Indian Govt Approves Construction of 3 New Aircraft Carriers

Van

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Cochin Shipyard To Build Three Air Defence Ships ADS

Huma Siddiqui

New Delhi, April 11: The Cabinet committee on security (CSS) has approved awarding contract to Cochin Shipyard for construction of three air defence ships (ADS) for the Navy. According to highly placed sources, the ADS is based on a design developed by French company Direction des Constructions Naval. However, the design has been modified by the Naval Design Organisation to suit the local requirements.

Navy chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh said, “the Navy proposes to have at least three carriers, so that one each can be deployed on the West and East coasts, while the maintenance on the third one can be carried out.” GE Marine Engines has a manufacturing and technical license assistance agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics for assembly, inspection and test of marine LM 2500 gas turbines selected for the Navy Frigate and the ADS programmes.

During early last year, it was reported that the ADS will be ready by 2008. But apprehensions were expressed that the pace of modernising naval shipyards has affected indigenisation. In May 1999, the then government had approved the indigenous construction of an ADS of around 24,000 tonne displacement.

The Naval chief said the work on the indigenous construction of the ADS, approved in 1999 was in progress. The displacement of the proposed ship, which will carry a full squadron of fighter aircraft, would be over 30,000 tonne. “It’s a very ambitious project and will take the country’s warship building to an entirely new level,” he claimed.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=32055
 

Van

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  • #3
I think India needs to have at least 3 aircraft carriers. One for east coast, One for west coast, One for blue water.

Four carriers will allow India to keep 3 in active service and 1 at the docks for refitt and repairs.
 

Van

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  • #6
Sea Harriers will be retired in 2010, that will be the time when INS-Viraat will be retired.

India's future Aircraft carriers will carry MiG-29Ks, Naval-LCAs and Naval PAK-FAs.
 

mikoyan

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It would be worthwhile considering the Rafale naval version as well.

The ADS is likely to have a complement of 12 fighters. Ideally it should look at having atleast 24-35 on board @ a time in addn to the helos.
 

Van

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  • #8
mikoyan,

The lastest version of ADS can carry 24 combat aircrafts.

The ADS has undergone some serious design changes and has received help from French and Italians. Currently the ADS somewhat resembles the Italian "Andrea Dorea" aircraft carrier (but ADS is a bit bigger).
 

backfire

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The Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash has gone on record saying that the IN would be interested in buying the JSF from US if an offer is made.
 

nalan

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the italians are actively involved in the ads (though french were the initial consultants),the indians design resembles the andrea doria and the shipsets and control machinery are being developed with the italian assistance and are expected to be based on the andrea doria.:coffee
 

tatra

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Verified Defense Pro
I'm not sure that that report is accurate concerning French involvement....

A contract for a design study then was signed in 1989 with DCN (Direction des Constructions Navales) International of France for a vessel of about 25,000 tons and with a speed of 30 knots. Construction was to start at the Cochin Shipyard (CSL) in 1993 after the Indian Naval Design Organisation had translated this design study into a production model. However, in 1991, the Committee on Defence Expenditure informed the Indian Navy to abandon plans for large aircraft carriers and shift the design effort to the Italian Garibaldi Class due to budgetary constraints. In September 1993, then-incumbent Chief of Naval Staff - Admiral L. Ramdas - restated the commitment to have a large aircraft carrier ready for trials by 2000, yet no firm decision had been made to provide funds or begin construction. By January 1997, proposals for a 17,000-ton Air Defence Ship (ADS) were made, but still no firm decision had been taken to provide funds or begin construction.

In a landmark decision, the government finally sanctioned construction of a 32,000-ton vessel on 14 June 1999 with the Navy receiving a formal letter of intent from the Cabinet Committee on Security. The decision came seven years after the designs were originally conceived. In 2001, CSL released an image illustrating the 32,000-ton STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) design with a pronounced ski jump. The design of the 'island' (superstructure) and sensor suite was considerably different from the model displayed at Def Expo 1999. On 20 March 2002, then-incumbent Defence Minister George Fernandes stated that the Indian Navy had reassessed their requirement and proposed building a larger vessel displacing 37,500 tons, measuring 252 meters by 58 meters and with a top speed of 28 knots. It is probable that with a full load, the ADS will exceed 40,000 tons. This last design iteration shows much influence from the Italian Navy's Andrea Dorea Class (currently known as the Cavour Class) aircraft carrier in that there is much sloping of the superstructure and ship sides.

Defense News and Jane's Defence Weekly both reported in July/August 2004, that the Ministry of Defence awarded a $30 million contract to Fincantieri's Naval Vessel Business Unit to help prepare concept, design and implementation plans for the vessel. DCN International of France and Izar Construcciones Navales of Spain also sent in their bids, however Fincantieri SpA of Italy was awarded the contract. This is an interesting development, since the contract for an original design study for the ADS was signed in 1989 with DCN International. The design and construction of the Italian Navy's Cavour Class aircraft carrier, reportedly tipped the scales in favour of the Italian shipyard winning the contract. The Italian company will also build and integrate the propulsion systems for the vessel. A team of IN and CSL engineers and technicians will work in tandem with their counterparts at Fincantieri in Italy over the next two years to finalise the vessel design, as well as its propulsion systems and main power plants. The company is also expected to provide technical assistance during the construction of the ADS and also during sea trials. The hull and landing deck are to be built by Larsen & Tubro of India. Defense News also reported that the ADS will displace 40,000 metric tons, will measure 57 metres wide and 252 meters long, will have a top speed of 32 knots and will carry 1200 personnel.

 
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