Indian Navy (IN) News and Discussion

[aaaditya]

india and italy already have an agreement in place for the joint development of warships.india also has a similiar agrrement with germany and usa,though i doubt if usa is in any posistion to offer india a 4600 ton design.

here check out this link :

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2373565&C=asiapac

Italy, a limited supplier of military equipment to India, has proposed the two countries join forces to develop defense products.
During a Nov. 15-16 visit here, Lorenzo Forceri, Italian deputy defense minister, said the two governments have decided to turn their 2003 memorandum of understanding on transfer of defense equipment, technical assistance and defense industrial cooperation into a formal agreement, which is likely to be signed shortly.
“Italy has proposed [to] the Indian government to finalize government-to-government agreements to cooperate with India on specific [defense] programs,” Forceri said following talks with M.M. Pallam Raju, Indian deputy defense minister.
One such program could be the joint development of combat systems for the Air Defence Ship (ADS), India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, which is being built with technical help from Italy. Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, besides building the ship’s propulsion system, is helping the Indian Navy design the ADS and acting as a consultant.
“If India comes up with its specific additional submarine requirements,” Forceri said, “Italy will always be ready to offer to work as a partner in designing, developing and producing the submarines.”
Another area where the two countries can work together is the joint production of 127/64mm canons for Indian Navy warships and other small frigates, Forceri said. India’s state-owned Bharat Heavy Electrical is currently manufacturing 76/62 naval guns for Navy vessels under technology transferred from Italy’s Oto Melara.
Italy and India also are cooperating on a number of other defense programs, including an oceanographic survey vessel, maritime patrol aircraft, heavyweight torpedoes for submarines, anti-submarine helicopters for the Indian Navy, and advanced warships and frigates, Forceri said.

[aaaditya]

i wish we can acuire an enlarged (4600 ton) version of the swedish visby class of stealth missile corvettes,though i wonder how much it would cost?

[aaaditya]

hey guys,it seems that the indian navy has finally recognised the problem of chinese expansion into the indian ocean region and is now formulating the steps to counter this move.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/currentaffairs/navydaysinoindianrivalry/sinoindianrivalryoverindianoceanoutopen/market/stocks/article/254225

It's Navy Day today and India's Navy Chief has warned that Sino-Indian rivalry is spilling over to the seas. He says India must take steps to counter the Chinese threat from the sea, reports CNBC-TV18.
On December 4, 1971, the Indian Navy earned its spurs as a war fighting force by launching a blistering attack on Karachi. The day has since been observed as Navy Day. Ahead of Navy Day, India's Naval leadership has outlined the new threats from the sea to India's security.
"China is, therefore, we believe, developing a certain amount of, in our terms, we call it shaping the maritime battlefield," says Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta.
The Asian rivalry to dominate the Indian Ocean Region is now out into the open. And India has made its unease over increasing Chinese presence clear.
"Policies are always made 20 years ahead. So they're looking far ahead. We also need to look far ahead and make sure we have the capability," he adds.
The Navy also insists that Chinese companies be kept out of port modernization projects. According to Admiral Sureesh Mehta, "The date, which is of a sensitive nature like hydrology, if that gets known to a nation, which may be inimical to you in the years ahead, then it's a cause for concern."
The Admiral's concern is that most Indian warships can operate only in shallow waters whereas naval superiority will be determined on the high seas. So, plug the gaps now or face the prospect of hostile forces, determinging the agenda in the waters around India - that is the Indian Navy's warning.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,indian navy is to increase its surveillance capabilities in the gujarat region,they will set up a new facility to cater to the needs of the entire western naval command.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=11&id=435451


The Navy is setting up a hi-tech surveillance centre here to monitor possible terror threats to economic installations in the state.
Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, who was here to participate in the Navy Week celebrations, yesterday said, "The old port building at the entrance of Porbandar harbour will be handed over to the Navy and we are going to set up the survelliance centre there."
"It will be equipped with radars and will become the surveillance centre for the entire Western region," Raju said.
Raju, who spoke to reporters on-board the Talwar class frigate INS Trishul and was accompanied by Naval Officer-in-charge (Gujarat) Commodore Uttpal Vora, said "The easiest way for terrorists to destabilise a nation is by targeting areas of economic activity. The country's most important economic assets like oil refineries are primarly on Gujarat's shores."

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting article about the the indian navy's new plans for raising an expeditionary force jointly with the indian army.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1068555

The day is not far away when India would boast of its own Marine Corps, an infantry based on Indian naval ships carrying out amphibious operations. Indications of such a lethal force for both combat and rescue operations are clear, as the Indian Navy is preparing for the arrival of USS Trenton, the massive Landing Platform Dock, that can carry almost 1,000 soldiers, six helicopters and smaller landing boats.
Earlier, there had been discussions on the possibility of a dedicated Marine Corps springing from Trenton’s induction. Plans were made to train army men to tackle tsunami threats and equip them with the latest combat operations to take up any challenge within the Indian territory. USS Trenton, which would be handed over to the Indian Navy in mid-January, is expected to arrive in India sometime during the middle of next year.
The Trenton would be renamed ‘INS Jalashva’ and would have army units practicing on board for amphibious operations, senior navy officers told DNA. Navy Chief Admiral Suresh Mehta, said Trenton would need “marine battalions”, referring to army units that would practice on it.
According to military sources, the arrival of Trenton and its subsequent operations could trigger a series of developments. It will help India build various expeditionary forces, including a sizeable number of Marine Corps, on board ships like Trenton. This would finally lead to the creation of a Marine Corps, they said.
A few weeks before his retirement, former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash wrote to Army Chief General JJ Singh suggesting that the Army also co-owns naval assets, such as the Trenton as part of its effort to maintain cohesiveness and amphibious war fighting capabilities. General Singh has responded favourably to Prakash’s proposal, sources told DNA.
Though final contours of India’s future amphibious force, or a naval infantry, are yet to be drawn, naval officers feel that the arrival of Trenton would trigger construction of large-sized landing ships in India that could carry hundreds of soldiers, several helicopters and other equipment for marine operations.
Admiral Mehta said that India needs to highlight on large-scale amphibious operations given the country’s islands and especially after experience of the tsunami. The new and improved marine forces will not only add sting to operations on sea but at the same time ensure peace in the unchartered territories.
At present, the only regular amphibious training that the Indian military undertakes is in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. An Army Brigade stationed there regularly carries out training with local naval units.
Recently, an unit of the Indian Army undertook amphibious operational training with the US forces for the first time during a joint-exercise along the western coast. India’s recently-released Maritime Strategy and maritime capabilities perspective plan speak of the need for expeditionary force and the capability to move troops and material across waters quickly.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,the work on the first of the indian made scorpenes is to start from december 15th,india is also considering equipping their scorpenes with the mesma air independent propulsion systems each valued at 50-60million dollars.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Made-in-India_Scorpenes_to_debut_soon/articleshow/779641.cms

India's gigantic Rs 18,798-crore project to construct six French Scorpene submarines at Mazgaon Docks Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai will finally kick off this week after over a year of preparatory work.

The "steel-cutting" for the Scorpene project at MDL is likely to take place on December 15, with defence minister A K Antony presiding over the ceremony.

"Over the last one year, the MDL infrastructure has been upgraded to handle the submarine construction, along with proper training of personnel. Now, the work will actually begin on fabricating the submarine hull. The six submarines will be delivered, one per year, between 2012 and 2017,"said a senior official.

The project has been dogged by some controversy, with allegations of kickbacks having swirled around the October 2005 contracts signed with two French companies — Rs 6,135-crore with M/s Armaris for transfer of technology and construction design, and Rs 1,062-crore with M/s MBDA for sea-skimming Exocet missiles.

But the Navy hopes it will be smooth sailing for the project now. The projections made by the force show it will be left with only nine out of its present fleet of 16 diesel-electric submarines (10 Russian Kilo-class, four German HDW and two Foxtrot) by 2012.

"The number will further decline to five by 2014. But with the Scorpene project running smoothly, we will be able to arrest the decline to eight submarines by 2015, and thereafter maintain it at a level of nine till 2018,"said an officer.

Both Pakistan and China, at the same time, are steadily augmenting their underwater fleets. Pakistan, for instance, has inducted three new French Agosta-90B submarines, armed with Harpoon and Exocet missiles, in recent years.

China, of course, is leagues ahead with over 65 submarines, one-third of them being nuclear ones. With the Scorpene project now finally kicking off, the Navy's 30-year perspective programme to acquire indigenous capability in construction of submarines has also swung into motion.

"This long-term plan envisages manufacture of 24 submarines in a phased manner. Initially, there will be two lines with six submarines in each of them. While Scorpene is one, the process to chose the other one, will soon begin,"said the officer.

MDL, on its part, hopes to achieve 50% indigenisation by the time the sixth Scorpene rolls out in 2017. "It will require eight lakh mandays per submarine. By the end, we would have acquired competence in submarine-building,"said an official.

The Navy, incidentally, is also exploring the possibility of incorporating the Mesma air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems in the last three Scorpenes.

The AIP system, each costing $50-60 million, significantly enhances a conventional submarine's operational capabilities.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news ,indian navy is to issue the request for proposals for the acquisition of the maritime patrol aircrafts,these are to be sent to usa for the p8i mma,for a variant of the orion,to eads for a customised variant of the a319/a320,israeli backed improved version of the russian il38 and the falcon900.

indian navy has also shown some interest in the bell v22 osprey tilt wing aircraft.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/12/12/211049/India+to+issue+maritime+shortlist.html

New Delhi to step up contest for new reconnaissance platforms, while interest in V-22 Osprey emerges

The Indian navy is poised to announce the shortlist for its maritime reconnaissance aircraft contest "any day now", says Boeing, which is offering a P-8I variant of its 737-based P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft now in development for the US Navy.
Other types in contention for the eight-aircraft programme include a special mission version of the Airbus A319/A320 from EADS, a package based on Dassault's Falcon 900 business jet also backed by Israel Aerospace Industries, an improved version of the Ilyushin Il-38 and a refurbished P-3 Orion promoted by Lockheed Martin.
Boeing has urged the Indian government to broaden the rules of its offset policy related to the deal to allow companies to look across the nation's aviation business, including both its defence and commercial aircraft activities. "The policy should be opened to the entire aerospace segment," said Integrated Defense Systems president Jim Albaugh during a visit to India last week. "If done right, offsets will introduce more complex technology and processes that India doesn't currently enjoy."
India is also mulling the possible future purchase of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor after its ongoing F-X fighter and army light utility helicopter programmes are concluded, says Boeing. "There has been some interest from the Indian ministry of defence, but nothing beyond that," it adds.
Indian defence officials and Boeing have held initial talks on the programme, but industry sources say the rotorcraft's price tag could be a stumbling block to any future sale. "Even if they get it down to $60 million in 2010 from the current $70 million, it might be too expensive," says one.
New Delhi's immediate priority is to complete tenders for 126 multi-role combat aircraft - the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 or Saab Gripen - and 197 light utility helicopters. The Bell 407 and Eurocopter AS550 are contesting the army requirement. "The Osprey will add to the military's transport and combat search-and-rescue capabilities, but that's not urgent. Talks will start after the F-X contest," says a source.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,governement of india is to sign offset contract deals with elta of israel for the purchase of medium ranged radars,and also with a european shipbuilder for the purchase of fleet tankers for the indian navy.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/12/stories/2006121202101400.htm

Boeing wants offset to be extended to civil aviation


Elta of Israel agrees to meet the conditions
U.S. firms do not want it to be limited to military side

NEW DELHI: The Defence Ministry is set to sign the first two offset agreements with foreign companies under the new defence procurement policy. The success with the first two cases of the new offset clause could make it difficult to accede to the American request to make changes in the offset clause, Ministry officials said.
Under the offset clause, all foreign vendors must compulsorily source one-third of the price of all defence equipment worth over Rs.300 crore from India.
The first test case for this clause is for the import of medium portable radars. The winner of the contract, Elta of Israel, has agreed to meet the conditions of the policy in letter. It will buy components worth one-third of the value of the contract from an Indian company. The runner up, the French company Thales, too was prepared to source one-thirds of the quoted price from India.
The second import contract, where the offset policy will be implemented, is for a fleet tanker for the Navy. Both foreign companies competing to supply the tanker have agreed to meet the "direct offset" clause.
On the other hand, the U.S. companies do not want offsets to be only `direct' in nature. They want offsets to be spread over an entire sector and not restricted to just the military side. Eyeing a multi-billion dollar contract for fighter aircraft, Boeing wants the offset to be extended to the civil aviation sector.
In other words, Indian companies supplying components to passenger aircraft should also be counted as offset for the fighter aircraft contract. In turn, Boeing promises to pass on expertise in the high-end and complex areas in the aerospace industry to Indian companies. At an India-U.S. defence meeting, India was told that the policy should also revise its "positive" inclination towards public sector companies for offset contracts.
On the other hand, analysts point to the relatively small size of the first two offset deals as compared to the fighter aircraft contract. For the radars, the final price was about Rs.900 crore of which about Rs.300 crore worth of components would be purchased from Indian companies. For the fleet tanker, the estimated price is Rs.400 crore. One-third of this value would be just Rs.130 crore. In comparison, the fighter aircraft deal is much bigger. Offsets would not be less than Rs.5,000 crore to Rs.7,000 crore of very high-tech equipment and systems integration work. Besides, Elta did not break new ground in sourcing from India. It was sourcing microwave tubes, the mainstay of radars, for long from the same Indian company. It has also placed orders for components from Larsen & Toubro.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,interesting news here,indian navy has projected a requirement of 110000 crore rupees for the next five year plan.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7878


Rs 11,0000 cr is Navy's requirment for next five-year plan

MUMBAI, DEC 14 (PTI)
The navy has put forward a requirement of Rs 11,0000 crore for the next Five-Year Plan to equip itself to take on the challenges of the future, navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said today.
"We are preparing the navy for any role in the future scenario. With an economic growth rate of over eight per cent, India has arrived and the world is looking at us with a difference," Admiral Mehta, on a three-day visit to the Western Fleet's headquarters here, told reporters.
Besides its military role, the navy has a diplomatic and policing role, he said, citing the ongoing light intensity maritime operations.
"The navy currently has 136 ships and building of 33 more ships is underway in our shipyards," he said. Six Scorpene submarines are being built at Mazagon dockyard here.
Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, formerly the Russian Navy's Admiral Gorshkov, will arrive in Mumbai in two years, and the large amphibious ship Trenton, acquired from the US, would be handed over to the navy next month, he said.
"This will bring about a marked increase in the navy's capabilities," Mehta said.
The navy is also focussing on indigenous technology. "Indigenous technology is available but big corporate and industrial houses are hesitant to step into this area," he said.
Mehta emphasised the need to have the capability to launch a nuclear second strike as "we are a no-first use nation".
"We do not have the (second strike) capability...But we are moving in that direction," he said.
Asked about the shortcomings of the navy, Mehta said, "We have not kept pace with maritime reconnaisance. We need assets. We have not kept pace with asset induction. We have some old planes and other equipment and we are managing with that.
"We are building our maritime domain awareness. We are thinking of satellite coverage of a large area," he added.
The navy has learnt to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with great ingenuity, Mehta said. "Instead of the usual range of 120 miles, our UAVs operate for 400 miles off the coast by passing control onto another platform."
In the next few years, the navy plans to induct rotary wing UAVs that would be of immense help, he added.
Asked about Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's recent remarks about sea-borne threats to vital installations, Mehta said, "He may have said it now, but the navy has been preparing for such a role for a long time."
Replying to another query on reports about the navy planning to set up a base at Madagascar or Mauritius, Mehta said, "There are no such plans." Stating the need for having two aircraft carriers, the navy chief said the indigenous carrier being built at Cochin would be ready within 10 to 12 years. "Then we can have one carrier each on the western and eastern coasts," he said.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,indian coast guard is to acquire 8 new ships from usa ,including a pollution control vessel,all these vessels will be based at haldia ,where the indian coast guard plans to set up a world class base.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/002200612141835.htm

The Coast Guard will soon acquire eight ships, including a pollution control vessel, from the US to strengthen its fleet, a top official said today.

One of the eight ships will be stationed in Haldia, where the hover port will soon be developed into a world-class facility under a Rs 8-crore project sanctioned by the Defence Ministry, said Coast Guard Inspector General (Eastern Region), Rajendra Singh.
The force recently set up stations at Puducherry and Kakinada that would help in rescue operations on the high seas and pollution control activities, Singh told reporters after inspecting a parade here. The new stations will also help in preventing outsiders from fishing in Indian waters and in rescuing Indian fishermen standed at sea by natural calamities, or mechanical faults in their ships, he said.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,sad news here,it seems that the refit of the admiral gorshkov has been delayed due to detection of some serious structural problems.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/93297.php/Refit-of-Indias-Russian-aircraft-carrier-delayed

The refit of the Indian Navy's Russian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya has 'dropped behind schedule due to extensive structural work', Britain's leading Jane's Defence Weekly (JDW) reports.

According to JDW, Viktor Shestov, deputy director of the Sevmashpredpriyatiye shipyard in Severodvinsk in northern Russia that is refurbishing the 44,500-tonne Kiev-class carrier, declared that the delay was 'linked to the fact that serious faults in some structures were revealed in the course of the final fault detection procedure'.

The Indian Navy, however, claimed it had received assurances from the Russian government that the conversion and commissioning would be completed on schedule in 2008, by which time India's only carrier INS Viraat will be ready for retirement.

INS Vikramaditya is scheduled to enter operational service in 2009 following its final refitting.

It will be berthed at INS Karwar, the navy's new base on the west coast that is still under construction.

Jane's stated that a high level Indian Navy inspection team that recently visited the Sevmashpredpriyatiye shipyard had received guarantees that the carrier would be completed on schedule.

The head of the visiting delegation, Vice Admiral B.S. Randhawa, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, asserted that the navy had received a letter from the Russian Federation Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov declaring that the project would be 'completed within the time frame set out in the contract'.

According to the contract for the carrier signed in January 2004, the retrofit was to be completed within 52 months.

Randhawa also declared that the Russian shipyard is 'taking every effort' to resolve any problems arising during the refit.

Damaged by a fire in 1994 soon after its commissioning, the Admiral Gorshkov had been rusting for years till the Indian Navy acquired it two years ago, signing a $625 million contract for its reactivation and modification programme.

This included reconfiguring the carrier, which was formally handed over to the navy in March 2004, for short take-off and arrested recovery aviation operations.

Russia's Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau is responsible for developing the detailed design and drawings package for the implementation of the conversion, termed the Russian Federation Navy Project 1143.4. The Indian Navy's Naval Design Bureau is also working closely with the Russian shipyard.

Twenty MiG-29Ks, including four trainers, will constitute INS Vikramaditya's air arm.

Meanwhile, construction of the Indian Navy's 37,500-tonne Project 71 aircraft carrier, delayed by over two years, is expected to begin soon at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) using the 'modular' method of building compartment blocks.

'After building some 120 of 800 blocks using the integrated hull outfit and painting (IHOP) approach we will lay the carrier's keel in 2007. It will be launched by October 2010,' Rear Admiral M.K. Badhwar, the director general naval design who is in-charge of the carrier building programme, declared.

Re-designated the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) from its original appellation of Air Defence Ship, the vessel's commissioning has been delayed by around two years to 2014 due to steel acquisition problems, Badhwar said.

This difficulty was recently resolved with the import from Russia of around 1,000 tonnes of steel 'bulb-bars' essential to begin the IAC's construction after the state-owned Steel Authority of India (SAIL) was unable to supply them.

The cutting of steel for the IAC designed by the Naval Design Bureau (NDB) began in April 2005, but the project languished thereafter due to the lack of bulb bars, navy officials admitted.

However, they were confident that SAIL and two private and another public sector steel mill who are collectively supplying around 20,000 tonnes of steel for the IAC, would be able to provide the additional 4,000 tonnes of bulb bars required for the 225 metre long and 58 metre wide IAC, for which Rs.32.61 billion ($730 million) has been sanctioned so far.

Powered by four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbines acquired through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the IAC will operate a mix of 30 combat fighters and helicopters.

Navy officers said these would include 12 MiG-29K multi-role fighters, upgraded Sea Harrier FRS Mk 51s and the locally designed light combat aircraft. Its 10-helicopter compliment will comprise Russian Kamov Ka-31s and the indigenous advanced light helicopter.

Italy's Fincantieri SpA will provide designs to integrate the propulsion system, engine room layouts, and overall validation of systems, besides conducting sea trials. Navy officials said while Fincantieri's technical contract would be for two years, assistance will continue until the IAC's commissioning.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,ins vagli a foxtrot class of submarine has successfully completed diving trials after the completion of a medium refit,another submarine(most probably the upgraded kilo class) is to undergo a medium refit,these refits are to be carried out at the hindustan shipyards limited.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20061216015452&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0

Indian Navy’s Foxtrot class submarine INS Vagli completed diving trials after a medium refit at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) here.

The submarine underwent a medium refit at HSL, which indicates the high standards of the HSL’s repair yard.

This event marks a major milestone in the HSL’s history as few commercial ship repair yards in the world can undertake refit of submarines.

Indian Navy has also placed orders for medium refit and modernisation of another submarine, which is an advanced version of a Russian submarine with sophisticated weapons and equipment.

[Big-E]

Is there a reason IN is still operating Foxtrots?

[kams]

Is there a reason IN is still operating Foxtrots?

I think they are mainly used for Training purpose.

[Big-E]

I believe this is test footage of India's carrier Mig-29s...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MSTEvXgusA

[contedicavour]

I believe this is test footage of India's carrier Mig-29s...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MSTEvXgusA

Wow it's impressive to see the Fulcrums taking off on full afterburner without catapults and just leveraging the sky jump...
They sure do look small though vs the Flanker with folded wings you can see in the film in the background

cheers

[Big-E]

It just erks me the amount of loadout the Gorshkov's Migs will never carry due to the ski-jump. India needs to redesign it for catapults so they can carry a full load.

[contedicavour]

It just erks me the amount of loadout the Gorshkov's Migs will never carry due to the ski-jump. India needs to redesign it for catapults so they can carry a full load.

Even with a 12° ski jump (btw is it "ski" or "sky" ??) the payload will still be inferior to that achievable with a catapult launch... but as on the Garibaldi and Cavour we can live with Harrier AV8B+ and in the future F35B mainly carrying AIM120C/D or Meteor, Harpoons or Marte Mk2S, and Storm Shadow standoff cruise missiles. We know we won't be able to have our jets take off with 6+ Paveways or a full load of JDAMs, but our main purpose is air defence in support of fleet or amphibious landings. Unfortunately we lack your resources ;)

cheers

[Big-E]

Even with a 12° ski jump (btw is it "ski" or "sky" ??) the payload will still be inferior to that achievable with a catapult launch... but as on the Garibaldi and Cavour we can live with Harrier AV8B+ and in the future F35B mainly carrying AIM120C/D or Meteor, Harpoons or Marte Mk2S, and Storm Shadow standoff cruise missiles. We know we won't be able to have our jets take off with 6+ Paveways or a full load of JDAMs, but our main purpose is air defence in support of fleet or amphibious landings. Unfortunately we lack your resources ;)

cheers

Well you don't go skying... so it must be ski.:rolleyes:

I know Italians only want amphib aircraft... I'm talking about Gorshkov. I was hoping the Mig-29s would be able to conduct a full range of missions rather than the typical Soviet sea-denial strategy were you never leave sight of land.

[contedicavour]

Well you don't go skying... so it must be ski.:rolleyes:

I know Italians only want amphib aircraft... I'm talking about Gorshkov. I was hoping the Mig-29s would be able to conduct a full range of missions rather than the typical Soviet sea-denial strategy were you never leave sight of land.

Ah-ha, I was also voting for "ski jump" but I though the other "sky jump" version had something to do with jumping towards the sky ;)

India has no adversary for task force against task force big naval battles ... which by the way only the USN can still run. So providing appropriate fleet air defence, plus some anti-shipping and amphib support is probably all that India needs.

For us in Italy most operations are close to shore, in the Med or in the Red Sea or Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. So most of the time our AV8B+ practice for air-to-air operations against shore-based fighters. They did work well though in air-to-ground operations with LGBs in Bosnia, Kosovo, and most recently in Afghanistan.

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys, here is an interesting news, it seems that india and russia have set up joint venture facilities for the life cycle support for russian made warships of the indian navy and these support capabilities can be offered to foreign navies also.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7919

A joint venture floated to provide life cycle product support services for the large number of Russian-built Indian Navy vessels could extend its activities to other Southeast Asians nations and even China if their governments agree.


"The navies of Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar operate a fair number of Russian-built vessels and we could extend our services to them through the repair facilities we have created in Goa, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam," Rosoboronservice Inda managing director Commander (retd) V.G. Jayaprakasan told reporters here Thursday.

"We could even offer our services to China subject to clearance from the concerned governments," he added.

Rosoboronservice India, established in April 2005 through a Russian government decree, has already done pioneering work in refurbishing the Indian Navy's Talwar class frigates, Kilo class submarines and Kamov KA-31 helicopters, is supplying 1,500 tonnes of special steel for the indigenous aircraft carrier whose construction is to begin later this year, and has offered to supply Rs.600 million worth of spares "at extremely competitive rates", Jayaprakasan stated.

If the tender is accepted, the size of the contract could eventually rise to Rs.10 billion, he said of the company, which has just received an interest-free $20 million loan from its parent Rosoboronexport toward working capital and creation of infrastructure.

The joint venture brings together eight Russian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in areas like propulsion, armaments, fire control and navigation systems, and radars.

Among its partners are the Baltitsky Zavod yard, the builder of the Talwar class frigates, the Midsize Shipbuilding Plant where three follow-on ships of the Talwar class that India has ordered are to be built, and the Zvezdochka yard that undertakes repair and refit of the Kilo class submarines, helicopter maker Kamov and aircraft manufacturer Illyushin.

Detailing the projects undertaken by the venture, Jayaprakasan said two frequency converters worth Rs.20 million that had failed on board the Talwar class vessels after the guarantee period had expired were replaced free of cost.

This apart, the company had purchased industrial premises in Goa for establishing a full-fledged KA-31 helicopter service station.

"Three specialists from Kamov are scheduled to arrive in Goa in January (2007) to finalise the layout of the service centre. Also, specialists have been identified for deputation to India on long-term assignment for undertaking maintenance of the helicopters," he added.

In addition critical spares worth Rs.40 million have been stocked at Goa to facilitate quick repairs and to minimize down time.

Besides this, some guarantee repairs have also been carried out on the navy's IL-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Jayaprakasan said to overcome bottlenecks in the procurement of spares, the Russian government, through its Federal Service on Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), had urged the Indian government to an accord Proprietary Article Certificate (PAC) to Rosoboronservice for the products of its founder members.

"This would greatly streamline the procurement process," the official maintained.

[Big-E]

"We could even offer our services to China subject to clearance from the concerned governments," he added.

Gwadar is already going to have you between a rock and a hard place. If you want even more PLAN subs operating in YOUR ocean than those at Gwadar you will just compound the problem.

[DragonKing786]

Gwadar is already going to have you between a rock and a hard place. If you want even more PLAN subs operating in YOUR ocean than those at Gwadar you will just compound the problem.

Very true., and remember China wants to protect it's oil assets., I believe they signed a contract for $ 12 Billion dollars with Iran (last week), Gwadar just brings iran closer to be monitored by China., aswell as the GCC oil states.

I think thier's an old saying., about "why travel an extra mile., if you can get it right here" something like that., so I don't think China will wants to be in Indian ports. And Gwadar puts China deadly close to GCC.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,the production line of the scorpene submarines is expected to be operational from january 2007.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.idrw.org/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=592

After almost two decades, India is once again set to build submarines indigenously at the Mazgaon dock in Mumbai as the production line for six killer Scorpene submarines is expected to be operational by January. The dock is gearing up for the task. But the date for the formal steel cutting function is yet to be decided. In any way it will happen in January, a navy official told Deccan Herald. Over the last one year, the MDL infrastructure has been upgraded to handle the construction of the submarine along with personnel training. Now the fabrication of the submarine hull will begin. The six submarines will be delivered, one per year, between 2012 and 2017, said an official. The technology is coming from two French companies. While Armaris is transferring the basic technology and construction design, MBDA is providing the sea-skimming Exocet missiles. Construction of the six French submarines will be the first step for the Navy's long cherished ambition of having a fully functional indigenous production line for submarine. This has remained a dream once the construction of two German HDW submarines at MDL ran into time and cost overrun.In the mid-1980s, the Navy decided to set up a submarine production line. But after making two diesel-electric submarines INS Shalki and INS Shankul both have the type 209 design offered by the German company HDW the government shut down the facilities as the indigenous production line taxed the capability of Mazgaon dock to the extreme. Other 14 existing operational naval submarines two Vela class ( British Foxtrot), two Shishumar class (German HDW) and 10 Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo) submarines are imported.

[swerve]

hey guys,great news ,the production line of the scorpene submarines is expected to be operational from january 2007.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.idrw.org/index.php?categoryid=1&p2_articleid=592

... Other 14 existing operational naval submarines two Vela class ( British Foxtrot), two Shishumar class (German HDW) and 10 Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo) submarines are imported.

Nice to see an article by someone with access to information so secret that it's never before been revealed, i.e. the existence of this formerly unknown British submarine. :D

[contedicavour]

Somebody mixed up British Oberons and Russian Foxtrots I guess ;) India never had Oberons though right ? Or any other ex British sub ?

Seriously, there are only 2 remaining Type 209 HDW subs in service ? Whatever happened to the other 2 ?

cheers

[aaaditya]

Somebody mixed up British Oberons and Russian Foxtrots I guess ;) India never had Oberons though right ? Or any other ex British sub ?

Seriously, there are only 2 remaining Type 209 HDW subs in service ? Whatever happened to the other 2 ?

cheers

india's original choice was the british submaines ,however their high costs and the liberal terms offered by the russians for their foxtrot class swung the indian navy's decision in russia's favour.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this link and article ,it contains some information on the indo-russian indra 2007 joint naval excercises.

here is the link and article:

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=150486

Indo-Russian naval war games—”INDRA-2007”—is scheduled to be held off Russia's Pacific coast in early 2007. This will be the third such exercise since 2003. According to senior Naval officers, ``The basic idea is to create inter-operability and practise anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare, and it is a progressive process of learning from each other.''
The exercises will include surface firing, air defense and anti-submarine warfare manoeuvres and a debriefing. Also, “the exercises would also include operations relating to maintaining maritime order in the seas and counter piracy, terrorism, anti-gun running and drug smuggling.

The exercises are expected to give a new dimension to the relationship between the armed forces of the two countries towards building mutual trust and better understanding of each other, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

A squadron of Russian warships and one nuclear submarine of the Russian Pacific Fleet are expected to participate in it.
Though INS Mumbai, INS Gomati, INS Rajput, INS Kora and INS Khulish took part in the drill from Indian side during the last exercises, the ships participating for the forthcoming exercises have not been finalised.
“The end of the Cold War resulted in a decline, rather a near total absence of the Russian naval presence in the Indian Ocean. It took almost a decade for the Russian Navy to visit the Indian Ocean in 2001. A small but a powerful contingent of naval ships comprising anti-submarine ships Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Pantellev, escorted by the tanker Vladimir Kilechitsky paid a visit to Mumbai that year, “ pointed out Vijay Sakhuja, senior fellow, Observer Research foundation.
It was Russian defence minister Sergei Ivanov who made the proposal for joint naval exercises in 2002 and New Delhi accepted the offer.
The current deployment further reinforces the commonality of Russian and Indian interests in the Indian Ocean. “INDRA 2005 provided an opportunity for both militaries, particularly the navy, to test out inter-operability, notwithstanding the fact that there is a strong commonality in equipment exploitation doctrines,” added Sakhuja. INDRA 2007 will also showcase Russian military hardware and provide an opportunity to the Indian Navy to further assess the efficacy of weapons such as anti-submarine missiles, missile-torpedoes and modern anti-aircraft missiles as also the Project 09710 “Samara” class submarine.

[aaaditya]

the samara class submarine also participated in indra2005,by the way does anyone know if samara is a new russian nuclear attack submarine project or is it the improved akula?

[contedicavour]

the samara class submarine also participated in indra2005,by the way does anyone know if samara is a new russian nuclear attack submarine project or is it the improved akula?

... and by the way does anyone have news on the ATV SSN programme of the Indian Navy ? Even bharat-rakshak site doesn't have anything new on that.

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting news article posted in the defence news:

Posted 01/02/07 12:33
Indian Navy Is Taking Quest for New Frigates Abroad
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI

Frustrated by delays in Indian shipyards’ attempts to build seven modern frigates, the country’s Navy is looking for foreign help.

In mid-November, Navy officials issued a request for information to nine shipyards in France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Spain and the United States, seeking a roughly $8 billion deal to buy one frigate and obtain licenses to produce six more in India.

The Indian yards that would build the new frigates include state-owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata.
The officials, who were expecting preliminary responses by year’s end, intend to issue formal requests for proposals to a short list of shipyards by mid-2007. A contract could be signed by 2009, a Defence Ministry official said.

An Indian Navy official said the frigates could resemble the Italo-French Horizon Common New Generation Frigate, an air warfare ship.

Officials said the ships, intended to operate far from home for long periods, would be armed with the Indo-Israeli Barak-2 air defense system, the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Advanced Light Helicopters, Kamov anti-submarine helicopters, rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, 3-D multimode surveillance radar, and advanced weapon and navigational controls. The ships will become the first Indian frigates to be directly connected with a dedicated military satellite.

The proposed purchase is part of the Navy’s Project 17-A shipbuilding program, launched in 1997 and itself a continuation of Project 17, which acquired Russian Krivak-class frigates jointly designed by the Navy’s Naval Design Bureau and Russia’s Severnoye Project Design Bureau.
In 1997, India agreed to buy three stealth frigates for $1 billion: INS Talwar, commissioned in 2002; Trishul, 2003; and Tabar, 2004. Last July, India agreed to buy three more stealth frigates for $996 million apiece from Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, to be delivered in 2010-11.


8 billion dollars for 7 frigates seems to be pretty steep,these will supplement the 3 p17a class of stealth frigates,3+3 project 1135.6 krivack class of stealth frigates and the 3 brahmaputra class of non stealth frigates.taking the total number of frigates in the indian navy to 19 of which atleast 16 would incorporate stealth technology to some extent.

[contedicavour]

hey guys,check out this interesting news article posted in the defence news:

Posted 01/02/07 12:33
Indian Navy Is Taking Quest for New Frigates Abroad
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI

Frustrated by delays in Indian shipyards’ attempts to build seven modern frigates, the country’s Navy is looking for foreign help.

In mid-November, Navy officials issued a request for information to nine shipyards in France, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Spain and the United States, seeking a roughly $8 billion deal to buy one frigate and obtain licenses to produce six more in India.

The Indian yards that would build the new frigates include state-owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders in Kolkata.
The officials, who were expecting preliminary responses by year’s end, intend to issue formal requests for proposals to a short list of shipyards by mid-2007. A contract could be signed by 2009, a Defence Ministry official said.

An Indian Navy official said the frigates could resemble the Italo-French Horizon Common New Generation Frigate, an air warfare ship.

Officials said the ships, intended to operate far from home for long periods, would be armed with the Indo-Israeli Barak-2 air defense system, the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Advanced Light Helicopters, Kamov anti-submarine helicopters, rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, 3-D multimode surveillance radar, and advanced weapon and navigational controls. The ships will become the first Indian frigates to be directly connected with a dedicated military satellite.

The proposed purchase is part of the Navy’s Project 17-A shipbuilding program, launched in 1997 and itself a continuation of Project 17, which acquired Russian Krivak-class frigates jointly designed by the Navy’s Naval Design Bureau and Russia’s Severnoye Project Design Bureau.
In 1997, India agreed to buy three stealth frigates for $1 billion: INS Talwar, commissioned in 2002; Trishul, 2003; and Tabar, 2004. Last July, India agreed to buy three more stealth frigates for $996 million apiece from Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, to be delivered in 2010-11.


8 billion dollars for 7 frigates seems to be pretty steep,these will supplement the 3 p17a class of stealth frigates,3+3 project 1135.6 krivack class of stealth frigates and the 3 brahmaputra class of non stealth frigates.taking the total number of frigates in the indian navy to 19 of which atleast 16 would incorporate stealth technology to some extent.

Great news for international shipbuilding industry :D
8 bn USD for 7 ships = 1.14 bn USD per ship = 870 mln Euro per ship
This happens to be price tag of the Horizon/Doria/Forbin AAW DDGs.
Though if India selects Barak 2 with Elta radars, there's no need to build ships that big (7,800 tonners)... FREMMs would be enough. Still remains to be seen however if DCN and Fincantieri are willing to build FREMMs without the precious high-margin Empar or Herakles + Sylver VLS + Aster 15/30. Especially if the perspective is of building only one in Europe.
It will be exciting to follow up on this tender :)

cheers

[contedicavour]

Btw, a quick question, when is the IN planning to retire the obsolete Kashin class destroyers ? There soon will be 3 Delhi and 3 improved Delhi DDGs, and if some of the new P17A carry longer range SAMs than Shtil or Barak-2, then no need to keep those obsolete ships* !

cheers

*I know they are only 20-25 years old, but Goa SAM is good for museums not for a growing and powerful navy like India's.

[kams]

*I know they are only 20-25 years old, but Goa SAM is good for museums not for a growing and powerful navy like India's.

Hmm may be these new ships will replace Kashins. They are fitting Brahmos on Kashins though:rolleyes: .

[contedicavour]

Hmm may be these new ships will replace Kashins. They are fitting Brahms on them though:rolleyes: .

Well if the new FFG are AAW, the Kashins can be downgraded from DDGs to FFGs and specialize on anti-surface / land attack roles with the powerful Brahmos.

cheers

[kams]

Well if the new FFG are AAW, the Kashins can be downgraded from DDGs to FFGs and specialize on anti-surface / land attack roles with the powerful Brahmos.

cheers

By the time these new ships arrive, Kashins will be really old. In addition there were lingering doubts that Soviets passed on used Kashins not new ones:D .

[contedicavour]

By the time these new ships arrive, Kashins will be really old. In addition there were lingering doubts that Soviets passed on used Kashins not new ones:D .

Naaah it's a joke isn't it ? They wouldn't have done that to their major export market ?? True, back in the '80s India was a bit restricted to the USSR as a source of weaponry...
You could offer Russia to take them back to supplement their rusting Black Sea Fleet :D where there still is a lonely Kashin modified with Uran SSM

cheers

[kams]

Naaah it's a joke isn't it ? They wouldn't have done that to their major export market ?? True, back in the '80s India was a bit restricted to the USSR as a source of weaponry...
You could offer Russia to take them back to supplement their rusting Black Sea Fleet :D where there still is a lonely Kashin modified with Uran SSM

cheers

No not a joke, There was an interview with IN admiral where he talked about it. I spent 45 minutes searching for the intervew..can't find it.

Actually we got Kashins at 'freindship' price(Soviet days) ..so can't complain:rolleyes: . But Admiral also said Kashins served well and continue to do so.

[aaaditya]

these are the projects for which the indian navy is likely to select foreign designs:

1)the new frigates(1 to be acquired and 6 to be built in india).

2)second submarine line(hdw and amur in running,10 to 15 may be built).

3)heavy fuel tanker(at least 2 to be acquired).

4)landing platform dock(mistral design is being studied by the grse shipyard).

5)mine counter measure vessels (8 to be built by gsl,italian ,spanish and south korean designs are being studied).

india may also acquire the latest otomelara 127 mm guns for their capital warships to replace the otomelara 76mm guns.

[aaaditya]

Great news for international shipbuilding industry :D
8 bn USD for 7 ships = 1.14 bn USD per ship = 870 mln Euro per ship
This happens to be price tag of the Horizon/Doria/Forbin AAW DDGs.
Though if India selects Barak 2 with Elta radars, there's no need to build ships that big (7,800 tonners)... FREMMs would be enough. Still remains to be seen however if DCN and Fincantieri are willing to build FREMMs without the precious high-margin Empar or Herakles + Sylver VLS + Aster 15/30. Especially if the perspective is of building only one in Europe.
It will be exciting to follow up on this tender :)

cheers

according to an earlier article the vessels are to be of 5600 ton displacement and hence i believe ,that the vessels will be of fremm class.

[aaaditya]

the interesting part is that these vessels are likely to be the first indian naval vessels to be directly linked to a millitary satellite,indian navy is standardising all capital vessels to 12gb lan capability.

[aaaditya]

hey guys interesting news article,as many as 50 live rockets have been discovered in indian waters of the south coast.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7997


RAMANATHAPURAM: The police will seek the help of Indian Navy for the safe disposal of a large number of live rocket shells, which were reportedly found off the coast of Rameswaram by fishermen.
According to information available with the State and Central intelligence agencies operating from Rameswaram and Ramanathapuram, fishermen of Rameswaram netted more than 50 live rocket shells in the Indian waters during the last 15 days.Instead of handing them over to the security agencies, the fishermen threw away the rockets fearing "harassment" in the name of investigation. However, the fishermen are worried that their lives would be in danger if the rockets go off.
Sense of fear

A fisherman on anonymity said that netting live rocket shells had become the order of the day. A large number of rocket shells are said to have been found between the third islet and sixth islet. This has created a sense of fear among fishermen, who use this route for fishing.
The Superintendent of Police, R. Thirugnanam, told The Hindu that he would officially ask the higher authorities of the Navy to recover the `reported' rocket shells. Though the issue was discussed orally, an official letter would be sent to the Naval authorities to take appropriate action. He said the Naval authorities were examining the three rocket shells, which were seized last month.

[Rish]

hey guys interesting news article,as many as 50 live rockets have been discovered in indian waters of the south coast.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=7997


RAMANATHAPURAM: The police will seek the help of Indian Navy for the safe disposal of a large number of live rocket shells, which were reportedly found off the coast of Rameswaram by fishermen.
According to information available with the State and Central intelligence agencies operating from Rameswaram and Ramanathapuram, fishermen of Rameswaram netted more than 50 live rocket shells in the Indian waters during the last 15 days.Instead of handing them over to the security agencies, the fishermen threw away the rockets fearing "harassment" in the name of investigation. However, the fishermen are worried that their lives would be in danger if the rockets go off.
Sense of fear

A fisherman on anonymity said that netting live rocket shells had become the order of the day. A large number of rocket shells are said to have been found between the third islet and sixth islet. This has created a sense of fear among fishermen, who use this route for fishing.
The Superintendent of Police, R. Thirugnanam, told The Hindu that he would officially ask the higher authorities of the Navy to recover the `reported' rocket shells. Though the issue was discussed orally, an official letter would be sent to the Naval authorities to take appropriate action. He said the Naval authorities were examining the three rocket shells, which were seized last month.

who do you think put them there?

[aaaditya]

hey guys great news ,nevesbu has sold the design specifications for its falcon class of corvettes to an indian shipyards(most probably the goa shipyards limited) for an indian coast guard cutter requirement(most probably the 2500 ton sankalp class of extra large patrol vessel design).

currently two of these vessels are under construction for the indian coast guard ,however the indian navy has a requirement of atleast 10 patrol vessels of the sankalp class.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.iv-groep.nl/en/common/en_nws_detail_nev.asp?newsId=23

Nevesbu sold design specification for Cost Guard cutter 10/29/2004
Nevesbu has sold the design specification for a Cost Guard cutter to an Indian yard.

The design is based on the proven Falcon Class Corvette hull as being in the market since 2003.
The Falcon Class Corvette is a joint design of Iv-Nevesbu and Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands.

This order is seen as a first success for this type of vessel in a very competitive market.

[aaaditya]

who do you think put them there?

most probably the l.t.t.e (the liberation tigers of tamil ealam),they must have been trying to smuggle these weapons into srilanka ,but must have been forced to throw them overboard by the preasure from indian coast guard.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,does anyone have images and specifications of the falcon class of corvettes and the sigma class of corvettes?

[Tasman]

hey guys,does anyone have images and specifications of the falcon class of corvettes and the sigma class of corvettes?

There is an image of the Falcon class corvette on page 6 in the following link:

http://www.iv-groep.nl/en/docs/bro-nevesbu-en.pdf

Not much but perhaps it is a start.

Cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,indian navy delegation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the yantar shipyards of russia for the construction of 3 additional stealth frigates of the project 1135.6 krivack class,these new vessels will have superior radars and surface to air missiles compared to the earlier krivack class and would be designed to carry and fire the brahmos supersonic cruise missiles instead of the klub cruise missiles.

here check out this link and article:

http://shipbuilding.ru/eng/news/2006/12/22/memorandum/

The delegation of the Indian Navy led by the general director on shipbuilding Mr. Mishra and the representatives of ROE, Northern design bureau from St.-Petersburg and KSMK (concern for medium and small tonnage shipbuilding) visited Yantar. They examined the capacities of the enterprise, estimated rates of the civil work. The Indian experts approved the key parameters of the schedule of their order and the report-memorandum on implementing the contract.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,the karwar naval base is to be further expanded ,the phase 2 of this base will be able to berth as many as 50 vessels.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/20223.html

In the next three months, the Navy will ask the Cabinet to clear the second phase of construction of its most ambitious military base—Karwar. Between 2015-2020 Karwar will emerge as the Navy’s principal warfighting base, far outshining both Mumbai and Visakhapatnam in sheer depth, weaponry and force levels.

It will, however, be an expensive affair. The second phase of the Karwar base, codenamed Project Seabird, likely to begin by June, will cost over Rs 12,000 crore and include the construction of a full-fledged airfield and berthing facilities for 50 ships as against the current facilities for 10.

Karwar’s base commander Capt Mahendra Dimri told The Indian Express,
“In 15 years, the Navy could have a full-fledged South Western fleet based here.” This will add to the Western fleet at Mumbai and the Eastern fleet at Vizag, and also create of a new command headquarters at Karwar.
Work has already begun. On Thursday, Defence Minister AK Antony presided over the commissioning of the first warship to be based here, the brand new INS Shardul, a large indigenously built amphibious vessel capable of landing 500 troops or 10 battle tanks across long ranges. The base will soon be home to an even bigger landing vessel, the American USS Trenton, renamed INS Jalashva. The Russian-built INS Vikramaaditya aircraft carrier is also likely to find a home at Karwar, though a decision has not yet been taken. By 2020, at least 30 ships will operate from here. But sea-going assets are only one part.
With the Navy gradually yielding more of Goa’s Dabolim airport to civilian use, including international flights, Karwar will also become the Navy’s premier aviation hub, home to the MiG-29K carrier-based fighters that come with Vikramaaditya, a complement of new long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a full range of helicopters, including new submarine hunters that the Navy is in the market for.
Originally conceived as a base to decongest Mumbai and low enough on the Western seaboard to be out of Pakistani F-16 range — a need now rendered redundant— the Karwar base will, in Phase-II, be fortified with a necessarily exhaustive armament depot for its warships and aircraft carrier, and missile flights to protect it from seaborne or airborne attack.

[PETER671BT]

hey guys,does anyone have images and specifications of the falcon class of corvettes and the sigma class of corvettes?
I thought indonesia was biulding the sigma corvettes?

[contedicavour]

I thought indonesia was biulding the sigma corvettes?

Sigma and the "national corvette programme" which is supposed to be based on Fincantieri Comandanti class OPVH.

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,indian navy plans to builda shipyard in the 3rd phase of project seabird at karwar ,this shipyard would cater exclusively to the indian navy and will be responsible for building and modernising naval warships.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=8010

Base not to share space with commercial ships




KARWAR: With Defence Minister A.K. Antony taking keen interest in the modernisation plans of the armed forces, the Navy is hoping that the Government would soon approve funding for phase II of the Karwar naval base project.
Operation Seabird

Called "Operation Seabird," the integrated naval base is set to evolve into the fourth command headquarters of the Navy and the only one that would not be sharing space with commercial ships.
"We hope the Cabinet Committee on Security would take up the issue of releasing funds for the next phase by March," said a senior naval officer on the occasion of commissioning of the first warship to be based here.
On completion, the Rs. 35,000-crore naval base will be one of the biggest in the world but funding has been a problem ever since the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, laid the foundation stone in 1986.
Even the phase I completed last year was a truncated affair due to shortage of funds.
The Government asked the Navy to restrict the expenditure and assured that the remaining part would be completed over five years from 2005.
Mid-way on the western coast, the Karwar naval base will decongest the Mumbai harbour and host modern submarines and ships, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (to be renamed INS Vikramaditya). "At some point of time it should become a command headquarters provided funds are released periodically," said the officer.
The second phase, or the completion of the truncated first phase, will involve the construction of a naval airport and in the third phase, a full-fledged naval dock would be built to build and upgrade ships.
Explaining the importance of the base, officers said the Navy would be able to position and manoeuvre ships at will.
This facility is denied at all its bases either due to heavy merchant vessel activity or geographical constraints. The hills surrounding it and the islands in front of the base make it less susceptible to attacks, he added.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news,indian navy plans to acquire more barak missiles for its frontline warships.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Navy+wants+more+Barak+missiles&id=99028

When Pakistan bought the Harpoon anti-ship missile in the mid-nineties that could target Indian ships from 150 km away, the Indian navy chose the Israeli Barak air defence missile.

But the Barak missile deal is at the centre of a controversy after the CBI chargesheeted former defence minister George Fernandes. The CBI accused Fernandes of buying the Barak instead of the indigenously produced Trishul.

In the middle is the navy, which is desperate that its air defence requirements do not become hostage to the controversy.

A K Antony was shown a live fire exercise of the Barak missile. The defence minister seemed happy with the display.

"It was the most thrilling day of my life. It was amazing," said Antony.

DRDO's Trishul air defence missile has not even had a successful test flight yet.

Cutting edge technology

The navy wanted the new defense minister to realise that the Barak is essential for it to protect its capital ships and that the Barak is cutting edge technology in air defence missiles.

"Well we have tested it 14 times and have hit the bulls eye each time. This is the best anti-missile defence system that is available," said Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Navy Chief.

For the navy, the DRDO built Trishul anti-missile system is not something they are waiting for. The Barak is their answer to Pakistan's acquisition of the sea skimming Harpoon missile.

At present eight ships use the Barak and the navy wants many more to follow.

[tphuang]

hey guys ,great news,indian navy plans to acquire more barak missiles for its frontline warships.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Navy+wants+more+Barak+missiles&id=99028

When Pakistan bought the Harpoon anti-ship missile in the mid-nineties that could target Indian ships from 150 km away, the Indian navy chose the Israeli Barak air defence missile.

But the Barak missile deal is at the centre of a controversy after the CBI chargesheeted former defence minister George Fernandes. The CBI accused Fernandes of buying the Barak instead of the indigenously produced Trishul.

In the middle is the navy, which is desperate that its air defence requirements do not become hostage to the controversy.

A K Antony was shown a live fire exercise of the Barak missile. The defence minister seemed happy with the display.

"It was the most thrilling day of my life. It was amazing," said Antony.

DRDO's Trishul air defence missile has not even had a successful test flight yet.

Cutting edge technology

The navy wanted the new defense minister to realise that the Barak is essential for it to protect its capital ships and that the Barak is cutting edge technology in air defence missiles.

"Well we have tested it 14 times and have hit the bulls eye each time. This is the best anti-missile defence system that is available," said Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Navy Chief.

For the navy, the DRDO built Trishul anti-missile system is not something they are waiting for. The Barak is their answer to Pakistan's acquisition of the sea skimming Harpoon missile.

At present eight ships use the Barak and the navy wants many more to follow.
did't they say a while back that barak intercepted 12 out of 14 times? How come they now changed it to every time. That's interesting.

[kams]

did't they say a while back that barak intercepted 12 out of 14 times? How come they now changed it to every time. That's interesting.

During testing, Barak is always launched in pairs. On two occasions, one of the missile failed to intercept the target, but second missile destroyed the target. So the test is a success, Target was destroyed in all 14 tests.

Here is a report of one of the tests.

Barak Test (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031128/world.htm#4)

[aaaditya]

did't they say a while back that barak intercepted 12 out of 14 times? How come they now changed it to every time. That's interesting.

the first 2 tests were failures due to integration failures ,but the subsequent fourteen tests have been successfull,indian navy has also selected the elta-el/m-2248 mf-star s band 4 faced radars for their p17 class of stealth frigates(according to the force magazine).

[globaltracker]

Navy to take charge of USS Trenton
New Delhi, January 16, 2007
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1902061,0008.htm


The US Navy will hand over USS Trenton, an amphibious transport warship, to the Indian Navy at Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday.

The Rs 215-crore warship, which will be India's second-largest vessel after aircraft carrier INS Viraat, comes with a fleet of six Seaking utility helicopters, which cost Rs 175 crore.

A crew of more than 300 Indian Navy personnel has been training in Norfolk since August last to take charge of Trenton.

Formally called a landing platform dock of LPD, it will be the first American-made vessel to join the Indian Navy. It will set sail for India around mid-2007 and will be berthed at the navy's new base at Karwar in Karnataka.

Being bought under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the 173-metre vessel can carry around 900 troops and 110 military vehicles.

In Indian Navy service, the Trenton will be renamed INS Jalashva, which is Sanskrit for seahorse. The navy had recently commissioned INS Shardul, a landing ship tank (LST), at the Karwar base to enhance its amphibious capability. It is set to add two more Shardul class ships to its fleet by the end of this year.

[Tasman]

Navy to take charge of USS Trenton
New Delhi, January 16, 2007
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1902061,0008.htm


The US Navy will hand over USS Trenton, an amphibious transport warship, to the Indian Navy at Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday.

The Rs 215-crore warship, which will be India's second-largest vessel after aircraft carrier INS Viraat, comes with a fleet of six Seaking utility helicopters, which cost Rs 175 crore.

A crew of more than 300 Indian Navy personnel has been training in Norfolk since August last to take charge of Trenton.

Formally called a landing platform dock of LPD, it will be the first American-made vessel to join the Indian Navy. It will set sail for India around mid-2007 and will be berthed at the navy's new base at Karwar in Karnataka.

Being bought under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the 173-metre vessel can carry around 900 troops and 110 military vehicles.

In Indian Navy service, the Trenton will be renamed INS Jalashva, which is Sanskrit for seahorse. The navy had recently commissioned INS Shardul, a landing ship tank (LST), at the Karwar base to enhance its amphibious capability. It is set to add two more Shardul class ships to its fleet by the end of this year.

I am impressed by the continual expansion of the Indian Navy. At the present rate of growth in practically every warship category it seems to me that India is fast heading towards becoming a naval superpower.

[aaaditya]

well they currently have 30 warships in various stages of construction and acquisition,and plans to acquire another 33 vessels ,most these will replace older vessels.

[bd popeye]

The transfer of the ex-USS Trenton (LPD-14) is now complete. The ship is now INS Jalashwa.

Congradulations to the IN!:india

Very proud pictures below for IN fans.

The Comodore pictured below is IN Commodore P. Murgugrsan.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27342

U.S. Navy Decoms Trenton, Transfers to Indian Navy
Story Number: NNS070117-15
Release Date: 1/17/2007 6:26:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Jones, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14), was decommissioned Jan. 17 in a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Immediately following the decommissioning, Trenton was recommissioned and transferred to the Indian Navy, bearing the name INS Jalashwa.

The event marks the first time a U.S. Navy vessel has been transferred to the Indian navy.

“Trenton will continue to serve all the free nations of the world, just as she served the United States, as we expand ‘the 1,000-ship navy,’” said Rear Adm. Garry Hall, Commander, Amphibious Group 2.

In recent months, the crew of Trenton has been working alongside Indian sailors, training them to operate the ship efficiently and safely.

The commanding officer of Jalashwa, Indian Navy Capt. B.S. Ahluwalia, expressed his gratitude to the crew of Trenton, and praised their professionalism.

“Today’s transfer is a significant event in the growing relationship between our two countries and our two navies,” said Ahluwalia.

Commissioned in March 1971, Trenton took part in numerous humanitarian operations, including the evacuations of American civilians from Liberia in 1996 and from Lebanon in 2006. In addition, in 1991, Trenton was responsible for evacuating the U.S. and Soviet ambassadors and 193 foreign nationals from Somalia.

During Trenton’s final deployment, the ship took part in maritime security operations off the Somali coast of eastern Africa.

Trenton’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Samuel Norton, spoke proudly and fondly of his crew and time aboard the ship, saying that without such an outstanding crew, Trenton would not have been the same.

“It’s people that have made Trenton what she is today, and its people that will keep the memory of Trenton alive,” Norton said.

Trenton employed a crew of approximately 415 Sailors and could embark nearly 1,000 Marines.

The ship was a member of the Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship. The ship is 570 feet in length and displaces approximately 17,000 tons when fully loaded. The Austin-class currently is being replaced by the newer, more-modern San Antonio-class LPD.

For related news, visit the Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet Navy NewsStand page at http://www.news.navy.mil/local/surflant/.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,russians would be test flying the made for india mig29k's next week,these aircrafts are to be delivered this year.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Made-for-India_MiG-29_test_flight_next_week/articleshow/msid-1287441,curpg-2.cms

Just before President Vladimir Putin comes visiting India next week, Russia plans to conduct the "inaugural flight" of the aircraft carrier-borne MiG-29 fighter jets being produced for India.

Through the sonic boom generated by the MiG-29, Russia intends to send a strong message that it's keen to retain the edge over other countries in supplying military hardware and software to India despite deep inroads being made by Israel, France and now increasingly, the US.

India, after all, intends to spend a whopping $30 billion on weapon imports during the 11th Plan (2007-2012) period. By notching up defence deals worth over $20 billion between 1998 and 2005, India has already emerged as the largest arms importer in the developing world.

As part of the $1.6 billion (Rs 6,900 crore) deal signed with Russia in January 2004, the Indian Navy will get 16 MiG-29s along with the 44,570-tonne Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya. While 12 of these fighters will be the single-seat 'K' variants, the other four will be twin-seater 'KUB' trainer versions.


"The first test flight of MiG-29KUB is likely to take place on January 22, to be followed by the MiG-29K version later," said a senior officer. Armed with eight types of air-to-air missiles, the MiG-29Ks on board INS Vikramaditya will make the Navy capable of striking deep into enemy territory from the high seas.

"The MiG-29Ks will also be capable of mid-air refuelling from IL-78 tankers, as well as other MiG-29Ks, under 'buddy-tanking'. While INS Vikramaditya will join us towards end-2008 after a full refit, the MiG-29 deliveries will begin this year," he said.

While Putin will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, Russian deputy prime minister and defence minister Sergei Borisovich Ivanov will land in India a few days earlier for the sixth meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation with his Indian counterpart A K Antony.

As reported earlier by TOI, Indsia and Russia are likely to come to an agreement on joint ventures for the multi-role transport aircraft, as well as the fifth-generation stealth fighter, during the high-level visits.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,it seems that work has started on the submarine launched variant of the brahmos missiles.the brahmos corporation has requested the indian navy to spare one of its new kilo class of submarines for the installation and testing of the brahmos cruise missiles.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/21610.html

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 23 : Work has begun on a variant of the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile system that would, in the next few years, make India the only country with a submarine-launched supersonic cruise missile capability.

BrahMos, a joint venture between DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, has asked the Navy to spare one of its Russian-made Kilo-class submarines as a test platform for the new missile. The request is likely to be shortly addressed. The missile is concurrently being configured for Russia’s Amur-class submarines — boats that will compete for a second-line of submarine construction at Mazagon Docks parallel to the French Scorpene line.

“The missile will be identical in all respects to the vertically launched land or ship launched version. The only modification will be the installation of a 7.65 metre thick cylindrical module to the submarine structure to house the missiles and fire control system,” BrahMos CEO A Sivathanu Pillai told The Indian Express today on a tour of the company’s facility in New Delhi.
The 290 km anti-ship and land attack missile is currently operational in the ship-launched profile on the Navy’s INS Rajput destroyer and shore-based vehicle launched variants. The Army is to induct the missiles this year in multiple regiments. The air-launched version to begin preliminary tests this year, culminating in flight tests from an IAF Su-30MKI fighter next year.
The BrahMos is also likely to create history by becoming the first missile export from India—¿ the Malaysian Navy has expressed a keen interest in the system and is likely to formalise an order during the year. “We expect a bigger market than we analysed initially. We will export in the near future to a few friendly countries. We expect a total of 1,000 missiles to meet the demand of India, Russia and these countries in the foreseeable future. Demand for anti-ship missiles is high,” Dr G Leonov Alexander, first deputy Director General of NPO Mashinostroyenia, said. BrahMos has also set up a team to study the parameters of a parallel programme to create technologies over and above the missile’s current capabilities. “Competition will come, and we have to think of a parallel extension programme to maintain leadership. We have started joint study groups to arrive at the specifics of such an effort,” Pillai said. The three-new Talwar-class frigates on order from Russia, the three Delhi-class destroyers and Godavari-class frigates will soon be fitted with the BrahMos system.

[contedicavour]

A question for our Indian friends :

it appears that Fincantieri is working closely with the Indian Navy on a LHD project and that we aren't for the moment building one because we are trying to find common ground with the IN in order to cut costs.
Since the Trenton isn't exactly a young ship it may make sense the IN is training on it while waiting for a class of LHDs to be built.
Do you have any news on this programme ?

thks

cheers

[aaaditya]

A question for our Indian friends :

it appears that Fincantieri is working closely with the Indian Navy on a LHD project and that we aren't for the moment building one because we are trying to find common ground with the IN in order to cut costs.
Since the Trenton isn't exactly a young ship it may make sense the IN is training on it while waiting for a class of LHDs to be built.
Do you have any news on this programme ?

thks

cheers

as far as what i have heard is that italy is helping india with its aircraft carrier project,india is exploring the possiblities of a lhd,with garden reach shyipbuilders and engineers limited studying the french mistral class,this is the first time iam hearing about fincantieri participation,maybe you have confused the aircraft carrier project with the lhd project.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,here is another confirmation regarding the existence of the atv nuclear submarine project,this time from none other than the chief spokesman of the external affairs ministry of the indian governement.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=73&id=446127


India developing nuclear submarines: Shyam Saran

BANGALORE, JAN 25 (PTI)
India is developing nuclear submarines, a key official said.
"As far as nuclear submarines are concerned, I think certainly my information is that we are engaged in research and development in that area", former Foreign Secretary and India's nuclear envoy Shyam Saran said.
Saran, who is the Interlocutor with the US administration on the nuclear energy deal, was responding to a specific query from a member of audience at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, where he delivered the second annual Raja Ramanna lecture last night.
Speaking on "evolution of India's nuclear policies in the context of changing security perceptions", the Special Envoy of Prime Minister -- responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement -- said Moscow cannot provide nuclear supplies to India unless the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) are "adjusted".
Putin said earlier this week that Russia will "directly" help India in construction of atomic energy facilities.
Saran said, "We may enter into agreement for supply of some nuclear power plants but the transfer can take place only once the NSG guidelines have been adjusted".

Saran said inputs from a widespectrum of people are being gathered to put together a "good negotiating brief" as India gets into the negotiation of the "123 agreement" -- the conclusion of which would lead to operationalisation of the nuclear energy cooperation.

There will be "give and take" at the negotiation of the 123 agreement but certain principles and markers would not be compromised, he said.
Saran said India took a decision in 1983 to pursue a weapons programme -- though discreetly --, after it became apparent that not only was China improving its nuclear weapons capability but there were credible reports that this capability was being shared with Pakistan.
"Failure to do so (decision on pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in 1983) may have resulted in India's permanent strategic inferiority", he remarked.
On the nuclear deal with the US, Saran asserted that India's sovereignty has not been compromised. "We have not accepted any kind of limitations on our strategic programme", he repeatedly said. "We are free to continue our strategic programme". Saran also said India has not given any fresh commitment with respect to any limitations, including nuclear testing.

[contedicavour]

as far as what i have heard is that italy is helping india with its aircraft carrier project,india is exploring the possiblities of a lhd,with garden reach shyipbuilders and engineers limited studying the french mistral class,this is the first time iam hearing about fincantieri participation,maybe you have confused the aircraft carrier project with the lhd project.

No I'm sure - Fincantieri is trying to ensure joint work on a class of LHDs of which the 2 first in class ships would be built simultaneously in Italy and in India. We could build ours now but apparently we're waiting to receive an official answer from the Indian Ministry of Defence. Fincantieri and the Italian MOD are available to consider design and specs adaptations in order to increase commonality and reduce unitary prices.

cheers

[aaaditya]

No I'm sure - Fincantieri is trying to ensure joint work on a class of LHDs of which the 2 first in class ships would be built simultaneously in Italy and in India. We could build ours now but apparently we're waiting to receive an official answer from the Indian Ministry of Defence. Fincantieri and the Italian MOD are available to consider design and specs adaptations in order to increase commonality and reduce unitary prices.

cheers

can you provide any further details on this project,like specifications and images,also is it a new design or an old one?

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,dcn has been selected to provide rafted transmission sets for the indian navies 4 p28 class stealth missile corvettes.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dcn.fr/us/medias/popup.php?id=133

Paris, 21 December 2006

http://www.dcn.fr/communiques/com_133.gif?1169857109
Indian naval shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE*) has awarded DCN a contract to provide a comprehensive engineering package of Propulsion Power Transmission System raft mounted for four anti-submarine warfare Corvettes for the Indian Navy.
DCN won the Contract following an international competition.
The Services will be provided under DCN responsibility with an Indian Company Walchandnagar Industries Ltd. in partnership with DCN.
Each gear unit and the associated engines will be mounted on a common raft. Other components include thrust blocks, and systems auxiliaries. DCN will also provide support to GRSE* for the mechanical integration of the propulsion plant.
*GRSE is a public sector undertaking under India's Ministry of Defence and a major warship builder based in Kolkata (India).

[contedicavour]

can you provide any further details on this project,like specifications and images,also is it a new design or an old one?

It's a new design although it leverages learnings from the Cavour carrier class. Overall it's a 20,000 tonne LHD with 2 alternative solutions possible : through-deck with a big island or no thorough-deck and a big superstructure amidships including a hangar for heavy helos, leaving huge helo landing areas ahead and behind the superstructure.
I do have a picture in my computer, I'll find it.

cheers

[contedicavour]

Here is the picture I mentioned in the previous post

[Rich]

Whatever happened to that IN plan to lease those Akulas?

I am impressed by the continual expansion of the Indian Navy. At the present rate of growth in practically every warship category it seems to me that India is fast heading towards becoming a naval superpower.

If you want to get a good "feel" for the IN then spend some time in Google Earth in India. After awhile you learn good "indicators" for the comparative strengths and weaknesses of a military/Industrial complex. Whats impressive about India isn't just the ships and boats you see in the Sat pictures ; Its the strength of their shipbuilding, repair, and support facilities. Add to that their naval bases appear well ordered and ships look well maintained, "yes you can tell".

Buzzing around in that app one can see enough chicken crap 3rd world navies rusting away with their crummy shore facilities. India isn't one of them. They have also shown the Political will to march towards the eventual aim of a indigenous navy, or close to one.

Overall very impressive I think.

[aaaditya]

Here is the picture I mentioned in the previous post

it doesnt look stealthy,by the way does it carry armament of its own?

[aaaditya]

hey guys,interesting article,this is the first that there is a mention of a sub surface ballistic nuclear (ssbn) in the naval circles,i wonder if there are any plans to develop a small number of such sub surface ballistic nuclears(ssbn's) for the indian navy.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200701281230.htm

"Work on nuke deterrence for Navy underway"

New Delhi, Jan. 28 (PTI): Noting that India's strategic forces already possessed land and aircraft-based nuclear deterrence capabilities, a former Navy chief has said work on such an option for the naval forces has already begun.
"India's Nuclear Doctrine clearly envisages a deterrent in the form of a triad with land-based, aircraft-borne and submarine-launched legs. Of these, we possess only the first two at the moment," Admiral (Retd) Arun Prakash said in an article in the forthcoming issue of Indian Defence Review.
Maintaining that the "only platform" which could achieve deterrence was the nuclear-propelled, ballistic-missile-armed submarines (SSBNs), he said to complete the triad of the strategic forces, "we must have a small number of SSBNs."
"Development work is reported to be underway, and when this platform becomes operationally available, we will need suitable areas in the distant reaches of the Indian Ocean from where it can be safely deployed to pose deterrence to our adversaries," the erstwhile Navy chief said in an article entitled 'A Vision for Maritime India: 2020'. Observing that nuclear weapons were not meant for fighting wars but acted as a deterrent, he said it convinced the enemy of the "futility of contemplating a nuclear first strike", as retaliatory action would be horrific and have a devastating impact on the adversary to make such a strike pointless.

[contedicavour]

it doesnt look stealthy,by the way does it carry armament of its own?

Well bulky LHDs aren't easily made stealthy... for the moment there is no armament planned but it can easily mount CIWS, all the more if the variant with a big superstructure is retained.
Btw it can transport a whole regiment of Marines.

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,usa has offered india its aegis missile system.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1914076,0008.htm

The US is offering India one of the world's most formidable shipboard missile systems that has the potential of being integrated with the country's indigenous missiles.
There was "some interest" in the Indian defence establishment in the Aegis system but neither has the US made an offer nor has India made any formal request for it, says Royce Caplinger, managing director of Lockheed Martin India, whose US parent manufactures the system.
"I am sure though that if you ask for it, you will get it," India Strategic defence magazine quotes him as saying.
The feelers to sell the Aegis are obviously part of the US government's agenda to help India become what the State Department called in its May 2005 policy statement "a global power."
Apparently, it is also part of the steps that are systematically being taken - like the civil nuclear deal - to draw New Delhi closer to Washington.
Aegis is named after the shield of mythological Greek god Zeus. Its sale, like of most military systems, is governed through government-to-government deals under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or other US programmes. It appears, though, that Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest military vendor, has informal clearance to showcase the system to India.
The integrated combat system can track more than 100 missiles through its supercomputers and engage them according to priority, depending upon their velocity and height, including the sea-skimming attackers.
It is designed for multi-pronged, simultaneous warfare to engage and strike targets in the air, on sea, on the surface, as also sub-surface. Aegis has also been successful in half a dozen tests to intercept ballistic missile targets outside the earth's atmosphere.
Caplinger said Aegis had been successively modified and upgraded in technology over the years and that it was "the most advanced shipboard system" in the world to counter a variety of threats, including from aircraft and ballistic missiles.
Asked if it could be integrated with India's indigenous missiles, including the India-Russian BrahMos, he replied: "Theoretically yes." It could even be matched with the new anti-missile missile that India recently tested, "but that would depend entirely on the Indian scientists and India's requirements."
"The MK 41 Vertical Launching System (that is integrated into the Aegis system) is not currently configured to integrate the BrahMos or Agni, but it can be adapted," Caplinger added.
The fact that the Aegis system could manage vertical launch of missiles was important, particularly as the Indian Navy had a long-term plan to build several ships equipped with the facility to meet its projected requirements.
Its sophisticated SPY-I phased array radar and high-speed supercomputers read each oncoming threat 360 degrees, prioritise them according to their threat value, and then automatically launch appropriate missiles to neutralise them.
The latest version of the system is called Aegis BMD 3.6. In June 2006, it successfully intercepted even the separating warhead of a target missile in a test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
The system's command and decision-making core is notable. Its computers differentiate between missiles, debris, and friendly aerial vehicles - and attack only what needs to be attacked.
Thus far, Aegis has only been sold to close US allies, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Australia. It is deployed on 69 US destroyers and cruisers and is being added on 17 more destroyers.
Thus, it is the mainstay "total weapon system" of the US Navy. According to Caplinger, Aegis was a very powerful system and would give an edge like no other to the Indian Navy.
The Aegis programme was launched in 1969 due to the changing nature of warfare that required transition from guns to missiles.
In 1967, a Soviet-built missile had sunk an Israeli destroyer in the Arab-Israeli war while in 1982, Argentina successfully used an Exocet missile to sink a Royal Navy frigate during the Falklands conflict. In 1988, when two Iranian vessels fired on US ships, the US Navy had used Harpoon missiles to neutralise them.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/on/img/0.gif

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,larsen and toubro has now officially entered indian shipbuilding industry ,by laying down the keel of its first vessel at its hazira shipyard,thus opening a new chapter in indian naval and maritime history.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.businessstandard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=20051

L&T starts ship-building at HaziraOur Web Bureau / Mumbai January 27, 2007Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has laid the keel for the first ship within 17 weeks of commencing operations at its ship-building yard at Hazira near Surat, Gujarat.

The 180-tonne keel block - the heaviest-ever by an Indian shipyard - was placed on the erection bay by Meindert Van Genderen, director, Rolldock, Netherlands in the presence of A M Naik, chairman & managing director, L&T.

According to a release issued by L&T to the BSE today, keel laying - an important milestone in ship-building - represents the joining of the modular components of the ship and signals the commencement of assembling the hull.

Genderen reiterated their trust and confidence in L&T's capabilities and commitment to the project.

Naik said ship-building represented a major thrust area for the company with the Hazira shipyard marking the beginning of the strategic initiative. Detailed expansion plans for the Hazira shipyard involve expanding capacity to construct eight vessels up to 20,000 dwt per annum.

L&T had marked its entry into the field in April 2006 by securing an order from the Netherlands-based Rolldock (earlier Zadeko Ship Management) for four heavy lift semi-submersible cargo ships.

[contedicavour]

hey guys,great news,usa has offered india its aegis missile system.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1914076,0008.htm

The US is offering India one of the world's most formidable shipboard missile systems that has the potential of being integrated with the country's indigenous missiles.
There was "some interest" in the Indian defence establishment in the Aegis system but neither has the US made an offer nor has India made any formal request for it, says Royce Caplinger, managing director of Lockheed Martin India, whose US parent manufactures the system.
"I am sure though that if you ask for it, you will get it," India Strategic defence magazine quotes him as saying.
The feelers to sell the Aegis are obviously part of the US government's agenda to help India become what the State Department called in its May 2005 policy statement "a global power."
Apparently, it is also part of the steps that are systematically being taken - like the civil nuclear deal - to draw New Delhi closer to Washington.
Aegis is named after the shield of mythological Greek god Zeus. Its sale, like of most military systems, is governed through government-to-government deals under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or other US programmes. It appears, though, that Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest military vendor, has informal clearance to showcase the system to India.
The integrated combat system can track more than 100 missiles through its supercomputers and engage them according to priority, depending upon their velocity and height, including the sea-skimming attackers.
It is designed for multi-pronged, simultaneous warfare to engage and strike targets in the air, on sea, on the surface, as also sub-surface. Aegis has also been successful in half a dozen tests to intercept ballistic missile targets outside the earth's atmosphere.
Caplinger said Aegis had been successively modified and upgraded in technology over the years and that it was "the most advanced shipboard system" in the world to counter a variety of threats, including from aircraft and ballistic missiles.
Asked if it could be integrated with India's indigenous missiles, including the India-Russian BrahMos, he replied: "Theoretically yes." It could even be matched with the new anti-missile missile that India recently tested, "but that would depend entirely on the Indian scientists and India's requirements."
"The MK 41 Vertical Launching System (that is integrated into the Aegis system) is not currently configured to integrate the BrahMos or Agni, but it can be adapted," Caplinger added.
The fact that the Aegis system could manage vertical launch of missiles was important, particularly as the Indian Navy had a long-term plan to build several ships equipped with the facility to meet its projected requirements.
Its sophisticated SPY-I phased array radar and high-speed supercomputers read each oncoming threat 360 degrees, prioritise them according to their threat value, and then automatically launch appropriate missiles to neutralise them.
The latest version of the system is called Aegis BMD 3.6. In June 2006, it successfully intercepted even the separating warhead of a target missile in a test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
The system's command and decision-making core is notable. Its computers differentiate between missiles, debris, and friendly aerial vehicles - and attack only what needs to be attacked.
Thus far, Aegis has only been sold to close US allies, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Norway and Australia. It is deployed on 69 US destroyers and cruisers and is being added on 17 more destroyers.
Thus, it is the mainstay "total weapon system" of the US Navy. According to Caplinger, Aegis was a very powerful system and would give an edge like no other to the Indian Navy.
The Aegis programme was launched in 1969 due to the changing nature of warfare that required transition from guns to missiles.
In 1967, a Soviet-built missile had sunk an Israeli destroyer in the Arab-Israeli war while in 1982, Argentina successfully used an Exocet missile to sink a Royal Navy frigate during the Falklands conflict. In 1988, when two Iranian vessels fired on US ships, the US Navy had used Harpoon missiles to neutralise them.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/on/img/0.gif

Oh ho this would change a lot of scenarios !
An Aegis & SM2-equipped Indian Navy would fill its only real major weakness, its limited AAW (unless a carrier is nearby). Forget Barak-II and new Elta radars. Shame though this would kill chances of exporting Aster missiles and EMPAR/Herakles radars.

cheers

[aaaditya]

Oh ho this would change a lot of scenarios !
An Aegis & SM2-equipped Indian Navy would fill its only real major weakness, its limited AAW (unless a carrier is nearby). Forget Barak-II and new Elta radars. Shame though this would kill chances of exporting Aster missiles and EMPAR/Herakles radars.

cheers

i believe that the aster or the barak2 missiles can be integrated with the aegis system,in which case india may acquire the aegis system minus the sm missiles and integrate them with the barak2 or aster missiles.

[contedicavour]

i believe that the aster or the barak2 missiles can be integrated with the aegis system,in which case india may acquire the aegis system minus the sm missiles and integrate them with the barak2 or aster missiles.

Probably. Though if you can get your hands on SM2-III with their range of 167km why even bother buying lower ranged missiles - besides the fact that integration with Aegis software must carry costs since I doubt the USN (or Lockheed or GD) ran that type of tests.

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,india has invited boeing to conduct field trials of its p8mma aircraft on offer for the indian navy.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=153110

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been invited by the Indian Navy for field trials of the $133-million P-8I multi-mission maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
The trials of the P-8I aircraft, to be taken place in Goa and Vizag soon, are expected to replace the navy's 8-10 TU-142 Bear aircraft that are being phased out after negotiations with Russia and Israel to retrofit them were called off.

Successful procurement of these aircraft will certainly contribute to India's capabilities, as its naval responsibilities undergo rapid growth.

Boeing has been urging India to broaden rules of its offset policy relating to the deal to allow companies to look across the nation's aviation business, including its defence and commercial aircraft activities. During a recent visit to India, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' president Jim Albaugh had said, “The policy should be opened to the entire aero-space segment, and if done right, offsets will introduce more complex technology and processes that India doesn't currently enjoy.”

[kams]

Probably. Though if you can get your hands on SM2-III with their range of 167km why even bother buying lower ranged missiles - besides the fact that integration with Aegis software must carry costs since I doubt the USN (or Lockheed or GD) ran that type of tests.

cheers

I am inclined to believe that news about Aegis is a marketing ploy by LM/US in response to India sending out RFI for Stealth AAW frigates to European, Russian and Korean Shipyards. No RFI was sent out to any US shipyard. IN/GOI is committed to Barak II, only question to which we don't know the answer is RADAR.

[contedicavour]

I am inclined to believe that news about Aegis is a marketing ploy by LM/US in response to India sending out RFI for Stealth AAW frigates to European, Russian and Korean Shipyards. No RFI was sent out to any US shipyard. IN/GOI is committed to Barak II, only question to which we don't know the answer is RADAR.

Interesting... though I imagine Lockheed Martin got US Congress clearance before sending such rumours into the market. So if an outright offer by the US company does come out, it will be interesting to see if and how India will refuse it...

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting link and article,it gives some information about the pipavav shipyard to be built in india ,this shipyard being built at pipavav would be strategically locates between the busy ports of kandla and mumbai and will be built on a 175 acre site,this port will be able to manufacture the entire range of vessels from aircraft cariers to luxury liners,this shipyard will have the capacity of 300000 tons dead weight tonnage,more than 2 times that of the current largest indian shipyards at cochin(125000 dwt)where the indian aircraft carrier is being built,this shipyard will be able to build upto 12 large ships simultaneously.

[Tasman]

hey guys,check out this interesting link and article,it gives some information about the pipavav shipyard to be built in india ,this shipyard being built at pipavav would be strategically locates between the busy ports of kandla and mumbai and will be built on a 175 acre site,this port will be able to manufacture the entire range of vessels from aircraft cariers to luxury liners,this shipyard will have the capacity of 300000 tons dead weight tonnage,more than 2 times that of the current largest indian shipyards at cochin(125000 dwt)where the indian aircraft carrier is being built,this shipyard will be able to build upto 12 large ships simultaneously.

That is interesting news as it will certainly provide a huge boost to India's shipbuilding capacity. BTW, aaaditya, the link was missed from the post.

Cheers

[kams]

Contedicavour may find this interesting:) .

Italy moots MoU with India on intellectual rights on armaments
New Delhi, Jan 31: Looking forward to sale of medium lift helicopters and warship designing, Italy has proposed to India to sign a memorandum of understanding on intellectual property protection in the armament supplies.

Italy would thus become the second major arms supplier to India after Russia to propose signing of such armament design protection pact.

The MoU would be on focus when Italy and India commence their sixth round of joint defence committee deliberations from tomorrow.

The Italian delegation to the two-day long deliberations would be led by Lt Gen Gianni Botondi Secretary General of the Italian Defence and National Armament Directorate. The Indian side at the talks would be led by Defence Secretary Shekar Dutt.

Botondi during his visit here would call on Defence Minister A K Antony and also hold discussion with the chief of the naval staff admiral Sureesh Mehta. Major Italian shipyard is lending designing expertise to India for the indigenous carrier being built in Kochi shipyard.

India and Italy would be signing an agreement for establishment of naval combat system.


Link (http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=351262&sid=NAT)

Are we looking at some major design/development activity here? You don't talk about IP related issues otherwise.

[contedicavour]

Contedicavour may find this interesting:) .




Link (http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=351262&sid=NAT)

Are we looking at some major design/development activity here? You don't talk about IP related issues otherwise.

Thanks for the article ! This may pave the way for joint work on the mysterious joint LHD and on an Indian version of FREMM FFGs ... plus EH101 heavy multirole naval helos.
Look forward to more cooperation !

cheers

[aaaditya]

Thanks for the article ! This may pave the way for joint work on the mysterious joint LHD and on an Indian version of FREMM FFGs ... plus EH101 heavy multirole naval helos.
Look forward to more cooperation !

cheers

what type of naval combat systems are they talking about,india has already developed an indigenous naval combat management system known as the emmca and have deployed it on the brahmaputra class of vessels?

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news,coast guard has unveiled its major expansion plans on the eve of its 30th anniversary,they are planning to develop a deep water capability and are currently constructing 5 fast patrol vessels,2 advanced offshore patrol vessels,3 pollution control vessels ,3 inshore patrol vessels and 11 interceptor boats,in addition to the 76 vessels and 45 aircrafts that they currently operate,they also have plans to acquire 15 new major ships and 23 aircrafts,including maritime patrol aircrafts,helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/109269.php/Coast-guard-unfolds-ambitious-expansion-plans-on-30th-eve

Coast guard unfolds ambitious expansion plans on 30th eve


New Delhi, Jan 31 (ANI): The Indian coast guard is busy preparing itself to meet the threat of global terrorism, besides maintaining a vigil along the 7516 kilometres long Indian coastline.

The coast guard, which came into being in 1977, has grown from a small force with two frigates and five patrol boats leased from the Indian navy into a formidable force today comprising 76 ships and 45 aircraft.

Announcing the ambitious expansion plans on the occasion of the eve of the 30th anniversary of the force, Vice Admiral R F Contractor, Director General, Coast Guard said here today that, "More ways and means will have to found to cater to the expansion plans of the service, like going in for more private shipyards and streamlining of procedures."

Vice Admiral Contractor also said that the coast guard had plans to develop 'deep water capability' by adding more ships with a larger displacement and more tonnage.

There was need to evolve an efficient regional maritime safety and security mechanism to guard the national maritime assets for which the Indian Coast Guard is stepping up its surveillance capabilities. It is currently looking at the construction of 5 fast patrol vessels, 2 advanced offshore patrol vessels, 3 pollution control vessels, 3 inshore patrol vessels and 11 interceptor boats.

The integrated expansion plan of the coast guard also envisages acquisition of 15 major new ships and 23 aircraft which include the multi-mission maritime aircraft, twin engine helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), to enhance surface and aerial surveillance capability.

Three new coast guard stations at Puducherry, Beypore (Kerala) and Kakinada will also come up soon, which will assume great importance with oil and gas finds off Chennai and the Krishna Godavari basin.

For the multi-mission maritime aircraft, the global tender would be floated soon and talks would be held with vendors at the Aero-India show in Bangalore early next month, after witnessing the performance of various aircraft.

Also in the offing are 82 marine police stations, with 68 in the mainland, 4 in Lakshadweep and 10 in Andaman and Nicobar islands, where the state police personnel would be trained by the coast guard to be functional at the various coasts.

India, the world's third largest consumer of petroleum products, has 95 percent of its trade through the sea, which is carried out through 11 major ports and 180 minor ports.

Answering questions about the acute shortage of manpower in the service, Contractor further elaborated that around 25 percent shortage in the officer cadre, 13 percent among sailors and 23 percent civilians was a matter of concern but it was being discussed with the Finance Ministry, who had agreed to increase the number of seats in the service.

[aaaditya]

That is interesting news as it will certainly provide a huge boost to India's shipbuilding capacity. BTW, aaaditya, the link was missed from the post.

Cheers

sorry about that buddy,i was just about to post the link ,when we suffered a powerfailure and had to take emergency measures to protect my ups.

anyway here is the link and article:

http://www.businessstandard.com/common/storypage.php?autono=273145&leftnm=3&subLeft=0&chkFlg=

Acquisition in Sea King Infrastructure-promoted shipyard worth Rs 104 cr. Trinity Capital has bought a 10.43 per cent stake in Pipavav Shipyard Ltd, promoted by Nikhil Gandhi-backed Sea King Infrastructure, for Rs 104 crore. Existing investors in Pipavav Shipyard include financial institutions such as IL&FS and Exim Bank, which have a majority 51 per cent stake in the company. “The acquisition is the second investment we have made with our strategic partner IL&FS in the infrastructure sector in India. Our participation in this deal represents a strategic investment that will give Trinity exposure to ship building, one of the fastest growing sectors in India,” said Ashish Kalra, managing director of Trikona, the asset manager for Trinity Capital. Pipavav Shipyard plans to build the largest integrated ship building yard in India, which will also be the fifth largest in the world, near the Pipavav port in Gujarat. The shipyard will have a capacity of 300,000 tonnes (dead weight tonnage). Currently, the largest shipyard in India is in Kochi and has a capacity of 125,000 tonnes. The Pipavav port was developed by the Nikhil Gandhi group and is now handled by Maersk. The 175-acre shipyard will have the capability to build ships and vessel types ranging from aircraft carriers and luxury liners to oil tankers. It will have the capacity to build 12 large ships simultaneously. The project is likely to see investments of Rs 8,000 crore over the next 7 years. The shipyard will be strategically located between the two busy ports of Kandla and Mumbai. It will also be the only major shipyard between Dubai and Singapore. As part of the transaction, Trinity will be building a 150 acre township in the vicinity of the shipyard. This will provide housing, recreational facilities, schools, hospitals and commercial offices.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news ,mazagaon docks limited has decided to do away with governement formalities and to launch the scorpene submarine programme.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Mumbai/Mazgaon_dock_does_not_wait_for_busy_PM/articleshow/1548119.cms

MUMBAI: Mazagon dock, India's premiere warship building centre that is over 200 years old, has done something revolutionary while inaugurating a new project, considering that it is a government-run organisation. For the first time it has decided not to wait for VIPs to bless the new programme and instead adhered to its original schedule.

The plan relates to the construction of the six French-assisted Scorpene submarines at the dock's East Yard. Since it was a prestigious programme, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was scheduled to formally inaugurate it in the middle of December 2006.

Preparations were on in full throttle for the VVIP's visit. But, to the disappointment of the dock officials, a few days before the inauguration, they were informed that Singh would not be able to make it as he had other engagements.

The question then was whether to reschedule the inauguration or wait for the Prime Minister? Keeping in mind the importance of the submarine project and the needs of the Indian Navy, dock officials decided to cut the first metal of the submarine according to the original plan, but without the usual fanfare which accompanies the visits of VIPs.

A senior dock executive said: "This is the first time that we inaugurated a new project without the presence of a VVIP or the media."

At one point the possibility of inviting defence minister A K Anthony to inaugurate the submarine project was also explored. But, since the PMO has not officially turned down the invitation even after one-and-a-half months, the dock could not approach Anthony.

The programme envisages the first of the six submarines being handed over to the Indian Navy in 2012. Thereafter, one submarine will be commissioned to the navy each year.

The total cost of the project is Rs 13,000 crores and there is an option for six more submarines.

These submarines have a radical new design with reduced sound emissions which enables the vessels to strike at long distances without detection. It is equipped with a hi-tech combat management system.

[contedicavour]

what type of naval combat systems are they talking about,india has already developed an indigenous naval combat management system known as the emmca and have deployed it on the brahmaputra class of vessels?

I remember reading a few years ago that the Kashin DDGs had a modified Italian SADOC-2 combat management system installed in the '80s.
I don't know anything more about the article, but possibly the emmca is considered fine for FFGs but not for larger vessels such as aircraft carriers or LHDs ? Hence a emmca-plus with Italian components for large task forces coordination ?
I'll keep my ears open in case the returning Italian delegation says something once it is back from India. Though my n°1 priority is the LHD so if we can find common ground it'll get the green light sooner rather than later ;)

cheers

[aaaditya]

I remember reading a few years ago that the Kashin DDGs had a modified Italian SADOC-2 combat management system installed in the '80s.
I don't know anything more about the article, but possibly the emmca is considered fine for FFGs but not for larger vessels such as aircraft carriers or LHDs ? Hence a emmca-plus with Italian components for large task forces coordination ?
I'll keep my ears open in case the returning Italian delegation says something once it is back from India. Though my n°1 priority is the LHD so if we can find common ground it'll get the green light sooner rather than later ;)

cheers

i also believe that there are interesting opportunities in the joint development of the s1000 class of submarines.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,check out this interesting article,it seems that the indian navy has completed the acquisition of 5000 acres of land for setting up a second naval base at rambili on the east coast.

here is the link:

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&id=100236

The Indian Navy plans to set up its second base at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh that could take care of several strategic interests on the East Coast.

"We have recently acquired 5,000 acres for the Navy, for them to set up an alternate Naval Base Centre,'' said K Ramakrishna, Incharge Minister, Visakhapatnam.

The base, which will be located 50 km south of Vizag in Rambilli Mandal, will have comprehensive anti-air, anti-submarine and amphibious capability.

Ideal alternative

The location of the new base is said to be ideal as it is away from the heart of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

It is also away from Bangladesh and Myanmar where the Chinese naval presence poses a threat to India.

Experts say an alternate base for the Navy has become a necessity also because of the increase in traffic at this existing port, which is shared by the Indian Navy and the Vizag Port Trust.

The Visakhapatnam port is one of the country's main ports and an exclusive enclave for the Navy will mean an increase in the efficiency of the port's commercial operations.

"We share the channel with the Navy and in a way it does effect the port in terms of movements because very often we are required to give priority movements to the navy and it in turn effects our efficiency parameters,'' said M S Rao, Deputy Chairman, Vizag Port Trust.

The new naval base is expected to be commissioned by 2015.

[contedicavour]

i also believe that there are interesting opportunities in the joint development of the s1000 class of submarines.

Yep though I imagine India will be looking for a oceangoing larger version of the S1000 (more a sort of coastal SSK) which luckily enough is modular since its conception

cheers

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here,indian navy is to conduct massive wargames known as tropex and will also involve elements from the army,airforce and coastguard.

here check out this link and article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Navy_to_conduct_massive_wargames/articleshow/1552917.cms

NEW DELHI: In one of the largest maritime exercises in recent times, India's western and eastern naval fleets have amassed their warships, submarines, aircraft and helicopters on the western seaboard to conduct intensive combat manoeuvres in the entire Arabian Sea.

Given the sheer size of this "theatre readiness operational exercise"or "Tropex"and its proximity to the Pakistani waters, New Delhi has given "advance notice"to Islamabad under a long-standing bilateral agreement.

The agreement, inked in April 1991, is a safeguard to prevent "any crisis situation"from developing due to "misreading"of the each other's "intentions"during the conduct of large wargames.

Sources said Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Army Chief General J J Singh will be witnessing the "work up"of the two fleets on Friday, which will be followed by the "tactical phase"of the exercise later this month.

"Over 50 frontline warships, including aircraft carrier 'INS Viraat', Delhi-class destroyers, Talwar-class stealth frigates and Kilo-class submarines, will be part of Tropex,"said a source.

"Tropex will also include elements from the Army, IAF and Coast Guard. From the IAF, for instance, maritime strike Jaguar fighters will take part in the manoeuvres,"he added.

Apart from its sheer scale, the exercise is significant since one of its objectives will be to practice the operational concept of "maritime manoeuvre from the sea".

The concept is basically designed to ensure that in the short, swift and intense conflicts of the future, the Navy is able to favourably influence the outcome of the land-air battle.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here ,indian navy is to have a dedicated surveillance and communication satellite.

here check out this interesting link and article:

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=153705

The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy. Having declared this year as the ‘year of networking for efficiency and combat power,’ it is seeking to enhance the use of modern technology to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Accordingly, the Navy Enterprise Wide Network (NEWN), a high-speed data network that links up the command headquarters to field units, is being expanded to link up all shore-based installations and warships as well. Discussions are also on with ISRO for a dedicated satellite.

The Indian Navy’s enterprise wide network is part of the ongoing strategy to move from a platform-centric force to a network-centric force. The idea is to enhance the capabilities of its sensors and weapons, whether the vessels are ashore, seaborne, airborne or under water.

The networking, using advanced computers, high-speed data links and networking software, will enable the naval combatants to share a common, composite and real-time picture so that a frigate whose helicopter has detected a lurking submarine would not have to wait for the ‘contact’ to come within its torpedo range.
Instead, someone else who could take on the hostile vessel immediately, using instantly available information and everybody would know what is going on. Recently, a special task force has been formed to expand the scope of the Indian Navy’s enterprise wide network.
The Indian initiative, however, pales when compared to the monolithic Global Information Grid that the Pentagon has been building for the past six years to provide the commanders and troops of all US services—Army, Navy, marines and air force—a moving picture of all enemies and threats anywhere on Earth. Imagine an American sergeant in a far-off place being able to see on his laptop, naval battle imagery from a spy satellite. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
“The Indian Navy’s aim is to become a ‘network-centric’ force, to connect Indian naval ships, submarines, aircraft, and shore bases through a satellite-based data link,” says Rear Admiral Pradeep Chauhan. Once that is done, it will be possible to interlink long-range missiles, radars and sensors on the warships through satellite.
Highly placed sources in the defence ministry inform that there are plans at ISRO to launch a dedicated satellite for use by the armed forces. It could also be used by other Indian surveillance agencies. The backbone of the Navy’s network-centric warfare will be a communications satellite, largely dedicated to the Indian Navy. The satellite will be up in space in less than two years, and should become operational soon thereafter.
The Indian Navy wants to fuse its well-dispersed combat assets with data links to be able to deploy their synergy wherever required. “Because of the networking, a ship or aircraft’s capabilities would no longer be limited to what it has onboard but would expand to the combined capacities of all the platforms,” officials say. However, weaving of weapons, sensors, intelligence and communications into a seamless web is full of challenges —technical, financial and military. The militaries have to find new and totally reliable encryption and data protection technologies capable of making secure the oceans of data flowing through the connectivity at a tremendous speed. Besides, they require much larger bandwidth to be able to supply real-time picture. Once the satellite and its transponders are operational, Indian naval ships, submarines and aircraft will be able to exchange and transfer real-time data with each other.

[aaaditya]

hey guys ,great news here ,indian navy is now looking at only two possible contenders for its maritime patrol aircraft acquisition programme,the competition is now between the boeing p8i mma and the airbus /casa a319 solutions.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.defensenews.com/aero/story.php?id=2539163

After years of negotiations over its future maritime patrol aircraft, the Indian Navy has decided neither the Lockheed P-3C Orion nor the Ilyushin Il-38 are advanced enough to meet its needs, a senior Indian Navy official said last month.
Instead, Navy officials are inviting Boeing’s P-8I and EADS CASA’s Airbus A319 to be tested in a still-open 2005 tender for eight aircraft to replace aging P-3s. A decision is expect by year’s end.
The tender, whose value is estimated at $800 million, seeks an aircraft that can serve for 25 years; endure a year-long trial period; fly for eight hours without refueling; hunt submarines; and carry mines, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
France’s Dassault also bid last April, but was not selected for further study.
The P-8, which is being built for the U.S. Navy, is a variant of the 737-800. India is being offered the P-8I, the first variant offered internationally, said Tim Norgart, director of business development, Airborne, Anti-Submarine Warfare & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. The P-8I has a range of 4,800 nautical miles, or double that with aerial refueling, Norgart said.
The EADS CASA entrant has a 2,000-nautical-mile range and cannot be refueled in the air, said Fernando Ciria, head of marketing, EADS CASA Mission Aircraft.
“We convert the A319 with sonar launchers, bomb bay, missile sensors, radar, [infrared sensors]. This is the first time EADS has modified an A319 for this purpose,” Ciria said.
The plane would get the Fully Integrated Tactical System, which is in use on the EADS CASA C-295, C-212, CN-235 and P-3 Orion.
Ciria said offset arrangements may give the edge to EADS.
“The first prototypes will be built in Spain and remainder built in India. We are doing a survey of local industries for the offset of the remaining eight,” said Ciria.
Boeing is in discussions about offsets, but nothing has been agreed to at this point, said Norgart. “Discussions on incorporating the Indian equipment is still ongoing,” he said.
Boeing may not be able to provide an actual P-8I aircraft in time for this year’s trials; Norgart said the company may send a “representative aircraft” instead. He said the P-8A aircraft for the U.S. Navy is at the critical review stage in March, with operational capability beginning in 2013.



by the way the p8i may be flying to india this year for evaluation by the indian navy.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here,boeing is to shortly display it p8i mma aircraft during field trials in india,however thge aircraft would be a replacement aircraft.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20070207/16560.htm

US aerospace major Boeing will 'very shortly' showcase the capabilities of its maritime patrol aircraft, now under development, to the Indian Navy that is currently evaluating the platform, the company said Wednesday.
'The P8I is a next generation maritime surveillance aircraft and will be able to meet the requirements of the Indian Navy for the next 50 years,' Tim Norgart of Boeing Integrated Defence Systems that is developing the aircraft, told reporters during the ongoing Aero India show here.
'We are in discussions with the Indian Navy and will be finalising the dates for field evaluation trials in the very near future,' added Norgart, a former US Navy aviator who is director of business development for Boeing IDS's Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Intelligence, Surveillance And Reconnaissance Systems division.
The P8I, a customized version for the Indian Navy, is based on the hugely successful Boeing-737 commercial airliner. The navy had in November 2006 expressed an interest in the aircraft as a replacement for its existing fleet of Il-38 aircraft that are nearing the end of their service life.
The navy has also sought from Lockheed Martin details about P3C Orion aircraft that the Pakistan Navy currently operates.
The Indian Navy plans to initially buy eight aircraft and possibly a few more later.
Since the P8I is currently at what is termed the 'critical design stage' after which the US Navy will give its go ahead for serial production, the aircraft's flight characteristics will be demonstrated on a 'representative aircraft' and its mission system equipment on a truck mounted trailer.
'We expect the trials to last from a week to two weeks, after which we will proceed to the next stage of negotiations,' said Norgart, who has logged some 4,500 hours on the P3C Orion.
'The Orion's a wonderful aircraft but its technology is 50 years old. What we are offering is next generation technology for whose development the US Navy has paid for and which the Indian Navy would not have to shoulder,' added the official, who, however, refused to divulge figures.
Contending that the P8I was the 'world's most technologically advanced' aircraft of its type, Norgart said it 'combines superior performance and proven reliability with the world's most advanced mission system, accommodates use of indigenous systems, and has significant industrial participation prospects'.
The participation prospect refers to transfer of technology to Indian industries and their participation in the manufacturing process if Boeing wins the order.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here ,the indian navy is conducting a comprehensive but absolutely free medical camp for the people living on the lakshadweep islands.

here check out this link and article:

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/11/stories/2007021120650300.htm


Kochi: The development in the Lakshadweep islands has brought several changes in the infrastructure and lifestyle of the population who reside there. However, health care at the moment in these islands remains at a very basic level. For the most part, the islanders are bereft of specialised medical facilities and have to travel to either the headquarters at Kavaratti or to the mainland for better medical care.
The Indian Navy had in the past reached out to the islanders, conducting medical camps. One such camp was held in 1999. The last medical camps conducted in the Kavaratti and Androth islands in November 2005 were a resounding success, where hundreds of people were attended to and many major ailments were diagnosed and subsequently treated.
INS Sharda, an offshore patrol vessel under the Southern Naval Command at Kochi, sailed for the Lakshadweep islands on the eve of February 1, with a medical team headed by Surgeon Captain Mohan Malse, Commanding Officer INHS Sanjivani, along with an ophthalmologist, physician, paediatrician, gynaecologist, dermatologist, dental surgeon, medical officers, nursing officers, paramedics and support staff embarked, on a three-day medical camp to three islands of the Lakshadweep - Kadmatt, Amini and Kiltan.
Based on a series of meetings with the Medical and Administrative heads in each of the these islands, the team was equipped with a complete pathological laboratory, radiology and dental set-up along with a adequate supply of drugs for each and every situation in packages called `Bricks' (in naval parlance ), separately for each island.
The camp at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) on February 2 on Kadmat Island witnessed participation by over 1,200 patients through the day till late in the evening. At the second camp organised in the Community Health Centre (CHC) on Amini Island on February 3, about 1,300 patients were attended to.
The islanders welcomed the team as they entered the CHC to conduct the second camp, with their traditional dance.
The enthusiasm amongst the inhabitants of this island towards the medical team was highly encouraging.
The third and final camp was held at the PHC, Kiltan Island on February 4 wherein about 808 patients benefited from this camp. Comparatively, eye, paediatric and medical OPD's registered a large number of patients.
The main thrust was to screen the local population and then guide them to a proper treatment regime or refer them for further investigation and treatment where required.
It is planned to study the feasibility of establishing a telemedicine link with the islands to offer specialist consultation to the doctors in the islands. Presently, telephone contact has been established with medical officers at the islands for interacting with the specialist medical officers at INHS Sanjivani for consultation.

[aaaditya]

hey guys,great news here,indian navy is to send a request for proposal to set up a second submarine line,most probably the hdw type 214 and amur would be the participants,air independent propulsion would be an important criteria for the winner.

here check out this link and article:

http://ia.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/16sub.htm

With a view to bolster its undersea fighting capabilities, the Indian Navy is poised to open international bids for acquisition and construction of second range of submarines.
"The request for proposals to acquire and build six new range of submarines would be floated shortly," a senior naval official told PTI.
In contention would be the Russians with their 4th generation Amur class submarines armed with vertically launched KLUB-S Missiles and new generation of German HDW submarines with their Air Independent propulsion systems.
The navy has already firmed up a deal with the French warship builders DCN International for construction of six scorpene submarines at Mazagoan docks in Mumbai.
The first of these hunter-killer submarines are expected to roll out by 2011. Naval officials have ruled out equipping any of the six Scorpene submarines with AIP, but Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has said this capability would be a criteria for the new planned acquisition of six more submarines.
However, the navy remains tightlipped about progress of a proposal to acquire two Russian Akula (Bars) class type 971 Nuclear powered submarines, as part of India's nuclear deterrent based on sea, land and air platforms.
"We definitely would want to have nuclear submarines because of their long undersea endurance, the decision has to be political," naval officials said.
Naval and DRDO scientists have been working on an indigenous nuclear submarines for years, but are cautious to go public on the project labelled Advance Technology Vehicle.
According to sources, India may go in for first sea trials of the submarines by 2009.
Indian and Russian dockyards have been in negotiation for over three years on the acquisition of the Amur class submarines, which are described as successors to the Indian Navy's Kilo class submarines.
Amur's displacement is smaller than Kilo, but its capabilities are stated to be far superior. The Russians have offered to incorporate Rubin-Designed fuell cell AIP in their offer of technology transfer to India. Amur has a displacement of 2000 ton and can attain maximum speed of 21 knots when submerged and 10 knots when surfaced, with a crew of 30 to 34 personnel and an endurance of 45 days.
The Russians had designed the new AIP system to be retrofitted to the Indian Navy Sindhughosh class submarines, some of which are currently being upgraded at St Petersburg. However, the navy opted to go in for vertically launched Klub-S missiles instead. The Amur class submarines also sport anti-ship missiles such as SS-N-15 or the SS-N-16 Misslies and a variety of mines and torpedoes.
The Russians had designed the new generation Amur class submarines for joint induction into the Indian and Russian navies and the subs are expected to cost significantly less than the Kilo class.
However, the Americans could be late entrants for Indian submarine deal and by the time the RFP's are issued in late march or early April, they could also be in the hunt for the Indian deal.
On other acquisition prospects, Naval officials said evaluation was currently underway for inducting eight Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. "Bids from Boeing and Airbus for the long range spy planes and from Lockheed-Martin offering the P3C Orions and Russian IL-38D for the short range requirment are under study," an official said.
Navy is also planning to buy 16 helicopters with the option of another eight to replace its ageing Seaking Mk 42s and Seaking Mk42s fleet, which are fast approaching the end of their service life. They said Navy was also acquiring Naval versions of the Hawk jet trainers.