Indian Navy Developments & Discussions

[Neil]

So now we have only 15 submarines in our fleet. Another Foxtrot class to retire next year we will be left with only 14. We need to step up the speed of scorpene submarine project and need to finalize the project-75B quickly.

when will the first scorpene sub will be delivered to the INDIAN NAVY....??

 

[plugwater]

when will the first scorpene sub will be delivered to the INDIAN NAVY....??

First scorpene is expected to arrive in 2015 which is a three year delay. Initially it was planned to get the first submarine in 2012.

 

[Neil]

First scorpene is expected to arrive in 2015 which is a three year delay. Initially it was planned to get the first submarine in 2012.

thts mean when our surface fleet will be at its best our underwater arm will abe at its worst.....
by 2015 how many submarines will be left for INDIAN NAVY....??

 

[Yatharth Singh]

LINK TO THE ABOVE THREAD:-
http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=9795

 

[plugwater]

thts mean when our surface fleet will be at its best our underwater arm will abe at its worst.....
by 2015 how many submarines will be left for INDIAN NAVY....??

Not so sure about this. Navy plans to retire the kilo class submarines from 2013 onwards. maybe they will extend the retire date to 2015.

 

[Neil]

Not so sure about this. Navy plans to retire the kilo class submarines from 2013 onwards. maybe they will extend the retire date to 2015.

i have heard that kilo class subs are going to russia for upgrades,this can increase our capabilities and may well extent beyond 2015[may b]....

 

[EagleOne]

Two more Water Jet Propelled Fast Attack Craft to join Navy

Governor to commission INS Cankarso and INS Kondul

Two Water Jet Propelled Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC) of the Navy – INS Cankarso and INS Kondul – will be commissioned here on Tuesday by Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan.

According to a spokesman of the Eastern Naval Command here, Yard 2061 (Cankarso) and Yard 2062 (Kondul) were formally handed over to the Navy in May 2010 by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata. The ships are the fifth and sixth of the Car Nicobar class Fast Attack Craft.

Seen as ideal replacements for the erstwhile Seaward Defence Boats (SDBs), these ships bear testimony to the Navy's commitment to indigenisation. Conceived, designed and built indigenously at the GRSE, these small yet highly manoeuvrable craft are ideally suited for their intended deployment along the coast.

Maritime security

A large number of initiatives were launched in the recent past to enhance maritime security, including coastal and offshore defence, the spokesman said. These include augmenting the existing numbers and the technology of the patrol craft.

The safe operability of the new WJFACs in shallow waters and at high speeds, and their day-night surveillance capability, coupled with enhanced fire power, is expected to give a tremendous boost to combating asymmetric threats emanating from the sea and further enhance the coastal security.

Named after the pristine island located in the Nicobar group, INS Kondul is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Shashidhar R. Patil. INS Cankarso, named after an island off Goa, has Lieutenant Commander Arun Bahuguna at the helm.

The ships, measuring close to 50 metres in length and displacing 325 tonnes, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. They have a complement of four officers and 45 sailors.

To be based at Goa

Built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol, with advanced MTU engines and latest communication sets, they will be based at Goa and operate under the Flag Officer Goa Area towards further augmenting the surveillance along the West Coast.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article489074.ece

 

[RAM]

Two more Water Jet Propelled Fast Attack Craft to join Navy

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/andhra-pradesh/article489074.ece

 

[nitesh]

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...s/awx/2010/06/28/awx_06_28_2010_p0-237167.xml
Lockheed Helps BEL On Coastal Surveillance

"We have looked at different bids — their radars and C2 systems," Roger Rose, CEO of Lockheed Martin India, tells Aviation Week. "We have made an offer to BEL to cooperate as they design the system. . . . The hard part is putting the system together and getting the results. India has a huge coastline. The question is how do you allow the free flow of vessel traffic and still protect your coastline."

Lockheed Martin's MTM-300 is a rules-based software system that integrates and displays vessel tracks from the sensor suite. It has the ability to display vessel tracks from multiple sites and multiple sensors. In addition, vessels tracked by multiple sources are correlated by MTM-300 into a single, fused system track to minimize ambiguity. Decision support software continuously monitors all vessel activity to automatically alert the operator of rules violations, risks or security intrusions in both real-time and in a predictive mode.

 

[nitesh]

http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=9841

JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center plans to complete overhaul and modernization of diesel electric submarine INS Sindhurakshak (Project 877EKM, Kilo class) by order of Indian Navy in 2012, reported the shipyard's press service.

The sub is expected to arrive to Zvezdochka for further repairs early August. INS Sindhurakshak will be the fifth Project 877EKM submarine passed overhaul at Severodvinsk's shipyard.

In the course of works the sub will be rearmed; the standard torpedo armament will be modernized, and missile system Club-S will be mounted into the submarine (developed by Novator Design Bureau). The upgrade also provides installation of some Indian-made systems like sonar USHUS and radio communication system CCS-MK. In 2008 Zvezdochka shipyard completed overhaul of the forth same-class Indian submarine Sindhuvijay. The first one – INS Sindhuvir – was repaired in 1999; the second one – INS Sindhuratna – left the yard in 2002; the third sub – INS Sindhughosh – passed overhaul in 2005. In fall 2009 FSUE Rosoboronexport and Indian Navy signed a contract on armament upgrade (including installation of missile system Club-S) of four Project 877EKM diesel subs – INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhushastra, and INS Sindhuvir. Zvezdochka was assigned a major executor of the rearmament contract. The upgrade will be performed at Indian yards. Along with contracting parties (OKB Novator, NPO Avrora, and SPO Arktika) Zvezdochka will complete those works within the nearest five years.

 

[Oracle]

Two warships commissioned into Navy fleet

VISAKHAPATNAM: Giving a boost to Navy's defence capabilities, two state-of-the-art high-speed warships, INS Cankarso and INS Kondul, were commissioned here today in the naval fleet.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan commissioned the ships in the presence of Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral Anup Singh and other senior Naval officials.

The indigenously-built ships use water jet propulsion technology and can achieve speeds in excess of 35 knots. They will be based in Goa and tasked with the role of detecting, locating and destroying small, fast-moving enemy surface craft engaged in covert operations, a Navy spokesman said.

INS Cankarso and INS Kondul are fitted with 30-mm CRN-91 gun built by Ordnance Factory, Medak, and Igla missiles and set of machine guns ranging from light to heavy. "These features are an improvement over the previous fast attack craft (FAC) ships," the spokesman said.

These two ships are the first lot of the ten similar ships that the Navy proposed to induct in its fleet. They belong to the Car Nicobar class V and VI in the FAC series.

"In addition to their primary role, the ships will be tasked with the role of policing, anti-smuggling and fisheries protection in India's coastal waters. In the long run, these ships could help in ensuring stability in India's maritime zones of responsibility," the spokesman said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ioned-into-Navy-fleet/articleshow/6105932.cms

 

[Neil]

Zvezdochka shipyard plans to complete upgrade of INS Sindhurakshak in 2012

JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center plans to complete overhaul and modernization of diesel electric submarine INS Sindhurakshak (Project 877EKM, Kilo class) by order of Indian Navy in 2012, reported the shipyard's press service.

The sub is expected to arrive to Zvezdochka for further repairs early August. INS Sindhurakshak will be the fifth Project 877EKM submarine passed overhaul at Severodvinsk's shipyard.

As it was previously reported, the corresponding contract was signed between Indian defense ministry and Zvezdochka on June 4, 2010 in Delhi. In the course of works the sub will be rearmed; the standard torpedo armament will be modernized, and missile system Club-S will be mounted into the submarine (developed by Novator Design Bureau). The upgrade also provides installation of some Indian-made systems like sonar USHUS and radio communication system CCS-MK. In 2008 Zvezdochka shipyard completed overhaul of the forth same-class Indian submarine Sindhuvijay. The first one – INS Sindhuvir – was repaired in 1999; the second one – INS Sindhuratna – left the yard in 2002; the third sub – INS Sindhughosh – passed overhaul in 2005. In fall 2009 FSUE Rosoboronexport and Indian Navy signed a contract on armament upgrade (including installation of missile system Club-S) of four Project 877EKM diesel subs – INS Sindhuratna, INS Sindhuraj, INS Sindhushastra, and INS Sindhuvir. Zvezdochka was assigned a major executor of the rearmament contract. The upgrade will be performed at Indian yards. Along with contracting parties (OKB Novator, NPO Avrora, and SPO Arktika) Zvezdochka will complete those works within the nearest five years.

Diesel electric submarine S63 Sindhurakshak was laid down in Feb 1995 at Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard by order of Indian Navy. In Dec 1997 the ship was delivered to the orderer and obtained the current name. The Project 877EKM was developed by Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering.

Surface displacement is 2,300 tons; length is 72.6 meters; beam is 9.9 meters; surface speed is 10 knots; submerged speed is 19 knots; operational range is 6,000 miles; endurance is 45 days; test depth is 300 meters; crew is 52; armament: six 533-mm torpedo tubes.

http://www.bharatrakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=13091

 

[EagleOne]

Submarine crunch hits navy

New Delhi: Despite sounding an alert to the ministry of defence last year, Indian Navy continues to face shortage of submarines.

After Russia delayed the release of Nerpa K-152, an Akula-II class, nuclear-powered attack submarine sought on lease by India for 10 years, indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant, launched last year in Visakhapatnam, too may not be inducted into service on time.

Chief of naval staff admiral Nirmal Verma had said last year that Arihant would be inducted into service two years after its launch.

But the submarine's reactor is yet to be started. Nerpa was supposed to join the navy as INS Chakra in June 2010, but will now join only towards the end of this year. The delay is affecting the training for Arihant.

Admiral Verma, however, said, "Arihant is expected to be inducted on time. I don't see any delay."

Sources told 'DNA' Nerpa was being modified to suit Indian requirements, but its trials were delayed after it met with an accident in 2008, killing 20 personnel onboard.

Now, safety aspects of the submarine are being reworked.

The navy's last but one Foxtrot-class submarine, INS Vela, was decommissioned on Friday, while its only diesel-electric, kilo-class submarine with an integrated Klub missile system, INS Sindhurakshak, left Visakhapatnam for repair and refit in Russia.

Sindhurakshak, which will take over a month to reach Russia, will be at the Zvezdochka shipyard for two years. It will be modernised under a contract signed between the two countries.

With the last of the Foxtrot-class submarines to be decommissioned by yearend and the first Scorpene, being built at Mumbai's Mazgaon dock, slated to join only in 2015, the navy will be left with just 14 operational submarines.

The first of the six Scorpenes was slated to join the navy by 2012, but has been delayed by three years.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_submarine-crunch-hits-navy_1403123

 

[EagleOne]

Indian Navy to Buy Advanced Trainers

India Defence Online, New Delhi – The Indian Navy is once again restructuring its plans of acquiring 17 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) of BAE systems which will be manufactured under licence by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

According to the Indian Navy, the acquisition of Hawk AJTs is crucial to boost the capabilities of its fighter pilots and training them in an advanced multi-role fighter like the Hawk AJT is imperative. The Hawk AJT consists of a state-of-the-art avionics suite and navigation/attack system, a modern glass cockpit and HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) controls.

The navigation and attack system comprises of many sub-systems inter-connected through a digital multiplex data bus. It provides the flight, navigation and weapon aiming information displayed on the head-up-display and the head-down multi-functional display.
BAE Systems of the UK has been aware of the Indian Navy's requirement for an advanced jet trainer. In fact, the Indian Navy was considering purchasing 18 Hawk 100-series AJT from the BAE Systems way back in 2006. The Hawk AJT has also been acquired by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

In 2008, India had signed a contract for the procurement of 66 Hawk AJT aircraft for the IAF, out of which 42 were to be manufactured by HAL after technology transfer from BAE Systems. The Indian Navy has also opted for the Hawk AJT instead of its US naval variant Goshawk, and is going in for 17 of them to observe commonality with IAF in terms of maintenance and services.


http://indiadefenceonline.com/2032/indian-navy-to-buy-advanced-trainers/

 

[plugwater]

Submarines kiss at Naval Dockyard

Lucky escape for more than 80 sailors and officers; pressurised double-hull of submarines and low speed prevent major damage

More than 80 sailors and officers had a providential escape when two Kilo-class 877EKM attack submarines collided as one of the two approached the naval dockyard early this week.

INS Sindhuratna and INS Sindhukesri, measuring about 70 metres, collided when they were alongside each other while entering the narrow gateway to the naval dockyard, said sources.

Both vessels were lucky to survive the hit as the pressurised double-hull was able to absorb most of the impact, but the rudder of one of submarines was damaged.

At the time, one submarine was docked, while the other was being towed alongside it. The damage was minimal because of the low speed.

The Kilo-class 877EKM attack submarine is capable of touching 11 knots on the surface and 20 knots underwater.

It is still not clear whether the accident was due to human error or bad weather. Prima facie, the mishap has been attributed to an error of judgement.

High-level inquiry

The navy ordered a high-level inquiry into the mishap, but remained tight-lipped about the incident.

Naval spokesperson Capt Manoharan Nambiar said he was on leave and had no information on the incident. His deputy, A Vispute, did not respond to an SMS yesterday.

The Kilo-class attack submarines were returning to the harbour after a reconnaissance and patrol mission off the city harbour when the collision occurred.

Both 2,300-odd-tonne vessels have low noise levels, which could be one of the reasons why they got too close to each other without anybody noticing.

INS Sindhuratna was the second Indian naval submarine to be fitted with four ZM-54E1 missiles with a range of 300 km. It has hull-mounted medium frequency digital sonar.

This is first time two Kilo-class attack submarines have collided at the naval dock.

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/jul/030710-submarines-80-sailors-escape-naval-dockyard.htm

 

[nandu]

INS Venduruthy is 67

INS Venduruthy at the Naval Base here completed 67 years of service to the nation on June 23.HMIS (Her Majesty Indian Ship) Venduruthy was commissioned on June 23, 1943, with Commander G S Baker of the Royal Indian Navy Reserve as the first Commanding Officer. INS Venduruthy is at present commanded by Commodore M R Ajayakumar, who is also the naval officer in charge of Kerala. The headquarters of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, INS Venduruthy houses all premier training institutions of the Navy. Every year, Venduruthy conducts the Navy fest during Navy Day. It is manned by around 1000 personnel, including Naval and civilian personnel.INS Venduruthy celebrated its 67th anniversary with a host of programmes. Mayor Mercy Williams and Ernakulam range IG B Sandhya were present at the anniversary celebrations.Vice-Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command also took part in the celebrations.

http://idrw.org/?p=2251#more-2251

 

[RAM]

India to give offshore vessel to Mauritius


In a bid to further strengthen their diplomatic ties, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mauritius to provide it one offshore patrol vessel.
The agreement was the part of the Government of India's commitment to assist Mauritius conduct effective surveillance.
From Indian side, the Indian Ambassador to Mauritius M. Ganapati and Permanent secretary of Prime Minister Mrs. Fong Weng Poorun signed the agreement in the presence of Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna and Mauritius Prime Minister Novinchandra Ramgoolam.
The Vessel cost 58. 5 million US dollars and India will provide 10 million dollars as grant while rest of the amount would be given as line of credit, said sources.
The geographical location of Mauritius makes it strategically important for the Indian Navy, as a 'friendly port' in the South West Indian Ocean.
Under an Agreement concluded in 1974, Indian defence officers (from the Indian Navy and IAF) are sent on deputation to the National Coast Guard and the Helicopter Squadron of the Mauritian Police Force.
Under the ITEC-II programme, about 30 to 45 personnel from the Mauritian Police Force are trained annually in Indian Defence Training Establishments.
Krishna arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to Mauritius and Mozambique. By Ravinder Singh Robin

http://idrw.org/?p=2277#more-2277

 

[nandu]

Navy to buy submarine mine laying equipment

NEW DELHI: The Navy is planning to buy Submarine Mine Laying Equipment (SMILE) to augment existing capabilities of its conventional fleet.

It has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to vendors and manufacturers seeking details in this regard, a Navy officer said here today.

The Navy at present has a fleet of 16 conventional submarines, but is in the process of adding a few more when the Scorpene submarines currently being built by Mazgaon Docks are ready for induction and a follow-on project of the type is ordered.

The SMILE, according to the RFI, should be capable of laying 24 ground mines and withstand maximum underwater speeds of the submarine.

The basic design of the SMILE should comprise components and sub-systems such as two independent magazines capable of housing at least 12 mines each.

Each magazine should have a glass reinforced plastic hull and needed to be attached to the submarine. Its design should suit the contours of the submarine for a snug fit.

The magazines should have its independent hydraulic station for engaging and disengaging the SMILE with the submarine and also for loading, unloading and launching of mines with ports and mechanisms for the same.

It should have adequate ballasting and de-ballasting arrangements to embark and disembark the magazines on the submarine in an afloat condition.

The mine magazines should have suitable hoisting and lifting mechanisms to handle the SMILE while embarking, disembarking and transporting the magazines at the submarine berth.

Each mine trunk should have suitable mechanisms for arming the mines prior to their deployment.

Laying of ground mines is controlled from the submarine through cable connections from the mine laying control unit inside the vessel.

Each mine is separately laid in armed and unarmed mode, through an arming device unit. In case of an emergency, the complete mine saddle can be released.

The SMILEs would have an in-service life of 15 years. Once the vendors submit their information, the Navy will call them for presentations on their product.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=13117

 

[nandu]

India's first naval fighter squadron turns 50

NEW DELHI: The `White Tigers' turn 50 this week. No, not the ones from Rewa but India's first-ever naval fighter squadron, which takes its name from the famous tigers with white fur instead of the usual orange due to a recessive gene.

It was on July 7, 1960, that the INSAS 300 squadron was commissioned at the British Royal Naval air station in Brawdy, propelling India into the exclusive club of countries which flew fighters from aircraft carriers.

The squadron, with its crest depicting the white tiger of Rewa, will celebrate its golden jubilee with a slew of functions at the naval airbase in Goa this week.

Fifty years ago, the INSAS 300 squadron was first equipped with SeaHawk jets to operate from India's then aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which had earlier served the British Navy as HMS Hercules.

The first Seahawk, piloted by Lt Commander R H Tahilliani, who later went on to become Navy chief in 1984-1987, landed on INS Vikrant on 18 May, 1961. The White Tigers would go on to make history, tasting blood with deadly air strikes on the erstwhile East Pakistan during the 1971 war which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

"INSAS 300, operating from INS Vikrant, did not suffer a single loss but won one Maha Vir Chakra, five Vir Chakras, one Nao Sena Medal and four mention-in-despatches," said an officer.

With time, both the SeaHawks and INS Vikrant were retired. The White Tigers then inducted the Sea Harrier jump-jets to operate from aircraft carrier INS Viraat in the 1980s. Incidentally, the squadron also gave the Navy two more chiefs, Admirals Arun Prakash and Sureesh Mehta, in recent years.

But now, as earlier reported by TOI, the 50-year-old INS Viraat is fast running out of Sea Harrier jump-jets that take off from its angled ski-jump and land vertically on its deck. Navy had inducted 30 of the British-origin Sea Harriers but is left with only 11, with the rest being lost in accidents since the mid-1980s.

The White Tigers, however, are expected to continue to fly high with the under development naval variant of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft in the coming years.

With the Navy inducting MiG-29Ks from Russia in its newly-commissioned 302 `Black Panthers' squadron now, the White Tigers is no longer the only frontline fighter squadron of the force. But its mystique endures.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ter-squadron-turns-50/articleshow/6128169.cms

 

[bhramos]

IN Submarines collide in Naval dock in India

Mumbai: You may have heard of mid-air collision. But they can happen in the deep sea, too, and the credit for it goes to the Indian Navy.

A shocked Naval headquarters ordered an inquiry late of Friday night into the collision of two Kilo-class submarines at the Naval dockyard in Mumbai.

The Russian-made attack submarines, INS Sindhuratna and INS Sindhukesari, collided while attempting to berth alongside, thereby damaging the rudder of one.

The crew of both the vessels, more than 100-strong, escaped unhurt owing to the double hull of the 877 EKM Kilo-class attack submarines. However, the Navy has played down the incident and termed it as minor.

The repair of the damaged submarine would be carried out soon at the dockyard. The reason of the mishap being given is error of judgment while attempting to berth parallel, which is a normal practice in the dockyard for naval vessels.

The Indian Navy is already grappling with shortage of submarines, presently it is left with just 15 of them, with one Foxtrot-class de-commissioned on June 25 this year.

The remaining are 10 Kilo-class, four HDWs and one foxtrot-class submarine, out of which one Kilo-class, INS Sindhurakshak, has left for Russia for overhaul and modernisation.

Currently under construction, the first of the Scorpene would be launched only in 2015.

Earlier, too, there have been accidents on Kilo-class submarines. In 2008, INS Sindhughosh collided with a merchant vessel and damaged her conning tower, while INS Sindhurakshak had a fire onboard earlier this year.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_submarines-collide-in-naval-dock_1404854

i think this is 2nd or 3rd accident of Kilo class in last one year???