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Page 4  Lead story Modernisation for Operational Effectiveness Protecting

Airborne fighter assets at sea provide the flexibility of shifting the theatre of war as also National Interests bring to bear concentrated firepower which can cripple the economy of any adversary. Vice Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Page 6 Hitting the Chinese at Sea in Uncertain Times The role of the in the current overreach by on the LAC. A secure internal and external security environment, provided by the military and Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) other agencies will facilitate sustained growth and development of the nation. There is Page 7 A Timely Meeting of Minds a renewed interest from the world to engage with India in this region as the strategic need to preserve peace, promote stability and maintain security across Indo Pacific is no long a regional necessity but indeed a global imperative.

photograph: Indian Navy

Nimitz Strike Group of US Navy transits through Indian Ocean Region. During the passage, Indian Navy undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with US Navy. Indian Navy had also conducted similar PASSEXs with JMSDF and French Navy in recent past. Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Page 8 Quadrilateral (QUAD) Security Dialogue QUAD had lost its momentum till November 2017 when it got revived due to China’s aggressive posture in South China Sea and in the Indo-Pacific region. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) Page 9 Successful ‘Make in India’ for P75(I) by Navantia

INS Vikramaditya: Force projection in the IOR is a key contributory factor in protecting the nation’s interest

n Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retd) by multi-layered and multi-faceted diversity Navantia organised the first Indian Industry from political, demographic, economic, envi- online event for the P75(I) submarines pro- he strategic need for nations ronmental and strategic viewpoints. gramme with the participation of more than to protect and promote their Everything around us seems to indicate 200 Indian companies. national interest in a changing that the world is in another period of histori- SP’s Correspondent world order has been the centre cal transition. Therefore, it would be a fair Plus piece of global strategic discourse assumption that we are indeed living through Tfor some time now. Linked to this aspect of a period of ‘strategic uncertainty’. The world Navantia’s “BEST” AIP (Bio-Ethanol Stealth national interest is the need to build one’s also is in a grip of a global pandemic after a Technology) 10 Military Capability to prepare for the array century and at the moment there is no end in of security challenges that lie ahead and also sight with numbers growing in our country NAVANTIA Launches the aspect of developing new partnerships, and the world lives in the hope of a vaccine, the First Corvette for as the global order shifts from a unipolar which is anywhere from 12 to 18 months away. Saudi Arabia 10 model to a multipolar one. There is little It may not be wrong to assume that a Special Reports 11 dispute that the world today, is characterised perfectly stable world order is a rare thing1.

2-3/2020 1  lead story

During these difficult times of our relationship with China as in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). He and starts, since 2007, it got COVID-19 and China’s aggres- the end we may still have to face feels that in spite of the perceived revived in November 2017 due sive posture in Ladakh, it is but the challenges alone. superiority of China’s Navy in to China’s aggressive posture natural that defence strategists The article on the moderni- sheer numbers, it has serious in South China Sea and in the attempt ways to stretch the sation of Indian Navy’s Aviation limitations as the Indian Navy Indo-Pacific region. adversary in other dimensions Arm, by Shekhar enjoys the familiarity with home There are also multiple like sea and air. Thus the lead Sinha (Retd), is focussed on waters. With the multiple fronts reports on developments at article by Admiral Sunil Lanba, a the current voids in reconnais- that the Chinese have opened up Navantia including their new former CNS, who is also a dis- sance; anti-submarine warfare including loss of universal good- BEST AIP as well as their com- tinguished sea power strategist, aircraft including multi role naval will due to COVID-19, they will mitment to a successful ‘Make in gives an oversight as how to helicopters; UAVs to include have limitations in sparing ade- India’ in the Indian Navy’s P75(I) protect India’s national interests land based, ship based and quate combat units to safeguard programme in which they are in the current scenario. He sug- rotary wing; and carrier based their interests in the IOR. participating. gests that in the recent past, the fighter aircraft. There is a need As the USS Nimitz Carrier This issue is wrapped up

EDITORIAL idea of Indo-Pacific has gained to include two more aircraft car- Strike Group transited through with Special Reports. immense importance in interna- riers -one each for eastern and the Indian Ocean Region, during Happy Reading! tional geopolitics and there is a western coast and one reserve the passage, Indian Navy units renewed interest from the world with adequate fighter aircraft undertook Passage Exercise to engage with India in this region and multi role naval helicopters. (PASSEX) with US Navy. There as the strategic need to preserve In an article on ways and is also a photo feature on this. peace, promote stability and means to make China feel the Another article on naval maintain security across Indo- pressure through sea power, strategy by Lt General Naresh Pacific is no longer a regional Commodore Prakash (Retd), a Chand (Retd) suggests empow- necessity but indeed a global specialist in Naval Aviation and ering the Quadrilateral (QUAD) imperative. He extols that this ASW, suggests an aggressive Security Dialogue to its logical Jayant BaranwaL crisis must be utilised to review posture by the Indian Navy in the end by giving it teeth. After fits Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

The global order in which we live today has power competition– that of the Indo-Pacific. been built in the aftermath of World War II. Sea Lines of Communication Showing The 21st century has witnessed an east- Broadly speaking, this order consisted of ward shift in the focus of global geopolitics two parallel orders for most of its history2. Choke Points in the Indian Ocean and economic power play6. In the recent One, that grew out of the Cold War between past, the idea of Indo Pacific has gained the United States and the then Soviet Union. immense importance in international geo- The other was the liberal order, which used politics. Given the arterial trade and energy aid and trade to strengthen ties and fos- routes originating and passing through tered respect for the rule of law both within the region, several major players are mak- and between countries. Strait of Hormuz ing long-term investments to protect their Coming to the present times, today’s energy interests hinging on this region. As competition between China and the United an example to highlight the region’s grow- Six Degree Channel States is a new twist to an old story. Until the ing geostrategic importance, it is interesting onset of the nineteenth century, China was Bab-el-Mandeb Nine Degree Channel to note that about 80 per cent of the trade Strait of Malacca by far the world’s largest economy, with an originating from here is actually extra- estimated 40 per cent share of global GDP3. regional. Unhindered flow of maritime trade Then it entered a long decline, and around Sunda Strait through Indo Pacific region thus assumes the same time the United States was born tremendous significance for the entire World Food Programme Indian Ocean and began its long ascent to global domi- Lombok Strait world. Further, in pure economic terms, the nance. So both countries have dominated the Indo Pacific region contributes about 60 per world, each has its own strengths and weak- cent of global GDP and is home to four of Mozambique 7 nesses, and for the first time, each confronts Channel the top ten economies of the world. In mili- the other as near peer4. It is too soon to tell tary context, the region is home to the ten Choke Points how the innings ahead will play out. But we largest standing armies8 in the world and can be confident that the game will continue, seven of the top ten countries9 in terms of as the world moves from an earlier unipolar global military expenditure. The rising mili- or bipolar order to a multipolar one. Details of Naval Ships/Submarines tary power of the region has come to com- Strategic thinkers need to maintain a ‘long plicate the security calculus in many ways. view’ and not be overly influenced by short- China and India The geo-strategic eminence of the Indo term changes. This is particularly important China India Pacific region is here to stay. In the foresee- since there may be a tendency to view devel- able future, the region would play a pivotal Submarines Submarines opments over the last few years as a sign of role in shaping the global economic and the eclipse of a so called ‘stable world order’5. Strategic Strategic – 1 security paradigms. But in my opinion, that would be a mistake. It is here that India has a definitive role SSBN –4 Although the recent challenges should not to play in shaping the future world order. be underestimated, it is important to recog- Tactical Tactical As we can see, there is a renewed inter- nise that they are closer to the rule than the SSN – 9 SSN – 1 est from the world to engage with India in exception. Great power rivalry is indeed the this region, as the strategic need to pre- motor of history, and we shall have to pro- Conventional – 48 Conventional – 13 serve peace, promote stability and main- Aircraft Carriers – 1 Aircraft Carriers – 1 tain security across Indo Pacific is no long a regional necessity, but indeed a global – 23 Destroyers – 14 Dealing with China in imperative. It is this feature, which in my the future will need a Frigates – 59 Frigates – 13 opinion, makes the present times differ- ent from earlier ones, especially from an Patrol and Coastal combatants – 206 Patrol and Coastal Combatants – 108 comprehensive strategy, Indian perspective. We have the opportu- Mine Warfare Vessels – 42 Mine Warfare Vessels – 2 nity to play a central role in the primary with a long term view Amphibious Amphibious theatre of geo-strategic competition. Moving on, of course, this ‘uncertain’ that combines diplomatic, LPD – 4 LPD – 1 world order affects India in profound ways. Landing Ships – 53 Landing Ships – 8 The challenges which it bring along are well economic and military. It known, there is a critical need to seize the requires building of military Landing Craft – 87 Landing Craft – 10 strategic opportunities which these tectonic Logistic and Support ships – 186 Logistic and Support ships – 31 shifts offer. These opportunities cover the entire spectrum of global interactions, most capability so that the present Source: SP’s Military Yearbook 2019 prominent of them being in the economic, asymmetry or differential tect our core interests in this phase too. lier ones. While geopolitical rivalry and the trade, technological and military domains. But, for that we would need to accu- quest for global dominance may have been The growing stature and clout of India does not further widen. rately assess as to where does India fit into a ‘signature phenomenon’ of the entire mod- affords us the unique moment in history this ‘new normal’. This is where, in my opin- ern era, it is probably for the first time that to play a major role in shaping the collec-

www.spsnavalforces.com ion, the present phase is different from ear- we are sitting astride the centre-stage of this tive future of the world. If we aspire to be

2 2-3/2020  lead story

power and the regional hegemon in Asia China-India Comparative Economic Data where the only resident challenger is India. Dealing with China in the future will China-India comparative economic data 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 ** need a comprehensive strategy, with a long GDP (current US$ Billions) China 11233.28 12310.41 13894.82 14342.90 term view that combines diplomatic, eco- India 2294.80 2652.75 2713.17 2875.14 nomic and military. It requires building of military capability so that the present asym- GDP, constant prices % change China 6.849 6.947 6.75 6.11 1.181 metry or differential does not further widen. India 8.256 7.044 6.12 4.228 1.871 Institutional mechanisms in New Delhi need a relook. Border management, information GDP, current prices PPP; international $ (Billions) China 21,228.38 23,130.72 25,293.58 27,306.98 27,804.95 sharing, and higher defence management India 8,783.89 9,579.69 10,413.61 11,043.18 11,321.28 in the form of political/military leader’s linkages needs re-examination. We have GDP, per capita, constant prices PPP; % change China 6.224 6.38 6.344 5.756 0.872 signed a number of strategic partnerships India 6.851 5.654 4.742 2.875 0.548 with a number of countries, they need to Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2020; World Bank. ** Estimated figures be taken forward and given concrete shape. Invite Australia for the Malabar Exercise. Every arm of the government, look to the world, we would need to have found on the border dispute. A boundary The ‘Quad’ dialogue should be given greater an open-minded approach which allows us not fixed or marked with a powerful neigh- emphasis. We could invite Indonesia, Viet- be it finance, foreign policy, to pursue different approaches with differ- bour like China lends itself to uncertainties nam, , and along with ent partners. For example, while we may when she can embarrass you at any time of Quad member for a larger Indo Pacific initia- defence, trade, commerce, or increase the tempo of our engagements her choosing, like the current situation on tive, to ensure a free and open region, where with certain long-cherished partners, we the LAC. When diplomacy does not work, the rule of law and democratic principles technology will have to work in may also need to manage our relationships then it calls for the armed forces. Can are reflected in a rules-based order, promote with others. At the same time, we will also we enforce a military solution on China, respect for sovereignty and territorial integ- unison to keep India’s national need to cultivate and enthuse new partners. unlikely due to the asymmetry in national rity. We need to leverage our strategic loca- Therefore, a one-size-fits all approach may power? We can certainly stand up in certain tion in the Indian Ocean Region and mari- interests safe and secure, in not serve our purpose in the coming times. sectors and give them a bloody nose as in time capability. these ‘contested times’. It is important that every partnership, both Galwan. But these situations can snowball This crisis must be utilised to review existing ones as well those on the anvil are into a war. Are we prepared for it? If not, our relationship with China and geopoliti- optimally leveraged for ‘mutual growth’. then we need to bolster our military power, cal and strategic challenges posed. In the Distilling these thoughts into the mili- be present/deployed on our perceived LAC, end we will have to stand up for ourselves a regional power, it is but natural, that we tary aspect, there are opportunities for increase the operational tempo of all the and be better prepared for the future. SP would have to assume a leadership role in India to engage with the world, particularly three armed forces and talk from a position global affairs, the signs of which are already in the aspect of capability and capacity of strength. We need to have a realpolitik The author is former Chief of the Naval on the horizon. We are better positioned to building. With our robust defence struc- approach to the issue and get all segments Staff (CNS) of Indian Navy. During influence the new global and regional insti- tures, supported by credible multi-domain of national power to bear. We cannot con- his tenure as the CNS, he also served tutions that are being created. The attributes proficiency, we are very well placed to play tinue to be in a reactive mode nor delink the as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of our strong economy, robust governance a central role in pursuing the Government’s boundary issue for the rest of our relation- Committee. He retired on May 31, 2019. and superior military provide us the pros- foreign policy initiatives through military- ship with China, as it has not worked and The Admiral is currently the Chairman of pect of reserving our seats on the table to-military engagements. is unlikely to. China aspires to be a global National Maritime Foundation. which nurtures and shapes the global future. In this era of intertwined interests and It goes without saying that the ‘one challenges, it is imperative that we look at References and only’ driving factor of all our present Leveraging military partnerships as an 1. richard Haas, ‘How a World Order Ends’, Foreign Affairs, Volume 99, Jan/ Feb 2019; 2. Ibid; and future endeavours should be ‘National essential enabler for pursing and promot- 3. stephen Kotkin, ‘Realist World’, Foreign Affairs, Volume 97, Number 4, July/ August 2018; 4. Ibid. Interest’. In fact, every measure that we ini- ing our national security objectives. These 5. daniel Deudney and G. John Ikenberry, ‘Liberal World’, Foreign Affairs, Volume 97, Number 4, July/ August 2018. tiate should have this facet at its very core. partnerships not only offer us an array of 6. Sircar, Saranya. Concept note on ‘The Indo-Pacific: Political, Security and Economic Dimensions’, tangible benefits ranging from operational Safeguarding and promoting these inter- available at https://www.jfindia.org.in/jf/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Concept_Note_for_Young ests would require a whole of government to capability building, but most impor- _Scholars_ _Conference_2019_on_Indo-Pacific.pdf approach. Every arm of the government, be tantly they also allow us to hedge against 7. Top ten economies of the World, in descending order are US (1), China (2), Japan (3), Germany (4), it finance, foreign policy, defence, trade, the diverse security concerns, which pose UK (5), France (6), India (7), Italy (8), Brazil (9) and Canada (10); source IMF 2018, available at commerce, or technology will have to work serious challenges to the collective security. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04/the-worlds-biggest-economies-in-2018 in unison to keep India’s national interests Let us take the present situation on the 8. Largest standing armies, in descending order are China (1), India (2), US (3), North Korea (4), Russia (5), Pakistan (6), South Korea (7), Iran (8), Vietnam (9) and Egypt (10); source World Atlas, available safe and secure, in these ‘contested times’. LAC. There can only be two solutions, dip- at https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/29-largest-armies-in-the-world.html lomatic or military. Diplomacy goes back While each enabler supports our 9. SIPRI Fact Sheet of May 2018 for 2017: US (1), China (2), Saudi Arabia (3), Russia (4), India (5), France national interests in myriad ways, a secure to 1993 and over 22 meetings, the political (6), UK (7), Japan (8), Germany (9) and South Korea (10), available at https://www.sipri.org/sites/ internal and external security environment, leaders have met, but no solution has been default/files/2018-04/ sipri_fs_1805_milex_2017.pdf provided by the military and other agencies, facilitates sustained growth and develop- ment of the nation. Be it on land, in the air or on the maritime theatre, a benign envi- ronment is a catalyst for national progress. In pure military terms, this will require building deterrence, both conventional and nuclear, protecting our sovereignty, in all domains, as well as maintaining a credible S-80 Plus presence in all our areas of interest. Here, two aspects would merit consideration Ready to go towards gearing for the future. Firstly, it would be important to antici- The most advanced pate change and the need to do it well. Sec- ondly, have an over-the-horizon approach electric submarine towards our military capability building. In worldwide fact, achieving ‘Self Reliance in Defence Pro- duction’, particularly in the field of niche Powerful attack capabilities: heavy technologies should be a national mission. weight torpedoes and submarine launched cruise missiles. But as we progress along this vision, part- nering with like-minded countries would Low-maintenance bio-ethanol also play a key role since both the aspects based AIP solution. that of anticipating change and capability Unique: the only 3.000 t AIP building, would prosper well when followed submarine under construction through a collaborative route. worldwide. In this era of multi-polarity, is the grow- Stealth and very low signatures. ing relevance of regional balances and constellations. ‘Issue based convergence’ seems to be the new norm, in order to bal- ance converging and conflicting interests. That means, differences with a partner on certain issues should not obviate the scope of our mutual cooperation in other avenues. www.navantia.es We cannot be caught flat-footed by dogma, prejudices or obsolete theories. When we

Media_Submarinos_165x127cm.indd 1 23/6/20 13:24

2-3/2020 3  Maritime Air Power Modernisation for Operational Effectiveness Airborne fighter assets at sea provide the flexibility of shifting the theatre of war as also bring to bear concentrated firepower which can cripple the economy of any adversary

photographs: Lockheed Martin, Indian Navy n Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Navy has shown its intention he Navy operates far away of buying 59 deck based from the visible or perceivable range of an average citizen. fighters. This is right time to Hence it is called the silent ser- vice. India’s Maritime geographi- decide on type of aircraft and Tcal positioning in the world, more specifical- ly in the Indian Ocean, is of great strategic finalise the contract. importance. Till such time the technology developed, sea voyages were imprisoned by the available modes of movement over sea. this vast area has to be kept under constant It was accepted that sea voyages were time surveillance. Satellites, Surface Ships and consuming, risk prone and could result in Submarines supplement P-8I to build robust loss of lives in the process of negotiating MDA. Geo Synchronous synthetic aperture the fury of the seas. Though India was a and thermal sensing satellites over these thriving and rich civilisation for centuries three choke points is a necessity. Presently, in the Indian Ocean region, it was unknown Indian Navy has number of bilateral agree- to the rest of the world. Therefore, when ments for exchange of white shipping data Vasco de Gama reached India, the first time which provides real time movement of mer- ever a westerner, he was proclaimed to be chant ships. Agreement on grey hull data the discoverer of India. sharing with countries of converging stra- Much time has elapsed since. Technol- tegic interest has become necessity in the ogy has shrunk the distances, the ships/ present times. India has agreements with submarines with very advanced navigation US, France, Japan, Indonesia, UK, Australia and survival systems have replaced primi- and the likes for sharing of such informa- tive rowing/sailing boats. The only armed tion. This enhances our ability to undertake action that the sea farers were familiar with pinpointed strikes at sea. The requirement was piracy at sea. The coastal settlements in of aviation assets in this role is noteworthy. every country were familiar with the sea and her nuances (fury inclusive). They would also Anti Submarine Warfare indulge in piracy of goods in transit to add This is another very important area in ensur- to the well-being of people of their own clan. ing sea denial capability in which aviation They often intercepted larger boats carrying assets play very significant role. Research merchandise and force the crew to surren- and development in the areas of underwa- der before making heist with goodies. The ter sound propagation must be pursued pirate boats had to be faster and stronger with vigor in close co-operation with coun- as also armed to threaten the merchantmen. tries which possess high technology. Knowl- One could argue that Navies round edge of propagation of underwater sound is the world are an evolution of act of piracy (Top) Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawks; (Above) MiG-29K aircraft key to developing state of the art weapons at sea. World has come a long way. Navies which are used to destroy a hostile subma- have driven the technology to invent new the strongest sea power by the end of WW II. the importance of indigenisation of plat- rine. It also forms the backbone of under- systems to make it more potent than the Subsequent to invention of aircraft in 1903 forms and therefore, developed shipbuild- water unmanned vehicles which could func- other competitors. Once sea faring became by Wright brothers, aviation technology had ing capabilities very early. There began the tion remotely and reduce dependence on the main mode of transportation for trade advanced rapidly. Maritime air power, par- journey of shipbuilding PSUs. Indian Navy manned submersibles. worldwide, its protection along various sea ticularly aircraft carriers, became symbol created its own ship design bureau and later Presently, the ASW role is being per- lanes of communication became a necessity. of sea power projection, the relevance of submarine design bureau. Regrettably the formed effectively by P-8I aircraft which is Countries which had powerful navies were which exists to date. aviation industry evolved in the form of just capable of detecting tracking and prosecut- accepted as regional or world power. Great single entity HAL which could only indulge ing submarines. It has very advanced equip- Britain was leading world power mainly due India’s Maritime Air Power in licensed production in the absence of ment and weapons onboard and equally to its sea power & ability to take military Lawmakers in India had sensed the merit of our ability to develop aircraft /helicopter capable systems officers. If Navy is to deploy action across the world to crush any law dis- maritime air power during nascence of our design. Let’s examine the specific roles of P-8Is in ASW roles in addition to reconnais- order/disputes as also help the allies. Once independence. They equipped the navy with maritime air power and our current ability. sance, larger number of these aircraft will its sea power declined, the US emerged as rotary wing aircraft initially which could be required. Now, more than ever, a two+ operate from small decks of warships. India’s Reconnaissance front war is staring at us. It was only the decision to purchase an aircraft carrier in This is key to commencement of any mari- Armed Forces who have been talking about Warships in the Frigate and 1960, equipped with jet fighters and turbo- time operation. Any naval action at sea or it so far, but now it is a nationwide buzz- category, which are prop Anti Submarine aircraft, was a clear near far flung islands and littorals begins word post the Galwan incident. Our political reflection of her intention and belief that pro- with extensive reconnaissance. Maritime and bureaucratic dispensation have realised without ASW helicopters, need jection of power at and from sea would be Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and satellites play stel- the compulsion of Defence preparedness. the core of our naval operations in future. It lar role. Indian Navy has Boeing P-8I aircraft In a limited area ASW, helicopters such this rotary wing asset very was in the fitness of things given India’s size which is the workhorse for generating sur- as Sea King 42B & Kamov 28 are the only and sea around it which witnessed exponen- face picture (Maritime Domain Awareness shipborne assets.This needs very urgent quickly given the presence tial rise in world trade. India’s sea power and or MDA). Do we have enough? Short answer replacement due to the end of their techni- its dominance in the Indian Ocean has been would be NO. These are very expensive cal life and obsolescence. Lockheed Martin of nuclear/diesel submarines the ethos of the Navy ever since. The demon- assets and within the budget allocation for MH-60R Seahawk has been contracted for, stration of sea power was best acknowledged the Navy, total need could not have been the supply of which must be expedited. War- of adversaries in the Indian in 1971 war against Pakistan. Destruction of met. Vast expanse of Indian Ocean com- ships in the Frigate and Destroyer category, Ocean. These helicopters Pakistan’s Naval ships and blockade of ports, prises of three very important choke points, which are without ASW helicopters, need in erstwhile East Pakistan, lead to early sur- Straits of Malacca, Gulf of Aden and the this rotary wing asset very quickly given are very effective against render of Pakistan’s Armed forces (93000 Straits of Hormuz through which the trade the presence of nuclear/diesel submarines POWs) and creation of Bangladesh. of the world flows. Surveillance of the choke of adversaries in the Indian Ocean. Till such submarines. Naval planners had great foresight and points provides the input on entire traffic time we are self sufficient, bilateral and wide perspective of future wars and India’s transiting through India Ocean. Navy will mini lateral maritime cooperation should be

www.spsnavalforces.com leading role in the IOR. They also foresaw need thrice as many aircraft of P-8I Type if utilised for obtaining intelligence on move-

4 2-3/2020  Maritime Air Power

photograph: Boeing ment of submarines which can interfere Rotary wing UAVs are with our trade and commerce. Development Expanding Fleet of P-8I of fixed underwater sensors is essential to particularly useful for enhance our ability to detect submarines early enough for tracking and prosecution operations from ships of by ASW helicopters. These helicopters are very effective against submarines. small deck for local area

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles surveillance World over UAVs (both fixed and rotary wing) are now being used for reconnais- sance. Data link facility with ground/ship China’s Military Strategy Paper of 2015, which control systems, UAVs reduce the neces- says that the idea of ‘superiority over land sity of using aircraft/helicopters in this makes a country powerful needs to be aban- role. Fixed wing UAVs have long endurance doned’. China has realised that no nation can (shore based) and in some cases armed to become a regional or world power without prosecute targets of opportunity. Rotary a powerful navy and maritime air power is wing UAVs are particularly useful for opera- an important pillar of that thought. While tions from ships of small deck for local these are expensive assets, entire expendi- area surveillance. This is another area that ture is spread over a decade and therefore India has moved ahead with its requirement of another six P-8I. A letter of request has been issued to US requires modernisation of aviation assets. for an FMS purchase totalling to about US$ 1.8 billion. required is allocation to the Navy of at least 20 per cent budget out of total Armed Forces Carrier Based Fighter Aircraft budget which itself needs pegging at 2.5 per Aircraft Carriers are often a matter of debate gest that people should not join the armed bring to bear concentrated firepower which cent of the GDP initially and then raised to 3 worldwide. Some opinions are not in favour forces. A well thought out strategy would can cripple the economy of any adversary. per cent of GDP as the economy improves. of our Navy having aircraft carriers. These result in a desirable mix of platforms. Air- At the moment we have one carrier in We are compelled to make emergency pur- kind of opinions, do emerge due to long borne fighter assets at sea provide the flex- Vikramaditya with MiG-29Ks embarked. The chases at much higher costs, it also reflects periods of peace when every budget shows ibility of shifting the theatre of war as also first indigenous aircraft carrier, christened at declining defence budget due to prolonged tendencies of shrinking allocation for Armed Vikrant, should take to sea anytime soon. period of peace. In the fast changing geopoli- Forces. Peace nicks also project vulnerability The MiG-29Ks would have spent some time tics India must find its rightful place in the of large targets like aircraft carriers. India’s If Navy is to deploy P-8Is with us by then. Navy has shown its inten- emerging multi-polar world order (both eco- place in the region and the world can be tion of buying 59 deck based fighters. This nomics and security). SP achieved by a balanced mix of platforms in in ASW roles in addition is right time to decide on type of aircraft and the Navy. Navy is a force wherein power is to reconnaissance, larger finalise the contract. These assets have a long The Author is former Chief of Integrated projected more often than used. But when gestation period. To imagine that our threats Defence Staff. A naval aviator of fighter used in conjunction with Army and the Air number of these aircraft will will always be on land borders is being short- stream, he has flown over 2700 hours and Force, results are decisive. As regards vul- sighted. A country’s Armed Forces hierarchy steered naval aviation acquisition as the nerability, every person who dons military be required tends to imagine future wars in present con- Assistant Chief of Naval Staff. He retired uniform and every war fighting platform text, which results in misleading outcomes. in 2014 as the Flag Officer Commanding- is vulnerable. It does not necessarily sug- Any two wars are hardly alike. Quoting from in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.

2-3/2020 5  naval Strategy Hitting the Chinese at Sea

The role of the Indian Navy in the current over reach by China on the LAC

photograph: Indian Navy n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Indian Navy Today Doctrinally the Indian Navy (IN) caters revisionist power like for full spectrum operations and exercise China needs to be countered these regularly. Exercises with friendly with strength, for, anyone foreign nations have also been regular, out to alter the status quo is leading to excellent comfort levels in unlikely to be amenable to rea- mutual understanding, data sharing and son.A So, while India exerts strength econom- communications. One proof of the great ically and diplomatically, the military must strides being made in international coop- remain ready to act. As the Indian Army eration in the IOR towards data sharing, stays engaged with the Chinese along the is the unique Information Fusion Centre – LAC, while also managing the sinister pur- Indian Ocean Region (IFC - IOR) set up by suits of Pakistan that persist even in these India at Gurugram. This centre currently times of Corona, and the Air Force stands fuses information from 18 countries and by in support, the nation has the option of 15 international maritime security agen- turning to the Navy, to hit the Chinese in cies. With liaison officers from the for- one place where it really hurts. At Sea. eign countries scheduled to be positioned soon, the IFC - IOR will bring major gains Approaches to Threats Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed in the Indian Ocean Reagion, Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea for MDA. There are three ways to face a geopoliti- For over two years, the Indian Navy has cal threat. Make peace with the adversary, not lost on the Chinese. Hence their sus- from MPA. Unavailability of bases for MPA adopted a new doctrine of Mission Based build allies or get strong to act if required to tained deployment of about two to three to operate from the IOR is a serious limi- Deployment, with gains in the flexibility act alone. The history of deceit and double ships in the Arabian Sea in the name of tation for PLAN. Using airstrips from their available for early intervention in a situation, speak from China down decades renders Anti-Piracy patrols since 2008, an attempt perceived ‘pearls’ in the IOR is unviable. enhancing day to day MDA and increased making peace a difficult option. Though to understand the IOR environment. This is because the Laws of Armed Conflict, confidence among friendly IOR countries on making allies appear practical, there are which makes any third country that gives Indian support being ready at hand. imponderables, especially when democra- Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) military support to any one side in a conflict cies are involved. As the man on the street Unlike on land where the enemy’s location becomes a legal target for the other side. Action at Sea in a democracy has the power to influence is restricted by geography, at sea the enemy The essential actions for the Indian Navy Government policy, elected Governments could be anywhere around. This makes Capacity Excess for IOR operating in their waters, is a relatively cannot be faulted for tweaking foreign searching for them a difficult task for even With the multitude of fronts that the Chi- simple preparation for a quick transition to policy to cater for domestic considerations. the strongest of navies. Moreover, the sea nese have opened up, they will have limi- war. With information available on Chinese Australia moving out of the QUAD and mov- poses another unique problem, that of neu- tations in sparing adequate combat units shipping and our units spread around, ing back in, is one such example. Internal trals, both warships and merchantmen. In to safeguard their interests in the Indian as many Chinese ships as possible need distractions too affect the quantum of mus- normal times, about 50 to 70 warships from Ocean. Though what will be left after cater- to be tracked as they move through the cle individual countries can spare for any a large number of countries are present in the ing for their conflicts in the South China Indian Ocean and made aware that they are collective effort. For instance, USA today Arabian Sea alone every day. They are there Sea, East China Sea and West Pacific is a marked. As much operational turnarounds may have limitations, with increasing preoc- for a host of reasons, like Counter Piracy, matter of conjecture, it is not likely to be of ships are to be done at ports in India cupation with COVID-19, racial tensions and Counter Terrorism, Fishery Protection, Pres- substantial. An attractive option for them or abroad in order to retain our replenish- an upcoming Presidential election. The san- ence Missions, Research, International Exer- would be to rely on Nuclear Attack Subma- ment ships at sea in full capacity. Further, est option is to increase our own capacities cises or Diplomacy. The presence of these rines (SSNs) to gain asymmetric advantages. in case the ante needs to be upped, a few and grow strong. A country like India under- ships bring on the need for positive identifi- However, a careful examination of the oper- units could be deployed to the South China stands this and has been steadily making cation, which complicates the task of search ational parameters of PLAN SSNs, the time Sea on goodwill visits to friendly SE Asian progress over a long time, deftly balancing and detection. As most identification is done and space involved and the need for com- countries, for which, the necessary capac- myriad fiscal requirements at the national through sensors from large distances, a large munication, targeting data and operational ity excess exists. level for a large number of sectors. database of units, in various sea conditions support either from shore or dedicated and from various physical angles is critical. supporting ships hanging out in remote Supporting Diplomacy Lessons of History Complicating all this are thousands of mer- parts of the ocean don’t reveal any capacity With the support of several IOR countries History shows that no one can be assured chant ships that ply the Indian Ocean every for useful time on task in the Indian Ocean. being critical for the Chinese in the event of victory in a military conflict. Terrain, day. Collecting this information takes time Moreover, specialist ships like Naval Tank- of a conflict at sea with India, they can be weather, ill-timed catastrophes, bad form, and a lot of effort, always presenting local ers, Repair Ships and Depot Ships are expected to do more of what they have been allies who turned up from nowhere, tech- powers a definite edge. picked up on entry to the Indian Ocean and doing, by way of economic and material nology, or simple plain luck have turned the kept a track of, as long as they remain in inducements. Proactive counter diplomacy tables in numerous instances. War not being Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) waters of interest to us. They can of course is essential from the Indian side to prevent a binary affair, real armies fight against MDA is collected with inputs from MPA, Sat- resort to symbolism of the kind they used the Chinese from obtaining assurances of whatever odds, and with what is available at ellites, Coastal Radar Networks, mandatory when a diesel powered Song class subma- operational support. For this purpose, it hand. What constitutes victory too is a mat- reporting data from merchantmen, informa- rine surfaced in the middle of a US Carrier will be important to maintain excellent rela- ter of perception. While states that accepted tion shared by friendly nations in the region Battle Group off Okinawa in 2006. But it is tions with Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, their realities and waged war with noth- and from warships, submarines, aircraft and for professional navies to call out symbolic Maldives, Myanmar, Thailand and Bangla- ing to lose could afford to take some hits, civilian craft of our own and from friendly acts and continue their work undeterred. desh. Further, just as in the military realm, states that have had a compulsion to appear countries. This too, is a time consuming diplomatic support to South East Asian invincible have had no such leeway. They task. Further, as units at sea are constantly Choke Points countries currently having conflicts with didn’t have any room to take a dent. Military on the move, they are picked up before they With about 80 per cent of China’s energy China could be enhanced, simply to up the end states achieve in conflicts alone aren’t enter the Indian Ocean and their positions import and a lions share of their raw mate- ante if required. important. Even punches landed during the are kept regularly updated till they exit the rials and exports being transported through Realities of geography and current geo- conflict mean much at the negotiating table. waters of our interest. For instance, a ship the Indian Ocean, the ‘Malacca Dilemma’ politics, as well as the relative balance of Loss of face is akin to defeat, for some. in the South China Sea, East Atlantic Ocean remains a reality for them. If they alter military power at sea between China and or the Mediterranean could be in the Indian their Sea Lines of Communication through India in the Indian Ocean make it possible to Imperatives for PLAN in Indian Ocean Ocean in a few days. The perpetual surveil- alternative routes, they will pay heavy pen- hit them in a place where it hurts. At sea. SP For all the perceived superiority of PLAN lance, data collection and data processing alties by way of having to settle for smaller in sheer numbers and military technology, effort involved in this is extremely difficult crude carriers and increased time and space Commodore G. Prakash retired in they have serious limitations while defend- for any extra regional entity. problems. The advantages that accrue to December, 2019. A specialist in Aviation ing their interests in the Indian Ocean. The the Indian Navy in home waters in tracking and Anti-Submarine Warfare, he has advantages that the Indian Navy enjoys in Air Bases Chinese trade and targeting at will at choke held several Command and Staff

www.spsnavalforces.com the vast home waters they regularly ply are A major portion of the inputs for MDA come points are significant. appointments.

6 2-3/2020  Naval Exercises A Timely Meeting of Minds

n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) tional philosophies and procedures, and to “I want to highlight our increased gain familiarity. The aim is to prepare for he Indian Navy - US Navy Pas- defence cooperation with India, one of cooperation at sea and joint operations if sex conducted on July 20, 2020 necessary. This is not easy to achieve. was a timely initiative. With the all-important defence relationships The centrality of the Indian Ocean to China persisting with its con- world trade, the position of the Indian frontational expansionism even of the 21st century. We conducted our Navy as the dominant Navy in the IOR Tin the middle of a global pandemic, it was and Indian Navy’s sheer competence important that other strong protagonists first ever joint military exercise last has resulted in a large number of Navies of current geopolitics, like India and USA, November. As we speak, the USS Nimitz teaming up with the Indian Navy for joint conveyed a meeting of minds. exercises, for many decades. With several Maritime operations, especially involv- is conducting combined exercises with the Indian Navy in editions of Exercise Malabar with US Navy ing large numbers of ships, submarines behind us since 1992, much familiarity and aircraft is a complex affair. Big the Indian Ocean, demonstrating our shared commitment exists between Indian Navy and US Navy. Fleets physically occupy large parts of to stronger naval cooperation and supported by free and Passexes, viz, exercises between forces the oceans as they traverse, and remain as they pass by each other, as the term capable of monitoring and influencing open Indo-Pacific.” suggests, are not planned well in advance events within greater amount of areas on and are quickly rustled up events. That the surface of the sea, in the air above and —US Defense Secretary Dr Mark T. Esper a Passex involving the kind of large for- under water. Efficient Doctrines, Commu- mations that we saw on July 20 was pos- nications, information sharing, situational sible, is proof, that the Indian Navy and awareness, weapon and sensor place- Since each Navy tends to develop what losophies differ from Navy to Navy. Navies US Navy are comfortable with each other ments, replenishment and inter Fleet re- is optimum for themselves under their geo- of friendly nations which share operational and can easily combine in operations if deployments are critical elements of suc- graphical, geopolitical, technological, fiscal challenges therefore conduct joint exer- and when the need arises. It was a timely cessful maritime operations. and operational realities, operating phi- cises to learn about each other’s opera- signal to those who require it. SP

US Navy and Indian Navy at Sea

photographs: US Navy

(Top, Middle and Above) The Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Strike Group including Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Sterett and Ralph Johnson, alongwith the Indian Navy ships INS Rana, INS Sahyadri, INS Shivalik and INS Kamorta in An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan conducting operations in South China Sea, formation during a cooperative deployment in the in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Indian Ocean Region.

2-3/2020 7  INDO-PACIFIC Quadrilateral (QUAD) Security Dialogue

QUAD had lost its momentum till November 2017 when it got revived as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US’ President Donald Trump agreed to move on QUAD due to China’s aggressive posture in South China Sea and in the Indo-Pacific region

photograph: PIB n Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) from Chinese companies and attempts to create four ports in Papua New Guinea, he Quadrilateral Security triggered Australia to change its strategy. Dialogue (QUAD) was an infor- Ahead of the virtual summit with his mal strategic forum between Australian counterpart, PM Modi had said India, US, Japan and Australia he was glad to be joining the first India- which was initiated by Prime Australia virtual summit with Scott Morri- TMinister Shinzo Abe of Japan, with the son. “India-Australia ties have always been support of US Vice President Dick Cheney, close. As vibrant democracies, from Com- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh monwealth to cricket to even cuisine, our and Australian Prime Minister John How- people-to-people relations are strong and ard in 2007. The momentum of the Quad the future is bright,” PM Modi said. Austra- was maintained by interacting at common lia is also keen to join Malabar 2020. summits, exchange of information and Indo-Australia Virtual Summit took joint military exercises. A joint naval exer- place on June 4, 2020 and nine docu- cise named ‘Malabar’ was held jointly by ments were announced/signed. Security the Navies of India, US, Japan, Australia related documents were Joint Statement and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal during on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; September 2007. QUAD coupled with joint Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for exercise Malabar was generally viewed as Maritime Cooperation in the Indo- Pacific; a counter to China’s growing economic Framework Arrangement on Cyber and and military power, and as a consequence Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Coop- China issued diplomatic protests to mem- eration (signed); Arrangement concerning bers of QUAD. Australia withdrew from Mutual Logistics Support (MLSA) (signed) the QUAD in 2007 during John Howard’s The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison at the India - Australia and implementing Arrangement concern- tenure and his successor Rudd also did Leaders’ Virtual Summit, in New Delhi on June 4, 2020. ing cooperation in Defence Science and not join it. Australia’s decision not to sell Technology to the MoU on Defence Coop- Uranium to India had weakened Quadrilat- of State’s readout on the meeting, the On a question by a reporter, a Senior eration (signed). eral alliances but in 2014 this decision was four met “for consultations on collective State Department Official said “If I could After the Summit both the demo- reversed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott. efforts to advance a free, open, and inclu- single out India’s role in the QUAD, I think cratic nations has a common approach During Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gil- sive Indo-Pacific.” The meeting marked it highlights India’s leadership in the Indo- to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous lard tenure, military cooperation between the continuation of the September 26 New Pacific region; it’s one of the many ways Indo-Pacific and a better understanding of the US and Australia was upgraded to a York ministerial-level meeting’s agenda. that the US and India are now cooperat- regional and global issues. new level as outlined by the 2007 Can- The US statement noted that the ing closely on shared strategic objectives berra Defense Blueprint. However India, meeting focused on “advancing practical as highlighted during President Trump’s China’s belligerence Japan, and the US continued to hold joint collaboration on counter-terrorism, cyber, meeting with Prime Minister Modi earlier China has a history of having border dis- naval exercises through successive edi- development finance, maritime security, this week; the 2+2 structure that we’ve set putes and also being aggressive whenever tions of Malabar. humanitarian assistance, and disaster up, and the deepening of our defense part- there is a conflict of interest. Border dis- Quad had lost its momentum in between response.” In a separate statement, the nership, and trilateral relations with Japan putes have been with South Korea, Mon- but during the November 12, 2017 ASEAN Indian Ministry of External Affairs said as seen in the Malabar exercise that’s golia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Summit in , it got revived when the four parties “reaffirmed their com- ongoing”. Vietnam, Russia, Myanmar, Bhutan and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aus- mitment towards a free, open, prosperous India. With India the problems are many tralia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region based on QUAD Plus due to India’s claim on Aksai Chin which Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US’ shared values and principles and respect It was reported on March 20, 2020 that the is administered along with Xinjiang and President Donald Trump agreed to move for international law.” “QUAD” countries met via video teleconfer- Tibet autonomous regions and consti- on QUAD due to China’s aggressive pos- Speaking on October 30, 2019, at the ence to help each other amid the coronavi- tutes the eastern portion of the larger ture in South China Sea and in the Indo- Hudson Institute, US Secretary of State rus pandemic. Some non-QUAD, countries Kashmir. China took over Xinjiang in 1949 Pacific region. In November 2017, Japanese, Mike Pompeo said that, “We’ve reconvened like New Zealand, South Korea, and Viet- which is rich in natural resources and has Indian, Australian and US officials met to ‘the QUAD’ – the security talks between nam were included in the call which was a large Uyghur Muslim population. In the continue security cooperation ahead of the Japan, Australia, India and the US that had then termed QUAD Plus and met again on recent infringement of the LAC, China has ASEAN and East Asia Summits. Responding been dormant for nine years,” Pompeo said March 27 at the vice-ministerial level and deployed troops from Arunachal, Bhutan to the reconvened meeting of “QUAD” in in a Washington, D.C., policy address. “This the group discussed not only coronavi- and in Ladakh including Galwan Valley, November 2017, a Chinese foreign ministry will prove very important in the efforts rus remedies, but also how to revive their Hot Springs and Pangong Tso. Disputes on spokesperson said that “these visions and ahead, ensuring that China retains only its economies once the threat subsides. The the South China Sea are well documented. proposals should be open and inclusive.” proper place in the world.” current plan is for the QUADPlus to con- China claims Taiwan and the treaty with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in order to vene on a weekly basis. It is difficult to Hong Kong has been reversed. It appears assuage Russia’s concerns, said that, “It is say whether QUAD Plus will work as South that China’s leadership feels that with their normal to have partnerships on the basis Korea is involved with North Korea, Viet- five thousand year civilization, about a cen- of shared values and interests. India, too, The four nations reaffirmed nam’s- ‘Three Ns defence policy—no alli- tury old Communist party, three decades has many in the region and beyond. We will their commitment towards a ances, no foreign bases on Vietnamese ter- of miraculous economic development, and work with them, individually or in formats ritory and no aligning with a second against a gradually creeping towards technology of three or more, for a stable and peace- free, open, prosperous and a third country’, and due to New Zealand’s parity with US; they have the right to rule ful region. But our friendships are not alli- economic ties with China. the world. ances of containment.” inclusive Indo-Pacific Region Australia comes on board QUAD 2019 - a watershed period for QUAD based on shared values and Australia was apprehensive earlier about QUAD in its present form will find it diffi- Dialogue amongst the QUAD members joining QUAD but China’s outreach to cult to halt China’s global ambition as it will picked up in 2019 and after the ministe- principles and respect for China-Pacific Islands states like Fiji, Samoa, have to be countered economically, militar- rial-level meeting in New York on the side international law. Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and Tonga by ily and in cyber space. QUAD nations thus lines of the UN General Assembly, on Sep- creating an anti-COVID-19 Cooperation will have to go beyond dialogues and joint tember 26, senior officials from the QUAD Fund for $1.9 million, providing them with exercises by adding more teeth to their

SP www.spsnavalforces.com met in Bangkok. As per the US Department finances to purchase medical equipment endeavours.

8 2-3/2020  Make in India Successful ‘Make in India’ for P75(I) by Navantia

Navantia organised the first Indian Industry online event for the P75(I) submarines programme with the participation of more than 200 Indian companies. 500 RFIs specific to P75(I) were submitted in a period of 6 weeks. Over 90 per cent of the receiving companies were Indian and they cover 80 per cent of the P75(I) submarine cost items.

photographs: Navantia Navantia is fully committed to key suppliers, to promote either fabrica- tion in India, or the incorporation of Indian India’s P75(I) project, and is components. Once the COVID-19 situation permits, follow-up face-to-face meeting and willing to provide the required visits to potential suppliers shall take place. This first Industry Event by Navan- ‘Know How’ and ‘Know tia was a great success and the company is eager to continue working with India Why’ through a Technology and progress as much as possible in the Transfer programme to P75(I) project. Pablo Martinez de Rituerto assures “Navantia is fully committed to achieve permanent design, India’s P75(I) project, and is willing to pro- vide the required “Know How” and “Know construction and maintenance Why” through a Technology Transfer pro- gramme to achieve permanent design, capabilities in India construction and maintenance capabili- ties in India”. This programme leverages previous successful ToT experiences, for example in Australia where in June 2020 P75(I) submarine cost items. The indigeni- the Commonwealth of Australia signed a sation effort still continues with the target Strategic Agreement with local company of achieving 500 PTSs and nearly 1500 RFIs Navantia Australia recognizing it as a within the next 3-4 months. This activity Design Authority for four classes of Royal includes the consultation to current S-80P Australian Navy (RAN) ships. SP

S80 Submarine n SP’s Correspondent schedule and pictures of the actual con- struction, Navantia presented their revolu- avantia is participating tionary AIP system known as BEST “Bio-Eth- in the P75(I) project using the anol Stealth Technology”, which has been basis of the S80 Plus, the only developed together with the Spanish Com- 3000 tonnes AIP submarine pany Abengoa and the American Collins currently under construction Aerospace, working under a sub-contract Nworldwide. According to Pablo Martínez by Navantia. The technical presentation was de Rituerto, Navantia’s Project Director followed by a presentation on Transfer of for P75(I), “this baseline is very close to Technology and indigenisation possibilities. the requirements of the Indian Navy, pos- Navantia’s experience in ToT programs sibly the closest among any possible. For is quite ample. At present, ToT is success- this reason, technical effort at this stage is fully being carried-out in three countries, minimum and Navantia is focusing in other involving local construction of destroyers aspects such as the indigenisation of major in Australia, one LHD in Turkey, and the equipment and materials, and Transfer of implementation of an indigenous combat Technology (ToT) options”. system for Navantia corvettes in Saudi Ara- Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, they bia developed by a Joint Venture created organised an online conference on April 21, between Navantia and SAMI (Saudi Ara- 2020 with the Indian industry, S80 suppli- bia Military Systems). Previously, Navantia ers, as well as other companies and inter- was the co-designer and builder of Scor- ested associations. The event was attended pene class submarines for the Chilean and by over 200 professionals from more than Malaysian navies, and had also participated 150 different companies. At the conference, in the design and transfer of technology Navantia informed that they had some areas to India’s six Scorpene submarines being with no Indian supplier identified, and that built in MDL (Mumbai), deploying a resident they planned the submission of Purchase team in India between 2006 and 2013. Technical Specifications. Despite the COVID- Navantia already has signed MoUs with 19 situation, Navantia and their Indian part- L&T and MDL, both shortlisted as Strategic ners worked online, which proved to be a Partners for the P75(I) project in India. Over very effective solution as it enabled an aver- 200 Purchase Technical Specifications (PTSs) age of 3-4 meetings per day with significant have been submitted in the last few weeks reductions in travel time and cost savings. together with nearly 500 Requests for Infor- With more than 100 side meetings, all the mation (RFIs) submitted in the last 6 weeks, areas with no Indian supplier were covered. 92 per cent to Indian Companies, enabling At the industry event, in addition to the Navantia to gain a high understanding of presentation on the S80 Plus which included the Indian industry and its capabilities. its main features, the construction status, This information covers 80 per cent of the

2-3/2020 9  TECHNOLOGY / Launch Navantia’s “BEST” AIP (Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology) Navantia’s BEST AIP is to be installed into a submarine under construction, the S80 Plus. This is a step forward which emphasizes the uniqueness and maturity of Navantia’s AIP solution.

photograph: Navantia n SP’s Correspondent space is specifically developed to military naval specifications, not a commercial based he S80 Class submarines PEM fuel cell adapted for submarine use. under construction by Navantia The cell stacks are made of porous bipolar are fitted with Navantia’s propri- plates for passive water management and etary BEST (Bio-Ethanol Stealth uniform, continuous membrane humidifi- Technology) Air Independent cation (no need for humidification or liq- TPropulsion (AIP). This is the most advanced uid water removal systems). This advanced and revolutionary solution in the market design not only makes the fuel cell simpler in terms of reliability, endurance and low at the system level, but also provides double maintenance, therefore providing very high service life duration in comparison with the tactical capabilities to the Spanish Navy. market standard operating on reformate Achieving this goal has required two gas and pure Oxygen (not air). This avoids decades of rigorous technology develop- the need for Hydrogen purification systems- ment process, a hard and long path not such as a membrane- or simulate air, a fur- exempt of technical challenge. Nonetheless ther simplification of the system. the final result is very appealing. Often a smoothly run project gets a black Whilst first generation AIPs using Stirling eye because of problems during implemen- engines have improved over the years, they tation. As opposed to other third generation still represent a very rudimentary and low- AIPs in the market, which remain at labora- efficient solution. Second generation AIPs tory level without a project for implementa- include a fuel cell which combines an oxidant tion in the near term, Navantia’s BEST AIP is and fuel to generate power. However, they to be installed into a submarine under con- render a problem with Hydrogen storage, struction, the S80 Plus. This is a step for- requiring large and heavy hydride cylinders ward which emphasizes the uniqueness and placed outside the submarine and logistic maturity of Navantia’s AIP solution. issues for the supply of ultra-pure hydrogen. Long-term (land-based) tests have been Whereas first and second generations completed at a test facility at the Cartage- AIP systems are still provided in small nashipyard (Spain), construction place of submarines without ocean going ambi- Navantia’s BEST AIP during operational test the S80 plus, with a true submarine oper- tions, the third generation AIPs have been ational profile, confirming a submerged developed for expeditionary submarines. for NASA, for the fuel cell. Hydrogen is gramme by Collins Aerospace. Process fuel enduranceof up to three weeks. These systems replace hydrogen storage produced from agricultural bio-ethanol, gases are managed by the Carbon Dioxide Many years of submarine operation expe- by hydrogen production onboard. This is readily available worldwide, as opposed to Disposal System designed and developed rience, submarine design and NASA pro- the solution under development by some other solutions in the market using high- by Bionet, a Spanish processes engineering grammes have permitted the development suppliers, considering ethanol, methanol purity diesel oil or methanol. company, in collaboration with Navantia. of Navantia’s BEST AIP components. Multi- or diesel-oil as fuel. This challenge required the development This system provides perfect gas dilution year collaboration between the Spanish MoD Navantia’s BEST AIP combine the by Abengoa of a cutting-edge Hydrogen gen- in seawater -avoiding presence of bubbles and the Navy, Navantia, Abengoa Innovación expertise the Spanish company Abengoa erator -a high thermal efficiency miniatur- which could degrade submarine stealthiest- and Collins Aerospace has resulted into a Innovación for the fuel processor, and the ized bioethanol processor- to feed a Proton to guarantee an exceptional noise level per- very reliable AIP solution, safe and with low American company Collins Aerospace, Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell spe- formance as in pure electric diving. maintenance requirements, that uses low- well known for their work in aerospace cifically developed, as well, for the S80 Pro- The fuel cell supplied by Collins Aero- cost easy-sourcing bio-ethanol as fuel. SP

NAVANTIA Launches the First Corvette for Saudi Arabia

photograph: Navantia avantia has successfully car- ment of the military industries in the King- or COMPLEX-SIMPLEX Integrated Platform ried out the launching of AL-JUBAIL, dom, as well as enhancing its strategic inde- Management Platform together with equip- Nthe first of five corvettes built for pendence and military readiness. ment manufactured by Navantia under the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The The Chairwoman of Navantia high- license such as the Leonardo SUPER RAPID ceremony was chaired by the Commander lighted Navantia’s commitment to the RSNF 76mm main gun, Rheinmetall Air Defence of RSNF, H. E. Vice Admiral Fahad Bin to replicate the successful model imple- MILLENNIUM 35mm close-in weapon sys- Abdullah Al-Ghofaily; by the Chairwoman mented throughout many years with the tem, MTU propulsion engines and diesel of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá; by the Act- Spanish Navy, and during recent years with generators, and RENK gearboxes. ing CEO of SAMI, Eng. Walid Abukhaled; other navies such as the Royal Australian AL-JUBAIL, hull number 828, has been and by the Admiral of Logistics Support Navy, and provide a high capability level successfully built despite the slowdown in Bay of Cadiz of Spanish Navy, Vice Admiral both to the RNSF and to the military indus- activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Ricardo A. Hernández López (Alardiz). RSNF corvette AL-JUBAIL slid down the slipway and tries sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia In fact, the safety protocols for the launch- touched water for the first time The Commander of RSNF highlighted (KSA) in the corvette programme and also ing ceremony required all attendees to have the importance of ALSARAWAT Project, and Navantia, as well as the valuable part- for future projects. their temperature taken, wear a face mask contracted to Navantia, as one of the largest nership that was reflected in the launch of Next, the ship’s Sponsor, the Com- and maintain the required safety distance. capability-acquisition programmes for the the first Saudi Combat Management System mander of RSNF, ordered Capt. Abdullah The objective now is that the second cor- RSNF which reflects a strong strategic rela- that is fully developed by SAMINavantia. He Alshehri, director of RSNF PMO ALSAR- vette can be launched in November 2020. tion between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and pointed out that taking delivery of the first AWAT to cut the ribbon on his behalf, and The corvette programme, which entered Kingdom of Spain and enlarges the coop- corvette and the Avante 2200 project, in the corvette AL-JUBAIL slid down the slip- into force in November 2018, strengthens eration between the RSNF and Spanish Navy general, represents a key pillar of the Saudi way and touched the water for the first time. the immediate future of Navantia and ben- in shipbuilding, education and training. The defense ecosystem, which will enhance local The corvettes are the latest generation of efits all the company’s shipyards and its Commander of RSNF also indicated that the capabilities in line with the goals set forth successful Navantia-designed combatants, auxiliary industry, especially the entire Bay success of this project is a key factor for in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This achieve- and incorporate state-of-the-art Navantia of Cádiz. ambitious future projects and an enduring ment will lead to the building of solid foun- products, such as the CATIZ Combat Sys- The programme, whose last ship should partnership. dations for original manufacturing and tem, DORNA Gun Fire Control System, NAV- be delivered in 2024, includes, in addition The Acting CEO of SAMI, Eng. Walid enhancing the local content. He also stated COMS/HERMESYS Integrated External and to construction, Life Cycle Support for five Abukhaled, expressed his pride in the that this step comes within the framework Internal Communications System, MINERVA years, from the delivery of the first ship, with

SP www.spsnavalforces.com strong relationship between SAMI, RSNF, of SAMI’s strategy to support the develop- Integrated Navigation and Bridge System, the option of another five additional years.

10 2-3/2020  special reports

EMI /EMC Testing as per MIL-STD-461 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal Deputy Managing Editor IL-STD-461 specifies the Neetu Dhulia requirements for the control Senior Technical Group Editor of electromagnetic interference Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) M Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) characteristics (emissions and suscepti- bility) of electronic, electrical, and elec- Group Executive Editor Vishal Thapar tro-mechanical equipment/system/ sub- systems (Rack mount/Wall mount/ Floor Ayushee Chaudhary Staff Correspondent standing) designed for various agencies of the Department of Defence (DoD). MIL- Contributors STD-461 has been an active document India since 1967 and has undergone several revi- Vice Adm K.N. Sushil (Retd), Vice Adm Anup Singh (Retd), Vice Adm Satish Soni (Retd), Cmde Sujeet sions over the years due to changes in Elec- Samaddar (Retd), Cmde A.J. Singh (Retd) tro Magnetic Environment (EME) caused by Europe the rapidly increasing use of electronics Alan Peaford, Doug Richardson, Andrew Brookes and advancements in technology. (UK) ERDA has vast EMI/EMC testing expe- USA & Canada rience of different electrical and electron- Lon Nordeen (USA), Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) ics products made for defence application West Asia/Africa like control panels for Missile launcher, H.R. Heitman (S. Africa) Missile controller, Radar System, Flood Chairman & Managing Director detection for Navy application & Motors Jayant Baranwal for Naval application. Executive Vice President ERDA is fully equipped, capable and (Planning & Business Development) accredited as per ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 to meter Semi Anechoic chamber having testing of equipment, in excess of 20 feet Rohit Goel perform testing as per E & F revisions of 3 ton weight bearing capacity to accom- in length and weighing up to 3 tons is Manager – HR & Admin MIL-STD-461. ERDA is equipped with 10 modate big & bulky equipment. In-house already performed. SP Bharti Sharma Assistant Manager – HR & Admin Pooja Tehlani Deputy Manager – Circulation Indian Navy completes “Operation Samudra Setu” Rimpy Nischal [email protected] Group Research Associate peration Samudra Setu, which try. Indian Naval personnel also innovated Survi Massey was launched on May 5, 2020 as various customised equipment such as Per- Design Opart of the national effort to repa- sonnel Protection Equipment NavRakshak, Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht triate Indian citizens from overseas dur- hand-held temperature sensors, assisted Group Director – Sales & Marketing ing the COVID-19 pandemic has culmi- respiratory system, 3-D printed face shield, Neetu Dhulia nated after successfully bringing 3,992 portable multi-feed oxygen manifold, venti- Deputy Director – Sales Indian citizens back to their homeland by lators, air-evacuation stretcher pod, baggage Rajeev Chugh sea. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing disinfectants etc. Most of these innovations SP’s Website Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and were carried onboard the ships undertaking Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra Prakash Ashish Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated Op Samudra Setu and niche equipment was Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma in this operation which lasted over 55 also provided to host countries from where Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on days and involved traversing more than evacuation was undertaken. behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All 23,000 kms by sea. Another Landing Ship (Tank) Kesari rights reserved. No part of this publication may The greatest challenge for the Indian undertook ‘Mission SAGAR’, carrying 580 be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, Navy was to avoid any incident of outbreak tonnes of food aid and medical stores or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise of infection onboard the ships during the including ayurvedic medicines to Mal- without the prior written permission of the evacuation operation. Rigorous measures dives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros publishers. were planned and medical/ safety pro- Islands and Seychelles, covering over Printed in India tocols unique to the operating environ- 14,000 km in 49 days. One medical team by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd ment of ships were implemented. These each was also deployed at Mauritius and © SP Guide Publications, 2020 were strictly followed onboard the ships Comoros Island as part of the mission. Subscription/ Circulation undertaking Op Samudra Setu resulting in The 3,992 Indian citizens evacuated Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 the safe return of 3,992 of our citizens to front of national efforts to assist our citi- during Op Samudra Setu were disem- E-mail: [email protected] their homeland. zens. Indian Naval IL-38 and Dornier aircraft barked at various ports as indicated in the [email protected] Along with other Government agencies, have been used for ferrying of doctors and table above and entrusted to the care of Letters to the Editor the Indian Navy has also been at the fore- COVID-19 related material across the coun- respective state authorities. SP [email protected] For Advertising Details, Contact: [email protected] [email protected] SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD POSTAL ADDRESS Armed Forces Get Free Hand Appointments Corporate Office Vice Admiral S.N. A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, for Procurements up to $40 million Ghormade, outgoing New Delhi 110003, India Chief of Staff of Eastern Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 special meeting of the Defence Naval Command has E-mail: [email protected] Acquisition Council (DAC) on July transferred as Control- Representative Offices 15, chaired by Defence Minister ler Personnel Services A BENGALURU, INDIA Rajnath Singh, delegated powers for mak- at Integrated HQs, Min- istry of Defence (Navy) Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd), 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, ing urgent capital acquisitions up to `300 on June 12, 2020. Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560043, India. crore ($40 million) to the armed forces. Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 This step has been taken “considering Vice Admiral Biswajit MOSCOW, RUSSIA the security environment due to prevailing Dasgupta has taken LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin, Krasnokholmskaya, situation along the Northern Borders and over from Vice Admiral Nab., S.N. Ghormade as the need to strengthen the Armed Forces 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. Chief of Staff Eastern for the Defence of our borders”, a senior Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, Naval Command on the Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 officer of the Ministry of Defence said. same date. “The DAC delegated the powers for pro- www.spguidepublications.com www.spsnavalforces.com gressing urgent Capital Acquisition Cases Vice Admiral upto `300 Crore to the armed forces to meet ers for capital procurements have been M.A. Hampiholi, RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25836 assumes charge as their emergent operational requirements. delegated to the armed forces for capital Commandant Indian This will shrink the procurement timelines purchases. It’s in addition to the delegation Naval Academy on and ensure placement of orders within six of powers to Vice-Chiefs to make revenue July 27, 2020. He was months and commencement of deliveries purchases of up to `500 Crore per procure- earlier Director General within one year,” the officer elaborated. ment on their own. SP Naval Operations. This is the first time that financial pow- —Vishal Thapar

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