p2prada
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Maybe so. A 48 cell Mk41 on a regular Frigate can be dedicated to carry 8 Harpoons(occupying 8 cells) and 32 or 64 ESSMs(occupying 8 or 16 cells). So, the remaining 16 or 24 cells can carry a combination of Nirbhay, SM-6(RIM-174) or SM-3(BMD) missiles.The IN would never get SM3 on P17B, it would amount to a massive capability overlap vis a vis P15A/B... Even if the P17A got Mk41 VLS, it would always be aimed at operating ESSM, never 48 SM3's. I can see what you're getting at, but even with AEGIS, P17A will always be a fleet ASW vessel, and a multipurpose frigate at best, in league with the FREMM and Type 26 GCS in tonnage and capability, it'll never compete with AAW vessels like the Hobart class, or even the 052C, let alone the 052D.
If we get this combo then we have what we need for Tier 4. Along with Tier 1, 2 and 3 on the same ship with RAM, ESSM and SM-2/SM-6.
Overall I am not sure if IN will go for SM-3 capability though. If we get Tiers 1 through 3, it is plenty. If the Mk 41 is installed, then it will easily match the 052C. Tiers 1 through 3 are already available on Norwegian and Spanish Frigates. The Australian destroyer is very similar to the Spanish frigate with 48 cell Mk41. Anyway even a smaller 40 cell Mk41 will give similar advantages.
All we know is LM has offered Aegis. Nothing to indicate we will go for it, especially SM-3.
Actually I would prefer if IN stays with Barak 1 and 8 and moves towards AAD type system for Tier 3. Indigenous options are much better.
Not on the Talwar, but the Shivaliks carry 2 Sea Kings for ASW and transport carrying Sea Eagle and Sting Ray.Its not about indulging in a pissing contest. The 054A frigate handles fleet ASW as well as carrying the PLAN's Tier 2 SAM in the HQ16. In ASW suite terms, it's sonar suite includes a bow mounted sonar as well as a towed array backed up with light torpedo's, an ASW rocket launcher and CY1 ASW missiles, making it a rough Talwar equivalent with better anti air and stealth capabilities. It also holds the advantage of carrying an ASW missile, as opposed to just short range rocket launchers on Talwars and Shivaliks.
But yeah, 054A is more or less a Talwar equivalent. The Talwar does not have the ASW missile though.
The Talwars are mainly to replace an old Frigate called Nilgiri class(6 ships). 6 will most probably be the last for Talwar.The IN is following the Euro model of building large tonnage frigates, but is also ordering more n more Talwars from Russia. The PLAN is following a similar path to the Americans and the Ruskies with 4000 ton ocean going ASW platforms which can hold their own in AAW(LCS not included) with 50km SAMs.
Yeah. We can't match PLAN in the numbers game. We are not required to anyway.Our best frigate will number 24 hulls in the water, as opposed to 3 Shivaliks and 6 Talwars(possibly more). If you consider the 7 P17A's, then it would be fair to include 054B frigate numbers as well, which will probably reach 24 as well to replace all the older frigates. The PLAN seems to be quite satisfied with a 4000 ton frigate, thus there really is no requirement for a Chinese Shivalik equivalent.
Your planned 48 modern Frigates to our planned 19 modern Frigates(you forgot to add a Frigate called P-16A Brahmaputra class, I considered all post 2000 inductions). Anyway I thought the plan is to get 16 054As and not 24.
Your planned 16 modern destroyers to our planned 7 modern destroyers.
Bring in JMSDF and USN, we don't need to do anything though.