Indian Navy (IN) News and Discussion

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is an interesting news article highlighting the goals of indo-us naval cooperation.

here check out this link:

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200609260922.htm

'India, US aligned in maintaining open access to sea'

Washington, Sept. 26 (PTI): Maintaining free and open access to the sea is an important and critical challenge and in this regard the navies of India and the United States are "very closely aligned", Admiral Gary Roughead,the Commander of the American Pacific Fleet, said.
Speaking at the Washington Foreign Press Center, he said: "One of the reasons we have been very effective in operating together and looking to the future is because we see the challenges that we face on the Oceans, on the sea lanes and the importance of keeping those open".
The top American Navy official was recently in India. He said discussions with his counterparts were comprehensive that included future operations, exercises and exchanges. "I remain very impressed with the Indian Navy", he said.
There was a highly personal element to the Admiral's visit to India recently- he wanted to track down the house he lived in as a youngster in Mumbai. "I went to visit my house and I found it. It was wonderful to go back eventhough I was a young boy. Many memories came floating back" Admiral Roughead recalled even while making the point that his former house is no longer in the remote area of Mumbai it once was. "Mumbai has expanded so much. There is so much energy" he commented.
The Commander of the Pacific Fleet was all praise for the fashion in which the Malabar exercises were going and said that this series of exercises will not only continue but also look at the prospect of advancing these. For example this year the Admiral pointed out India and the United States will be doing some expeditionary warfare training which takes on additional significance because the United States is transferring one of its amphibious ships to India-the USS Trenton.
The USS Trenton, the Admiral explained, will give capability to the Indian Navy to move troops and equipment to great distances and having the ability to remaining off shore for a prolonged period of time and in the ability as well of moving smaller boats in and out. The transfer is expected to take place sometime this December.
"Apart from Malabar exercises, we are also looking at exercises at a more short term notice which I think navies that are as capable as the Indian Navy and the US Navy we can do that. In fact we did that with aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan at short notice" Admiral Roughead remarked going on to praise the role of an Indian medical team of about 19 persons getting on board USNS Mercy at very short notice when it was recently in South and South East Asia.
Admiral Roughead also expressed the hope that Indian Navy Observers could come and watch the Rim of the Pacific Exercises off Hawaii. "I am hopeful that the Indian Navy could perhaps join us and conduct an exercise perhaps in 2008", the Pacific Fleet Commander said.
"It is so apparent that our two navies share so many common interests and see the world in much the same way and are committed to maintaining safe and secure sea lanes, and safe and secure oceans so that we can get to enjoy prosperity that is vitally so important", he said. The Pacific Fleet Commander emphasized the criticality of all navies to be willing to operate and participate in ways to build the "Maritime Demand Awareness" that not only has the ability to share information so that navies in the region have a better sense of ensuring the sea lanes of communications but also the ability of navies to "collectively" gather for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news ,the indian coast guard will soon be inducting a new patrol vessel named as cgs meera ben ,this vessel is to be based at the okha port in gujarat ,taking the coast guard presence in gujarat to 17 ships and 1 vessel.

here check out this link:


On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, the Indian Coast Guard said that it will, on Monday, induct a sophisticated patrol vessel named after Meera Behn, a foreigner who voluntarily adopted a life dedicated to Gandhian values.

The vessel, to be stationed at Gujarat's Okha port, will enhance the Coast Guard's efficiency in combating piracy, apprehending drug traffickers and preventing infiltration of insurgents, District Operations and Plans Officer B K Singh said.

The ship is designed to project the Coast Guard as a leading maritime force in the subcontinent, he said.

The new induction will swell the Coast Guard's fleet strength in Gujarat to 17 ships and a craft

[WebMaster]

aaaditya, please post link for the above. Also, try posting the ACTUAL URL ( the This newsreport is being retreived from... part, listed on top of BR linked article page )of the news rather than a framed page.

Thank You.

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is another interesting article about indian navy's fleet expansion programme,they are aiming for 90% indiginisation content (i believe currently the level of indiginisation content is around 70%).

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1056697

KOCHI: The Indian Navy will increase its fleet strength by acquiring several ships, submarines and aircraft besides developing infrastructure to ensure that by the end of the decade it would be a force to reckon with, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Naval personnel here after inspecting a 50-man 'Nishan Guard' (Guard of Honour with the President's colours) and the 36 platoons on parade, he said that the significant point was that most of these acquisitions would have about 90 percent indigenous component.
He also spoke on the networking of the navy which will facilitate all naval units to share information using Computer and Satellite once the project is completed.
He said that the navy has to be strong and powerful to counter threats at sea including piracy and gun running.

[aaaditya]

hey guys check out this link,seems that it will take the indian navy 3 years acquire it's maritime patrol aircraft , i believe the the russian il38 and the bears would last for atleast another decade.i believe india is most interested in acquiring the boeing p8mma and are just waiting for the project development to be completed.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=420566

Navy says 3 years needed to replace survillance aircraft

MUMBAI, OCT 4 (PTI) Indian Navy would take at least three more years to complete aircraft acquisition to replace its ageing Russian-made survilliance and reconnaissance airplanes, Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash said here today.

"We have floated Request for Proposals and got responses. Currently, different proposals are being evaluated. Though we are planning to complete the proceedings as soon as possible, it would take at least three years from now to make the final selection and delivery," he told reporters.

Several foreign firms, including the US' largest military hardware supplier Lockheed Martin are in the race to sell their aircrfat to India.

Asked whether the country was losing its strategic edge to its rivals, Admiral Prakash said he would not like to compare the Indian Navy with others.

"We plan to look after the country's maritime interests on a longer time. We don't compare ourselves with any Navies. Our force planning is on a much longer time scale," he said.

The Navy chief described as "completely baseless" the allegations against him related to Scorpene submarine acquisition.

"I look at those allegations with complete surprise. Those are totally false and farbicated," he said.

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is an image of the indian p15a bangalore class of stealth missile destroyer ,this is just a model unveiled at the defendory 2006 defence exhibition.

[USE ATTACHMENT FEATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Grand Danois]

hey guys here is an image of the indian p15a bangalore class of stealth missile destroyer ,this is just a model unveiled at the defendory 2006 defence exhibition.




Can't access that link.

[kams]

Can't access that link.

Its a model, here is the pic. I won't call it Stealth :) .

[Grand Danois]

Its a model, here is the pic. I won't call it Stealth :) .

But it has some RCS reduction features. But no bow mounted sonar?

[powerslavenegi]

Its a model, here is the pic. I won't call it Stealth :) .
If you are saying so by just looking at the picture you might be missing on some key aspects,for we do not know what sort of thermal and electronic signature suppresing measures would be incorporated apart from structural measures.I am looking forward to the kind of weapons package that it is gonna incorporate along with it's AEW and Anti-missile capabilities.

[contedicavour]

Its a model, here is the pic. I won't call it Stealth :) .

The pic is small but I don't see the Israeli Star radar... so it's still Russian equipment for improved Shtil SAMs (though at least we do have VLS at last for them).
Other than that, quite an improvement on already good Delhi (area defence left aside)

cheers

[kams]

But it has some RCS reduction features. But no bow mounted sonar?

Yes but its not a true stealth destroyer. Please Don't take this model too seriously as an example of P-15A. This model was diplayed in Brahmos booth to highlight different Brahmos configurations, not to highlight P-15A.
PSN
If you are saying so by just looking at the picture you might be missing on some key aspects,for we do not know what sort of thermal and electronic signature suppresing measures would be incorporated apart from structural measures.I am looking forward to the kind of weapons package that it is gonna incorporate along with it's AEW and Anti-missile capabilities

What I meant is superstructure is still cluttered. It may have some RCS reduction compared to P-15, but it's no way a true stealth vessel.

The pic is small but I don't see the Israeli Star radar... so it's still Russian equipment for improved Shtil SAMs (though at least we do have VLS at last for them).

Looks like russian Topplate radar and Shitil VLS and Brahmos VLS.

[kams]

Here is the link to the story from which pictures were sourced. (In Russian I am afraid:confused: )

Defendory 2006 (http://armstass.su/?page=article&aid=30908&cid=120)

[tatra]

But it has some RCS reduction features. But no bow mounted sonar?
What's wrong with a hull mounted sonar (forward)

[tatra]

Yes but its not a true stealth destroyer. Please Don't take this model too seriously as an example of P-15A. This model was diplayed in Brahmos booth to highlight different Brahmos configurations, not to highlight P-15A.
PSN


What I meant is superstructure is still cluttered. It may have some RCS reduction compared to P-15, but it's no way a true stealth vessel.



Looks like russian Topplate radar and Shitil VLS and Brahmos VLS.
It's the fall back scenario. Best case being Barak 12 MR-SAM and Israeli M-Star....

[Grand Danois]

What's wrong with a hull mounted sonar (forward)

Limited field of view for ASW and minedetection in the littorals.

Edit: Found this piece on ACIG.org (http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_491.shtml), and it makes me wonder why you can't use hull mounted sonar in both active and passive mode "at once." Sounds weird to me.

1) Bow mounted sonars are today mounted on most frigates and destroyers, since they are rather easy to incorporate and do not require any adaptations that might have adverse effects on the construction of the ship.

In general, all bow mounted sonars can be used in both, active and passive modes. They are usually installed in the bulb of the ship, but have the disadvantage of suffering to flow noise. This means that the faster the ship is moving the faster the water passed down the bow, and the bulb is more likely to cause the flow noise, which covers any external noises, making them harder to detect. High speed movements of the ship also create air bubbles in water surrounding the bow: air is especially bad then it bounces sound waves off.

Another problem connected with ship movement is that of machinery noise. Every ship is getting noisier the faster it moves, causing air bubbles to snap in the water, cavitation of propellers, louder engine noises etc. Therefore, slower speeds are advised for submarine hunting.

2) Hull mounter sonars are usually mounted just behind the bow, at about one third of the hull down from the bow. This position offers the advantage that there is nothing that creates air bubbles – like the bulb in which the bow mounted sonars are usually positioned. Yet, the disadvantage is that hull mounted sonars detoriate the ship’s hydrodynamic form, suffer from additional flow noise, and have a limited field of “view”. Specifically, under specific conditions, hull mounted sonars cannot detect submarines operating near the bottom of the sea. They can also not be used in both, the passive and active modes at once.

[kams]

The Indian Navy has declined to buy eight British Sea Harrier FA.2 fighter jets that were phased out of the Royal Navy in March 2006.

According to a report in the October issue of the defence magazine India Strategic, the eight Harriers, which were also the last to serve the Royal Navy, were on offer but without some vital components like missiles and the Blue Vixen fire control radar. The prime consideration was to use them to train pilots and to fill in the gaps caused by the loss of six Harriers in the Indian Navy due to accidents spread over more than 20 years.

Indian Navy pilots and defence ministry representatives inspected and assessed the aircraft for technical and financial evaluation but it was decided not to go in for them as the jets needed considerable expense in upgrading their avionics and arming them.

Published reports indicate that India has 22 Sea Harriers, 16 of them being the FRS.51 fighter version. They are to be gradually replaced by MiG-29K aircraft, some 40 to 50 of which are likely to be acquired from Russia.

India has already contracted to buy 16 MiG-29Ks as part of the deal with Russia to acquire the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, but more such aircraft would be needed as the Indian Navy grows to its required size and capability.

As for the Royal Navy Harriers, the Indian Navy was initially enthusiastic, but then felt that "devoid of their offensive systems, they wouldn't be of much use". For training "the navy is already considering either the BAe Hawks or Boeing/BAe Goshawks", a source said.

Indian Navy pilots are now being given advanced carrier takeoff and landing training at the US Navy's Pensacola facility to prepare them for the arrival of Gorshkov and MiG-29Ks.

This had become necessary as ironically, the Russians were unable to offer matching training facilities although they sold both the aircraft carrier and the MiG-29K jets.

Harrier jets played a decisive and proven role in the Falklands crisis of 1982. The last naval variant, the FA.2, was armed with US AIM 20 AMRAAM (advanced medium range air-to-air missile) and the Ferranti ARI.50019 Blue Vixen radar that enabled it to engage four targets simultaneously.

India had decided to buy the Harriers in the mid-1970s as part of its efforts to build a blue water navy, while their actual deliveries began in 1983.

The Indian Navy's 16 Sea Harrier FRS.51 fighter versions are now under a midlife upgrade with new air-to-air missiles as well as helmet-mounted target acquisition sights.

The Indian Navy Harriers originally were equipped with the Ferranti Blue Fox radar that had poor "look-down" capability compared to the Blue Vixen of the British Navy.

The Indian Navy plans to use the Sea Harriers till around 2020.

Engines for Indian Sea Harriers were supplied by Rolls Royce while the aircraft have been maintained and upgraded - as prime contractor - by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Indian Navy declines to buy British Harriers (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1819350,0008.htm)

Guess they don't want to spend a bunch of money on something which will be replaced by 2020.

[aaaditya]

i would still consider the small,highly manouverable sea harrier equipped with the israeli el-m-2032 radar ,israeli avionics and derby and python-5 missiles to be apotent and low cost solution for indian navy particularly taking into considerations the capabilities of our neighbours.

i still believe that indian navy should go for the sea harriers.

[contedicavour]

i would still consider the small,highly manouverable sea harrier equipped with the israeli el-m-2032 radar ,israeli avionics and derby and python-5 missiles to be apotent and low cost solution for indian navy particularly taking into considerations the capabilities of our neighbours.

i still believe that indian navy should go for the sea harriers.

I wonder why the RN radar and Amraam missiles should be off limits to India... after all the US is proposing Super Hornets to India !? and I don't conceive how you could propose F18E/F without Amraams :confused:
I think the Sea Harrier deal was a good one if the jets had been delivered as such. Modernizing them extensively by installing Israeli radars and missiles is a bit too expensive relative to remaining service life available.

cheers

[aaaditya]

I wonder why the RN radar and Amraam missiles should be off limits to India... after all the US is proposing Super Hornets to India !? and I don't conceive how you could propose F18E/F without Amraams :confused:
I think the Sea Harrier deal was a good one if the jets had been delivered as such. Modernizing them extensively by installing Israeli radars and missiles is a bit too expensive relative to remaining service life available.

cheers

i believe rn has a shortage of the amraam missiles ,besides acquiring a small number of amraam missiles would be problematic and would add to the inventory of the indian navy which had already selected the israeli derby and python-5 missiles as their standard air to air missiles.there was never any intention of integrating the amraam onto the sea harrier ,the original plan envisioned the integration of the python-5 and derby with the israeli radar on the sea harrier.

[contedicavour]

i believe rn has a shortage of the amraam missiles ,besides acquiring a small number of amraam missiles would be problematic and would add to the inventory of the indian navy which had already selected the israeli derby and python-5 missiles as their standard air to air missiles.there was never any intention of integrating the amraam onto the sea harrier ,the original plan envisioned the integration of the python-5 and derby with the israeli radar on the sea harrier.

Ah-ha ok, thanks for clarification.
In this case the whole idea was a bit too expensive and complicated, I'd rather spend the money on further MIG29Ks, since the Harriers were old platforms requiring extensive refit once the plan became to strip them out of radar... and install other systems.

cheers

[aaaditya]

Ah-ha ok, thanks for clarification.
In this case the whole idea was a bit too expensive and complicated, I'd rather spend the money on further MIG29Ks, since the Harriers were old platforms requiring extensive refit once the plan became to strip them out of radar... and install other systems.

cheers

i believe indian navy will place an order for an additional 36 mig29k's to supplement the 24 already ordered and taking the total to 60(3 squadrons),2 ship based squadron, one for each aircraft carrier and 1 land based squadron(most probably based at dabolim in goa or at carnic in andaman and nicobar islands).

[contedicavour]

i believe indian navy will place an order for an additional 36 mig29k's to supplement the 24 already ordered and taking the total to 60(3 squadrons),2 ship based squadron, one for each aircraft carrier and 1 land based squadron(most probably based at dabolim in goa or at carnic in andaman and nicobar islands).

Wow quite a number 60 ! France will at best have 60 Rafales, Italy has approx 20 Harriers (17 but there are rumours of second hand AV8B+ from the USMC that could be delivered soon) and is requesting 22 F-35B, the Royal Navy will share with RAF but is unlikely to use more than 40-50. Russia will be stuck with its < 30 navalized Flankers until the day when it starts building new carriers...

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is an interesting article about the second indian naval base being built on the east coast at a place called rambilli in andhra pradesh,this naval base would be capable of berthing 2 aircraft carriers.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HJ17Df02.html

BANGALORE - The Indian Navy is getting a new base on the country's east coast. It is 50 kilometers south of Visakhapatnam, where the navy's eastern command is headquartered. This is India's second east-coast naval base, and it is designed to help protect the country's trade with Southeast Asia and to keep a wary eye on China's naval posture in the Bay of Bengal.

The new base - it doesn't have a name yet since it is still at a concept and design stage - is expected to berth two aircraft carriers, support ships and submarines. India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, which is capable of operating a fleet of 30 aircraft, including naval light combat aircraft, MiG 29K and Sea Harrier aircraft, is likely to be berthed there.

Visakhapatnam houses a naval base and a commercial port, the latter India's leading port in terms of tonnage for the sixth year in a row. Since expansion of the port is not feasible and with maritime traffic expected to increase in the coming years, the need for a complementary port has been felt for a while now. That culminated in the decision to set up a commercial port at Gangavaram.

Just as Gangavaram will help ease the pressure of commercial traffic at Visakhapatnam, the new naval base is expected to decongest the Visakhapatnam naval base. Lawrence Prabhakar, research fellow in the Maritime Security program at the Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore, points out that the new base "will provide better anchorage facilities than the crowded Visakhapatnam base".

At Visakhapatnam, the Indian Navy has had to share space with commercial vessels. For several years the navy has been seeking a naval base on the east coast that is under its exclusive control. A similar demand with regard to the west coast resulted in the commissioning of Indian Naval Ship (port) Kadamba at Karwar last year. Kadamba is exclusively under the control of the navy and was set up to ease congestion at Mumbai, which like Visakhapatnam houses a naval base and a commercial port.

There is a need for diversification of naval platforms and another base on the eastern seaboard will meet that need, Prabhakar told Asia Times Online. Besides, there is a need to accommodate newer ships with specialized berthing and service facilities, and appropriate infrastructure for newer ships such as the new air-defense ships and submarines. "The new eastern naval base, along with INS Kadamba would thus emerge as second-tier defense in depth at sea for the Indian Navy," Prabhakar points out.
The proposed base on India's east coast is the latest addition to its rapidly growing naval and maritime profile. India's navy is the fifth-largest in the world. It has ambitions of becoming a blue-water navy, and another naval base will contribute to realizing this ambition.

India describes the waters extending from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca, from Africa's east coast to the western shores of Australia as part of its "rightful domain". An overwhelming proportion of India's imports, especially its oil imports, come by sea. Control over sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) is therefore vital for realization of its dreams of becoming a global economic powerhouse. All this requires a naval and maritime fleet that can protect the SLOCs.

India's "Look-East" policy has resulted in increased economic, strategic and other engagement with Southeast Asia. Over 50% of India's trade passes through the Malacca Strait, making security of this waterway, particularly in the context of piracy there and the lurking threat of maritime terrorism, a crucial security concern for India.

An enhanced naval presence in the Bay of Bengal is therefore vital for India. It was this that prompted India to set up a naval command on the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The new base on India's east coast will further bolster the Andaman and Nicobar naval command, Prabhakar observes, adding that since the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are vulnerable to seismic and tsunami threats, "another base on the Eastern mainland of India is quite essential".

"The political-strategic intent of the new base is to build sinews for India's "Look-East" policy not only in trade terms but also in the context of the evolving maritime balance of power in the Asia-Pacific," says Prabhakar. China is the dominant concern. "The proposed base would have comprehensive anti-air, anti-submarine and amphibious capability, meaning a greater allocation of priority to the emergent Chinese naval force posture in the Myanmar region."

A second naval base on the east coast, which will contribute to increasing India's naval presence in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, is intended to balance China's influence there and to facilitate ongoing Indian naval exercises in the South China Sea with the navies of China-wary countries.

The location of the new base is said to be ideal. It is tucked away from the heart of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean; yet these are easily accessible from the base, as is the Malacca Strait. It is not too near to Bangladesh or Myanmar - where the Chinese naval presence poses a threat to India - as Kolkata is; yet it is close enough to "watch and listen" to Chinese naval activity here.

While the location of the new base is being described as excellent, it appears that the Indian Navy's first choice for the site was Gangavaram, where the new commercial port is being constructed. The navy apparently had identified Gangavaram as best suited for building berthing facilities for its Advanced Technology Vessel (or nuclear submarine) project. It had apparently put in a request some years ago for Gangavaram to be developed as a naval facility but the government turned it down.

Not only did the Indian government sideline the navy for development of the Gangavaram port but worse, it awarded the development of the port project to a private consortium consisting of DV Raju and Dubai Ports World. The latter, the world's third largest port operator, was caught in a political storm in the United States early this year, with questions being raised over the security implications of a United Arab Emirates-owned (UAE)company taking over the running of six American ports.

In April this year, when Dubai Ports World's role as developer of the Gangavaram port drew media attention, an official in India's Defense Ministry told Asia Times Online that the Indian Navy had written to the government four to five years ago expressing its concerns with Dubai Ports World developing Gangavaram.

Unlike the American objection to a UAE-based company running its ports, the Indian Navy's objection was that a foreign operator was being allowed to manage a port so close to the eastern naval command's headquarters, he said. Dubai Ports World subsequently pulled out of the consortium that is developing Gangavaram port.

The new base is being described as the Kadamba of the east. There is little doubt that like Kadamba it will boost India's naval ambitions. But will it - like Kadamba - take decades to become a reality?

"Project Seabird" of which Kadamba is a part was conceived decades ago. It received government sanction in August 1985, and construction was to begin in January 1986 and finish in seven years. In October 1986, then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi even laid the foundation stone for the project. But it was shelved thanks to a resource crunch. Work on the project began only in late 1999 and after enormous time and cost overruns, Kadamba was finally commissioned last year.

Government officials are quick to dismiss fears that the new base will take time to become a reality. Of the 5,000 acres sought by the Defense Ministry, the government of Andhra Pradesh - the state where the base will be located - has already allotted 500 acres. According to reports, the remaining land is to be assigned shortly. The project seems to have started off well. But political and bureaucratic meddling will have to stop for the new naval base project to go full steam ahead.

[vedang]

hey any news about the SHIVALIK class of frigates???when is the 1st ship to be inducted???which is going to be the aaw-warfare system on it???will it be barak-2 or shtil????
going with the time of development of indian systems,,i think they will have 2 go with barak-1 itself..

[contedicavour]

hey any news about the SHIVALIK class of frigates???when is the 1st ship to be inducted???which is going to be the aaw-warfare system on it???will it be barak-2 or shtil????
going with the time of development of indian systems,,i think they will have 2 go with barak-1 itself..

AFAIK it's improved Shtil SA-N-12, in VLS tubes like on the improved Delhi DDGs currently building. Barak-1 is only a self defence/short range missile with a range of 10km.

cheers

[tatra]

hey any news about the SHIVALIK class of frigates???when is the 1st ship to be inducted???which is going to be the aaw-warfare system on it???will it be barak-2 or shtil????
going with the time of development of indian systems,,i think they will have 2 go with barak-1 itself..

From Global Security:
Under Project 17, the Indian Cabinet approved the construction of a new stealthy multi-role surface ship in 1997. The Indian Navy ordered the first 3 ships in 1999. The Shivalik was launched in 2003, with the Satpura and Sahyadri susequently launched in 2004 and 2005. The first ship of the class Shivalik was launched on April 18, 2003 and the second ship Satpura on June 04, 2004. The Mazagaon Dock Ltd launched the third of the P-17 Stealth frigate on 27 May 2005. Tentative commsssioning dates for the first and second are given as Dec 2005 (Shivalik) and Sept 2007 (Satpura).

Given the commisioning date for the second, and the launch dates, I expect the first to be commissioned this december. But slippage may be longer, more like March 2007.

Indian defence quoted the following:
Shivalik; Laid Down 11/7/01, Launch 18/4/03, Commissioning 30/6/06.
Satpura; Laid Down ?/?/2002, Launch 4/6/04, Commissioning 29/12/06.
Sahyadri; Laid Down 17/3/2003, Launch 27/5/05, Commissioning 30/3/07

Bharat Rakshak lists:
Shival; Laid Down 11/7/01, Launch 18/4/03, Commissioning March 2007.
Satpura; Laid Down ?/?/2002, Launch 4/6/04, Commissioning ?/12/07.
Sahyadri; Laid Down 17/3/03, Launch 27/5/05, Commissioning ?/3/08

Some of the gear purchased for these ships is listed in here:
www.sipri.org/contents/armstrad/REG_IMP_IND_95-05.pdf/download (http://www.sipri.org/contents/armstrad/REG_IMP_IND_95-05.pdf/download)

Shtil, Kashtan, Club ... pretty much like Talwar class but with different electronics, sensors, machinery and better helo facilities.

[aaaditya]

the p-17a series also has a greater degree of stealth features than the russian krivack developed with the french,italian and canadian assistance.

one of the features that the p17a has which the krivack does not have is that the powerplant and gearbox machinery are mounted on vibration proof mounting and enclosed in sound proof enclosures.

[aaaditya]

hey guys check out this article about the indo-german defence cooperation,it is pretty interesting .

here check out this link:

http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/2682

The proposed revival of Indo-German military ties is a classic example of why political pique must not be allowed to impinge on national interests. Shutters were pulled down on cooperation with Bonn in military hardware production during the Rajiv reign in the wake of reports that some persons benefited from kickbacks in the deal to produce SSK hunter-killer submarine at the Mazagaon Docks under licence from HDW.
Before the deal went into cold storage for good, courtesy the then finance minister V P Singh, India had bought two submarines from the German shipyard. Two more were bought in completely knocked down (CKD) kits. The last four hulls were made from local material but the engines and some other components were procured from original German manufacturer.
German firm was alleged to have paid out kickbacks for bagging the contract and, later, having sold the design of the SSK submarine to South Africa, where the White minority regime practiced apartheid as state policy -a factor India was opposing in all international fora.
Hence, whatever transfer of technology that took place was confined to the extant project. It did not become a building block for further improvement and indigenous upgradation to a more modern weapons platform and when the project was completed the slipway and the expertise and trained manpower languished and disappeared without contributing to “competence building” to the extent of enabling the nation to design and develop its own submarine. The Advanced Technology Vessel, a euphemism for a titanium-hulled nuclear-powered submarine that was being pursued simultaneously with the German submarine project is still to take to the seas.
Something worse happened to the Bofors contract for the same reason of a groundswell of political opposition on the wave of which several politicians became Prime Ministers. Because of this the technology transfer for the 155-mm howitzer was never consummated.
As a consequence a perfectly good weapons platform suffered from spare parts and matching munitions problems; all the shortcomings were rectified at bloated cost post-haste when the Bofors howitzer turned out to be the best weapon to dislodge the Pakistanis from Kargil heights.
It is because the nuclear-powered submarine has not fructified that India had, perforce, to buy the air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology from the French in the shape of the Scorpene submarine.
The AIP technology helps the submarine to remain submerged without having to come to the surface for fresh supplies of air for a longer period than the conventional submarine. But it is still a pale shadow of a nuclear-powered submarine which can remain submerged for the entire cycle between maintenance repairs—which runs into several years—or the time required to give the crew rest and recreation which could be several months. Remaining submerged for long periods prevents the enemy from detecting and destroying the submarine during hostilities or trailing it during peacetime.
This advantage is compounded by the fact that a nuclear-powered submarine can travel faster underwater for longer periods which is a great advantage in either catching up with an enemy or getting away from hostile waters.
When Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Berlin to sign afresh the defence accord, there was much focus on Germany’s expertise in air-independent propulsion technology. It rings a bell. Is the Scorpene contract with France about to be scuttled? Well, it may because the Naval War Room leak of secret information could well have been intended to benefit the French manufacturer of the submarine. We in India have the proclivity to cancel projects that have been won by crooked means. So much so will Bofors saga revisit Scorpene deal? These are early days to say anything. In replies to questions in Parliament the Government has stated that investigations into the War Room leak had not revealed any connection with the Scorpene deal. This begs the question were the senior naval officers involved in the leak fishing for peanuts? Unlikely! Big information has been sold.
The new Indo-German agreement has been described as facilitating the relationship to graduate from the level of buyer-seller to that of co-production, joint development, and transfer of technology. Joint development of an engine for the indigenous main battle tank Arjun tank will have far-reaching consequences. Also, it could mean an improvement of the performance of the tank as a fighting platform. A more powerful engine would make what is seen to be an ungainly heavy chassis (58 tonnes) more manoeuvrable over a longer range. With retro-improvement and refinements India could become self-sufficient in a whole family of armoured vehicles for its mechanized forces built around the new engine technology. After all, every weapons platform is created around the capabilities of its engine.
Juxtaposed as it is with the Navy War Room Leak, the Indo-German agreement has the potential of providing a clean slate for future plans for the Indian Navy. After all, it is one Service that has progressed impressively from licensed production of Leander class frigates from Britain to the production indigenously of the Godavari class. These are essentially stretched versions of the Leanders but have innovations like enlarged hangar space to take two anti-submarine warfare helicopters. It means India navy achieved a quantum leap in its search and destroy capability.

[aaaditya]

hey guys interesting news ,seems that the indian navy will use the sea kings till atleast upto 2010 and will also acquire 6 sikorsky helicopters for the uss trenton being acquired from usa.

india has also sent request for proposals to 8 manufacturers including sikorsky for a heavy maritime reconnaisance helicopter (atleast 16 helicopters may be acquired) to replace the sea kings.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18502

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) The Indian Navy has awarded European aircraft major AgustaWestland the contract to restore to service seven Sea King Mk 42B helicopters that were stripped to keep the rest of the fleet in service.

Their cannibalization took place from 1998 onwards when the navy's almost entire fleet of 16 Sea King Mk 42Bs acquired in 1985 - and four Sea King Mk 42Cs that entered service a year later - were grounded due to lack of spares following US sanctions against New Delhi over its nuclear tests.

Although sanctions were lifted in 2001, bureaucratic delays led to the US clearing Sea King spares for delivery only in early 2003, a period that impacted seriously on its operational preparedness.

Navy officials said work to resurrect the seven Sea King Mk 42B helicopters will commence by the year-end in Kochi and completed in 24-36 months.

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, will provide a specialist team to assist state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) that will undertake the repair and overhaul of "rotable" items including the transmission and helicopter rotor heads in support of this contract.

Two years ago HAL and AgustaWestland had signed a contract to jointly repair and overhaul the navy's Sea King helicopter fleet.

"The contract will ensure that seven existing airframes will be returned to service, enabling the Indian Navy to achieve increased numbers at sea. This contract will aid AgustaWestland to further develop its business links with the Indian aerospace industry and will result in additional work for HAL's Sea King repair and overhaul facility," said Bert Brookes, AgustaWestand's Britain-based customer support director.

The navy plans to keep its Sea King helicopter fleet operational till 2010 and is also on the verge of closing negotiations with the US to buy six surplus Sikorsky UH-3H Sea Kings for around Rs.3 billion ($66 million).

These six will operate off the USS Trenton, the 35-year old Austin-class dock-landing platform the navy is buying for Rs.2 billion via the US Foreign millitary Sales Programme.

The Trenton's transfer is expected to take place in December, Admiral Gary Roughhead, head of the US Pacific Fleet, was quoted as saying.

[contedicavour]

Just in case, we've got several ASH-3D Sea Kings that we are mothballing as the EH-101 deliveries are being completed. If some of those can help the Indian Navy keep their Sea Kings flying until 2010 ;)

cheers

[aaaditya]

well they may be used,considering that the agusta westland would be providing maintainence support for the indian navy sea king helicopters.

by the way ,eh101 is also being evaluated for the indian navy replacement order for the sea kings.

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news ,indian coast guard is on an expansion mode ,in the next 5 years it would be acquiring an additional 21 new vessels (most indigenously built) to supplement the 70 ships and 45 aircrafts already in service ,these 21 vessels shall include additional xfac fast attack crafts(8 units are planned) ,extra large patrol vessels(atleast 3 units of these 2000 ton vessels are planned) and the rolls royce designed pollution control vessels(atleast 6 units of these 3000+ ton vessels are planned).

they will also set up 5 major coast guard stations and three marine coastal security units(marine security police stations).

here check out this link and article:

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=424172


Coastguard to set up five major coastguard stations

NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (PTI)
In a bid to plug loopholes in the country's coastline security, Coastguard plans to set up five major coastguard stations by next year and boost its strength by inducting 21 more warships.
The force also plans to set up three marine coastal security units off the Arabian coast with the help of Union Home Ministry on fast track basis to check smuggling of arms and explosive material by terrorist groups operating from Pakistani soil, Coastguard Director General Vice Admiral R F Contractor said.
Making a presentation at the Coastguard Commanders conference here in the presence of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Contractor said the three new marine police stations were planned to be set up at Vereval, Dahanu and Murud Janjira in Guajart.
"These stations would be set up on fast track in coordination with the Home Ministry in view of the prevailing security situation", Contractor said.
The Commanders conference was also attended by the Defence Secretary Shekar Dutt and senior defence and Home Ministry officials. It discussed in detail new steps to guard against terrorists using the country's long western coastline to smuggle arms and explosives.
The Director General said three major Coast Guard stations had come up at Jakhau, Pondicherry and Beypore and fourth at Kakinada would be commissioned next month. Coastguard has 70 warships and 45 aircraft at its disposal. It's reach would be further strengthened with the induction of 21 more warships, including pollution control vessels and fast interceptor crafts.

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news,india and us navies will be conducting a joint naval excercise of the goa coast code named malabar9 .the most latest us submarine the providence would be participating in this excercise.

here check out this link:

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=73&id=424964


US Marines to be in action in sea landings off Goa Coast

NEW DELHI, OCT 26 (PTI)
Indian and the US forces have kicked off a big joint land and sea exercises off the Goa coast, after a lull of almost a year and half, attempting for the first time to land joint expeditonary forces from the sea.
"US marines and specialised Indian army troops would be attempting to land sea-borne expeditionary forces during the exercises code named Malabar-9 off the Konkan coast," according to a Naval spokesman here.
The exercises have already commenced from October 24 and would for the first time see US Marines in action on the Indian soil as they go through complex battle manouvres in the Army's prestigious commando school in Belgaum.
After introducing the Indian Navy to their huge nuclear powered carriers, US Navy has brought its newest Nuclear powered submarine USS Providence for the exercises. The other elements of the US forces will be its huge copter-cum-landing ship USS Boxer, Destroyers Benfold and Howard, the US CoastGuard cutter Midget, Canandian frigate Ottawa and sea spyplane P-3C Orions.
The Indian navy is fielding the pride of its indigenous warships INS Mysore, guided missile frigates Beas and Ganga, Tanker Shakti, Large landing ship INS Gharial sub-surface killer submarine INS Shankul, Coast Guard ship Samar and reconnaisance aircraft and Sea Harrier fighters.

Though personnel of Indian Army, Navy and IAF have over the years been training for such landings, this would be for the first time that they would be attempting such manoeuvres with a foreign army.

"For this operation involving sea-borne landings, some of our army troops have already been trained on board the Landing ship INS Gharial and now these forces would be exercising with US Marines," the Naval spokesman said.
He said the exercises would also see the two navies engaging in advanced anti-submarine operations, maritime interdictions, weapons firings, search and seizure operations, cross deck flying and dissimlar air combat.
The sea borne exercises would be followed by joint commando exercises on the land codenamed Operation Shatrujit in which US marines and personnel from 1 Punjab would carry out joint anti-terrorist exercises. India and the United States forces have been holding regular joint exercises involving land, sea and air elements, but there had been a pause for almost a year and half.

[contedicavour]

well they may be used,considering that the agusta westland would be providing maintainence support for the indian navy sea king helicopters.

by the way ,eh101 is also being evaluated for the indian navy replacement order for the sea kings.

The EH101 is ideal in terms of range, autonomy, payload, sensors, etc for an ocean navy like India's, and is the only real successor to the Sea King - the latest versions of Seahawk are smaller and not really comparable.
I wonder if it could be arranged to develop in India an assembly line for EH101s for South & south-eastern Asia. I guess so.

cheers

[aaaditya]

The EH101 is ideal in terms of range, autonomy, payload, sensors, etc for an ocean navy like India's, and is the only real successor to the Sea King - the latest versions of Seahawk are smaller and not really comparable.
I wonder if it could be arranged to develop in India an assembly line for EH101s for South & south-eastern Asia. I guess so.

cheers

indian company hal and eurocopter are jointly developing a 12 ton helicopter based on the cougar and the alh dhruv ,i believe in future this will be the standard medium lift helicopter of the indian armed forces replacing the mi17's and the sea kings(or their replacements).

[aaaditya]

hey guys sreat news ,indians are raising a maritime police force ,whose responsibilities will include anti-smuggling,counter insurgency,law and order maintainence,coastal intelligence gathering etc,this move will reduce the preasure on the indian coast guard and the navy,this marine police will also be extremely usefull in the event of a war as they will provide security to navala nd coastal installations and will be used for anti spying operations etc.

an order has been placed for upto 90 10 ton boarts for this force.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.teluguportal.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18721

First mooted in the wake of the 1993 Mumbai terror bombings, an ambitious plan to create Marine Police forces in india's coastal states is finally taking off but doubts remain over the manner in which they will be administered.

Orders for some 90 high-speed boats of 10 tonne class and 20 tonne class have been placed with Kolkata's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and other shipyards and the first marine Police station has even opened in Gujarat but it will be a long time before teething problems are ironed out, officials say.

The Marine Police are envisaged as the first line of defence along India's 7,516-km coastline to patrol an area of 10 km from the shore. Thereafter, the Coast Guard would be responsible for the 10-50 km area with the Indian Navy guarding the area beyond that.

Strange as it may sound, there are at present no concrete arrangements to patrol India's inshore coastal areas and the numerous creeks and rivulets along the coastline. It is largely due to this lacuna that the perpetrators of the 1993 Mumbai blasts could land enormous amounts of explosives undetected. Thirteen years down the line, the situation remains much the same with rampant smuggling continuing unabated - particularly along the west coast.

At present only the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a Marine Police force. Under a scheme drawn up by the home ministry, each of India's nine other coastal states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal - were to independently set up such forces with the centre and the states sharing the cost on a 50:50 basis.

But, even as the government accepted this proposal of a group of ministers, basic administrative issues are yet to be addressed, say officials of the Indian Coast Guard, who have been tasked with training the initial cadres of Marine Police personnel.

"We have been asked to provide two-month training in areas like seamanship and interception to the Marine Police forces but this is only the beginning," a Coast Guard officer told IANS, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"To be able to venture out to sea, these personnel will first need to acquire a certificate from the Mercantile Marine Department of the shipping ministry. This will not only require additional training but will also make them eligible for jobs in the merchant navy, where the pay and perks are certainly better than what they will get in the police forces," the officer added.

Then, there is the question whether the Marine Police personnel would constitute a separate cadre or would form a part of the existing police forces.

"Either way has an inherent disadvantage," the Coast Guard officer explained.

"If they form a separate cadre, frustration would set in as promotional avenues would be limited due to the small size of the force in each state. If they are part of the state police, they would be constantly shuttling between assignments and training levels would suffer," the officer added.

One possible way out could be to place them under an organisation like the Coast Guard, but this would defeat the very rationale of raising such forces.

The reasons for this are not difficult to understand.

Till 1978, the Indian Navy was responsible for both inshore and offshore patrolling. When the Coast Guard was formed, it was empowered to apprehend defaulters at sea but had to hand over offenders and the entire case to the police of the state off which the offence had occurred.

However, the state police forces did not have the time and inclination to pursue offences committed at sea, even saying this was best left to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard did not agree and over the years, changes in state laws have rectified this lacuna.

Maintenance is another major area of concern.

"Given the manner in which state police forces maintain their existing assets, one shudders to think how they will maintain the Marine Police vessels," the Coast Guard officer pointed out.

[contedicavour]

indian company hal and eurocopter are jointly developing a 12 ton helicopter based on the cougar and the alh dhruv ,i believe in future this will be the standard medium lift helicopter of the indian armed forces replacing the mi17's and the sea kings(or their replacements).

12 tonne is a bit light isn't it ? EH101 is 14.6 tonne helo, with 1000km range and 280km/H speed thanks to their 3 1490KW turbines.
I've seen pictures of the Dhruv, I would have though of it as comparable to the NH90 maximum in terms of size.
Do you know about the characteristics of the helo being prepared jointly by Hal and Eurocopter ?

cheers

[tphuang]

12 tonne is a bit light isn't it ? EH101 is 14.6 tonne helo, with 1000km range and 280km/H speed thanks to their 3 1490KW turbines.
I've seen pictures of the Dhruv, I would have though of it as comparable to the NH90 maximum in terms of size.
Do you know about the characteristics of the helo being prepared jointly by Hal and Eurocopter ?

cheers

no, Dhruv is in the weight class of Eurocopter Tiger.

[aaaditya]

no, Dhruv is in the weight class of Eurocopter Tiger.

comparing dhruv to the eurocopter tiger is ridiculous ,tiger is an attack helicopter whereas the dhruv is a transport helicopter,dhruv is in the 4.5-5 ton class while the tiger is in the 5.5 ton class,the light combat helicopter which is currently being developed by the hindusthan aeronautics limited from the dhruv is in the same class as the tiger at 5.5 tons and it is an attack helicopter,dhruv is in the same class as the eurocpter dauphin.

[aaaditya]

12 tonne is a bit light isn't it ? EH101 is 14.6 tonne helo, with 1000km range and 280km/H speed thanks to their 3 1490KW turbines.
I've seen pictures of the Dhruv, I would have though of it as comparable to the NH90 maximum in terms of size.
Do you know about the characteristics of the helo being prepared jointly by Hal and Eurocopter ?

cheers

alh dhruv is smaller than nh-90 ,nh-90 is a 20 seater ,whereas dhruv is a 14 seater,alh dhruv is in the same weight class as the eurocpter dauphin.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,the 5th extra fast patrol vessel has been commissioned by the indian coast guard,the rate at which goa shipyards limited is building them is phenomenal.

here check out this link and article:

http://oheraldo.in/node/20059

New extra fast petrol vessel inducted into Coast Guard

BY HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, OCT 28 — The Coast Guard ship ‘ICGS Savitribai Phule’ extra fast petrol vessel was commissioned by Vice Admiral (VADM) R F Contractor, director general Indian Coast Guard at a ceremony at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) on Saturday. Senior officials of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy, Goa Shipyard, Central and state government were present.

The ship has been named after the prominent personality Savitaribai Phule, who was a great social reformer and leader who fought for women liberation and education.
The Coast Guard Ship Savitribai Phule is fifth in the series of extra fast vessel designed and build by Goa Shipyard Ltd. The vessel has the state of the art technology, sophisticated equipment and high speed capability adding a tremendous strength to the Indian Coast Guard fleet primarily to under take anti-smuggling anti-pouching and search and rescue missions. The ship is design to perform Coast Guard charter of duty during peace and war.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Contractor, congratulated the GSL for completing the task well ahead of given time period. He said that with the induction of Extra Fast Patrol Vessel in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has added another milestone in the ICG service.
Earlier, Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (Retd) A K Handa welcomed the guests and informed that all the five Fast Patrol Vessels built at Goa Shipyard Ltd for Coast Guard have been delivered well before the schedule time.
“Our Contribution in building the ships has enabled the Indian Coast Guard to respond to the distress calls from fishermen at high seas, facilitating search and rescue missions in an effective manner, he added.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,i definitely believe that the indian navy needs to set up a naval intelligence ,whose reponsibilities should also include prevention of information leakage,and this article agrees with me.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7607


Navy has taken "corrective" steps to prevent information leak

NEW DELHI, OCT 31 (PTI)
The navy has put in place a specialised organisation to ensure safety of top secret information and of warships at sea, new naval chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said here today.
"We have taken corrective steps to ensure that there are no leaks of classified information and documents," Mehta said soon after assuming office while replying to a barrage of questions on Naval war room leaks, which have led to arrest and dismissal from service of key naval personnel.
"It is unfortunate that such incidents happened," Mehta said of the naval espionage cases asserting that corrective steps had been taken to ensure that such incidents don't recur. "A big organisation has been put in place to ensure safety of information and that of units at sea. We are sure we won't have such problems now," he said.

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news ,the trenton would be arriving in april,it will be equipped with upto six sikorsky helicopters.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7606


Amphibious ship from US to arrive in India in April

MUMBAI, OCT 31 (PTI)
The large amphibious ship USS Trenton, which has been acquired by India from the US, will arrive in Mumbai in April next year, a top naval official said today.
Talking to reporters on board INS Mysore here, Rear Admiral Anup Singh, flag officer commanding of the Western Fleet, said the ship would be commissioned in February and arrive in Indian waters by April.
For the purpose of acquiring the ship, a team of Indian Navy officials have already gone to the US, he said.
Six state-of-the-art helicopters would come along with the vessel, he said.
The vessel, once inducted, would enhace the Indian Navy's blue water capability and its amphibious role. The ship has a complement of 350 and can carry 900 troops.
Talking about the ongoing Indo-US exercises, Singh said this was the ninth in the Malabar series of joint manoeuvres by the Indian and American navies.
Task force Malabar comprises 12 warships, including two Coast Guard ships, two submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters under the tactical command of the flag officer commanding of the Western Fleet. Malabar 2006 is unique as this is the first time that a US expeditionary strike group is exercising with the Indian Navy.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,admiral sureesh mehta has now become the new naval cjief ,he is also a fighter pilot like his predecessor,he has very high ambitions for the indian navy ,including the one to make the indian navy a blue water navy.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-263611,curpg-2.cms


NEW DELHI: A truly blue-water Navy with strategic reach to operate from Africa's eastern coast right up to Malacca Straits. A satellite networked-force with maritime surveillance capabilities to keep tabs on the entire Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

That, in short, is the mantra of Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who took over as the new Navy chief from Admiral Arun Prakash on Tuesday. "With India's rapid growth, the Navy has a much bigger role to play now, much more to contribute to the nation's strength," said Admiral Mehta.

A fighter pilot like his predecessor, Admiral Mehta will have almost three years at the helm to further "transform" the already transforming Navy into India's most "potent and visible force" in IOR.

It's certainly required with maritime security now becoming inextricably entwined with overall strategic policy, with the fact that both China and Pakistan are taking rapid strides towards boosting their naval capabilities.

India, of course, is heavily dependent on sea-borne trade, with 90% of its total trade by volume being transported through waterways. It also has to keep track of its vast Economic Exclusive Zone, slated to go up to 2.54 million sq km from the present two million sq km, apart from off-shore oil and gas assets.

Asked about his priorities by TOI, Admiral Mehta said: "We are certainly looking at improving our maritime surveillance capabilities. In the last few years, we have been talking about a maritime domain awareness."

"But we have some lacunae and a huge area to cover. We need to have some more assets, be it on the ships, be it in the air or even in space," said Admiral Mehta.

The Navy, for instance, wants to induct eight long-range maritime patrol aircraft as well as more UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to plug the existing operational gaps in its surveillance capabilities.

The Navy also seeks to act as a stabilising force in IOR, seeing itself as a diplomatic instrument to further India's geostrategic objectives. "It will be our constant endeavour to operate in waters far away from home. Our warships need to have longevity in distant theatres," he said.

Induction of 16,900-tonne American amphibious transport vessel USS Trenton next year and 44,570-tonne Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov in 2008, with its complement of MiG-29K fighters, will take Navy's war-fighting capabilities to "a different dimension" altogether.

"We will have capabilities to influence battles on land with these long-range weapon systems, apart from the ability to transport troops from one place to another," he said.

Asked about last year's infamous war-room "leak" case as well as the recent warship accidents at sea, he said it was "unfortunate" but corrective action was being taken to prevent reoccurrence.

"A big organisation is already in place to ensure safety of information and that of units at sea. We are sure we won't have such problems in the future," he said.

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news ,indian navy plans to christen the ausdtin class of landing platform dock uss trenton as the jalashva or the sea horse.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/15833.html

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 1: With five months to go for the American warship USS Trenton to join the Indian fleet, the Navy has proposed that the amphibious vessel be rechristened INS Jalashva — Sanskrit for Sea Horse — when it is commissioned in March next year. Still to be approved by President APJ Abdul Kalam, the name was prioritised as the Navy’s top choice among a few others by just retired Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash.

The other two large amphibious ships in the Navy are INS Magar (crocodile) and INS Gharial (another reptile from the crocodile family). From a list of names, Jalashva was ticked by the former Navy Chief before the file was sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan, sources said. The USS Trenton, with the motto “No Greater Gator” was commissioned in 1971 and named after the capital of New Jersey state.

The 17,000-ton warship, likely to be based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command, will be the Navy’s second largest vessel after aircraft carrier INS Viraat, which itself will move to second place in size when the Russian aircraft carrier rechristened INS Vikramaditya is commissioned in late 2008.
The Navy got its first taste of American amphibious warfare equipment when it exercised with the US Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), a task force that included the USS Boxer, Washington’s amphibious flagship, off the Goa coast this week.
About the Trenton, the new Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta yesterday said, “It brings about a different dimension to our fighting capabilities. We will have a capability to influence the land battle with long-range weapons and the ability to transport large numbers of people from one place to another.” The Navy is also in negotiations to purchase six H-3 Sea King maritime utility transport helicopters for operations off the Trenton’s deck.

[aaaditya]

hey guys check out this article ,it contains some valuable information on the trenton ,the vessel costed india 48 million us dollars and includes upto 4 landing craft mechanised.

here check out this article and link:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03navy.htm?q=np&file=.htm

November 03, 2006 09:58 IST
The Indian Navy has sent some 300 personnel to the United States to train and sail back with the 35-year-old Austin-class platform landing dock, USS Trenton acquired by India, a leading defence weekly reported.
Crew are now undergoing training at the US Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, before taking over the 17,000-tonne ship once it is decommissioned from the US Navy in January 2007. The crew will then aim to return to India by May 2007, the Jane's Defence weekly said, quoting a spokesman of the Indian Navy.
At 174 metre long, Trenton will be the Indian Navy's second largest warship after the Hermes-class aircraft carrier INS Viraat and the first military purchase from the US after the two countries entered into a strategic partnership in 2005.
Trenton cost India Rs 2.18 billion ($ 48.44 million) under the US government's foreign military sales programme and includes the provision of four LCM8 landing craft.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,according to the indian naval chief admiral sureesh mehta ,indian navy would be acquiring 8 new destroyers,8 new frigates ,12 corvettes,6 scorpene submarines and i aircraft carrier over the next 10-15 years.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200611060314.htm


New Delhi, Nov 6. (PTI): The navy's "shrinking" submarine fleet is a matter of concern, new naval chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has said.
A plan has already been put in place to raise the strength of the submarine arm, he said.
"Our (submarine) levels are certainly shrinking and it's a cause for concern," Mehta, who took over as chief on November 1, told Times Now channel.
"We haven't built a submarine for over 14-15 years now. As ships and submarines get older, they need to be phased out," he said.
"We expect to set the situation right. The ball has already been set rolling," he said.
Mehta said, "The first of these (new submarines) will start coming out in eight-nine years and then simultaneously, hopefully we should get some more in the pipeline so that we are able to stablise the situation in 15 years or so."
Explaining the reasons behind the delay in building up the fleet strength, he said, "Navies take very long to build (warships) and it's a continuous process that must be kept going always.
"If we didn't order some ships at some point of time, we land up in trouble some years down the road. The same is the case with submarines."
India recently inked a deal to build six Scorpene submarines using technology supplied by a French firm.
On future focus areas, Mehta said, "We have put (in place) a perspective plan for the next 20 years." This plan would automatically ensure replacement of ships that are ageing. Mehta said the Indian Navy would add eight destroyers, eight frigates, a dozen corvettes, six submarines and an aircraft carrier to its fleet in the years ahead.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,the landing ship tank(large) which is the third of the series has now been handed by the garden reach shipbuilders and engineers limited to the india navy,it will prove to be a vital clog in indian navy's amphibious assault capability.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110702691000.htm

The ship Shardul, which was ordered in December 2001, has been handed over to the Indian Navy, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has stated in a press note. This is third ship of LST (L) class built by GRSE. The earlier ships of this class (INS Magar and INS Gharial) were built and delivered in 1987 and 1997 respectively. Two follow-on ships, Yard 3015 (Kesari) and Yard 3016 (Airavat), are in an advanced stage of fitting out. The design modification of the Shardul class has been carried out by GRSE. The project is managed by the Directorate of Ship Production. The new ship will be an important amphibious warship, carrying Landing Craft Assault armoured tanks, army vehicles and troops, according to the press note. The ship is capable of beaching for disembarkation of these vehicles and troops.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,kerela state electronics corporation is planning to enter into the indian defence sector in a big way,it is already in talks with the npol(naval physical and oceanographic laboratotries) for long term supply of defence products.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110700981100.htm


Kochi Nov. 6
The Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) is in talks with NPOL (Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory) a unit under the Ministry of Defence for manufacturing defence related equipment on a long-term basis. NPOL is a naval defence research and development organisation.
Keltron helps in the manufacture of naval defence equipment like sonar, eco-sounder, electronic ground mines, deep-sea telephone equipment etc. in association with NPOL Kochi and NSTL (Naval Science and Technological Laboratory) Vishakapatnam. It has also assisted in the development and manufacture of several equipment for the Indian Army as well.
The Managing Director of Keltron, Mr Minhaj Alam, held discussions with the NPOL Director, Mr V. Chander, and the Chief Controller of Research and Development at the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Dr A. Shivathanupilla, when he visited Kochi NPOL recently. The endeavour is to further strengthen the nation's defence capability, while accelerating the economic progress of Keltron. The Kerala Government has been extending all support and assistance to Keltron in the venture, a press release issued here said. NPOL has proven its prowess in developing several naval related defence equipment, which Keltron has assisted in the manufacturing and design stages.

[harryriedl]

hey guys ,great news,the landing ship tank(large) which is the third of the series has now been handed by the garden reach shipbuilders and engineers limited to the india navy,it will prove to be a vital clog in indian navy's amphibious assault capability.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110702691000.htm

The ship Shardul, which was ordered in December 2001, has been handed over to the Indian Navy, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has stated in a press note. This is third ship of LST (L) class built by GRSE. The earlier ships of this class (INS Magar and INS Gharial) were built and delivered in 1987 and 1997 respectively. Two follow-on ships, Yard 3015 (Kesari) and Yard 3016 (Airavat), are in an advanced stage of fitting out. The design modification of the Shardul class has been carried out by GRSE. The project is managed by the Directorate of Ship Production. The new ship will be an important amphibious warship, carrying Landing Craft Assault armoured tanks, army vehicles and troops, according to the press note. The ship is capable of beaching for disembarkation of these vehicles and troops.



are these landing ships based on the Round Table class of LST

[swerve]

are these landing ships based on the Round Table class of LST

Yes. A modernised version.

[aaaditya]

hey guys check out this interesting article on the indian navy's new drydock and shiplift facility at karwar,it reduces the turn around time for warships considerably and is capable of lifting ships of upto 10000 tons displacement.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7649

Bangalore, Nov 7: The blue water Indian Navy will have more operational flexibility when the unique ship-lift and transfer system for dry docking of ships at integrated Naval base INS Kadamba at Karwar will be formally inaugurated on Wednesday November 8.
With this, the turnaround time for ship repairs at the Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY) will come down considerably. “Its an exclusive facility, which is quite swift and ships will be ready for action within a very short span of time,” a senior Navy officer told this paper.
The ship-lift is capable of lifting upto 10,000 tonne vessels of 175m x 28 m sizes. The port will be able to accommodate 42 ships. In later stages, even ships from other nations can also come to one of the cleanest ports in the world to use the facility.
In the conventional system; ‘graving dock’ ships occupy the docking facility for nearly 45 days. They were docked and water is emptied from there, before the repair work can be taken up.
The new dry-docking facility will ensure that ships are lifted from the water and sent to the repair yard in just a day or two. In simple terms, the shiplift is a large elevator platform which can be lowered into water, have a ship hauled in and positioned over the cradles preset on the platform and then lifted vertically to the ground level so that the ship can be moved from the platform onto a dry berth on land.
The NSRY, which commenced its operations on November 14, 2005, is being commanded by Commander S M Rajeshwar. The dry-docking facility is a new addition to the Navy base, which is flanked by beautiful bays and islands on one side and the picturesque Western Ghats on the other.
The Naval base with its state-of-the art maintenance facility will house most of the frontline ‘destroyers,’ missile frigates and the only aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy, INS Virat.
Aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which India is planning to acquire, will also be anchored at the new base, sources said. The Russian made aircraft carrier, which the Navy plans to christen INS Vikramaditya, is almost one-and-half times bigger than INS Virat.
The base is all set to become the flag-bearer of Indian Navy and will also emerge as the hub of Navy’s activities in future as other bases in the country are crowded and do not have much scope for expansion.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,naval science and technology laboratories is on the verge of developing an indigenously designed thermal propulsion guided torpedo which they claim to have a faster,sleaker and stealthier than conventional torpedos.nstl has already developed and productionised heavyweight and light weight electric propulsion torpedos.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7656

NSTL to design torpedoes with thermal technology

Staff Reporter



VISAKHAPATNAM: The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam will shortly place the nation in the elite group of countries that design and develop torpedoes with thermal technology.
Revealing this to the press here on Tuesday, A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, said NSTL had already successfully designed heavy and lightweight electrically propelled torpedoes that are under production and now it has made a breakthrough in indigenously designing torpedoes with thermal propulsion system.
Faster and sleeker He said: "Right at this moment I can say that these torpedoes will be faster, sleeker and stealthier. The torpedoes not only come under the guided category but also will have a longer range than the conventional ones. Once inducted they will add more punch to the naval firepower, as they can be used both from ships and submarines." Updating on BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, he said both the versions — anti ship and land target missiles — are on the induction stage both by the Navy and the Army.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,according to goa shipyards limited's annual reports they have recieved orders for 3 (i believe 3 105 metre nopv for navy and 3 90 meter opv for the coast guard)new offshore patrol vessels of 90-105 meter size for the indian navy and coast guard ,though these vessels are based on the basic design of the sankalp class of advanced offshore patrol vessels (2 of which are currently under construction for the indian coast guard ),the basic design has been modified to meet the naval requirements,which i believe means greater weapons capability and better sensors.

here check out this link:

http://www.goashipyard.co.in/html/directors_report.htm

During the year 2005-06, the Company delivered two Fast Patrol Vessels to Indian Coast Guard, 5 to 6 months ahead of contractual delivery schedules. The remaining three Fast Patrol Vessels are scheduled to be delivered by September, 2006, improving upon the delivery period further to 5–6 months ahead of contractual delivery schedules. The Company created history on 28th January, 2006 in the Indian shipbuilding industry, with the launching and commissioning of two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for Indian Coast Guard on the same day, way ahead of their contractual schedules. This unique historical event first of its kind since inception of the shipyard, has enhanced the confidence in our customers about our capabilities to undertake construction and timely delivery of sophisticated ships.

13. Further, two Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) for Indian Coast Guard are under construction and both the vessels are scheduled to be launched in 2006–07. These are the largest ships designed and being constructed by the Company. Despite being prototype vessels, we are confident that the Company will be able to deliver them as per contractual commitments. The Company has received orders for construction of 03 Nos. each Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The 90M OPVs are also first of its type designed inhouse for construction in the Yard. The 105M NOPV though on the basic design of 105M AOPV incorporates major changes to meet the specific Naval requirements. The design works of these vessels are in progress and production will commence in 2006-07.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,indian coast guard has captured a north korean cargo ship meant for iran ,which had strayed into indian territorial waters without permission,i wonder what we will find this time.

last time that the indian coast guard captured an illegal north korean ship(mv koowolsan) ,they got production documents for the north korean missiles intended for pakistan with enough material for the manufacture of 10 missiles.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7661

A North Korean freighter, MV-Omranili, which was on its way to Iran ‘found itself’ in Indian waters after an ‘engine failure’ and has been detained in Mumbai. The Coast Guard, the Bombay Port Trust, the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Customs have formed separate teams to inspect the freighter and find out if it is carrying any arms or ammunition and the reason behind its voyage to Iran.

Coming close on the heels of the nuclear tests conducted by North Korea recently, the ‘straying’ of the vessel into Indian waters and its subsequent detention assumes significance. Speaking on condition of anonymity, sources at Mumbai Customs House and the Coast Guard said the ship’s crew members have failed to provide any convincing replies about the purpose of their journey to Iran.

“What is most suspicious is the fact that though it is a cargo ship, they are not carrying any consignment or goods,” said a Coast Guard officer. The authorities are now examining the freighter to find if any contraband is hidden somewhere.

The freighter was first spotted in the Indian waters on October 29. The Coast Guard immediately swung into action and escorted the freighter to the Bombay docks. When questioned, the crew members told the Coast Guard they were on their way to Bandar Abbas in Iran and strayed into the Indian waters as the engine had developed a snag.

Since North Korea is suspected of supplying missile technology and nuclear components to Iran in the past, the Indian authorities are examining the ship closely. While interrogation of the 12 North Korean crew members is still on, the language is proving to be a major hurdle. “They don’t understand English at all. But we are trying our best to find out the purpose of their visit to Iran since there is no conspicuous cargo onboard,” said an officer.

This is the second time a North Korean vessel has been detained by the Indian authorities. A North Korean freighter, Koowolsanho, detained off the Kandla Port in Gujarat in 1999, had yielded equipment for the production of missiles intended for Pakistan. The seized vessel included 148 boxes, declared as machines and water-refining equipment, but intended for the production of tactical surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 300 km.

In addition to being a recipient of technology for weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, North Korea is also said to have supplied ballistic missiles and its production technology to other states, mainly Iran, Pakistan, Syria and Libya.

[aaaditya]

hey guys here are the names of the indian navy's indigenous torpedoes .

1) shneya light weight digital torpedo(it is also known as the advanced experimental torpedo and is believed to be equivalent to the italian a244s torpedo also in service with the indian navy)

2) varunastra heavy weight electrical torpedo.

3) thakshak is the name of the thermal torpedo ,it is claimed to have twice the speed of electrical torpedos and can go to a depth of upto 600meters depth.once inducted india would be the fourth country to develop this technology after usa,ussr and sweden.

by the way check out this link ,it contains detailed information on the advanced experimental torpedo.

http://www.drdo.org/labs/nr&d/nstl/achieve.shtml

Light Weight Torpedo (Advanced Experimental Torpedo) is an anti-submarine weapon which can be fired from a flying/hovering helicopter very close to the previously known location of enemy submarine to have a definite kill probability. The torpedoes can also be fired in a quick salvo from surface ships using torpedo Triple Tube Launchers (TTL).
Several front-end technologies are developed for the first time in the country making it self reliant. Several other products using state of art materials such as composites, titanium alloys are incorporated to bring down the total weight of the torpedo without sacrificing the strength requirements. High power sea water activated batteries in compact size to fit into the 324 mm dia shells, contra rotating DC propulsion motors are the contribution of this project. Sensor instrumentation packages, hybrid control and guidance motors are fabricated within the country which were denied under the Technology control regimes. Development of the light weight torpedo has resulted in several indigenous products which were hither to imported. The fully integrated torpedo consists of 95% of indigenous components and sub-systems.
The torpedo is capable of operating at depths of few hundred meters and homes on to its prey by passive/active homing and explodes on impact to destroy/damage the target submarine. Torpedo, on entry into water, performs pre-programmed search patterns, detects the targets and homes on to the target. Many user evaluations were conducted. The torpedo met all of its required specifications and user acceptance criteria as stipulated by the user and production orders are placed on M/s. BDL, Hyderabad by the Indian Navy.

[aaaditya]

india had also entered into an agreement with kazakhsthan for joint research and development of thermal torpedos ,india was reportedly interested in two kazakh torpedo projects the krazy and the kinzald .

unfortunately i could not find any details of these projects ,does any one have any info on them?

[Apocalypse]

india had also entered into an agreement with kazakhsthan for joint research and development of thermal torpedos ,india was reportedly interested in two kazakh torpedo projects the krazy and the kinzald .

unfortunately i could not find any details of these projects ,does any one have any info on them?

Seeing that Kazakhstan is an almost landlocked country (except for the Caspian sea/lake), and that they barely have a navy, i dont see the need for them to develop advanced torpedoes....

Anyway, here is an interesting article about Indian maritime cooperation with Kazakhstan...
http://www.spacewar.com/2003/031107175602.l3xukyrr.html

India to help build Kazakh navy protect oil-rich Caspian
ASTANA (AFP) Nov 07, 2003
India's Defence Minister George Fernandes promised help Friday for Kazakhstan's anti-terrorism efforts, particularly in building a navy able to protect Caspian Sea oil installations.
"A special focus of our cooperation will be the fight against terrorism," Fernandes told reporters during a short tour of the former Soviet central Asian republic.
Discussions with Kazakh officials focused on a 10-year plan to create a Kazakh navy able to deal with potential terrorist threats to the country's expanding oil and natural gas installations, Kazakh Defence Minister Mukhtar Altybayev said.
India will also step up cooperation with Kazakh defence industries, which have have struggled since the break-up of the Soviet Union's integrated defence manufacturing system, Fernandes said.
Fernandes was speaking in Kazakhstan's recently established capital Astana after visiting neighbouring Kyrgyzstan earlier in the week, where he promised Indian expertise in mountain combat techniques.
India has mounted an all-out effort to to win friends in the central Asian region this week since Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha has been on a parallel visit to nearby Uzbekistan.
India's interest in central Asia region mirrors that of other powers such as China, Russia and the United States, but may also be aimed at limiting the influence of its arch-rival Pakistan.
Pakistan has also attempted to forge ties in the region, particularly with nearby Turkmenistan.

[aaaditya]

actually kazakhsthan is one of the world's leading torpedo designer and manufacturer ,all the torpedos used by russian navy and exported are actually manufactured in kazakhistan these include the test series of torpedos which are used on board the russian designed submarines,these torpedos are exported by kazakhsthan as a part of the arms package for russian designed ships and submarines through russia.

they currently have two torpedo projects called as the krazy and the kinzald in which the indian navy is interested.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,the phase 2 of ins kadamba (the karwar naval base )is to be started next year,the ship lift facility has now been inaugurated.

here check out this link and article,it contains the specifications of the ship lift facility:

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov92006/state239592006119.asp

Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Bhains, Chief of the western naval command, has said that work on the second phase of the naval base, INS Kadamba here, will begin next year...

Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Bhains, Chief of the western naval command, has said that work on the second phase of the naval base, INS Kadamba here, will begin next year. INS Kadamba is being developed as one of the world’s most modern naval bases. The work will be completed within 10 years, he announced.

Mr Singh was speaking to reporters, after inaugurating the country’s first ship-lift facility, on Wednesday.

Key facility

The ship-lift is a key facility of the naval base and will help lift ships that arrive to the naval base for repair, from the sea on to the land. Mr Singh said that efforts were always made to rehabilitate the people displaced by big projects.

Efforts were also made to provide employment for locals in such mega projects. ITI training was being given to the youth in this connection. However, eligibility will be the deciding factor, while recruiting people, he said. The naval base will facilitate establishment of small scale industries in the surrounding regions, thus creating employment opportunities.

Earlier, the Vice Admiral operationalised the ship-lift, from the control tower in the premises. INS Dhunagiri, a 2,600-tonne warship, was lifted out of water, in 20 minutes.

Senior navy officers, Rear Admiral K C Shekhar, Rear Admiral V Balachandran, director general of project Seabird, Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, Karnataka naval officer in-charge, Commodore K P Ramachandran and others were present on the occasion.

Earlier, Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Bhains, inaugurated the 7-km oil pipeline, that will supply fuel from three oil tanks set up by the indian Oil Corporation at Bytakhola, exclusively for the naval base. IOC General Manager (Karnataka), V K Jayachandran was present on the occasion.

FEATURES

*Maximum weight of ships which can be lifted: 10,000 tonnes

*Length: 175 metres

*Breadth: 28 metres

*42 platforms; each can lift a weight of 430 tonnes

nShip-lift manufactured by Synchrosoft Inc., USA, a subsidiary of Rolls Royce, USA

*The facility will in future also handle commercial ships that come for repair. They currently go to Colombo or Singapore for the purpose

*Currently four ships can be repaired simultaneously at the naval base

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,india is to set up 2 new major shipbuilding facilities ,one on the west coast and the other on the east coast,these facilities would be capable of building large ships of upto super tanker size.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200611101651.htm

India to have two hi-tech major ship building yards: Baalu

New Delhi, Nov. 10 (PTI): With India becoming a leading maritime power, the government has embarked upon an ambitious plan to set up two state-of-the-art ship building yards in the country at a cost of Rs 5,000 crores each.
These would be greenfield ship building yards with one each in east and west coast. The yards would have the capacity to build large container ships and tankers upto a capacity of three lakh tonnes, Shipping Minister T R Baalu told PTI.
Chennai-based Ennore Port Ltd has been made the nodal agency for appointing consultants and identifying investors for the ship building yards at east coast.
Similary, Mumbai Port Trust has been appointed as nodal agency for the ship yard in west coast, he said.
The Shipping Minister had visited South Korea to learn about some of the large ship building yards in that country, including one of the world's largest Hyundai shipyard.
"We are going in for global Expression of Interest to appoint consultants as also prospective investors for establishing the yards in east and west coasts, which will be of world-class standards," Baalu said. India already has four major ship building yards at Mazagon in Mumbai, Kochi in Kerala, Hindustan Shipyard at Visakhapatnam and Hooghly Dock at Kolkata. There are 28 shipyards in the country, seven under Central public sector, two under state government and nine under the private sector.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news india has set up its 29 coast guard station at the port town of kakinada ,in the province of andhra pradesh on the east coast.this coast guard station is very important because this region is a coastal piracy and smuggling zone,these activities would now be brought under control,also some of india's largest oil and gas discoveries have been made near this region making this station all the more important.

here check out this link:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7671

Coast Guard station commissioned

Correspondent



Kakinada: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday commissioned the Coast Guard station, the 29th station in the country and second in the State, at a ceremonial function held in the port area here.
Speaking on the occasion, he said efforts would be made to start a naval training institute also. Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallamraju, Vice Admiral R.S. Contractor, Director-General, Coast Guard and other officials were present.

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is an intersting new article,though most of what it states is true ,i doubt the theory that the indian nuclear attack submarine would be based on the russian oscar2,one of the reasons for it is that india has operational experience on the charlie class which is a 5000-6500 ton submarine ,where as the oscar2 is 10000+ submarine,though such a submarine would have a tremendous firepower ,i wonder how manouverable it would be in the waters of the arabian sea and bay of bengal.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie20010528/nat21.html

The nuclear submarine still seems to be facing problems and the Russians seem to have stepped in to bail India out, though at a heavy price. Estimated to have cost the national exchequer a sum in excess of Rs 2,500 crore till date, the nuclear submarine project which started some time in 1971 has had lots of problems essentially related to the design of the submarine hull and the reactor it is supposed to house. The problem was in integrating the pressurised water reactor (PWR) to fit into the space available within the submarine hull. Sources say these problems have now been overcome. Independent observers of the project, however, still doubt whether the miniaturisation of the pressurised water reactor (PWR) was successively achieved. The BARC had shelved three designs because of the scientific objections of a former Naval Commander and nuclear scientist B K Subbarao who was part of the Naval team set up to look into the design feasibility. He was later incarcerated as a spy till the courts exonerated him. A fourth design also did not meet the specifications of the Navy. Earlier, India had obtained on lease the INS Chakra, a 670A Skat class (in Nato parlance Charlie-I) submarine, with the intention of reverse engineering its PWR. The Russians however did not allow the Indians anywhere near it though they did train Navy crews to operate a nuclear submarine. The central question then is, where will the submarine’s PWR come from? It is here the Russian connection looms large and the recent deals with Russia, observers say, are pointers in that direction. Apart from the $ 3 billion arms deal, the two Kudankulam reactors are estimated to cost $ 2.9 billion, to be paid in dollars. There is documentation to show that India is reportedly amenable to the Russian demand that the former purchase a ‘‘series of power reactors’’ for which an agreement between the two countries exists. With the Russians now on record saying that they are looking to build at least 6 VVER-1000s at Kudankulam, India will need at least $ 18 billion (assuming no cost escalations) to pay the Russians over the next 20 years. A stiff price to pay for the LWR design for a nuclear submarine, according to observers. This inference, say informed sources, is bolstered by the fact that the submarine being built belongs to the Russian 949A class, known in NATO parlance as Oscar-II, the kind which the ill-fated Russian Kursk belonged to. Earlier it was conjectured that the submarine being planned belonged to the Severodvinsk class. Oscar-IIs are nuclear-powered guided missile submarines (SSGNs) exactly what India needs for a credible nuclear deterrence. Initially, observers were of the opinion that India’s own nuclear submarine may not fructify even by 2007, but now with the categorical assertion that Sagarika is slated for September 2001 underwater trials, the culmination of the project within the specified time frame may just about be possible. If this happens, India will take a giant step forward to realise the dream of a credible second strike nuclear capability.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,indian navy may place an order for a second indigenous aircraft carrier,the indian navy currently has 35 warships in various stages of construction.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7694


Navy capable of making nuclear-powered warships: Officials

NEW DELHI, NOV 14 (PTI)
The Indian Navy, dependent on foreign technology for its warships for long, has developed the capability of designing nuclear-powered vessels and building an indigenous submarine, top naval designers said here today.
The country has "developed the capability" but it was for the government to decide whether or not to go ahead with the building of such strategic vessels, said Capt C S Rao and Commodore RN Vadiyanathan, Principal Directors of the Naval Design Bureau.
Briefing newsmen on the upcoming golden jubilee celebrations of the design bureau -- the only facility of its kind among the three services -- Vadiyanathan said the building of Scorpene-class submarines has begun and from the third submarine onwards, the indigenious content would be scaled up.
The government had cleared a 30-year submarine building programme and after the completion of the Scorpene project, it may decide to go in for an "indegenious underwater vessel", the two top naval designers said.
But they did not not comment on progress in the indigenious nuclear submarine project, christened the Advanced Technology Vessel.
Besides developing capability for building aircraft carriers and submarines, the navy has made immense strides in developing stealth technology that is being used in the three Shivalak-class warships being built at a state-run shipyard, Vadiyanathan and Rao said.

"We have 35 warships in various stages of development. These range from stealth ships to destroyers, frigates, anti- submarine vessels, landing ships for tanks and corvettes," Vadiyanathan said.

One of the most outstanding achievements of the indigenious warship building programme was the development of the Delhi-class of guided missile destroyers with a displacement of 6,500 tonnes. These were among the most potent vessels in the naval strike force.
"We have not rested on our oars," the designer claimed and said work was underway on uprgaded versions on these destoryers, to be called the Kolkota-class.
Both Rao and Vadiyanathan said their "crowning glory" was the work on the first indigenious aircraft carrier, which is yet to be named.
This was the largest design project of the country, they said, asserting the carrier would be indigenious with some technical consultancy being outsourced abroad. There are "no hiccups" in the project and the carrier is on schedule to be delivered to the navy by 2012. A follow-on order for at least one more carrier is expected. The carrier will have a flying deck that can accommodate 30 aircraft -- 13 fighters and the 17 helicopters. It will have a mix of Mig-29K jets bought from Russia, the naval version of LCA and medium and light helicopters.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,preparations are underway at the cochin shipyards limited,for the possible construction of two additional aircraft carriers of the indian aircraft carriers class having a displacement of 37500 tons.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7708

India to have ‘3-carrier Navy’ DH News Service New Delhi:
As the construction of the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) is on a smooth course, naval engineers have readied plans to construct two additional home-made aircraft carriers to make the Indian navy a ‘three-carrier navy’.

At the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, heavy machineries are being put in place to undertake the navy’s most ambitious project – manufacturing the 37,500 tonnes IAC to carry fighter planes and helicopters – from the scratch in another six years at a cost of Rs 3261crore.

The two existing aircraft carriers – INS Virat and INS Vikrant are from the UK. A third Russian carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) is likely to be commissioned by 2008.

While INS Vikrant joined the services in the early 1960s and has been made a museum after more than two decades in service. INS Virat was commissioned in 1987.

“The manufacturing facilities now being put in place would not only be for making only one aircraft carrier. The navy has a long term plan of making two more. INS Virat can serve for another 6 to 7 years during which the final decision on constructing additional carriers can be made,” said a Navy officer.

Steel cutting have taken place in the IAC project, formerly known as air defence ship. According to the designs made at the Directorate of Naval Design (DND), the 840 ft ship will have 30 fighter planes and helicopters, out of which 17 can be accommodated in the hanger.

For the fighter fleets, the options are MiG-29K, naval version of the light combat aircraft, Sea Harrier, advanced light helicopter and Russian Kamov-31 helicopters. While there will be foreign consultations in a few areas, the naval engineers claimed the design to be completely indigenous. Only three other nations have built such a large carrier in the past.

“Besides the ambitious project, the navy is constructing three new destroyers, each weighing 6640 tonnes at the Mazgaon docks in Mumbai,” said Commodore K N Vaidyanathan, principle director of naval design at the DND. The organisation will complete its 50th anniversary on November 17.

The decision to make these three new destroyers has been taken following the success of the three Delhi-class destroyers, which are INS Delhi, INS Mysore and INS Mumbai.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,ins shardul ,the first of the landing ship tank (large) has now been handed over to the indian navy,it is capable of transporting 11 main battle tanks.

here check out ths link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7709

INS Shardul, the third Landing Ship Tank of the Indian Navy after INS Magar and INS Gharial and the first of a new class, was handed over to the Indian Navy on 3 November. Credit, however, goes to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, the premier Indian defence shipyard, that has added another feather in its cap. Shardul boasts of an indigenous content of over 90 per cent with state-of-the-art equipment.
It will be having two WM 18 Rocket Launcher Mountings manufactured by Larson & Toubro and CRN 91 guns, made in Secunderabad, capable of firing 550 rounds. Its military lift includes 11 armoured tanks and 10 army vehicles escalating its carrying capacity to 760 tonnes. It can carry about 200 troops for longer duration and about 500 for shorter ones.

The total cost of manufacture of INS Shardul has been estimated at around Rs 400 crore. In addition to this, two more ships are to be launched in the next couple of years. The director, Ship Building, Vinod Kumar, said the ship is being readied to head towards its home port at Karwar, Goa.

Shardul has a total complement of 11 officers and 145 sailors. Each department is headed by a departmental officer who functions under respective heads of departments.
The primary role of this ship is to transport troops, vehicles and armaments for amphibious operations and accomplish all objectives of landing, that is, beaching operations, transport combat equipment and personnel to Amphibious Objective Area. It has the capability of launching of marine commandos through sea and also by helicopters for vertical envelopment besides undertaking aerial evacuation of the casualties. The crest of INS Shardul depicts a roaring Royal Bengal Tiger against a sky blue background. To sum up its commissioning, Commanding Officer Cdr Anil J Joseph, likes to call it a “troop-carrier”. No wonder why he terms INS Shardul as a “warship with a difference”.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,the uss trenton would be handed over to indian navy on january 17 2007 ,however the deal for the 6 sikorsky helicopters has not yet been signed.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0611150806192047.htm

Ahead of a meeting of top defense officials of India and the US here Thursday, a senior American general has said his country wants interaction between their armed forces to be scaled up to tactical and command post exercises.
"We have to build on the success of our joint exercises and...look at tactical and command post exercises," said Lt Gen Jeffrey Kohler, who heads the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Such a move would take interaction between the militaries from 'unit-to-unit exercises' to a more tactical level, which would be in line with the new US policy that sees New Delhi as a major strategic partner of Washington.
The two-day Defense Policy Group meeting from tomorrow, to be co- chaired by India's Defense Secretary Shekhar Dutt and US
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Eric Edleman, will focus on issues like missile defense, strategic situation in the region and military-to-military contacts.
The US will make presentations to Indian officials on the situation in the area ranging from Middle East to Southeast Asia, with special focus on Central Asia and Afghanistan, Kohler said.
"Sub-groups will discuss the situation in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well as Indonesia," he told reporters.
As India and the US share similar views on strategic issues, they could work as 'parallel countries interested in solving problems', he said.
To set the stage for the DPG meeting, Kohler and S Banerjee, director general of acquisition in the Defense Ministry, co-chaired a meet of the Indo-US Defense Procurement and Production Group that took up issues of government-to-government sales of military hardware.
On the acquisition by the navy of the USS Trenton, an amphibious transport dock-class ship, Kohler said it would be transferred to India by January 17, 2007.
Negotiations were still on for a linked deal for six UH-3H Sikorsky Sea King helicopters with an estimated price of Rs 300 crore, he said.
"We expect the refurbished helicopters will sail with Trenton to India," he said, adding there were other government-to-government military sales on the cards, including the supply of 10 C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.
Kohler said the US had delivered 10 of the 12 AN-TPQ37 weapon locating radars ordered by India under a 190 million dollar contract.
The two remaining radars would be delivered by February next year.
He also disclosed that US companies were bidding for an Indian requests for proposals for anti-tank missiles, anti-ship missiles for the air force and weather radars.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,larsen and toubro will now join the mazagaon docks limited in the manufacture of the scorpene class of submarines.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=50822

L and T to join Navy in Scorpene construction plans

New Delhi, Nov 14: The construction of the much-awaited Scorpene submarines is underway at the Mumbai-based Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL), the premier ship-building public sector organisation of the country with the likelihood of Larsen and Toubro joining hands for the same.

The Scorpene submarines, six of which have been ordered by the Indian Navy, are being built by Mazagaon Dock Limited.
india's largest Engineering and Construction conglomerate, Larsen and Toubro Limited (L and T) is likely to collaborate with the Indian Navy in the manufacture of the Scorpene submarine project.

The first three submarines will get the technological transfer from the French company Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN), while Mazagaon Dock Limited would carry out the assembly of the submarine.

Larsen and Toubro has had a long association with the Indian defence sector by way of indigenising design and manufacture of defence equipment. Larsen and Toubro which is already participating in the Navy's highly ambitious Advanced Technology Vessel programme has made inroads into becoming Mazagaon Dock Limited's partner in the overall submarine programme.

"From the fourth submarine, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is likely to pitch in for a partnership with the Naval Design Group for indigenisation," said Commodore K.N.Vaidyanathan, in a briefing today, ahead of the Golden Jubilee of the Corps of Naval Constructors.
The Corps which is a specialist arm of the Engineering branch of the Indian Navy actively contributing to naval ship and submarine design, their construction, repair and maintenance and research and development.

Revealing the navy's ambitious expansion plan, on the eve of the Golden Jubilee Commodore Vaidayanathan, who is the Principal Director Naval design at Naval Headquarters, here, said that 35 ships are in the offing, which are being built indigenously.

The ships ordered and under construction are scheduled to be commissioned and functional by 2012.

Mazagaon Dock Ltd. is building three Kolkata class Destroyers, three Shivalik class Stealth Frigates and six Scorpene submarines, all of which will be ready between 2010 and 2012.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) of Kolkata have been entrusted with building three Landing Ship-tanks- four Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvettes. The Garden Reach Shipbuilders has been accorded the status of a Mini-ratna Category ? I company, which are likely to be ready by 2011.

The Cochin Shipyard is building 12 Fast Attack Crafts (FAC) along with a 37,500-tonne aircraft carrier with the help of the Italian firm Fincantieri and designed by the Indian Navy, which is likely to be ready by 2012.

An order has been placed with the Goa Shipyard Ltd. for three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).

Three Krivak Class frigates have been ordered from Russia, which are expected to be delivered by 2012. The indigenous nuclear submarine project - the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)-is being built by the Ship Building Center, Vishakhapatnam under the aegis of DRDO.

Among the ships being acquired from abroad, the US warship Trenton, a Landing Platform Dock (LPD), is undergoing refitting in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in early 2007.

The most important acquisition is the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. The aircraft carrier is being refitted in St. Petersburg, and is expected to join the Indian Navy by 2008.

The navy is also scouting the foreign market for transfer of technology to construct Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMV), which are an advanced version of mine sweepers.
The Corps of Naval Constructors which completes 50 glorious years on November 17, 2006 has had an impressive track record of building 80 ships and submarines since 1983.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,check out this cae document ,it contains the information on some of the products sold them by them to various navies,including the indian navy.

here check out this link:

http://www.mapps.l-3com.com/L3_MAPPS/Products_and_Services/Marine_Systems/Newsletters/MCN14.pdf

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,the governement of india has cleared the acquisition of upto 6 sikorsky helicopters as a part of the trenton amphibious ship package for the search and utility role.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7722

NEW DELHI: For the first time, Indian Navy would induct US-made helicopters with the government giving the go-ahead for purchase of six Sikorsky-Seaking choppers.

The six helicopters are part of the package deal for the purchase of the Landing ship tank USS Trenton, from which the choppers operate.

While, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had cleared the purchase of Trenton at a cost of Rs 200 crores, the sale of helicopters was being negotiated.

"The government has now cleared the proposal and the utility, search and rescue helicopters will be delivered along with Trenton by February 2007," the new Naval chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Friday.

Mehta, speaking on the sidelines of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Naval ship constructors here, said that Request for Proposals for purchasing eight long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft were being analysed.

Addressing the jubilee celebrations, the Naval Chief said the indigenous aircraft carrier construction programme had demonstrated the country's drive towards self reliance and transition from a "buyers' to a builders' navy".

Pointing out that country's shipyards had rolled out 80 warships so far; Mehta said Government was giving top priority to self sufficiency in warship and submarine building.

He also called on Naval constructors to look at ways to enhance capacities of existing shipyards and to cut down time-lines and cost of production.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this link and article ,it gives information on the contribution of the defence research and development organisation in ensuring upto 70% indiginisation in field of naval technology and a perticularly world class ship designing and sonar technology.

here check out this link and article:

http://indianexpress.com/story/16843._.html

For all its defences against non-performance, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), ironically, has only to look within for ready templates of distinction. Programmes that have met targets are an isolated few but they worked well because their ethic symbolizes a fundamental breakaway from the tedium of the larger organisation’s default approach. Self-reliance, a term battered by DRDO’s track-record on showpiece programmes, shines beneath the hood in the Navy’s sonars, avionics and electronic warfare systems on IAF fighter aircraft and missiles developed under corporate foreign joint ventures.

The first two were developed on time because of the labs linking up with the armed forces right from the initial stages and, significantly, leadership that keeps young scientists on their toes. The latter, because international partnerships mandate a more professional approach to programme completion.

One of the most successful DRDO laboratories is also one of the least known, tucked away silently in the Trikkakara suburb of Kochi, fomenting applied research and technology to give the Navy real self-reliance in critical sensor systems.
The Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), the only DRDO lab to win both the Silicon Trophy and Titanium Trophy for excellence, has, in the last two decades, given the Navy an impressive 87 per cent self-reliance in acoustic sensors for warships and submarines. All Navy warships, including foreign ones, as a result, are fitted with DRDO sonars like the APSOH, HUMVAD and HUMSA, and the Navy does not need to import. Now, it is putting its finishing touches to the USHUS sonar for the Navy’s Kilo-class submarines and the Mihir dunking sonar for HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter, all well within their projected timeframes.
Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, formerly the Navy’s Southern Commander at Kochi, said, “The NPOL’s success is from user involvement right from the word go. The steering panel is headed by a serving Naval commander who sets the agenda, efforts between the DRDO and Navy are joint.”
VK Aatre, former NPOL director who went on to become DRDO chief, agrees. “When I was there, we could not distinguish between designers, Navy personnel and production engineers,” he said. “We shared an excellent rapport. The difference here was that the user was part of the design team.”
The lab’s current director V Chander, an IIT-IISc alumnus, has espoused applied research like no other DRDO establishment, working not for idealistic invention, but delivering quality, fool-proof sonar systems to the Navy. How?
First, he’s rechristened the HR cell as People, Academics, Research & Training. He’s made sure young scientists get to spend time with the Navy for extended periods of time rather than labour away only in their laboratories. Third, he’s made sure that the level of involvement with warships and the Navy is so high that projects are either completed or prudently foreclosed before despondence and lassitude can set in. Vice Admiral Singh, as DG Defence Planning in 2000, recommended to the Task Force on the Reorganization of Higher Defence Planning, that the country’s R&D labs be rationalized on the lines of NPOL. What ensued, another story entirely, was a turf war that saw the idea quietly dissipate.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,japan has invited indian coast guard to a joint excercise next year .

i hope they would invite the indian navy for a joint submarine and warship design and development excercise.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?rep=2&aid=337950&sid=NAT&ssid=

Japan invites India for a naval joint exercise next year Mumbai, Nov 25: Expressing satisfaction over the seventh Indo-Japan joint Coast Guard exercise 'Sahyog-Kaijan 2006', Japan has invited India for naval joint exercise next year.

"We are very satisfied with the exercise, and next year, we invite the Indian Coast Guard to Japan for a joint exercise," said Hiroki Ishikawa, the Commandant of Japan's Coast Guard.

Indian officials said the exercise was of great help to both sides.

"They sent us a state of the art Coast Guard ship just a few days ago. It's a great thing for the Indian Coast Guard to imbibe new philosophies of operation, which the Japanese Coast Guard is employing to fight terrorism, to combat pollution response and piracy," said Vice Admiral R.F. Contractor, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard.

The Japanese ship "Shikishima", the largest vessel of the Japanese Coast Guard participated in the combined exercises.

The Indian Coast Guard is the fourth service created to guard India's vast coastline. It was created on 19 August, 1978 as an independent entity as per the Coast Guard Act.

The Coast Guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas, river mouths and also lakes in Kashmir. Heavy patrolling of areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in a huge catch of smugglers and illegal immigrants.

The Coast Guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel as well as apprehending pirates on high seas and oil spill cleanup.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,the ezhimala naval academy is expected to be ready by the year 2008.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7770


EZHIMALA (KANNUR): Southern Naval Command Chief Rear Admiral Rajender Singh has said the economic well-being and future prosperity of the country depended on Indian Navy's ability to safeguard national interests at sea.
Addressing the passing out parade of cadets of the third Naval Orientation Course at the INS Zamorin at the Naval Academy here on Saturday, Admiral Singh urged the cadets to keep in mind the national interests, as 90 per cent of India's trade was maritime. The country also had tremendous natural resources to be protected at sea, he added.
Stating that the Indian Navy was entrusted with the job of ensuring peace and stability around the country, Admiral Singh said the Navy was in the process of transformation. This was part of the Navy's efforts to be at par with the most technologically advanced navies of the world. The Indian Navy had an important role to play in the process of assimilating the advanced technologies, he added.
He emphasised the importance of trust in the functioning of the force. "The cadets should fight as a team and should have profound concern for and knowledge of the men they command," Admiral Singh said.
A total 92 trainees, including 87 Sub Lieutenants of Technical, logistics and education branches, passed out on completion of the 16-week course that had commenced on August 7. There were 17 women cadets.
Commanding Officer of INS Zamorin and Academy Station Commander Commodore K. Sivakumar administered the oath of allegiance to the cadets. The Chief of Naval Staff Trophy was awarded to Cadet Sumeet Kumar Suhag for standing first in the Overall Order of Merit. The trophy for the best woman trainee was awarded to Sub Lieutenant Rashmi Pannu.
A press release issued as part of the function said the Naval Academy being set up here was scheduled to be complete by the end of 2008. The academy was set to be the biggest Naval training establishment in Asia with state-of-the-art facilities, it said. The parade was followed by `shipping the stripe ceremony' in which parents of the cadets placed the stripes of Sub Lieutenant, on the shoulders of their children. On completion of the training here, the cadets would proceed for short attachments on board frontline ships of the Navy followed by specialised training in various fields for which they were selected.

[aaaditya]

hey guys check out this article,it contains some detailed information on the indo-japanese coast guard excercises ,it also contains some information about the indian coast guard's expansion plans for the next five years.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=November2006_inbombay_standard11464

To exchange ideas, experience and share knowledge, a joint exercise between the Coast Guards of India and Japan was held in Mumbai yesterday in which both the nations show their capacities and performances while tackling the evils of sea. Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Ship Shikishima, its biggest vessel, was called to Mumbai for the exercise. As a part of the seventh Indo-Japan Coast Guard sxercise called Sahyog-Kaijin 2006, Vice Admiral J. F. Contractor, Director General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and Hiroki Ishikawa, Commandant, JCG, witnessed the operations out at high sea.
Eight Indian Coast Guard ships along with Dornier aircraft and Chetak helicopters participated and won the hearts of the Japanese Coast Guard with their performances. These included rescue operations of the ICG ship Major Shaitan Singh PVC which was “hijacked” by the pirates. In this exercise, the JCG ship Shikishima also took part. Various routine operations carried out by the ICG, like pollution response demo, search and rescue, splash target firing by Dornier aircraft, 30 mm firing, fire fighting, etc. also formed part of the joint exercise. Attracted and satisfied by the ICG’s performance, Hiroki Ishikawa, JCG Commandant, said that next year he would invite the ICG to Japan.
Such exercises help countries to get the help of related countries when their ships face any distress. Since they already have information about the security and rescue facilities with the different countries, this facilitates them in taking decisions when their ships are in distress.
Speaking to the media, Vice Admiral ICG R. F. Contractor said, “From such exercises we get two way information and come to know about the weaknesses and strengths of other countries. From this joint exercise we knew some new things about Japan’s Coast Guard and we are committed to provide maritime security to Japan.” Replying to questions on threats to India’s coastline as anticipated by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Vice Admiral said that the ICG is always ready to handle terrorist attacks and can use all its resources to tackle and such threats that have now become international.
JCG Commandant Hiroki Ishikawa said, “Due to this joint exercise I was able to see the ICG’s high scale. Despite language barriers the two Coast Guards cooperated with each other well.”
Indian Coast Guards 5 Year Plans
Setting up of three new ICG stations in Maharashtra at Murud, Dahanu and Ratnagiri
Getting three pollution control vessels and two advanced off shore patrolling vessel which are under construction
Three Chetak helicopters are also on order with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)
Providing training to the Maharashtra Police to protect their coast line without
affecting the role of the ICG
Getting 16 small patrolling vessels
Six maritime patrolling vessels as well as increase in the manpower.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news here ,indian navy would receive an indigenously developed electronic warfare system code named as the ellora by the end of the year,this system would enable the indian navy warships to detect enemy warships without being detected.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/88131.php/Navy-to-get-electronic-warfare-system-by-year-end

New Delhi, Dec 1 (ANI): The Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha on November 23, that the Indian Navy would be equipped with the indigenously built Electronic Warfare System codenamed Ellora, by this year end.

The system enables the naval ships to detect enemy presence without giving out their location.

The system designed by the Hyderabad based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DERL), is being manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

The sophisticated system offers advanced Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) and Electronic Support Measure (ESM) capability enabling the navy's ships to remain undetected from prying eyes, while it is able to perform the crucial task of threat detection.

The Electronic Counter Measure is an active system, which emits radiations from ships or an aircraft to jam or neutralise the enemy radiators, and is used as aerials or pods. Electronic Support Measure functions passively and is used to detect the radiations from radars and analyse it. Both systems work on electro-magnetic fields. (ANI)

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,indian navy is expecting its naval assets and surveilance capabilities to be able to defend its strategic assets spread from the sakhalin in russia to sudan in africa.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7825

The Indian Navy is ramping its force and surveillance levels as it gears to protect the country's energy security assets in a wide swathe ranging from the Sakhalin Islands off Russia's east coast to South America.

Toward this end, it is in the process of acquiring 42 state-of-the-art ships, including two aircraft carriers and six submarines, eight maritime reconnaissance aircraft, a dozen rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as also enhanced radars and satellite-based technology, navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Saturday.

And, in shaping what in military parlance is termed a "maritime battlefield" the navy is firming interoperability capabilities with its counterparts from the US, Britain, France, and Russia, as also neighbouring and Southeast Asian countries, Mehta told reporters ahead of the Navy Day celebrations on Monday.

Simultaneously, the navy has also evolved a joint war doctrine involving the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force to integrate the operations of all three wings, he added.

"We are an India-centric force. We are not only looking at countering threats but to protect the country's economic and energy interests," Mehta explained.

"This task has extended our area of operations. This might necessitate our operating in distant waters or in conjunction with other friendly navies. But we certainly do not intend to be an international policeman," he added.

According to him, the navy envisaged playing military, diplomatic, constabulary and benign roles to "enhance regional stability through the engagement of regional and extra-regional maritime states to build capacity and enhance regional capability amongst all the littorals of the Indian Ocean region".

This, Mehta said, was necessary for protecting New Delhi's interests in its 2.02 million square km exclusive economic zone in the Indian Ocean, as also guarding the offshore oil blocks domestic companies had acquired in areas like the Sakhalin Islands and off the Venezuelan coast.

"As the Indian economy grows, the country is making increasing investments in distant places to ensure the availability of energy flow to maintain this growth. This is gradually defining what may be called our secondary area of maritime interest," he said.

Thus, the navy aims to transform itself into a "three-dimensional, technology enabled and fully networked force that can operate across the full spectrum of requirements", Mehta added.

To gear up for this role, the navy is in the process of augmenting its 136-vessel force by adding two aircraft carriers, nine destroyers and frigates, six submarines, four corvettes, one tanker, three offshore patrol vessels, 10 fast attack craft, and seven other vessels. These ships will be progressively commissioned till 2012.

Of these, 37 vessels, including six French-designed Scorpene submarines and one aircraft carrier, are being built in the country. One aircraft carrier and three frigates are being acquired from Russia.

This apart, the navy will also acquire the capability to affect an armed sea-borne assault when the landing platform dock USS Trenton that can carry 900 fully-armed troops joins the fleet by the middle of next year.

Mehta admitted that an area of concern was the navy's "lack of surveillance capabilities for various reasons" that had spurred it to reduce the gap through the acquisition of new aircraft and long-range radars.

It soon hoped to float a tender for eight long-range maritime patrol aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of TU-142, even as it was in the process of upgrading its medium-range IL-38s and adding Dornier-228s that were deployed on coastal surveillance patrols.

This apart, the additional of rotary-wing UAVs - in effect, unmanned helicopters - would considerably extend the "eyes and ears" of the navy.

"The new UAVs can operate up to 300 km from the coast. In conjunction with ships, their range increases even further," Mehta pointed out.

All this, he maintained, had been made possible by "adequate" budgetary support, with some Rs 150 billion or 17 percent of the Rs 890 billion defence budget for fiscal 2006-07 allocated to the navy.

"We have asked for, and hope to get, Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) per year for the next five years," Mehta added.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,check this out,seems that indian navy is planning to acquire a heavy helicopter to replace its sea kings,afterwards this helicopters would be common for all the three services ,with hal manufacturing them in india.another great news is that the steal cutting for the first indigenous scorpene submarines is to begin next month after which indian navy will look at setting up a second submarine line.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7823

The Naval chief also said navy was looking at replacing its ageing sea-king anti-submarine helicopters.

"We are planning to float a common RFP for the three services for a common class of helicopters and its eventual production under licence at HAL," he said.

He declared that Navy was heading towards creating a three-dimensional fully networked force, which can fight in full spectrum of naval warfare, including low-intensity conflict.

For this, he said the navy was in the process of building indigenously 27 lethal warships and was currently spending almost 60 per cent of its budget on capital outlay. "In the next plan, we want to increase the spending on acquisitions to almost Rs 20,000 crore a year."

On plans to strengthen the country's under-sea arm, Mehta said steel cutting for the first of the indigenously assembled Scorpene submarine would take place next month. He also said that navy would soon decide on the option of opening the second submarine assembly line.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,check out this article,it shows how seriously indian navy is taking the chinese threat,also this article mentions about indian navy's interest in rotary winged uav's.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7824

New Delhi, Dec 02: Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, on Saturday said the Indian Navy is not Pakistan or China-centric, but was capability driven and committed to developing capabilities to protect the maritime interests of the nation.

He dismissed threats from the Chinese nuclear submarines, saying it was not in their interest to be operating in Indian waters.

In his maiden media interaction after assuming charge as Naval Chief, Admiral Mehta said: “China we believe is shaping the maritime battle field in the region. It is making friends at the right places. If you don’t have the capability to operate in those waters, for a length of time, then you need friends who will support your cause, when the time comes, so definitely China is doing that, as there are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and down below Africa. So it is a known fact that we are ringed by states, which may have a favourable disposition towards China. They are looking 20 years ahead.”

Mehta, who took over as the Naval Chief on November 1, said Pakistan had the Agosta submarine which had similar capability to that of the Scorpene submarine, which the Indian Navy was developing.

“The only new thing Pakistan brought into these waters is a submarine launched missile that changed the tactics and warfare in this region quite a bit. It has no longer a directional threat, but has become a unidirectional threat; therefore the anti-submarine tactics had to change,” added Mehta.

Mehta, an aviator, also spoke about the forthcoming projects of the Navy, and applauded the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for their BrahMos missile, saying that in future all ships of the Navy would have them.

Commenting on the recent remarks of the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil about coastal threats to offshore oil rigs and other coastal assets of the country and terrorist infiltration from the sea route, he said that surveillance is of prime importance to the Indian Navy, and it is being heightened by means of electronic warfare system, long range maritime patrol aircraft, radars and UAVs.

The Navy is looking at a fairly new concept, that of a rotary wing UAV, which is operational only in the US as of now, and has plans of acquiring 12 in the near future. The Chetak helicopter would be modified as a rotary wing UAV by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Admiral Mehta added.

Navy Day is celebrated on December 4. Since 1971, the event has been observed to commemorate the Indian Navy’s successful bombing of Pakistani ships and shore-based units in and off the port of Karachi.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news indian navy is looking at rotary unmanned aerial vehicles to provide coastal surveillance of upto 300nautical miles(540kms).

here check out this link and article:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061203/asp/nation/story_7084759.asp

The Indian Navy is scouring the markets to acquire unmanned helicopters to overcome its spying and spotting deficiency, chief of naval staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta said today.
The navy has planned to acquire up to 12 unmanned helicopters.
The navy has a squadron of Israeli-made Heron and Searcher Mark II unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Rotary wing unmanned aircraft — the helicopters — would give the navy the capability to hover over a large area for a long time.
The UAVs allow the navy to monitor activity upto 300 nautical miles from shore. All ships approaching Indian shores have already been asked to report 92 hours in advance.
“Lack of surveillance capability has been of concern for some time. The area we cover (the Indian Ocean region) is large and (capabilities for) maritime domain awareness have been put on the front burner,” Admiral Mehta said.
Eight TU-142 maritime surveillance aircraft have to be replaced immediately. The navy was evaluating responses to its requests for proposals for eight long-range patrol aircraft, Admiral Mehta said in his first press conference after taking over last month.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,indian navy is interested in rotary uavs,they have plans of developing an unmanned variant of chetak helicopter (alouette 3),howvere i think that they should develop the concepts shown in the following links.

here check out this links:

http://www.uavindia.com/

http://www.uavindia.com/gallery.htm

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,another fast attack craft has been inducted into the indian coast guard.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/12/05/stories/2006120501232100.htm


Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Savitribai Phule, an extra-fast patrol vessel, was inducted into the fleet of Coast Guard District Karnataka at New Mangalore on Monday.
ICGS Savitribai Phule is the fifth of its class of extra-fast patrol vessel built by Goa Shipyard Ltd.
The keel was laid on March 12, and was commissioned on October 28, at Vasco-da-Gama in Goa.
A Coast Guard release said here that the ship has been added to the Coast Guard fleet at Mangalore to meet any kind of security treat and challenges, off Karnataka coast. The ship is capable of carrying out anti-smuggling operation, search and rescue and all other charter of duties of the Coast Guard.
The high speed helps in responding to any requirement in shortest possible time.
ICGS Savitribai Phule — which is commanded by Commandant Donny Michael — is under the operational control of Coast Guard District Headquarters, Karnataka, commanded by Commandant M.V. Baadkar. The ship has five officers and 32 enrolled personnel. The ship is 50.44 mtrs in length and is capable of attaining a speed of 35 knots with endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed, the release added.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check this out,it gives information regarding the entire programme of the indian navy for carrying out joint excercises in the foreign shores.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Navy_set_for_war_games_on_foreign_land/articleshow/712201.cms

The Navy now wants to take the 'battle' to the American, Russian and French shores. No, the Navy is not invading these countries. Instead, it's going to conduct intensive combat manoeuvres with their navies in their own backyards.

"After exercising with them off Kochi, Mumbai and Goa over the last few years, we thought we should send our frontline warships near their shores in 2007," said Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

Six Indian warships, including Delhi-class and Rajput-class guided missile destroyers, will be deployed towards 'east' from March onwards. Apart from 'touching' Japan, South Korea and China, they will take part in the Indo-US 'Malabar' exercise off Guam in the western Pacific Ocean in April, said Admiral Mehta.

The same warships will undertake combat exercises, code-named 'Indra', with Russian warships off Vladivostok. Then, in August-September, another group will head for the Gulf region and beyond, rounding it off with Indo-French 'Varuna' war games off the Red Sea.

This unprecedented overseas deployment by Navy blends in perfectly with its philosophy of building 'interoperability' and 'bridges of friendship' with foreign navies. "It will help if we need to operate against a common enemy in the future," said a senior officer.

The Navy, which now increasingly acts as a diplomatic instrument to further the country's political and geo-strategic objectives, will also use the opportunity to project power much beyond Indian shores.

"Constructive engagement is the Navy's principle weapon during peacetime. The idea is to enhance security, stability and tranquility in the entire Indian Ocean Region through constructive engagement of regional and extra-regional maritime states," said a senior officer.

Take US, for instance. The naval combat exercises with the American Navy have undergone a quantum jump in recent times, especially after the 9/11 terrorist strikes in 2001. Indian warships, in fact, even provided "escort" to over 20 American and other coalition ships carrying "high value" cargo across the Strait of Malacca between April and September 2002 in an operation code-named "Sagittarius".

Since then, the bilateral military cooperation has been on an upward trajectory. In the Malabar series, the Indian, US navies regularly practice aggressive interdiction manoeuvres and VBSS (visit, board, search, seizure) operations towards counter-terrorism actions on the high seas.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,the construction of the scorpene class of submarines at the mazagaon docks limited is to be inaugurated on december 15.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1067816

Submarine construction is set to kick-start in Mumbai almost two decades after Mazagon Docks’ ambitious submarine building facility froze into inaction in the mid-80s amidst allegations of kickbacks in the HDW deal with Germany.
The formal inauguration of the Rs 18,000 crore contract for the French submarines is expected around December 15 at the Mazagon Docks, senior navy officers said. Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Saturday said “in 15 days or so” the construction of the first of the six Scorpene submarines would start in Mumbai.
The first two submarines would be built in the docks based on the initial designs and with full technological and equipment input from France. The steel for the submarine has already arrived from France, sources said.
The submarine would be the first of the six submarines in the over $3.5 billion contract signed last year. From the third submarine onwards the Navy would incorporate design changes and aggressively pursue integration of indigenous technology.
After six years of discussions, the deal was signed in October 6 last year. However, the deal ran into controversy when a section of the media raised allegations that the deal had middlemen who were also involved in the Naval War Room Leak. Though DNA had exposed the entire War Room leak, where naval officers and arms dealers were leaking national secrets, the paper never claimed any links between the submarine purchase and the War Room leak.
Sources here said the Mazagon Docks would be deploying about 150 officers and over 1000 works-men to carry out the mammoth construction. In the mid-80s, the docks developed a full-fledged facility for submarine construction as part of the contract with the German HDW.
However, the HDW contract was frozen after two of them were built in Mumbai because of allegations of corruption in the entire deal.
Ever since, the submarine line has been lying vacant at the Mazagon docks, except for occasional refit of existing submarine fleet.
However, with the steel cutting, now tentatively slated for December 15, Mumbai would be the nerve-centre of India’s aggressive efforts to acquire underwater capabilities.

[Dandolo]

Rumors say the next Italian 20000 tons LHD will be built together with India in order to reduce costs. Don't you know anything about it?

[contedicavour]

Rumors say the next Italian 20000 tons LHD will be built together with India in order to reduce costs. Don't you know anything about it?

Competition with the DCN will be strong... as they are proposing evolved versions of the Mistral (such as the one that is competing on the Australian tender for 2 new LHDs).

Speriamo bene ;)

ciao

[kams]

In a recent print edition of India-Today, there was an article on procurement of P-17A Stealth Frigates (apparently modified Shivalik class). Interestingly, RFPs have been issued to European and Russian ship yards. A total of 7 frigates will be procured, first one being built in selected foreign ship yard, and the remaining six in India.

Cost $1 billion/Ship.

[aaaditya]

Rumors say the next Italian 20000 tons LHD will be built together with India in order to reduce costs. Don't you know anything about it?
intersting rumour ,the last i heard was that the indian shipbuilder garden reach shipbuilders and engineers limited were exploring a possibility of construction of the french dcn mistral class of lhd's and the navy was also very eager about them.

can you provide any further information and pics of the italian design?

[aaaditya]

hey guys here is a link and article on the news that kams posted ,a total of 7 stealth frigates are to be acquired and the request for informations have been sent to dcn,izar and russia and half a dozan other european companies,2 are to be built by the host nation with the rest in india.

i wonder what revolutionary designs can these companies offer:

dcn-fremm,russia-a more advanced version of krivack,and izar -f100,i wonder what has italy and germany to offer?

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7847

The proposed acquisition would be worth more than Rs 30,000 crore.

NEW DELHI: In a bid to shore up the country’s naval strength, the Indian Navy is exploring possible avenues of acquiring several stealth warships from European shipyards. And if everything goes well, it would be one of the biggest military contracts in recent times.

The Request for Information (RFI), the first formal step in the process of military acquisition, has been issued to about a dozen European and Russian shipyards. The proposed acquisition would be worth more than Rs 30,000 crore.

Confirming the issue, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, said it was prompted by the delay in acquisition of modern equipment that set in during the past two decades due to constraints on defence budgets and other factors, and the inability of Indian shipyards to deliver quickly.

However, “It is not necessary that we will take this route,” Mehta said. The other available option is for Indian shipyards to step up warship production to meet the projected force levels.

The RFI is for a set of seven stealth frigates, each costing about Rs 4,000 crores. According to a proposal, the first ship would be built in the foreign shipyard, while the rest six would be built at Mazagon Docks Limited in Mumbai or at Garden Reach Shipyard in Kolkata.

The project, called P-17A, is envisaged as the next generation ships of the ongoing Project 17 Shivalik class multi-role stealth frigates.

The first Shivalik class ship is expected in early 2007. Though the cabinet approved it in 1997, the Shivalik class construction was delayed by a few years owing to various factors. Project 17 envisages a total of 12 ships, and the seven ships for which the RFI has now been issued would form a part of the project.

The Indian Navy recently has been looking at both domestic construction and foreign acquisition of warships to make up for the shortcomings. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier is under construction in the Kochi Shipyard, while another carrier is being readied in Russia.

After acquiring three Talwar class guided missile frigates from Russia, the Navy is awaiting three more ships of the same class, but with an advanced technology from Russia. These three ships are expected to join the Navy sometime in 2011. By middle of next year, the massive US landing platform dock Trenton would also join the naval services. A total of 30 warships in slated to join the Navy in a decade.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,the indian navy is to equip 3 of its warships under construction at mazagaon docks india limited (most probably p15a) with a 10g wide area network connection for data transfer purposes,this is a tremendous increase in the capability from the current indian warships ,which is just 1g.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.cxotoday.com/India/News/MDL_Uplifts_Network_Infrastructure_for_Indian_Navy/551-77654-910.html

This would be a first of sorts for the Indian Navy.

Three ships to be delivered by Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL) to the Indian Navy will have LAN connections with a 10g backbone.

A veteran in developing ships for the Indian defence, MDL had invited tenders for the project in 2005. The ships are being developed at the Mazgaon Docks.

CMC bagged the contract last Friday. The order is valued at Rs 7.4 crore.

Arvind Kumar, account manager at CMC said, "We will install LAN for three ships to be developed by MDL for the Indian Navy. We will do complete network integration for these three ships."

He added, "10g is a very special requirement. Installed in rare cases, the 10g backbone helps faster transmission and processing of data."

At present, most networks run on 1G platform and midrange servers from HP.

The OEMs for the project would be Dlink Foundry for switches and backbone, and passage components, HP for servers and Microsoft for software.

Kumar refused to divulge more details and said, "It is confidential since the ships are being developed for the Indian Navy."

The project involves two-tier network architecture with core and zonal switches. The zonal switches would be strategically implemented and connect to the core switch over 10G Ethernet over fiber. The delta connectivity created due to redundant link would also provide load sharing for entire traffic life.

Other bidders for the project were Wipro, HCL and Adlink (Singapore).

The project will be completed in three phases. Each ship will be taken up independently per phase.

[contedicavour]

intersting rumour ,the last i heard was that the indian shipbuilder garden reach shipbuilders and engineers limited were exploring a possibility of construction of the french dcn mistral class of lhd's and the navy was also very eager about them.

can you provide any further information and pics of the italian design?

Hello, details for the Fincantieri LHD are on the "Italian naval programmes udpate" thread I opened on Monday.

Here's a pic

cheers

[contedicavour]

In a recent print edition of India-Today, there was an article on procurement of P-17A Stealth Frigates (apparently modified Shivalik class). Interestingly, RFPs have been issued to European and Russian ship yards. A total of 7 frigates will be procured, first one being built in selected foreign ship yard, and the remaining six in India.

Cost $1 billion/Ship.

1bn USD per ship is very expensive. Even the Horizon DDGs cost 800 mln euro or 1050 mln usd at current exchange rates.
What sort of performance improvement is expected vs the Shivalik in AAW ?

cheers

[contedicavour]

hey guys here is a link and article on the news that kams posted ,a total of 7 stealth frigates are to be acquired and the request for informations have been sent to dcn,izar and russia and half a dozan other european companies,2 are to be built by the host nation with the rest in india.

i wonder what revolutionary designs can these companies offer:

dcn-fremm,russia-a more advanced version of krivack,and izar -f100,i wonder what has italy and germany to offer?

.

What we have to offer ?
Well, FREMMs of course... the point is that the French DCN is trying to push its version for export.
The main differences between the Italian and French versions is the fact that our ships carry EMPAR phased array radar which can support Aster-30 (120-km range) SAMs while the French ships carry Herakles radar which is much less powerful and is compatible only with Aster-15 (30-km range) SAMs.
The 2nd difference is that the Italian FREMMs have a combat integration and command system which is capable of functioning even if parts of the ship are damaged and one or more weapons systems are knocked out. The French system is completely centralized so any hit on the ship shuts down all weapons systems and sensors of the ship.
The 3rd difference is that Italian FREMMs have a heavy emphasis on the guided ammunition Davide 76/62SR anti-missile system as a complement to the Aster SAMs, while the French rely more on traditional missile CIWS mistral.

Now up to your government : if they are looking for more sturdy AAW-capable ships for high threat environments, then select the Italian FREMMs. If they are looking for moderate-threat scenario FFGs with weaker AAW capabilities, then select the French FREMMs which cost 280 mln euro each instead of 340 mln euro each for the Italian ones.

cheers

[kams]

1bn USD per ship is very expensive. Even the Horizon DDGs cost 800 mln euro or 1050 mln usd at current exchange rates.
What sort of performance improvement is expected vs the Shivalik in AAW ?

cheers

Total project cost is Rs 30,000 crore (5.05 Billion Euro) for 7 ships. I was mistaken about RFP, its RFI. I have no idea about the requirement. For that knid of money you can really buy a big bang:) .

[contedicavour]

Total project cost is Rs 30,000 crore (5.05 Billion Euro) for 7 ships. I was mistaken about RFP, its RFI. I have no idea about the requirement. For that knid of money you can really buy a big bang:) .

You certainly can if you don't waste too much on R&D and fixed costs ;) I do believe requesting help to a big European shipyard will help reduce these costs though :)

cheers

[kams]

You certainly can if you don't waste too much on R&D and fixed costs ;) I do believe requesting help to a big European shipyard will help reduce these costs though :)

cheers

The high project cost may be due to TOT. I believe all future IN ships will have Barak II as standard AAW which may mean Israeli Radar. For offensive role, Brahmos and/or Klub or any other future Indian Cruise missile (Land attack) may be used. I really doubt, IN will go for Aster 30.

[aaaditya]

Hello, details for the Fincantieri LHD are on the "Italian naval programmes udpate" thread I opened on Monday.

Here's a pic

cheers

thanks for the information and the image.

[aaaditya]

What we have to offer ?
Well, FREMMs of course... the point is that the French DCN is trying to push its version for export.
The main differences between the Italian and French versions is the fact that our ships carry EMPAR phased array radar which can support Aster-30 (120-km range) SAMs while the French ships carry Herakles radar which is much less powerful and is compatible only with Aster-15 (30-km range) SAMs.
The 2nd difference is that the Italian FREMMs have a combat integration and command system which is capable of functioning even if parts of the ship are damaged and one or more weapons systems are knocked out. The French system is completely centralized so any hit on the ship shuts down all weapons systems and sensors of the ship.
The 3rd difference is that Italian FREMMs have a heavy emphasis on the guided ammunition Davide 76/62SR anti-missile system as a complement to the Aster SAMs, while the French rely more on traditional missile CIWS mistral.

Now up to your government : if they are looking for more sturdy AAW-capable ships for high threat environments, then select the Italian FREMMs. If they are looking for moderate-threat scenario FFGs with weaker AAW capabilities, then select the French FREMMs which cost 280 mln euro each instead of 340 mln euro each for the Italian ones.

cheers

but i thought centralisation meant greater automation,and greater automation would be quite good in it's own right.also i believe that india's requirement is for a vessel of a minimum displacement of 4600 tons.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,a sad news,the inshore minesweeper ins malpe has been decomissioned after 22 years of service,unless the proposed induction of mine counter measures programme is quickly carried out,these decomissionings will severely effect the capability of the indian navy.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7851


KOCHI: The Indian Naval Ship Malpe was decommissioned at the Naval Base, Kochi, on Monday evening.
The 100-tonne ship was primarily used for inshore mine sweeping, harbour defence and coastal patrolling. Vice Admiral Jagjit Singh Bedi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, was among those present at the decommissioning ceremony. He inspected a 50-man guard of honour. Cdr. Varun Singh, the last commanding officer of INS Malpe, delivered the pre-decommissioning speech. With sunset, the Colour Guard presented arms while the National Flag and the Naval Ensign were hauled down. The Ensign was handed over to the commanding officer. With the sounding of the `Last Post', the paying off pennant was also hauled down, bringing an end to INS Malpe's 22 years of service in the Navy. Many officers and sailors who had served in the ship were present at the ceremony to bid farewell to the vessel. Vice Admiral K.K. Nayyar, the then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, commissioned the ship on May 10, 1984, in Kochi.

[contedicavour]

but i thought centralisation meant greater automation,and greater automation would be quite good in it's own right.also i believe that india's requirement is for a vessel of a minimum displacement of 4600 tons.

Actually both systems are centralized, but the French version can only be handled centrally, so no double commands for specific weapons systems and sensors, hence, in case of a hit on the ship, total collapse of the defence systems...
The "federal" version has central command and control, but also double commands for all weapons systems and sensors, so that they can go on functioning in case of a hit on the ship.
The FREMM are 6,000+ tonners, so they would fit with your > 4600t requirement.

cheers