (SSB) interviews for selected candidates will be started from Aug to Nov 2010 at

Bangalore. Applications should be sent to “POST BAG NO. 04, RK PURAM PO (MAIN), NEW DELHI – 110 066”.

For the detailed advertisement visit at the following link:

http://www.nausena-bharti.nic.in/DownLoads/officer/pilotengssc.pdf

 

[RAM]

Indian Navy delays sailing into new era of ‘invisible’ warships

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has once again deferred the induction of a new class of indigenously built stealth frigates, the latest in a series of delays stretching over five years.Once commissioned, the hard-to-detect warships will form a crucial component in India’s bid to build a blue-water navy capable of operating across oceans, defence analysts said. But the delays in induction reflect the need for “stronger political will” to carry the process through, analysts said.

INS Shivalik, the first of 12 Shivalik-class vessels, will be commissioned “by the second week of April,” said Parvez Panthaky, spokesperson of Mazagon Dock Ltd, which is building the ship in Mumbai. “The commissioning date is being finalized with the navy.” Two more Shivalik-class frigates, INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri, “will be commissioned within a few months of each other,” he said.

In January, when a model of the 4,800-tonne INS Shivalik was showcased in the Republic Day Parade, the navy had announced that the ship would be commissioned in March. The project, envisaged way back in 1997, was initially scheduled for commissioning in 2005.Stealth frigates have advanced features designed to reduce a warship’s signature.

“INS Shivalik has stealth features against radar and heat seekers,” a senior naval officer told Mint on condition of anonymity. “Its underwater signatures are also reduced through technical means.”

The navy already has three Talwar-class stealth frigates, bought from Russia. But the Shivalik-class vessels are being built entirely in India.Shivalik-class vessels have both air and anti-submarine capability and are fitted with a mix of Indian, Russian, Israeli and Western weapons. This includes Club anti-ship missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, Barak air and missile defence systems and RBU 6000 anti-submarine warfare rockets. They will carry two advanced helicopters each.Powered by gas and diesel turbines, the ships are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (55.5km) per hour. The cost of building each ship will be close to Rs2,500 crore, the officer said.Sweden and France were the original builders of stealth ships, followed by Russia. While most major navies are now buying the ships from those countries, India is among the few developing them on its own.

The Union cabinet approved the navy’s so-called Project 17 to construct the 12 stealth frigates almost 13 years ago. The navy ordered the first three vessels in 1999 and the construction of INS Shivalik was launched in 2003, while INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri began in 2004 and 2005, respectively.Deba Ranjan Mohanty, defence analyst and author of Arming the Indian Arsenal, said the Indian stealth frigates were on a par with the best in the world. But he added the navy needed at least 36 stealth frigates and destroyers in the next 10-15 years.

“Blue-water navies require longer reach. Frigates and destroyers are essential. We should be able to acquire two more aircraft carriers in the same period, and at least one of them should be indigenously built,” said Mohanty, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.The US, the UK, Russia and France are widely regarded as having true blue-water navies, while Italy, Spain, Canada, China and Australia have limited blue-water capabilities.Both Mohanty and the naval officer said the development of the frigates was “capability-oriented” or driven by India’s increasing maritime responsibilities and interests, rather than the result of a threat perception.

“India’s aspirations are a blend of both offensive and defensive capabilities—offensive for force projection and defensive for constructive purposes,” said Mohanty.The commissioning of INS Shivalik would raise eyebrows in Pakistan, which has no stealth frigates, and China, which has a fleet of around 30 such warships, he added.“China is very closely watching the development, though it won’t make any noise about it. We may hear some reactions from Pakistan,” Mohanty said.

He added Pakistan’s navy has been acquiring advanced submarines such as the Agosta 90B, and may also try to induct stealth frigates in future as a response to India’s soon-to-be-augmented capability.The Chinese and Pakistani missions in New Delhi declined to comment on the issue.The delay in INS Shivalik’s commissioning reflected the need for the defence agenda to remain constant, regardless of political change. “Priorities should be consistent,” he said. “The sanction for such programmes should be continuous.”

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=12592

 

[RPK]

Zvezdochka to upgrade fifth Indian diesel electric sub

http://www.rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=8967

Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) will upgrade fifth diesel electric submarine of Indian Navy, reported the shipyard's press service.

According to the shipyard' director Vladimir Nikitin, "right now, department of military technical cooperation intensively prepares to that event. All contractual docs have been sent to Delhi. Next come complicated price talks".

Zvezdochka experts have already performed troubleshooting and certification of Project 877EKM diesel electric sub Sindurakshak (stands for "Sea Giant"), developed and coordinated repair documents with the customer. The sub is to be transferred to Severodvinsk in June.

Specialized in repair and utilization of nuclear subs, Zvezdochka shipyard has upgraded four diesel electric subs by order of Indian Navy. The shipyard experts also perform overhaul and modernization of similar submarine – INS Sindukirti – at her basing site, Vishakhapatnam, India.

All those Russian-built subs are of Project 887EKM (on NATO classification – Kilo) designed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (St. Petersburg). They are used for antisubmarine and antisurface warfare as well as for defense of naval bases, coastal and sea lanes, reconnaissance and patrol activities. Such submarines have displacement of 2,300 tons; length of 72.6 meters; submerged speed of 19 knots (about 35 kph); diving depth of 300 meters; crew of 52 men; endurance of 45 days. Kilo-class submarines are armed with six 533-mm torpedo tubes.

In the course of modernization submarines are equipped with present-day Russian cruise missile system Club-S with operating range of about 200 km, new Indian sonar equipment and radio communication systems.

 

[RPK]

Navy on aggressive acquisition; plans to have fighter planes


NEW DELHI: Indian Navy plans to take up aggressive acquisition programmes in aviation including induction of fighter planes and multi-role
helicopters for its fleet, its Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma has said.

"We are acquiring our ships, aircraft and submarines in accordance with the Navy's current Maritime Capability Perspective Plan. There are presently 40 ships and submarines on order," Verma said.

He said in addition, Navy has aggressive acquisition programmes in aviation including induction of Mig 29K, the acquisition of Boeing P8I MPA aircraft, additional Kamov 31 helicopters and new multi-role helicopters.

"We would also by then have our indigenous strategic submarine force fully operationalised," the Chief of Naval Staff said in an interview to recently published 'Manas Defence Year Book'.

"The linking of all our platforms through ongoing efforts in data linking will realise the creation of a truly network centric force that is tomorrow ready. In sum by 2020, I see a modern and powerful Navy with a large indigenous component, manned by a highly tech-savvy manpower ready to meet the transformational changes," Verma said.

To a question on expanding reach of Chinese Navy in Indian Ocean, he said the force views it with respect and not in confrontational terms.

"We appreciate that the economy of China, like that of India, is highly growth-oriented and, consequently, highly dependent upon energy. Thus, to sustain her economic growth, China -- like India -- must rely increasingly upon external sources of energy and raw materials.

"The principal sources of supply for both countries, lie either in the Indian Ocean, or (they) must travel across the Indian Ocean... Indian Navy views the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy with respect and does not see it in confrontational terms," he said.

Verma said as for the expanding reach of the PLA Navy impacting India's security, "we must remember every nation has the right to establish friendly and beneficial relations with others, in accordance with its own national interests.

"We have confidence in our own national and maritime capabilities not to feel threatened by any country's legitimate relations with another," he said adding that the Navy is constantly working at capability enhancement and capacity building in pursuance of the country's strategic requirements and doctrinal necessities. PTI AKV SDG 03251317 NNNN

 

[nitesh]

has any body got hands on this:

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jni/jni100322_1_n.shtml

 

[gogbot]

"We appreciate that the economy of China, like that of India, is highly growth-oriented and, consequently, highly dependent upon energy. Thus, to sustain her economic growth, China -- like India -- must rely increasingly upon external sources of energy and raw materials.

"The principal sources of supply for both countries, lie either in the Indian Ocean, or (they) must travel across the Indian Ocean... Indian Navy views the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Navy with respect and does not see it in confrontational terms," he said.

Verma said as for the expanding reach of the PLA Navy impacting India's security, "we must remember every nation has the right to establish friendly and beneficial relations with others, in accordance with its own national interests.

"We have confidence in our own national and maritime capabilities not to feel threatened by any country's legitimate relations with another," he said adding that the Navy is constantly working at capability enhancement and capacity building in pursuance of the country's strategic requirements and doctrinal necessities.

Dude.

that is the most diplomatic statement i ever heard any one from India's military establishment give.

I am impressed. hope they keep that up. It might make our media stop asking the china question every time they go to see the military

 

[nitesh]

http://www.livemint.com/2010/03/24221148/Indian-Navy-delays-sailing-int.html?h=B

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has once again deferred the induction of a new class of indigenously built stealth frigates, the latest in a series of delays stretching over five years. Once commissioned, the hard-to-detect warships will form a crucial component in India’s bid to build a blue-water navy capable of operating across oceans, defence analysts said. But the delays in induction reflect the need for “stronger political will” to carry the process through, analysts said.

INS Shivalik, the first of 12 Shivalik-class vessels, will be commissioned “by the second week of April,” said Parvez Panthaky, spokesperson of Mazagon Dock Ltd, which is building the ship in Mumbai. “The commissioning date is being finalized with the navy.”

Two more Shivalik-class frigates, INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri, “will be commissioned within a few months of each other,” he said.

In January, when a model of the 4,800-tonne INS Shivalik was showcased in the Republic Day Parade, the navy had announced that the ship would be commissioned in March. The project, envisaged way back in 1997, was initially scheduled for commissioning in 2005.

Stealth frigates have advanced features designed to reduce a warship’s signature.

“INS Shivalik has stealth features against radar and heat seekers,” a senior naval officer told Mint on condition of anonymity. “Its underwater signatures are also reduced through technical means.”

The navy already has three Talwar-class stealth frigates, bought from Russia. But the Shivalik-class vessels are being built entirely in India.

Shivalik-class vessels have both air and anti-submarine capability and are fitted with a mix of Indian, Russian, Israeli and Western weapons. This includes Club anti-ship missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, Barak air and missile defence systems and RBU 6000 anti-submarine warfare rockets. They will carry two advanced helicopters each.

Powered by gas and diesel turbines, the ships are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots (55.5km) per hour. The cost of building each ship will be close to Rs2,500 crore, the officer said.

Sweden and France were the original builders of stealth ships, followed by Russia. While most major navies are now buying the ships from those countries, India is among the few developing them on its own.

The Union cabinet approved the navy’s so-called Project 17 to construct the 12 stealth frigates almost 13 years ago. The navy ordered the first three vessels in 1999 and the construction of INS Shivalik was launched in 2003, while INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri began in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Deba Ranjan Mohanty, defence analyst and author of Arming the Indian Arsenal, said the Indian stealth frigates were on a par with the best in the world. But he added the navy needed at least 36 stealth frigates and destroyers in the next 10-15 years.

“Blue-water navies require longer reach. Frigates and destroyers are essential. We should be able to acquire two more aircraft carriers in the same period, and at least one of them should be indigenously built,” said Mohanty, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.

The US, the UK, Russia and France are widely regarded as having true blue-water navies, while Italy, Spain, Canada, China and Australia have limited blue-water capabilities.

Both Mohanty and the naval officer said the development of the frigates was “capability-oriented” or driven by India’s increasing maritime responsibilities and interests, rather than the result of a threat perception.

“India’s aspirations are a blend of both offensive and defensive capabilities—offensive for force projection and defensive for constructive purposes,” said Mohanty.

The commissioning of INS Shivalik would raise eyebrows in Pakistan, which has no stealth frigates, and China, which has a fleet of around 30 such warships, he added.

“China is very closely watching the development, though it won’t make any noise about it. We may hear some reactions from Pakistan,” Mohanty said.

He added Pakistan’s navy has been acquiring advanced submarines such as the Agosta 90B, and may also try to induct stealth frigates in future as a response to India’s soon-to-be-augmented capability.

The Chinese and Pakistani missions in New Delhi declined to comment on the issue.

The delay in INS Shivalik’s commissioning reflected the need for the defence agenda to remain constant, regardless of political change.

“Priorities should be consistent,” he said. “The sanction for such programmes should be continuous.”

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