Avail YOUR COPY NOW! December 2020-January 2021 Volume 15 No. 6 `100.00 (India-Based Buyer Only) INDIAN SP’s NAVY DAY Military SPECIAL Yearbook 2019 2020

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Page 4  CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF We remain committed to EXCLUSIVE the vision of ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘AtmaNirbharata’ in the Defence Sector Opening Remarks by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh during the Annual Navy Day press conference Page 5 India – A Maritime Power of the Future Any restriction in safe and smooth transit of public goods in the Indo-Pacific Region Admiral Karambir Singh Integrated Headquarters must be met with full power of maritime forces. For India, supporting this role in the PVSM, AVSM, ADC Ministry of Defence Indian Ocean, must remain within the reach Chief of the Naval Staff (Navy) of the Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Message Page 6 Indian Navy in Nation Building am pleased to learn that SP Guide Publications is publishing a special issue of SP’s Naval Forces on the Maritime supremacy provided by Indian Navy ensures uninterrupted trade which creates occasion of the Navy Day 2020. more national wealth Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) INavy Day 2020 is a special occasion for the Indian Navy, as indeed for the nation, as we mark the commencement of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh to commemorate 50 years of India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The year-long Page 8 event, to be held between Dec 2020 and Dec 2021 would showcase events related to the 1971 war and the liberation of 1971 The Year That Changed Indian Navy Bangladesh. The crucial role played by the Indian Navy in the 1971 War, both on the Western and Eastern seaboards, would form part of these events.

A strong and capable Indian Navy is critical in protecting India’s national interests in the maritime domain. As India looks to emerge as a $5Tn economy and assure the well-being of its citizens, the Indian Navy would continue to play an important role in providing an enabling environment at sea that supports nation-building and progress.

I am confident that this special issue would inform its readers, not only about the Indian Navy’s rich historical moorings, but also the significance of the seas and the role of the Indian Navy in national development.

I wish the publication the very best in its endeavours. Indian Navy played a huge role in the sur- render of Pakistan during Indo-Pakistani war Jai Hind. of 1971. On December 4, 1971, Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Trident’, a fast strike on Karachi. For this reason, December 4 is regarded as Navy Day. (Karambir Singh) Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Admiral Page 10 Chief of the Naval Staff A Rattled China: Cementing of the Quad The QUAD is an effort by the Indo-Pacific powers to deter China’s ability to challenge and disrupt the rules-based order and the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region Saloni Salil “Our operations shall Page 11 The Chinese Aircraft Carrier Project – Some Lessons revolve around two active China has commissioned two carriers in the past decade and intends to build a fleet of at least six carriers. And all this, in a short period of time. Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Carrier Battle Groups, Page 12 Dragon’s Naval Strategy: From Mahan to Corbett necessitating a force level Beijing’s maritime strategy is now guided by the current geopolitical situation and regional trends and thus, it is trying to create a balance between developing a blue water of three Carriers” economy while trying to create its heavy weight in the maritime sphere Saloni Salil —Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff speaks to Jayant Baranwal, Editor- Plus in-Chief, SP’s Naval Forces, in an exclusive interaction on the occasion of the Indian News in Brief 14 Navy Day 2020

6/2020 1 INDIAN NAVY DAY  EXCLUSIVE / CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF SPECIAL 2020

Swarnim Vijay Varsh to commem- In his article ‘India – A Mari- the marine wealth in the 2.2 mil- hopes to achieve “the great reju- orate 50 years of India’s victory in time Power of the Future’, Vice lion square kms of India’s Exclu- venation of the Chinese nation” the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Admiral Shekhar Sinha (Retd) sive Economic Zone. by the middle of the 21st century, The lead story in this issue writes about the saga of the There is a dedicated article by it is necessary that it become a is an EXCLUSIVE interview with Navy’s sacrifice and valour dur- Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) “maritime great power”. Then Admiral Karambir Singh. The ing 1971 operations which show- on the role played by the Indian there is an article by Commodore CNS elaborated on a wide range cased the ability of the Indian Navy in 1971 operations against G. Prakash (Retd) on how Chi- of subject during his press confer- Navy in exploiting and innovat- Pakistan leading to the forma- nese PLAN continue to develop ence which included operations, ing existing weapon platforms tion of Bangladesh and how this and build Aircraft Carriers with a force modernisation, Navy’s role and systems to win a war. How- victory laid the foundation of the single minded focus and the les- in AtamNirbhar Bharat, mari- ever in the present context there evolution of Indian Navy into a sons India can learn from it. time force projection, HADR and would be even more complex modern day navy that it is today. This issue winds up with the HR. He clearly enunciated the challenges as the nature of war- Then there are three inter- usual News Brief. Wish you all requirement of IAC-2 to ensure fare has changed significantly esting articles connected with discerning readers a very Happy

EDITORIAL a two Carrier-battle-group opera- due to the advent of Cyber, China. In an article on China and Navy Day 2020. SP’s Naval tional at all times and the need Space and Artificial intelligence QUAD, author Saloni Salil states Forces is proud to be a part of for weaponised versions of Sea for which, the Indian Navy needs that China views the QUAD and the Commemoration Year of the Guardian drones with underwater to be prepared. Malabar as premeditated attempt Indian Navy. ASW capabilities. In an article on ‘Indian Navy to encircle it to curb Chinese ambi- This is a special issue of SP’s Naval Chief of the Naval Staff also in Nation building’, Commodore tions and hegemonistic agendas Forces to mark ‘Navy Day’ 2020. Chief addressed the press before G. Prakash (Retd) highlights the in the region. On China’s Maritime of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Navy Day. His entire address is various contributions of Indian Strategy article, the same author Singh, in his message to SP Guide reproduced here in the maga- Navy in Nation building over the explains the basis of continuity Publications, state that this is a spe- zine as he covered the entire past many years, including pro- and change in China’s Maritime cial occasion for the Indian Navy as gamut of issues and challenges tecting India’s trade that moves Strategy and quotes Xi Jinping Jayant BaranwaL it marks the commencement of the facing the Navy. through the oceans or guarding who commented that if Beijing Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

photographs: Indian Navy PRO SP’s Naval Forces (SP’s): As our Navy “The case for the 30 celebrates Swarnim Vijay Varsh to com- memorate 50 years of India’s victory in weaponised versions of the the 1971 Indo-Pak war, would you like to share your thoughts on the same and the Sea Guardian drones from way our Navy plans for the future? the US is in progress and Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): It is, indeed, a proud moment for the nation, as we cel- Indian Navy will be getting 10 ebrate 50 years of our triumph in the 1971 war and the liberation. The sacrifices and drones with underwater Anti- valour of our heroes forms the bedrock for today’s Navy. The blueprint of the mod- Submarine Warfare (ASW) ern Indian Navy was conceptualised and capabilities” shaped by these heroes and pioneers. The success and growth has been possible, in no small measure, due to the foresight and dedication of our predecessors. could be under maintenance at any given The Indian Navy of present, has grown time. Considerable amount of preparatory into a significant maritime force from its work to define the form and fit of the plat- humble beginning of 33 ships. As the pri- form meeting Indian Navy requirements mary manifestation of India’s maritime has already been completed. The IAC-2 is power, the Indian Navy has evolved into envisaged to be a 65,000 tonne Carrier with a force to reckon with, manned by dedi- Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP), cated and professional men and women. capable of doing maximum speed of 30 Our modern ships, submarine and aircraft knots. It would employ Catapult Assisted remain on watch around the clock to keep Admiral Karambir Singh is leading the Indian Navy from the front as it undertakes much expanded Take-off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) responsibilities in the Indian Ocean Region our waters safe from threats arising from concept of flying operations with advanced and at sea. We have been able to maintain undertaking Roles, Missions and Objectives in generation of job opportunities and enable landing and recovery equipment. a high operational tempo, responding to in our Areas of Interest and also facilitate skilling of work force. A substantive part of Since niche technologies are involved, strategic and operational challenges. Out-of-Area Operations. Towards achieving naval budget is ploughed back into the Indian it is planned to undertake consultancy Notwithstanding budgetary constraints, this, we are following a focussed capabil- shipbuilding ecosystem, including number of for certain aspects of design and propul- the Indian Navy is on a steady path to build ity development plan. Further in the future, MSMEs, thereby contributing to the economy. sion. Towards this, RFI has been floated adequate capacity and capability to safe- our operations shall revolve around two ac- More than 75 per cent of the cost of IAC, for and inputs have been sought from agen- guard our interests in a highly complex tive Carrier Battle Groups, with one carrier instance, has gone towards indigenous sourc- cies having considerable experience in this and dynamic strategic environment, which under maintenance, thus, necessitating a ing, boosting the Indian economy. Further, field. Whilst budget constraints are often will throw up challenges and disruptors. force level of three Carriers. in empirical terms, every rupee spent on referred to, our planned spread of expen- We aim to negotiate these challenges by shipbuilding has 1.8 time multiplier effect diture indicates that Indian Navy will be remaining agile and striving to be future- SP’s: Can you elaborate our Navy’s role in downstream and every person employed at able to meet this requirement, in addition proof. We continue to constantly upgrade, achieving the target of $5 trillion economy? the shipyard generates jobs for six persons to the induction of other planned assets. modernise and transform our operational, CNS: Nearly 90 per cent of India’s interna- in other supporting industries. The Indigenous Carrier programme also training, administrative and functional tional trade by volume is sea borne. Blue gives a significant boost to ‘Make in India’ infrastructure, and remain abreast of our Economy, which consists of economic ac- SP’s: While there has been so much of crit- and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and the ‘Plough widening canvas, to cater to emerging op- tivities dependent on marine resources, icism for the IAC-2, the project which is Back Effects’ of projects of this magnitude erational and functional challenges. comprises 4.1 per cent of India’s economy bound to generate considerable employ- to the economy are tremendous. The IAC- Our focus, therefore, is to induct plat- and is likely to grow further. A ‘$5 Trillion ment for country to say the least. How 2 project would create extensive job op- forms to achieve a balanced ‘force mix’ for Economy’ can be achieved in a safe, secure do you propose to advocate the irresist- portunities/skill development, infrastruc- and stable environment. IN is responsible ible requirement of the same? And within ture augmentation, encourage indigenous for overall maritime security and plays a what time line, you would like to see this shipbuilding and business opportunities “Till date, 63 Acceptance of key role in ensuring nation’s growth. getting fructified? to MSMEs. This has been experienced in IN has been at the forefront of Govern- CNS: Emergent security scenario dictates our current Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Necessity (AoNs) amounting ment of India’s modernisation efforts. Till Indian Navy has the capability to operate programme (IAC-1), being built by Cochin to `1.63 Lakh Crore have date, 63 Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) and achieve sea control in two distinct ar- Shipyard Limited at Kochi. amounting to `1.63 Lakh Crore have been ac- eas of interest which could be widely dis- As regards the timeline for IAC-2, once been accorded to Capital corded to Capital Acquisition Schemes under persed on both the seaboards (West and the approval of Government of India is ac- the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The cases are East). This requirement was envisaged and corded, the design process will take ap- Acquisition Schemes under being progressed under various categorisa- factored in, while drawing up the Maritime proximately three to four years and, there- tions of Buy (Indian - IDDM), Buy (Indian), Buy Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP). Accord- after, the construction period could be the ‘Make in India’ initiative” and Make (India). IN has been supporting the ingly, necessity of three aircraft carriers from 8 to 10 years. PSUs/ DPSUs/ Private shipyards, which are has been projected, so that two carriers

www.spsnavalforces.com manpower intensive. The efforts of IN will aid could be operationally deputed and one Continued on page 8...

2 6/2020 CAP_MER_276x418_SPs_uk.indd 1 20/11/2020 18:12 INDIAN NAVY DAY  Navy Day 2020 / CNS Address SPECIAL 2020 “We remain committed to the vision of ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘AtmaNirbharata’ in the Defence Sector”

Opening Remarks by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh during the Annual Navy Day press conference on December 3, 2020

photograph: Indian Navy he year 2020 has been defined launched later this month at GRSE, Kolkata. by the COVID pandemic, which Modernisation of the submarine arm disrupted and permeated every is also underway. The delivery of the third aspect of life. Tensions along Scorpene (P75) class boat, Karanj, is ex- our Northern borders signifi- pected by the end of the month, the fourth Tcantly increased the complexities in our boat, Vela, is undergoing sea trials and fifth security situation. This dual-challenge sce- boat Vagir was launched recently. nario continues as we speak and the coun- As regards aviation, we inducted three try, collectively, continues to battle the ALH Mk III, four Chetak, eight Dornier and pandemic and tackle security challenges. one P8-I aircraft this year. Contracts for In these testing times, the Indian Navy procurement of six P8-Is, six Kamov 31 he- aims to stand steadfast as a ‘Combat-ready, licopters and upgrade of six Heron RPAs Credible and Cohesive force’ furthering are under process and likely to be con- our national and maritime interests. cluded in 2021. We also signed the LOA for 24 MRH helicopter from the United States COVID Response and Contributions through the FMS route this year, with deliv- I will start with some of Navy’s efforts in eries starting next year. the fight against COVID. The Indian Navy, in Admiral Karambir Singh addressing the Press Phase IIA of Project Seabird at Karwar is fulfilling our responsibilities to the Nation progressing on track. Construction of eight and its citizens, turned ‘Care-Givers’ during ships have escorted 169 Indian Flagged Mer- Kenya and Somalia through piracy infested operational and two refit piers, creation of the pandemic. Naval aircraft contributed to chant vessels and 170 lakh tonnes of cargo waters off East Africa, as part of the United a full-fledged Naval Dockyard, upgrading transportation of samples and test equip- under the aegis of Op SANKALP. Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP). of the hospital and construction of a Naval ment on numerous occasions. Naval hospi- Among major, intra-Navy exercises, we The UN WFP, as you all know, also won the Air Station are planned during this Phase. tal facilities were made available to the civil conducted the Table-Top Exercise SHIK- Nobel Prize this year. Nireekshak assisted IN has been at the forefront of indi- administrations at various places to cater SHA, wherein contingencies across the the Government of Mauritius in salvage genisation over the past seven decades. In- for increased healthcare requirements. spectrum of operations were war-gamed. operations of grounded Merchant Ship digenisation of major equipment and sys- In support of the national effort against The pan-Navy war game, Theatre Level Op- Wakashio. Sahyadri was the ‘On Scene Com- tems is being progressed through multiple COVID, Naval personnel also displayed erational Readiness Exercise (or TROPEX in mander’ for coordinating firefighting, sal- avenues available in the updated Defence innovation in manufacture of solutions like short) is scheduled in early 2021. The exer- vage and towing operations of fire stricken Acquisition Procedure 2020. The Indian indigenised PPE, and healthcare equipment. cise will witness participation of all our op- oil tanker New Diamond off the East coast Navy also established the Naval Innovation The Navy undertook its largest ever erational ships, submarines and aircraft, as of Sri Lanka. The prompt response to these and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) to Non-combatant Evacuation under the aegis well as units from Indian Army, Indian Air contingencies demonstrates our resolve to facilitate closer interaction with industry of Operation Samudra Setu, wherein, nearly Force and Coast Guard. As part of TROPEX, be the ‘First Responder’ in the region. and provide a fillip to innovation. 4,000 Indian nationals in Iran, Maldives and we will also be conducting a large scale Information is a critical building block Sri Lanka were brought back home during Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Ex SEA VIGIL’ in- towards ensuring comprehensive maritime Human Resource and Training the pandemic. volving all maritime security stakeholders. security. In this endeavour, the Information We have taken measures towards enhanc- While the natural tendency is to look Aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Fusion Centre at Gurugram, commissioned ing opportunities for women officers in inwards in difficult times, the Government vision of ‘SAGAR’ – Security And Growth for in 2018, has established itself as the hub of the Navy. In this regard, maiden induction of India and Indian Navy looked outwards, All in the Region–IN participated in 13 bi- maritime security information in the IOR, of observers into the helicopter stream, extending support and succor to our friends lateral and multilateral exercises, this year. through white shipping exchange agree- appointment to Remotely Piloted Aircraft and partners during the pandemic. Missions The most recent exercise, Malabar, with US, ments with 21 countries and 20 Maritime (RPA) squadron, and induction into Provost Sagar I and II, involving deployment of Naval Japanese and Australian Navies, contrib- Security centres. International Liaison Of- specialisation are some of the milestones medical teams, medicines and humanitarian uted to enhanced cooperation and trust. As ficers from 13 countries have been invited, achieved. Four women officers have also aid to friendly foreign countries across the part of the Government of India’s vision of and 03 ILOs have joined the centre, with 03 been appointed on ships, and two women IOR, received wide-spread recognition, reit- ‘Neighbourhood First’, the Indian Navy un- more likely to join shortly. officers have been appointed to overseas erating India’s commitment to the region. dertook Joint EEZ surveillance with Maldives, billets at Maldives and Moscow. Prompt implementation of preventive Seychelles and Mauritius, as well as Coordi- Force Level Planning and Future In consonance with the verdict deliv- measures across the Navy aided in minimis- nated Patrols (CORPATs) with Bangladesh, Acquisitions ered by the Supreme Court, Short Service ing the disruptive impact of the pandemic Thailand and Indonesia. IN ships were also Induction of new assets and capabilities Commission officers are being considered on our operational readiness. Our focus on deployed to undertake hydrographic sur- is being progressed in consonance with for Permanent Commission in the Navy. maintaining combat and mission readiness veys for friendly littoral countries, on their the Navy’s long-term perspective plans. A few words are also in order about aided the Navy in deterring any misadven- request, for about 130 days. Our engagement In building a future Navy, we remain com- the defence reforms currently underway in ture in the maritime domain, while contrib- with friendly foreign countries, including un- mitted to the vision of ‘Make-in-India’ ‘Aat- India. I would like to reiterate the Navy’s uting to the national COVID effort. der the IONS construct, aim to build collec- maNirbharta’ in the defence sector. wholehearted support for reforms in our Our ‘Mission Based Deployment’ philos- tive maritime competence and, include the Indian Navy’s commitment to ‘Self Reli- Higher Defence Organisation, and on en- ophy has enhanced Indian Navy’s presence element of capacity building and capability ance in Defence Production’ is evident from hancing Tri-Service Synergy. We are looking across the region enabling rapid responses enhancement. These engagements help im- the fact that all 24 ships and submarines at the establishment of the ‘Maritime The- to emerging security challenges. The Indian prove interoperability, enhance security, and commissioned into the Navy over the last atre Command’ in the near future, which Navy has established a persistent footprint reaffirm our commitment as the ‘Preferred six years have been built in India. Further, would further buttress ‘Joint planning and in our areas of interest, including at vari- Security Partner’ in the IOR. On this note, of the 43 ships and submarines, currently application of force’ in the maritime domain. ous choke points in the Indian Ocean. Na- I would also like to inform that training of under construction, 41 are being built at In- To Conclude, Ladies and Gentlemen, in val deployments also serve as a deterrent personnel from friendly foreign countries, dian shipyards. These include the Aircraft keeping with this year’s Navy Week theme, to inimical interests, clearly signalling the which had been held in abeyance owing to Carrier -Vikrant, P-15B Class Destroyers, which is ‘Indian Navy -Combat Ready, Cred- Navy’s reach, capability and intent. the COVID, have been recommenced last P17A class stealth Frigates and Scorpene ible and Cohesive’, I would like to assure, month. We have also started online training class submarines. that as the primary manifestation of India’s Exercises & HADR/Anti-piracy Deployment for foreign trainees in specific verticals to re- Amongst these projects, Vikrant is at an maritime power, the Indian Navy stands The Indian Navy also remains continu- start training effort during COVID. advanced stage of construction and will com- ready to fulfil its mandate to protect our ously deployed to curb maritime piracy in While we improve operational capabili- mence sea trials in early 2021. Visakhapat- national interests in the maritime domain. the Gulf of Aden. 84 IN ships have been ties and forge closer maritime ties with our nam, the first of the P15B destroyers is On behalf of all uniformed and civilian deployed in the region since 2008. neighbours and partners, we also continue undergoing trials and is scheduled to be personnel of the Indian Navy, I take this op- In addition to anti-piracy, owing to to be proactive in rendering humanitarian commissioned next year. We also commis- portunity to convey my best wishes to our heightened tensions in the Straits of Hormuz, assistance and disaster relief. INS Airavat sioned the indigenously built Landing Craft countrymen on the occasion of Navy Day. SP our warships also remained deployed in the provided succor to Madagascar in the after- LCU L57 in May this year, and ASW Corvette Jai Hind! Sam no Varunah! Gulf since June 2019, to reassure Indian math of Cyclone Dianne in January 20. Aira- Kavaratti in October. ‘Himgiri’, the second

www.spsnavalforces.com merchant marine transiting the region. Naval vat and Trikand escorted food shipments to of the seven ships of P17A frigates will be (Courtesy: PRO Indian Navy)

4 6/2020  Navy Day 2020 / IOR India – A Maritime Power of the Future Any restriction in safe and smooth transit of public goods in the Indo-Pacific Region must be met with full power of maritime forces. For India, supporting this role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), must remain within the reach of the Indian Navy.

photograph: US Navy n Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Navy Ship (PNS) Khaibar off Karachi harbour on the night of December 4/5, 1971. The avy Day is celebrated on Pakistani destroyer was hit by the missiles December 4, a date that was fired by the ships of the Indian Navy and decided upon after the war it sank with 222 men on board. Later, INS in 1971. In this war that was Nipat fired its missiles on PNS Shah Jahan fought by the Indian armed which too was badly damaged. The accom- Nforces to liberate Bangladesh, the Indian panying merchant ship Venus Challenger Navy played a stellar role. 93,000 soldiers with ammunition for the Pakistani Armed of the Pakistan Army led by Lt General Forces, exploded after it was hit by a mis- A.A.K. Niazi in erstwhile East Pakistan, sur- sile and it sank. INS Nipat continued with its rendered to the Indian armed forces and venomous attack on the Keamari oil farm the Instrument of Surrender was signed on South of Karachi harbour. The fuel storage December 16, 1971 in the presence of Lt tanks caught fire and were completely de- General J.S. Aurora of the Indian Army. In stroyed. INS Veer sank the PNS Muhafiz, a the recent history of warfare, surrender by minesweeper. This was the beginning of the 93,000 troops has been unheard of. collapse of the Pakistan Navy and its overall Navies of US, Australia, Japan and India have come together to cooperate on taking up issues like freedom of navigation and open seas will to prevent the Eastern part of Pakistan Role of the Navy in 1971 War from being separated to become Bangladesh. In the war that was fought to liberate Ban- victory for India and dismemberment of under the command of Lt Commander I.J. It was indeed a daring feat on the part of the gladesh, the Indian Navy played an offen- Pakistan. Singh (later Commodore) who launched the Indian Navy as missile boats do not have the sive role as expected which forced early Leading the offensive operations by the first surface-to-surface Styx missiles from surrender by the adversary resulting in Indian Navy were OSA class missile boats Indian Navy Ship (INS) Nirghat on Pakistan Continued on page 13...

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6/2020 5 INDIAN NAVY DAY  Navy Day 2020 / Nation Building SPECIAL 2020 Indian Navy in Nation Building Security alone brings stability which enables development. Maritime power is one of the major elements of national power. Maritime supremacy provided by Indian Navy ensures uninterrupted trade which creates more national wealth.

photograph: Indian Navy n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Naval Base, other than being an inspirational model for those who behold it, symbolises rowds which gather on the deep respect the armed forces in general Indian beaches to watch the sun have for the forces of nature. Mariners who rise or set, do not pause to think witness the relentless fury of the sea learn beyond the immediate glory on not to ever fight against nature’s forces, and display. But unknown to most instead, learn to use them in their favour. Camong them, the vast ocean they see, sup- This sublime relationship between man and ports a service that contributes immensely nature is what manifests as spic and span to making their country, a real nation. As upkeep of naval spaces. This further perco- they continue to live in peace and aspire lates to the society at large, through naval for prosperity, the Indian Navy enables families, especially children, who from their them in many ways, both at sea and on early years develop responsible habits and shore, in ways tangible and intangible. spread it in society in their adulthood.

Making of Nations Confidence in Uniform For over 2,000 years, the world has per- India acknowledges her armed forces as a ceived our lands and her people, as India, rock solid institution that performs its duties a nation. This is probably even before without being affected by politics, religion or Indians developed the same perception weakened by corruption. Rescue and reha- about themselves. The world developed bilitation work done during recurring natu- the above perception based on what they Crew of INSV Tarini for the First Indian All Women Circumnavigation of the Globe Expedition ral disasters in India as well as abroad binds saw, what they heard, what they tasted, Indians together in the pride and confidence and what they coveted from a distant land against India, were explosives and people coming together. However, the Indian Navy they develop in the men in uniform. With the they knew as India. This was not possible who came to the country by sea. Ensuring is a part of nation building in many ways, world around us in various types of turmoil, without the oceans carrying Indian people, the safety and security of our long coast line every moment, in more imperceptible ways. it has become common to see the Indian thoughts, philosophies, culture and goods and the hundreds of islands that we pos- Navy in benign action across our region, to those distant lands. Today, for India, the sess, thus becomes important. Security alone Nation Building Through Force Building whether in evacuation of Indian nationals Indian Navy, is a prime source for spread- brings stability, and stability alone enables The Indian Navy has been at the forefront from strife torn countries or in humanitarian ing awareness of India and Indians to dis- development. It is a closed cycle. National of indigenisation for long, with great gains support to suffering nations. tant lands. Every Indian Naval ship, or for wealth enables the growth of national power, in the design and building of ships and sub- that matter any Indian Naval unit, whether and maritime power is one of the major ele- marines. Though not at the same level, gains Staying in the News at sea or ashore, is a real slice of India. Peo- ments of national power. Maritime suprema- have been made in the field of aircraft, weap- Being in the news helps being in hearts and ple belonging to every part of the country cy that is made possible by national maritime ons and sensors too. This is a complex pro- minds. It also inspires. The 21,600 nautical live and work there, as just Indians. power, ensures uninterrupted trade, which cess that brings together people from all over mile circumnavigation voyage, by six lady creates more national wealth. The solid yet the country in the field of industry, science Officers of the Indian Navy in 2017-18 is Experiences from Across the World silent work of the Navy in support of all this and technology, education etc, and finally something that caught the imagination of As we sailed into Durban in South Africa will seep into the nation’s consciousness the national work force, giving them all, a the country. The positive energy this event in December 1993, we didn’t know the only when overseas trade is disrupted and sense of collective achievement when they gave to young ladies and children in the deep experiences that awaited us there. In the effects start showing in daily life. see the things they helped build, perform at country is beyond imagination. That this the subsequent days we spent there, thou- sea. Building a Navy, builds the nation. voyage followed in the wake of two famous sands of people flocked to visit our ships, When the Nation Rises as One There have also been several instances circumnavigation trips, made by Captain to taste a slice of India. For them, India was History shows that nations rise up as one, where the brilliance of individuals in uni- Dilip Donde and Commander Abhilash a wonderful land, from which their fore- to face strife, or to celebrate victories. Such form brought path breaking developments Tomy shows the commitment the Indian fathers had been wrenched out, and deep instances leave lingering positivity and bring in service, and later, the world itself ben- Navy has, in spreading a spirit of adven- love was still alive in their DNA for the land incremental enhancement in national spirit. efitted from these individuals. One such ture, to inspire every Indian. of their forefathers. While I have had simi- Between the two, strife has more power to sterling example is, of Commodore Paul Raj It is also inspiring when the nation lar experiences in several other countries, bind people together, especially when there of the Indian Navy, who in the early 1980s reads about our sportsmen bringing lau- there was a different one from Cyprus. is shared pain, or blood, shed together. An made the first successful Sonar ever for the rels, musicians making great music or our Eleven years after my trip to South Africa, unforgettable event where the nation came Indian Navy. He then went to USA and pio- scholars spreading knowledge. The same we sailed into Limassol in Cyprus in 2004. together in prayer as one, was, when Com- neered scientific processes that came to be spirits are raised when the nation received Instantly, the Indians in Limassol were one. mander Abhilash Tomy, India’s lone suc- the heart of 4G and 5G technology. The for- news, like that of the Navy’s Mohammad cessful non-stop, unassisted circumnaviga- ty year old Sonar of Commander Paul Raj Anas, an Olympian, breaking our national What the Navy Protects tor spent a few nerve wracking days in the continues to see new version, that continue record in 400 metres race at an event in 90 per cent of India’s trade by volume, and far away Southern Ocean, fighting alone for its contributions to nation building too. Czechoslovakia, or Tejinderpal Singh Toor, about 70 per cent by value, moves through his life, in 2018. This was a rare event, but winning an Asian Games Gold in Shot Put the oceans. 78 per cent of India’s require- a very tangible manifestation of the nation Earth Sciences and the Indian Navy with a new Asian record or Dinko Singh ment in crude oil and 28 per cent in natural As a large country, India shoulders a lion’s boxing his way to Gold at the Asian Games. gas is imported. This comes solely by sea. share of the world’s responsibilities, in Of our domestic energy production, 50 per 90 per cent of India’s trade Meteorology, Hydrology, Hydrography etc. National Maritime Consciousness cent in crude oil and 79 per cent in natural The Navy makes major contributions to It is not for nothing that the Navy’s moniker gas too are produced off shore. India pos- by volume, and about 70 the national effort in collation and study is ‘Silent Service’. Unseen and unheard, they sesses billions of dollars worth of offshore of meteorological and hydrological data, protect all the time, braving the myriad chal- infrastructure and other assets at sea. The per cent by value, moves as naval ships, aircraft and submarines lenges of the great oceans, to bring peace value of the marine wealth in the 2.2 mil- through the oceans. 78 per remain a perennial source for data from and prosperity to our nation. The more they lion square kilometres that makes up our the entire Indian Ocean region. It is the get into the nation’s maritime consciousness, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is immense. cent of India’s requirement efforts of the Indian Navy’s large Hydrog- more is the inspiration they will get, to sus- That this area corresponds to two thirds of raphy department, that produces the ocean tain their performance. The nation building India’s land area, shows the immensity of in crude oil and 28 per cent charts that the world’s mariners, including they do, facilitates national unity. National this sea area, which is our own. even our fishermen use, to navigate safely unity being an enabler of national prosperity Peace and good order are important, for in natural gas is imported. through the Indian Ocean region. and national values, the Navy’s role in nation achieving and sustaining economic pros- building is large. That President Ram Nath perity. With several inimical entities in our This comes solely by sea. Environmental Protection and Green Kovind himself said this in 2017 is testimony region, things aren’t easy. Central to some Initiatives to the fact that the nation is beginning to

SP www.spsnavalforces.com of the worst terrorist attacks perpetrated The spic and span appearance of every understand and acknowledge this.

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CNS Interview... continued from page 2

SP’s: Would you like to indicate (as can- zz Long endurance sub-surface assets and didly as possible) on some of the Must- zz Modern surface fleet ships with effec- Wish List of our Navy as of today to be tive air defence and shore strike capa- able to meet any kind of threats of any bility. levels for the nation? If you can also in- Towards this, the present force levels dicate on some of the key modernisation are being augmented/ modernised accord- programmes currently active and being ing to a laid down long term plan and is be- pursued with full force? ing undertaken in an incremental fashion CNS: Modernisation of the Navy is being continuously. driven by the core value of Combat Readi- Presently 43 ships and submarines are ness, which is the fundamental reason under construction, out of which 41 are be- for our existence, with ‘Ordnance on Tar- ing built in Indian shipyards. The first in- get’ as an important measure of combat digenous aircraft carrier is under construc- effectiveness. Accordingly, capabilities are tion at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, being created for accomplishing a range with likely delivery in later half of 2021. of missions across the entire spectrum of Four destroyers of Project 15B are being threats and challenges. Indian Navy has constructed at Mazagon Docks and deliv- kept pace with the developing security sit- ery is likely to commence from 2021. Seven uation in the region. The ‘Must-Wish List’ frigates of Project 17A Class are under con- for any Modern Navy would include - struction at Mazagon Docks and Garden zz Satellite based and long range surveil- Reach Shipbuilders and their delivery will lance capability, commence from 2022 onwards. Further, Indian Navy has evolved into a force to reckon with under the leadership of Admiral Karambir Singh 1971 – The Year That Changed Indian Navy Indian Navy played a huge role in the surrender of Pakistan during Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. On December 4, 1971, the Navy launched ‘Operation Trident’, a fast strike on Karachi. Operation Trident was an enormous success with no casualties or damage to the Indian task group. For this reason, December 4 is regarded as Navy Day.

photographs: Indian Navy / Twitter n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) coming of age then. That this act forced the Pakistani Navy to withdraw into their own ifty years ago, the Indian Navy harbour on Day Two of the war, never to played a critical part in breaking- come out for the rest of the war, is some- up Pakistan into two. Such was thing the Pakistan Navy will find difficult to the impact of the event, that along live down for ever. That they even under- with Pakistan, the two nation the- took the unimaginable act of de-ammuni- Fory too lay broken. tioning their ships, to prevent catastrophic damage in the event of continued attacks Hard Lessons from the Indian Navy, is a badge of eternal Lessons of that war of 1971, which begat shame. The Indian Navy had ensured that Bangladesh, had much material for policy Pakistan on the western front, was going to makers in India. If they studied the lessons stay quiet. No wonder, the Pakistan Navy carefully, they could understand what a good website is silent on these events to this day. Navy could do for a country like India. With centuries of terra centricity at the core of the Sunrise in the East nation’s political and strategic conscious- India’s Eastern seaboard witnessed a dif- ness, getting India to believe in a Navy, was ferent set of glorious events. First, was the tough. This, despite India having experienced stupendous achievements of the World the tragedy of debilitating European colonial- War 2 vintage INS Vikrant. This 19,000 ism for centuries. The Europeans had come tonne Aircraft Carrier, launched in 1945 solely by the vast sea around us, which, for as HMS Hercules, laid up in suspended various reasons, we had neglected for long. animation till bought by India in 1957 and The Europeans steadily sucked us dry commissioned in 1961, was destined to see of our wealth, and cast us into an industri- action only 28 years after her keel was laid alised world in an inadequate state, as the in 1943. This long wait was worth it. last of them left. This experience should Right at the beginning of the war, as the have drilled into our collective conscious- Pakistan Navy was beginning to understand ness the unpleasant lesson, that it was only the catastrophe that had be-fallen them at when we had forgotten our seas, that we had Karachi, their ports in the East, viz., Chit- lost our freedom. But that was not to be. tagong and Cox’s Bazar, were destroyed by marauding Sea Hawks from Vikrant. This When Opportunity Beckoned favour was also soon extended to other After having been left out of the previ- riverine ports and craft in water, virtually ous wars since independence, including paralysing the only avenue the Pakistani the 1965 episode when the Pakistani Navy armed forces had, for logistic support and attempted some feeble offensive opera- Glimpses of 1971 War: (Top) INS Vikrant, the aircraft carrier with Seahawks, Alizes & Alouettes embarked in an emergency, escape. This time around, tions off the Gujarat coast, the war of 1971 left Chennai; (Bottom) INS Beas was operating in Bay of Bengal Alize aircraft from Vikrant too joined the was a godsend. The Indian Navy welcomed Sea Hawks. Thereafter, Vikrant, her aircraft the opportunity whole heartedly and Quiet on the Western Front ships hanging around off their coast, they and other Indian Naval ships enforced a proved their worth in spectacular fashion. When small, yet fast and lethal Missile Boats, wrote an unforgettable thesis for the nation strict blockade off the coast that Pakistani If India needed a lesson to understand sea supported ably by larger surface ships to trust modern surface warfare, employing forces had no option but to surrender to

www.spsnavalforces.com power, there was none better. burned Karachi harbour and sank Pakistani Surface to Surface Missiles, which were just India in massive numbers.

8 6/2020  Navy Day 2020 / 1971 - 50 years

“The Indigenous Carrier sance Aircraft is scheduled by 2021. Indian equipment including several indigenous There is also a need to increase the Navy has also contracted HAL to deliver 36 cases under the ‘Make in India’ initia- technological base in the country, enhance programme (IAC-2) also gives aircraft comprising 12 Dorniers (six deliv- tive have contributed towards efforts to the capacity and expertise of our public ered), 16 ALH and eight Chetak. Further, maintain the ideal mix of State-of-the-Art, sector shipyards to reduce build-time and a significant boost to ‘Make Acceptance of Necessity has also been ac- current and vintage weapon/equipment/ also involve the private sector to make corded for procurement of Naval Utility sensors. good current short-falls in our force levels, in India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Helicopters under the Strategic Partnership in a time-bound manner. Model. We are also looking to procure ad- SP’s: Would you like to take us through Bharat’ and the ‘Plough Back ditional P8-I aircraft and high altitude, long the challenges that have an ongoing im- SP’s: With 2 leased unarmed drones, do endurance Remotely piloted aircraft sys- pact on our Navy’s capacity build-up you think the requirements are met? Effects’ of projects of this tem (HALE RPAS) to augment our surveil- task? Plans were of 10 armed drones for each magnitude to the economy lance capabilities. CNS: With our limited budgetary alloca- service totaling to a total of 30 that too The Indian Navy holds a mix of weap- tions, we do face some fiscal challenges in the armed. are tremendous” ons, sensors and equipment of varied vin- the modernisation process and day-to-day CNS: Procurement of the two drones - Sea tage. Modernisation of existing weapons/ running of the Navy. While our budgetary Guardian, unarmed version of the Predator sensors/equipment and procurement of constraints are being discussed jointly was under the emergency procurement to new weapons and systems is an ongoing with all concerned stakeholders, the Navy enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean contracts for four Project 1135.6 follow on process. On one hand, the obsolescence remains committed to maintaining a high region. These drones are leased for a few ships have been concluded in 2018. Con- management and capability enhancement level of operational preparedness and years and the maintenance of these drones tract for 16 ASW Shallow Water Craft has is achieved through Mid Life Upgrade progress its modernisation plans, within will be taken care by the American firm. been concluded in 2019. (MLU), where in vintage weapons/sen- the available resources. In the face of The case for the 30 weaponised versions In addition, ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ sors/equipment are upgraded through shortages, emphasis is being laid on pri- of the Sea Guardian drones from the US is has also been accorded for 38 ships and requisite modifications/replaced with oritisation, rationalisation and economy in progress and Indian Navy will be getting six Project 75 (I) Submarines. The delivery more contemporary systems. In addition, of expenditure; in short getting more bang 10 drones with underwater Anti-Submarine of four additional P8-I Maritime Reconnais- procurement of new weapons/sensors/ for the buck. Warfare (ASW) capabilities. SP

This was classical Aircraft Carrier action, the Statue of Liberty. Indian Navy has not albeit on a smaller scale when compared to looked back since. the carrier battles of the Pacific. By the end Understanding the importance of sound of WW II, Aircraft Carriers had been cata- intellectual underpinning in creating and pulted to the top position for waging war at wielding a powerful Navy, a formal book on sea, pushing Battleships off their pedestal. It Maritime Strategy was written during the is a matter of eternal pride that despite the mid-1980s, as its maiden doctrinal docu- bewildering challenges India faced in rising ment. Later, as India’s prosperity, capabili- up from where she had fallen to, and the as- ties, interactions and aspirations increased, sociated budgetary pressures, that Aircraft more elaborate documents were produced, Carriers stayed in our Naval plans and that which clearly laid out India’s maritime doc- we actually acquired one. This decision re- trine and maritime security strategy for the ceived its rewards on the Eastern seaboard. world to see. Naturally, this period saw a There is an epochal event that hap- steady increase in the footprint of the Indi- pened on the Eastern seaboard, which, for an Navy in the world’s oceans. The Govern- some reason, hasn’t received the recogni- ment too having understood the important tion it deserves. That, was the virtual birth role strong navies can play in expanding of the Indian Navy’s Special Operations diplomatic ties, Indian Naval ships became branch, known today, as MARCOS. While a common sight in distant waters. sabotage, underwater demolition, covert action behind enemy lines for Intelligence Turning Benefactor gathering etc in some form or the other With new enemies appearing on the hori- have been a part of armed conflicts since zon, the attention of world powers shifted time immemorial, their formal transforma- from the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, tion into the deadly form Special Forces to the Indian Ocean. The Western powers have taken today, started with the birth of all of a sudden faced the requirement to the SEALS of USA during the Vietnam war understand the peculiarities of operating in 1962. Similarly, it is the covert action in the Indian Ocean, especially, mastering during the 1971 war in what was to become the all-important physical conditions of the Bangladesh, using Bengali sailors who had Indian Ocean, had only one Navy to turn defected from the Pakistan Navy as well as to - The Indian Navy. Meanwhile, in 1998, our own divers, that gave India the experi- India had displayed its willingness and abil- ence, confidence and resolve, to ultimately ity to maintain peace and good order in raise the lethal MARCOS. This unknown ef- our region, through Operation Cactus. The fort, waged in absolute secrecy, by a Com- Indian Navy’s role in this operation stood mander and a few Lieutenant Command- out for the world to take note. The result, ers and Lieutenants of various branches, was a quantum jump in the Navy’s inter- drawn on temporary duty from various Glimpses of 1971 War: (Top) War attacks on Chittagong Harbour and (Above) Chittagong Channel national interaction, recognition and pres- units, is a stupendous story. A full version ence. This ultimately gave a Prime Minister is available in an excellent book ‘Opera- ally experienced the great power of sub- which mattered. The result was some seri- of India the confidence to even announce to tion X’ published in 2018, by Commander marines, the limitations of surface ships ous planning, resource allocation and strat- the world that India is a net security pro- Samant (the person who actually planned in Anti Submarine Warfare with integral egising, which saw virtually the entire Navy vider in the Indian Ocean Region. and executed the entire covert war. He was sonars in our warm waters and the need transforming itself from the mid-1980s. New a Submariner, with no previous experience for aircraft based ASW, the surest hedge ships, aircraft, submarines, Special Forces et Indian Navy @50 Past 1971 in covert action) and Mr Sandeep Unnithan, against submarines then. al came flooding into the service, with an Today Indian Navy’s ships and aircraft are based on freshly de-classified papers. A re- We also learnt a few lessons about the excellent mix of technology from around present in every part of the Indian Ocean, lated action by the same team was the use pulls and pressures our allies and allies of the world. Much thought and action was watching the goings on, and staying ready, of cleverly armed small civilian riverine the enemy could bring. These were impor- also lavished on charting a course towards for both combat, and cooperation. This is craft, which took disruption and destruc- tant lessons for a large, yet young democ- achieving self-sufficiency in war equipment. as per the Navy’s current doctrine of being tion right inside enemy strongholds, where racy, which had taken a justifiably laudable Some of those lofty aims succeeded. ‘mission deployed and combat ready’. India larger Indian ships couldn’t have gone. The decision to stay non-aligned in a post WW even has her indigenous SSBNs prowling East Bengali human core that formed a part II world, which was fast dividing itself into Into the Dark Blue Oceans the oceans as the most unassailable ele- of this team ultimately became the core of two blocs. Our choice was not to stay aloof, The Indian Navy’s journey into the dark ment of the nuclear triad. the future Bangladesh Navy. but to align with whoever mattered, at our blue oceans was remarkable. A fledgling All this has been made possible be- will, when it mattered. This decision stood Dominion Navy used to providing only cause today we have robust ships, subma- Taking it on the Chin vindicated at the end of the 1971 war. Local Naval Defence for British interests till rines and aircraft, manned by well trained No war experience is complete without 1947, was increasingly present in the big and motivated personnel full of confidence the taste of taking a few blows to the chin. A New Spring in Military Modernisation oceans by mid 1980s. An impactful event and commitment. As we now expand our The Indian Navy took one big blow, from Winning the war in 1971 was a turning point that conveyed our newfound blue water capabilities into new frontiers of conflict, the loss of INS Khukri to torpedoes fired for India. The abject despondency caused by capability was the visit of INS Godavari, the like Cyber, Space and Information, we owe by a Pakistani submarine, off the coast of the loss in 1962 gave way to a new found first indigenously designed and built mod- a lot to the impetus given by the victory Saurashtra. But this incident had its impor- confidence. The importance of defending ern ship to New York in July 1986 on the of 1971. Fifty years later, we have enough tant operational lessons. The Navy person- the country was understood at the levels occasion of the bicentennial celebrations of reasons to be proud of the Indian Navy. SP

6/2020 9 INDIAN NAVY DAY  Indo-Pacific / QUAD SPECIAL 2020 A Rattled China: Cementing of the Quad The QUAD is an effort by the Indo-Pacific powers to deter China’s ability to challenge and disrupt the rules-based order and the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. The US is keen on institutionalising the QUAD and wants to shape it on the lines of NATO, an Asian NATO of sorts.

photographs: US Navy, Indian Navy n Saloni Salil “The formalisation of the lliances are often seen as QUAD is guaranteed to “important tools for overcom- ing the constraints of geo- infuriate China but no one politics, and for changing the meaning of the supposedly is certain how Beijing will ‘permanent’A nature of international geog- raphy”1. Taking a cue from the above, one respond. While a conventional can see the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue war remains out of question, or QUAD as coming together of four Indo Pacific powers, which were earlier hesitant, China could resort to non- to thwart Beijing’s aggression. In the current scenario, all four countries conventional warfare tactics.” i.e. United States, India, Japan and Australia have faced China’s unrelenting aggression and its willingness to use the “economic interdependencies to try to level informal and disrupt the rules-based order and the sanctions to punish countries that oppose status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. It’s a it”2. The relations between China and US signalling that they are and they would get have been confrontational for a while now, even more serious about acting as a military from trade wars to coronavirus, Hong Kong and strategic counterweight to China, if Bei- and human rights issues, intimidation of jing were to continue to challenge [the sta- Taiwan and Philippines by China. With India, tus quo], not just in the South China Sea but both nations have locked horns in a tense also in the Indian Ocean.”7 But all is not well, military standoff in Eastern Ladakh. China the QUAD nations amongst themselves are has once again reignited its dispute with Ja- not on the same pedestal in terms of shared pan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. The desires and strategic interests. Also a lot of relations between Australia and China af- nations in the region are uncomfortable with ter months of back and forth have reached the cementing of the QUAD more tightly an all-time low. Apart from this, China has despite the threats faced by them vis-à-vis been land-grabbing in Nepal, Bhutan (China China because this may lead to further desta- has been involved in land grabs in almost bilising the region by constant militarisation. 18 countries, some under the corporate veil “The QUAD is often called a coalition while some under open intimidation). without commitment. It, in its present There is a global chorus against China, form, is nebulous without a structure or with even European nations like France, a secretariat. The United States is keen on Canada and recently Germany coming into institutionalising the QUAD and wants to the foray having unveiled their Indo-Pacific shape it on the lines of the North Atlan- strategy owing to the growing threat to tic Treaty Organisation (NATO), an Asian open and free trade regime, threatening NATO of sorts. It seeks to militarise the world’s economy and jeopardising global alliance”8. But the other QUAD members environment. do not wish to present this alliance as a counter-weight to China because in the QUAD 2.0 And Growing Beijing’s Anxiety age of interdependence, economic stability China views the QUAD and Malabar as pre- is over and above ideological differences meditated attempt to encircle it to curb Chi- (Top & Above) Ships from the Royal Australian navy, Indian navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the and therefore, instead they should use the nese ambitions and hegemonistic agendas US Navy participate in exercise Malabar 2020 grouping as a diplomatic weight against in the region by intensifying multilateral- Beijing’s aggressiveness and reiterate faith ism. Also the cementing of the like-minded of the QUAD countries is being addressed and accused Beijing of using military pres- in multilateralism and regionalism. SP nations alliances in the Indo-Pacific leading through the MALABAR. With focussed exer- sure to further its own interests”5 and “the to drawing of an Iron curtain of sorts. “The cises improving and, further ahead, likely formalisation of the QUAD is guaranteed to Saloni Salil, is an independent Geopolitics and sharpening of the collective naval element to improvise upon the present tenets of the infuriate China but no one is certain how Bei- Security analyst. She has held honorary posi- MALABAR which include strategic wargam- jing will respond. While a conventional war tions in various organisations and has a num- ing, tactical uplift, and naval friendliness, remains out of question, China could resort ber of published works among her creden- “With focussed exercises China’s Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy to non-conventional warfare tactics such as tials. She has also been associated with Future improving and, further (PLAN) is likely to be perturbed.”3 cyber-attacks, proxy wars, insurgency etc.”6 Directions International, as a Visiting Fellow With bolstering of ties between Beijing’s in the Indo Pacific Research Programme since ahead, likely to improvise immediate neighbours with traditional pow- Conclusion 2012. Saloni Salil contributes to the growing ers “the prevalence of this uneasiness in the The Quad 2.0 is an effort by the Indo-Pacific discourse on the concept of the Indo-Pacific upon the present tenets of Chinese state machinery is epitomised by a powers to “deter China’s ability to challenge and major power intentions in that region. panoply of rigid, vigorous, and diverse set of the MALABAR which include mushrooming relationships between India- Japan, India-US, India-Australia, Australia- References strategic wargaming, tactical US, Australia-India-Japan, and several more. 1. Harvey Starr and Radolph M. Siverson, “Alliances and Geopolitics”, Political Geography Quarterly uplift, and naval friendliness, More so, the broader security domain is be- (July:1990), Vol.9, Issue. 3, pgs 232-248 ing prioritised above soft undertakings.”4 2. Zaheena Rasheed, “What is the QUAD and can it counter China’s Rise?”, November 25th 2020 China’s Peoples’ Liberation China has always been vocal about its 3. Jay Maniyar, “QUAD and The Malabar: A Concern for China”, The Diplomatist, December 2nd 2020 angst against such alliances. China also re- 4. Ibid.4 (Jay Maniyar) Army Navy (PLAN) is likely to cently, “has accused the United States of try- 5. “China accuses ‘dangerous’ US of creating chaos in Asia”, November 24th 2020 6. “China’s Worst Nightmare ‘QUAD’ Becoming A Reality As US Holds Naval Drills With India, ing to ‘create chaos’ in the Asia-Pacific, a day Australia, Japan”, July 22nd 2020 be perturbed” after US National Security Advisor Robert 7. Zaheena Rasheed, “What is the QUAD and can it counter China’s Rise?”, November 25th 2020 O’Brien, on a visit to the Philippines, backed 8. Adithi Gurkar, “QUAD: Here Are The Profits And Pitfalls For India If We Formalise An Anti-China

www.spsnavalforces.com countries in maritime disputes with China Bloc”, October 16th 2020

10 6/2020  Aircraft Carrier / Chinese Navy The Chinese Aircraft Carrier Project – Some Lessons China has commissioned two carriers in the past decade and intends to build a fleet of at least six carriers. The deliberate process of evaluation and knowledge creation the Chinese adopted took them through different kinds of deck arrangements, launch and recovery methods, landing systems and ship sizes. And all this, in a short period of time.

photograph: eng.chinamil.com.cn n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) only agricultural products snatched from hapless peasants as a source for income, NS Vikrant, India’s first Air- modern China had a booming economy, craft Carrier had a great role to play a great military industrial complex, peace in our victory against Pakistan in and no shortage of resources. But these 1971. Today, as we enter the fifti- advantages alone don’t bring success. eth anniversary of that event, we There has also to be a sound plan, that can Imust acknowledge the good fortune that bind resolve and resources. The Chinese brought Vikrant into our Navy in 1961, apparently had one. despite severe resource constraints and lofty political ideals of peace. Ten years Up, up, and away later, she proved her worth in spectacu- Mao lived and died without much thought lar fashion. We are fortunate that Air- for an ocean going Navy. Riverine and coastal craft Carriers have continued to stay with craft that supported China’s wars on land our Navy, despite chauvinistic arguments sufficed for him. However, the new China against them. Although we are yet to reach that was taking shape under Deng Xiaoping the minimum operational requirement of decided earlier on, that Aircraft Carriers had three Carriers in over seventy three years A J-15 fighter jet landing on Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning to be in their order of battle someday. This since independence, there is hope. Useful idea, born towards the end of the 1970s, was lessons from anywhere are welcome. version of Mao’s single minded focus on start to finish, there was focus. Whatever soon taken ahead in typical Chinese fashion, making China a world power, chiefly by the cost. That the Aircraft Carrier project, that stopped at nothing. They used every- From first thought to the third Carrier becoming a military power. He usurped all which, from first serious thought to the thing. There was deceit, cleverness and hard The story of China’s Aircraft Carriers political power, brought death and misery building of a third Carrier took only twelve work in fast forward mode. is one of single minded focus. In intent to millions of his people, and manipulated years, shows Mao-like focus. But unlike and execution, the project is a miniature the Russians to achieve his aim. But from Mao who had an impoverished China, with Continued on page 15...

6/2020 11 INDIAN NAVY DAY  Strategy / Chinese Navy SPECIAL 2020 Dragon’s Naval Strategy: From Mahan to Corbett Beijing’s maritime strategy is now guided by the current geopolitical situation and regional trends and thus, it is trying to create a balance between developing a blue water economy while trying to create its heavy weight in the maritime sphere

photographs: eng.chinamil.com.cn n Saloni Salil Xi Jinping commented if aritime Strategy of any nation resonates with two Beijing hopes to achieve underlining facts, one is the “the great rejuvenation of objective of carrying out warfare at sea to affect out- the Chinese nation” by the Mcomes on land and that the success of maritime warfare depends upon a nation’s middle of the 21st century, it ability to maintain a Triad that operates at sea, in the air and on the land. Maritime is necessary that it become a warfare can best be understood through an appreciation of the strategy it is intended “maritime great power” to serve. “The ability to use the sea for its own purposes is vital to any nation that relies on maritime trade for its existence i.e. the ends, ways, and means guiding ex- and similarly, for those with exposed sea- ploitation and management of the sea and boards, to ensure they cannot be invaded. coastal areas”6. The first look may seem- In fact, any nation that has a desire for ingly appear that China’s maritime strategy security, wealth, and power needs to be is driven by economic development, which able to use the seas freely and assert their indeed sits at the core, however, “Chinese right to do so when necessary”1. maritime strategy is also very much con- The world views China’s moves at the cerned with defending and advancing sea domain as representing “maritime ex- China’s position in its maritime disputes, pansion,” and Beijing’s actions at sea are what Chinese texts refer to as “safeguard- the best indicators of its maritime strategy. ing maritime rights and interests.”7 A country influenced by both Alfred T. Ma- han and subsequently Sir Julian Corbett Conclusion (one of the most influential sea power theo- China’s maritime activities are driven by rist) seems to be driving the policy makers its maritime interests such as securing its in China to achieve its maritime ambitions. energy supply, ensuring the continuity in While both Mahan and Corbett had dif- maritime trade and global supply chain by (Top) An aircraft carrier fleet comprising of the China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning, two destroyers and a fering views on naval strategy as can be protecting sea lanes of communication, and frigate of the Chinese PLA Navy arrives in Hong Kong; (Above) J-15 carrier-borne fighter jets sit on the flight understood from the following paragraph, deck of the aircraft carrier Liaoning prior to a training exercise. “its strategic vision of the ocean as “blue written by Andrew Latham2 in his article, economic space and blue territory” cru- explains — Mahan’s “naval strategy” en- made seven successful naval expeditions tended coastline; (5) the Chinese maritime cial for its national development, security, compassed a total control over the seas between 1405-1433 which went as far as periphery has a number of islands and terri- and status.”8 Beijing’s maritime strategy to become a great power that could be the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Africa. His vi- torial disputes, and Corbett’s works, which is now guided by the current geopolitical achieved by sweeping the enemy fleet from sion was further elaborated by a late Ching link naval power to landing operations, situation and regional trends and thus, it is the seas. While Corbett argued each great Dynasty scholar, Wei Yuan”. And more so could help the Chinese navy strategise when trying to create a balance between develop- power could follow a distinctive strategy lately none other than Xi Jinping comment- conducting operations in such areas”.4 ing a blue water economy while also trying and that each grand strategy demanded its ed if Beijing hopes to achieve “the great to create its heavy weight in the maritime own distinctive “maritime strategy.” Such a rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by the China’s Maritime March sphere. “China is expanding as a maritime strategy might, as Mahan advocated involve middle of the 21st century, it is necessary China’s geographical location gives it a van- power in terms of port and shipping assets, bringing the enemy’s main fleet to battle that it become a “maritime great power”. tage point in terms of gaining access to the naval power, and independence. China has and destroying it in a decisive engagement As any nation striving to be a Maritime world via three different directions— to the in a tentacular fashion invested billions of or it may involve mere temporary and local great power, China too was influenced by Pacific in the east, towards the west across dollars in expanding its international port “control of the sea,” blockade, commerce Mahan’s strategic thought. It can be further Central Asia or through the South China network in addition to Chinese naval hard- raiding and defence. Like Clausewitz, Cor- elaborated by taking reference of Daisuke Sea. “China is positioned across the Indian ware, including surface vessels, such as bett also believed that the most fundamen- Sekine’s article “Review of From Mahan to Ocean Region (IOR), the Mediterranean, the warships and aircraft carriers, and nuclear tal principle was the primacy of politics in Corbett”,3 summarised— As China contin- west coast of Africa, and continues to reach submarines.”9 While working on economic war. Maritime strategy, he believed, should ues to rake up its Navy, it is also attempt- out globally. Furthermore, China’s depen- initiatives like the Silk Road Economic Belt always be derived from the nation’s specific ing to evolve further as a maritime state by dency on Africa for its resources, West and Maritime Silk Road (otherwise known political goals, purposes, and constraints. shifting its strategic direction toward the Asia’s energy lines and its stretch across as One Belt One Road), Regional Compre- China, both historically and geographi- application of Corbett’s theory. Since 2008, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) makes many hensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and cally has been a maritime nation. As Swaran there has been appearance of comparisons practitioners question the strategic con- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, it Singh in his article “Continuity and Change between Corbett’s work with Mahan. It can tours of China’s maritime engagement”5. is also been raucously moving forward to in China’s Maritime Strategy” writes, “by be understood that Chinese policy makers In the above context, it is important secure its national interests at Sea as seen the fifth century BC, China had started to believed that Mahan alone cannot be the to understand that “for Beijing, Maritime in the recent event in the South China Sea have an army of ships that could engage in basis of its maritime strategy and hence we strategy is primarily a civilian concept akin and East China Sea and “building a mari- 10 naval operations. The earliest of the current see a shift towards Corbett’s sea power the- to what other countries call ocean policy: time cordon sanitaire” . SP versions of China’s modern maritime strat- ory. “The relationship between China and egy had already evolved by the early 15th Corbett’s strategic theory is as follows: (1) References century when, famous Admiral Cheng had Corbett’s theory, which places such signifi- cance on land, is highly relevant to China, 1. Julian Lindley- French and Yves Boyer, “Maritime Warfare and Its Importance of Sea Control”, The which has the traditions of a great continen- Oxford Handbook of War, January 2012 2. Andrew Latham, “Mahan, Corbett, and China’s Maritime Grand Strategy”, The Diplomat, August Chinese maritime strategy is tal power; (2) the explanation and definition 24th 2020 also very much concerned of command of the sea by the Chinese navy 3. Daisuke Sekine, “Review of From Mahan to Corbett”, February 2012 evidently uses Corbett’s theory as a refer- 4. Ibid.4 (Daisuke Sekine) ence; (3) Corbett, influenced by Clausewitz, 5. Admiral (Retd) Pradeep Kaushiva, China’s Maritime March West, IPCS Discussion, Institute of Peace with defending and advancing insisted that the strategy of true defence and Conflict Studies, New Delhi, July 3rd 2014 China’s position in its or “active defence” involved waiting for a 6. ryan D. Martinson, “Maritime Strategy with Chinese Characteristics”, The Diplomat, March 15th 2016 chance to strike back, and can be associat- 7. Ibid.7 (Ryan D. Martinson) maritime disputes ed with Mao Zedong’s theory of protracted 8. Tuan N. Pham, “China’s Maritime Strategy on the Horizon”, The Diplomat, November 26th 2016 war; (4) the elastic cohesion of forces that 9. Mercy A. Kuo, “The Power of Ports: China’s Maritime March”, The Diplomat, March 08th 2017 10. Samir Tata, “China’s Maritime Great Wall in the South and East China Seas”, The Diplomat, January www.spsnavalforces.com Corbett advocated is suitable for China’s ex- 24th 2017

12 6/2020  Weapon Systems / Missiles

BrahMos has Ensured Indian Navy’s Formidability in High Seas

ndian Navy, one of the leading ducted in 2013, thereby validating its adapt- maritime forces of Asia, has steadily ability for fitment onboard the conventional reoriented its sea-faring strategies at attack submarines of the Navy in future. a time of intense geopolitical devel- BrahMos has also been successfully op- opments in the region. To safeguard erationalised in the Indian Army and Indian IIndia’s maritime territory even while secur- Air Force and hence, emerged an ultimate ing regional peace and stability, the Navy weapon of choice for modern-day network- has not only bolstered its overall com- centric warfare missions. bat capabilities, but is also maintaining While the Indian Navy remains at the a vigorous presence across the country’s forefront of defence indigenisation and strategic waters. At such times, it is the self-reliance efforts to strengthen the na- deployment of BrahMos – world’s deadliest tional security apparatus, BrahMos has precision attack weapon – that has ensured contributed to this very cause with equal the Navy’s formidability in the high seas. endeavour. By steadily increasing the indig- The state-of-the-art tactical missile, having enous technologies and critical contents in incredible anti-ship and land strike power, the weapon system, BrahMos Aerospace, has become an intrinsic part of India’s over the past few years, has strongly forti- naval warfare strategy in the 21st century. fied its ‘Make in India’ and “Design In- Several frontline Indian naval platforms, dia” commitments. including large guided missile destroyers BrahMos launch from INS Ranvijay “We have been constantly striving to and stealth frigates have been armed with enhance the indigenous content in the BrahMos. The powerful missile, combining to precisely engage and neutralise both sea launched from the Navy’s indigenously- BrahMos weapon system and we have supersonic speed with extremely complex and land-based targets from long, stand- built ‘Kolkata-class’ stealth destroyer, INS achieved incredible success in this direc- manoeuvrability and devastating firepow- off ranges which has enormously galvan- Chennai. tion in recent times. For the Navy, we have er, strikes at the target with “bull’s eye” ised the Navy’s capability to undertake “With its unmatched, highly superior become their truly proud symbol of ‘Made accuracy and annihilating firepower. The both sea-surface and littoral warfare opera- technological attributes, the formidable In India’,” says Dr Mishra. ‘fire & forget’, ‘quick reaction’ weapon can tions with elan. In addition, BrahMos has BrahMos has become an indispensable as- The defence entity is parallelly working not be intercepted by powerful air defence also proved its flexibility to be fired from set of the Indian Navy. The weapon has towards developing more advanced, high- systems deployed by the enemy warships. vertical or inclined launchers from a static ensured that our Navy remains indomita- ly lethal, futuristic variants of BrahMos – The naval variant of BrahMos which or moving naval platform in single or salvo ble and invincible in the high seas,” says BrahMos-NG (next-gen) and the hypersonic entered into service with the Indian Navy mode against a single target or different Dr Sudhir K. Mishra, Director General BrahMos-II(K) – to equip a wider number of in 2005 has evolved over the years by in- targets located in different directions. BrahMos, DRDO, and CEO & MD of BrahMos modern military platforms, including those corporating newer dimensions to its warf- In a recent test firing mission conduct- Aerospace, the India-Russia JV entity pro- of the Navy, thus promising more power to ighting capabilities. The high-technology ed by the Navy on October 18, 2020, the ducing the deadly BrahMos systems. the Indian Navy. SP weapon has established its credence dur- weapon once again successfully engaged a The multi-role, multi-platform BrahMos ing a number of successful test firings naval surface target in the Arabian Sea with has also been successfully launched from BrahMos Aerospace congratulates the conducted from naval combat platforms “pin-point” accuracy. The missile was test an underwater platform in a test firing con- Indian Navy on 49th Navy Day

India – A Maritime Power... continued from page 5 operational capability required for a mission amongst countries in Asia has turned the Lanes of Communication. The Indian Navy well. India and the Indian Navy are look- of this nature. The ships of the Indian Navy attention of hardcore continental mind- is required to have platforms that are ca- ing far ahead for safe transit through these participating in the war, were towed up to set countries towards the seas. Capturing pable of reaching out to nations in the Indo- turbulent seas which only would ensure the Gujarat coast and then were released for islands in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Pacific littorals for creating favourable mari- prosperity of the nation and its citizens. the biggest fireworks ever seen in the Indian of other countries, developing them into time environment. The foundation of the Platforms needed over the next decade, Ocean, particularly on the Makran Coast. potent combat bases, flouting the United Indian Navy of the future has to be laid now need to be invested in now to cater for This was followed by INS Veer and two frig- Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea as shipbuilding is a time consuming and long gestation periods. Exercises need to ates Talwar and Trishul attacking a group of (UNCLOS) and economic coercion of smaller expensive venture. It is to be remembered be condeucted with countries with strate- Pakistani ships off the coast of Karachi. The countries to compel them to swap their ports that capital budget outgo is in instalments gic convergence and overlapping interests. fleet tanker PNS Dacca was damaged beyond and lands for debt, has earned them strate- spread over many years and therefore over- The Government would be looking at insti- repairs thus degrading the sea sustaining ca- gic advantage in the Indo-Pacific Region. all costs get amortised over longer duration. tutionalisation of QUAD, making its charter pability of the Pakistani naval fleet. Not having succeeded much in its con- well defined with regular follow up, specify On the East Coast, the aircraft onboard tinental strategy over 60 years, India has Becoming a Maritime Power its linkage to an emerging security archi- the sole carrier INS Vikrant, played havoc uncovered its blinds towards the seas. The Attention of the world has turned towards tecture eg MALABAR and develop SOPs for over East Pakistan. On December 04, Sea lawmakers have begun to realise that de- the Indo-Pacific Region since largest volume enforcing rule of law on the seas. Training Hawk fighter aircraft launched from Vikrant, velopment and prosperity of a nation lies of world trade traverses over the seas in this and maintenance to absorb emerging tech- struck ships in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong over the seas. Prosperity depends on free region. Any restriction in safe and smooth nologies hold the key to exercising techno- harbours sinking and incapacitating most and open seas for global commons of trade transit of public goods must be met with logically complex combat power. of these. Devastating attacks continued and commerce flowing as per rule of law. full power of maritime forces. For India, The leadership of the Indian Navy will till December 10, 1971 and subsequently Differences if any, need resolution by dia- supporting this role in the Indian Ocean, need persuasive effort to point the govern- on December 14 targeting Khulna, Mongla, logue and in accordance with UNCLOS. The must always remain within the reach of the ment in the right direction for the country Dacca Cantonment and Cox’s Bazar mili- Sea belongs to all for its peaceful and legal Indian Navy whereas in the context of the to find its rightful place in the comity of tary targets. The enemy was choked inland exploitation. The prime function of the Indi- Indo-Pacific Region as a whole, multilateral nations. Traditional wisdom is slipping thus preventing escape of troops by the sea an Navy is to protect own commerce in Sea cooperative arrangement amongst countries into oblivion, new era post-COVID-19 is on route. East Pakistan was totally blockaded. of converging interests, would be neces- the threshold. Time to make bold altera- The saga of 1971 reflects the ability of sary. This understanding has led to coming tions is now and here. the Indian Navy in exploiting and innovat- The Indo-Pacific Region is the together of Quadrilateral Maritime Security Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ing existing weapon platforms and systems Dialogue or QUAD. The US, Australia, Japan “AtmaNirbhar Bharat” is timely and cru- to win a war. The performance of the In- new fulcrum of geopolitical and India have come together to cooperate cial. India cannot become a global military dian Navy was indeed legendary. on taking up issues relating to international power with imported weapons that are activities with new alignments. order, freedom of navigation, over flights vulnerable to sanctions. Fortunately, the Challenges Ahead for the Navy and inclusive open seas. These four democ- Indian Navy has been a “Builder’s Navy” In the present context, the Indian Navy could India and the Indian Navy racies have their Navies come together for for decades. Our predecessors have had have even more complex challenges as the are looking for safe transit Exercise MALABAR in the recent past, for great foresight in realising India’s leader- nature of warfare has changed significantly. ensuring interoperability and common stan- ship role in the Indian Ocean Region and The Indian Navy always fought or intended through these turbulent seas dard operating procedures (SOPs) for han- the need for indigenous shipbuilding. The to fight contactless wars. The advent of dling complex tactical problems. present government has given it the right Cyber, Space and Artificial intelligence will which would ensure prosperity The world is transiting through rough impetus. India cannot rest on its oars as be used for larger scale of warfare for which, seas and shifting geopolitical realities. The the turbulence is unlikely to subside. In the the Indian Navy needs to be prepared. India of the nation Indo-Pacific Region is the new fulcrum of twenty first century, the future of the na- is headed towards becoming a $5 Trillion geopolitical activities. There would be new tion lies in the Indian Ocean and India has economy. The contestation for resources alignments and some misalignments as to remain its undisputed leader. SP

6/2020 13 INDIAN NAVY DAY  Technology / NCO SPECIAL 2020 New Technologies Set Transformative Network Centric Operations Capabilities

eployed at sea, a naval task multiple ships. Delegating engagements to force is as strong as the sum of different platforms enables the task force the platforms it has under its commander to retain optimal level of of- command. But when the shoot- fensive and defensive weapons and in the ing starts, platforms depend task force throughout the campaign. Don their own sensors, offensive and defen- Combat vessels of the Indian Navy sive systems to fight and survive. A new equipped with Barak-NG already support Network Centric Operations (NCO) capabil- this capability in their defensive systems, ity being developed at IAI, brings the task utilising the Joint Taskforce Coordination force to effectively manage and optimally (JTC) function embedded in the MRSAM. deploy its available assets - surface, sub- With the integration of NCO throughout the surface and aerial platforms - throughout navy, these network centric warfare capabili- the engagement. By sharing the situation- ties will extend to other platforms, including al picture, navigation and targeting data surface and air launched offensive weapons. for offensive and defensive systems, NCO Establishing a reliable network for real- (Left) OPAL Network Centric Warfare solution; (Above) MRSAM extends the combat capability of all ele- air defence system operated by the Indian Navy. time connectivity poses great challenges ments and balances the expenses of weap- anywhere, especially in the airborne and ons on the different platforms attaining naval domains, where platforms are in con- longer combat resilience for the task force. networking technology developed and ma- to errors. This leaves commanders more stant motion due to the ongoing and dy- “As a top-tier systems provider for the tured by IAI for users in Israel and abroad. time to evaluate the situation and make namic maneuver of the nodes sharing those Indian Navy, we provided weapon systems According to Eyal Yogev, Business De- decisions based on realistic and accurate networks. Utilising aunique algorithmthat that are integrated with new and legacy velopment leader in the NCW Directorate at situational picture rather than guesswork. predicts link stability by the relative move- platforms and systems.” Dan Yanai, IAI IAI’s Aviation Group that developed OPAL, In combat, a shared situational picture help ments of antennae, IAI helps optimising Director Marketing at IAI Missiles Systems the system provides an ad-hoc networking dissipate the ‘fog of war’, enabling com- antennae positioning to establish a stable & Space Group said. “IAI has worked with and an Application Framework that cross- manders to act effectively and decisively. and predictable link using the network’s numerous platforms, weapon systems and connects between information providers Another dimension of NCO’s shared self-forming and self-healing resources associated systems, such as radars and un- and users in real-time, secure wireless and situational picture is cooperative targeting, characteristics. This capability enables the manned aerial vehicles. This experience po- wired data network. The system enables enabling the most effective engagement network to maintain full connectivity even sitions us at an excellent starting point to any sensor and data source on board to of the enemy, by different platforms in a when some nodes fail or removed from the network those systems and capabilities on link transparently and securely to any user task force, while avoiding redundancy and network, even between nodes that do not a common network.” and system, through the optimal, most waste of expensive weapons. OPAL enables have a direct connectivity. Based on a System of Systems approach, available and reliable communications link. such capabilities by sharing targeting infor- Providing specific interfaces to legacy an NCO capability will provide a Common This ubiquitous networking enables OPAL mation between sensors and shooters on systems, even those inaccessible to the Operating Picture (COP) through the integra- to share data from end to end within mil- different platforms, interlinked over OPAL user, customers can implement new, scal- tion of the full array of combat systems oper- liseconds, as the system selects the fastest, in real-time. This transformative capability able and collaborative intelligence, target- ated by the Indian navy. IAI has already dem- most reliable and available path to trans- enables a task force to engage the enemy ing and navigation capabilities that are onstrated this capability with the MRSAM air mit the information, be it a combination of from a long distance, beyond the range flexible and secure, achieving force-multi- defence system operated by the Indian Navy local network or data-bus, radio, satellite of the shooter’s sensors, relying on target plier in a cost-effective solution. and, under NCO this capability will extend link or any other means available to carry information provided by forward located Moreover, through the open architecture to other systems including weapon systems, the data. elements, such as unmanned vehicles or Application Framework and a generic toolset, such as Barak 1 and MRSAM as well as attack The integration of information from all submarines. At such distances the shoot- OPAL enables users to independently de- systems and various sensors including radar sources enables mission command and the er remains beyond the range of enemy velop and upgrade their legacy systems and and electro-optic systems. members sharing OPAL’s resources to ac- counter-attack. The task force would also equip modern platforms, by leveraging agile The baseline technology for this integra- cess a constantly updated situational pic- gain early warning at a longer range and data sharing and collaboration to introduce tion is the OPAL Network Centric Warfare ture, without relying on lengthy manual would be ready to defeat the attacks more the transformative NCO capabilities required solution, a combat proven multi-domain processes or voice reports that are prone effectively by utilising defensive assets of to meet future threats. SP

 News in brief

Indian Navy (IN) hosts SIMBEX-20 and ing Ship Tank ‘Endeavour’ and RTN by the SITMEX-20 in the Andaman Sea as ‘Chao Phraya’ Class frigate ‘Kraburi’ in the First Look of Indian Navy’s MH-60R ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise. The two days of maritime drills SIMBEX-20. IN ships including destroyer will witness the three navies participate in Ready for India Rana and indigenously built corvettes Kam- a variety of exercises including naval ma- Image posted on Twitter by Lockheed Martin India orta and Karmuk, IN submarine Sindhuraj noeuvres, surface warfare exercises and and P8-I maritime reconnaissance aircraft weapon firings. took part in India - Singapore Bilateral Mar- itime Exercise SIMBEX-20 from November Indo-Thai CORPAT-30th Edition 23-25, 2020. The SIMBEX series of exer- cises between IN and Republic of Singa- pore Navy (RSN), being conducted annually since 1994, are aimed at enhancing mutual inter-operability and imbibing best prac- tices from each other. RSN was represented by the ‘Formidable’ Class frigates ‘Intrepid’ and ‘Steadfast’ with integral S-70B heli- copter and ‘Endurance’ Class Landing Ship Tank ‘Endeavour’ in the exercise. SITMEX-20. IN Ships including ASW corvette Kamorta and missile corvette To reinforce maritime links, the two navies Karmuk participated in the 2nd edition have been carrying out CORPAT along Fifth Scorpene submarine of aging Director, MDL - Vice Admiral Narayan of India, Singapore and Thailand Trilat- their International Maritime Boundary Line Project-75 - ‘Vagir’ launched Prasad and other Directors of MDL were eral Maritime Exercise SITMEX-20, from twice a year since 2005. The 30th edition The fifth Scorpene submarine of Project-75 present amongst the dignitaries during the November 21-22, 2020. The SITMEX series of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo- named ‘Vagir’ has been launched at Maza- launching ceremony. The state-of-the-art of exercises are conducted to enhance mu- Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy gon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in technology utilized in the rebuilt Scorpene tual inter-operability and imbibing best and the Royal Thai Navy was conducted Mumbai by Vijaya Shripad Naik through has ensured superior stealth features (such practices between IN, RSN and Royal Thai from November 18-20, 2020. INS Karmuk, video conferencing on November 12, 2020. as advanced acoustic absorption tech- Navy (RTN). The 2020 edition of the exer- and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik niques, low radiated noise levels, hydro- cise is being hosted by RSN. RSN is being Kraburi, along with Dornier Maritime Patrol has been the Chief Guest on the occasion. dynamically optimised shape etc.) and the represented by the ‘Formidable’ Class frig- Aircraft from both the navies are partici- Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command - ability to launch an attack on the enemy

SP www.spsnavalforces.com ate ‘Intrepid’ and ‘Endurance’ Class Land- pating in the CORPAT. Vice Admiral R.B. Pandit, Chairman & Man- using precision guided weapons.

14 6/2020  Aircraft Carrier / Chinese Navy

The Chinese Aircraft... continued from page 11 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal Putting knowledge together was the first Deputy Managing Editor Neetu Dhulia step. So, they got hold of Carriers from west- Get Set for IAC-2 – Senior Technical Group Editor ern and Russian sources, so as to study the Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) two different schools of thought in Carrier No Time for Prevarication Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) design that existed then. The first was HMAS Principal Correspondent Melbourne in 1985, bought from Australia as Ayushee Chaudhary scrap, ostensibly for breaking. The half trust- Contributors ing Australians, though took care to ensure India that the ship was not used in the future, did Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retd) not remove important flight deck equipment Vice Adm Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Vice Adm K.N. Sushil (Retd) like the mirror landing system, steam cata- Vice Adm Anup Singh (Retd) pult and arresting equipment on board. The Vice Adm Satish Soni (Retd) Chinese took these out for study and repli- Cmde G. Prakash (Retd) cation. It is also believed that the deck, or Saloni Salil its replica, was used on land, to simulate a Europe Alan Peaford, Doug Richardson, Andrew Brookes Carrier to develop aircraft for Carrier opera- (UK) tions. The ship itself was also studied in de- USA & Canada tail for its design. Incredibly, even the initial Lon Nordeen (USA), Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) steps were taken, to train and groom a set of West Asia/Africa aircrew who could command Carriers in the H.R. Heitman (S. Africa) future. All this, and the initial landing and Chairman & Managing Director Representative image: India needs to quickly decide on the making of IAC-2, allocate funds, find Jayant Baranwal take-off from the land based deck happened methods to overcome the problems of the kind that delayed the Vikrant project, and get on with it. Now! by 1987. The frenetic pace shown supports Executive Vice President reports, that their initial plan was to start ews is just out that INS Vikrant on the building of the next Carrier, which (Planning & Business Development) Rohit Goel building a Carrier in 1992. However, it didn’t at Kochi has successfully complet- is expected to be bigger than Vikrant. happen, apparently because they weren’t ed her Basin Trials and will head The costly infrastructure built at CSL, the Manager – HR & Admin N Bharti Sharma happy with the level of technical prowess out to the sea early next year for sea trials. trained manpower developed in design, Assistant Manager – HR & Admin they had acquired. Very professional, that. That would be closely followed with the construction and project management Pooja Tehlani After a brief attempt in 1995 at obtain- task of proving her capabilities in launch- cannot be allowed to atrophy. The world Deputy Manager – Circulation ing information on Carrier design from ing, recovering, storing and maintaining around us is getting into new conflicts Rimpy Nischal Spain and France, they bought Minsk and her aircraft. When she joins the Fleet in and we are not secure from their fall outs. [email protected] Varyag from Russia in 1998 and Kiev from 2022, India will once again have a two We ourselves are faced with multiple tan- Group Research Associate Ukraine in 2000. Sensing the intentions of Carrier Navy, a status it has had twice gible challenges at sea and on land, that Survi Massey the Chinese, the Americans offered to help earlier. But that is not enough, as ships too on two fronts. Design China develop Aircraft Carriers in 2007. being maintenance heavy, we require This is not lost on the world, and Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Naturally, the offer was rejected. The Chi- three Carriers to be assured of having two they are racing to develop their skills Group Director – Sales & Marketing nese could spot the strategic minefields that operational Carriers available for deploy- and material assets. The speed with Neetu Dhulia lay in that particular route to developing a ment all the time. This caters for one ship which the Chinese are building their Car- Deputy Director – Sales Rajeev Chugh crucial platform like an Aircraft Carrier. The undergoing refit or any type of upgrada- riers is lesson enough. If we need more, SP’s Website Chinese wanted only in-country skills. tion that lays off a ship for long. we can look at USA and UK. If we don’t Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra Prakash Ashish The rest of the story, is a typical Chinese That we have never reached the force act fast, we will condemn ourselves to ir- Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma one, of breathless effort. They rebuilt and level of three carriers in 70 years, since relevance, from where it will be difficult Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on operated Varyag, now Liaoning, initially as the Government of India first accepted to recover. We need to quickly decide on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All an aviation training ship from 2012 and this bare minimum operational require- the making of IAC-2, allocate funds, find rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, then announced its operational status in ment, is not something we can be proud methods to overcome the problems of or transmitted in any form or by any means, 2016, making it China’s first Aircraft Car- of. The only thing we can take solace the kind that delayed the Vikrant proj- photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise rier. But by that time, they were already from is that for 60 years, we have had ect, and get on with it. Now! without the prior written permission of the building their second one, which was com- some kind of continuity in Carrier opera- There is no place for amateurish publishers. missioned on December 17, 2019. An array tions, which have taught us the difficult doubts about the need for a ship like IAC- Printed in India of aircraft too, which were under develop- art of owning and operating Carrier Bat- 2. Time, tide and Chinese won’t wait for by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd © SP Guide Publications, 2020 ment parallelly, underwent clearances for tle Groups. It is easy to give this away. us. There is no time for prevarication. SP deck operations. Meanwhile, they started Time is ripe to consolidate the les- Subscription/ Circulation Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 building their third Carrier in 2017, which is sons learnt from this project, and embark —By Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) E-mail: [email protected] reported to be slated for entering service in [email protected] 2025. A fourth one too seems to be already Letters to the Editor on the way, with several more to follow. rushed to finish building a few Carriers. We have even had some years when we had [email protected] The deliberate process of evaluation There is good reason for the frenetic two Carriers operating in tandem. It will be a For Advertising Details, Contact: and knowledge creation the Chinese ad- building up of Carrier strength in the world. crime to let this go to waste. The knowledge [email protected] opted took them through different kinds The importance of having assured immedi- attained in the last sixty years, combined [email protected] of deck arrangements, launch and recovery ate air power support in sufficient quantity with what we have learnt from building the SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD methods, landing systems and ship sizes. on call, for Air Defence at sea is something new INS Vikrant, should be put to good use, POSTAL ADDRESS Corporate Office And all this, in a short period of time. It has only those who operate away from the shore to produce our next Carrier, indigenously. A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, been literally up, up, and away, all the way. will understand. Added to this are critical The approved strength of three Carriers, is New Delhi 110003, India functions like ASW, ASuW, AEW&C etc, for the bare minimum for the Indian Navy. Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Carriers – The world trend which aircraft are invaluable. In some cases, Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 E-mail: [email protected] There is misplaced opposition to Aircraft aircraft are the only option. The deterrence Finding the Right Model Carriers in some ill-informed or malicious they bring, is invaluable. But what ranks What is the right model to adopt, in devel- Representative Offices BENGALURU, INDIA quarters even today. Many reasons are above all these, is the national prestige ac- oping indigenous Carrier aviation? Should Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd), 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, quoted. Their vulnerability to submarines, corded by the sheer possession of Carriers. it be a process based one, or a time bound Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560043, India. the immense demoralising effect and loss Any country that aspires to be a strong mar- one like in the Chinese case? The Chinese Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 of face the sinking of a Carrier could bring, itime power, will have to have them. model offers many lessons. While the dili- MOSCOW, RUSSIA competition from other services for a share gence, focus and push for self-reliance is LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin, Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., of strained budgets, availability of land The Complex Carrier Ecosystem laudable, the haste shown may have pit- 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. based air power and the seductive promises Aircraft Carriers are not like other ships. falls. There are even reports about people Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, of unproven sunrise sectors of warfare in They bring certain characteristics that involved in the project dying from over- Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 the realms of space, cyberspace, informa- place unprecedented stresses on navies not work and stress. The short cuts taken www.spguidepublications.com tion, unmanned autonomous systems etc. used to operating them. The presence of an and problems hidden to show time bound www.spsnavalforces.com However, Aircraft Carriers are still be- Aircraft Carrier in a formation completely results in a rigid and ruthless system, are RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25836 ing built, even by the Americans, who al- alters the very nature of the conduct of a bound to show their results someday. Safe ready have the strongest Carrier capability force. As the Chinese rush at breakneck and efficient operationalisation of the Car- in the world. Even the Chinese, who claimed speed into operating Carriers, their sheer riers is bound to be tough. Even tougher, MEMBER / PARTNER OF a few years ago that US Carriers stood no inexperience could pose dangers, to other will be the development of skills to handle chance against their Carrier killer missiles, navies at sea. Carrier based battle groups at sea and the are scrambling to make them. Surely they The Indian Navy is fortunate in this re- systems to manage their affairs ashore. understand that the Americans too can pro- gard. From the time we acquired our first The Chinese journey started with HMAS duce ‘Carrier killers’. So, wasn’t the original Aircraft Carrier in 1961, a mere sixteen Melbourne, whose only two kills have been claim simple bluster? At best, designed to years after WW II when Carriers first came friendly ships. HMAS Voyager and USS arrest the Americans in their tracks, with to the fore, we have had a more less con- Frank E. Evans, in collisions. That may not some food for thought, while the Chinese tinuous experience of operating these ships. be a great portent. SP

6/2020 15 B:286 mm T:276 mm S:246 mm B:428 mm S:388 mm T:418 mm

F/A-18 BLOCK III THE ADVANCED SOLUTION TO DEFEND INDIA TODAY AND TOMORROW

Boeing’s F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet delivers affordable, next-generation warfighter technologies and advanced capabilities to meet the requirements of virtually any naval mission. Combat-proven and carrier-compatible, this platform builds upon our over 75-year history in India and proves our commitment to the Indian Navy.

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Job Number: 11430455 Version: C REV 1 Client/Brand: Boeing/BDS Date: 11-10-2020 10:41 AM APPROVALS File Name: 11430455vC_R1_BDS_FA18_BlockIII_India_276x418.indd QC: Steve Jablonoski Bleed: 286 mm x 428 mm Gutter: None Publications: SP's Naval Forces PA: Steve Hutchings PR: Pat Owens Trim: 276 mm x 418 mm Folds: NoneNone Notes: L+T bill to: 11431348 RET: Bob Faetz PP: Sue Breitenecker Safety: 246 mm x 388 mm Media/Color Sp: PRINT/4 COLOR AB: Fallon Pfeiffer TM: None Scale: 1:1 Country: None Vendor: None GCD: Bruno Mazzotti Actual Size: 276 x 418 mm Language: English Output%: None Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black AD: Sarah Hollis Fonts: Helvetica Neue (55 Roman, 95 Black; Type 1) CW: Yessy Downs AE: Cara Hays/Clayton Ham

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