June-July l 2010 Volume 5 No 3 rs 100.00 (india-based buyer only)

SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION

www.spsnavalforces.net ROUNDUP

3 PAGe STOP PRESS A Global Concern NAvAL vARIANT OF LCA ROLLS OUT India, in cooperation with its allies and friends The country’s first naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft, the LCA (Navy) Trainer around the world, will have to work to ensure Naval Project (NP)–1 was rolled out by the Defence Minister A.K. Antony from HAL that lawful private and public activities in the Aircraft Research and Design Centre at a glittering function in Bengaluru on July 6, maritime domain are protected against attack 2010. The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, Secretary Defence Production by hostile exploitations R.K. Singh, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, Dr. V.K. Saraswat, HAL Chair - man Ashok Nayak, Director Aeronautical Development Agency P.S. Subramanyam Cdr Sandeep Dewan were present on the occasion. The Defence Minister described the development as a ‘defining and memorable event’ for the nation. PAGe 4 Around the Sea A report on Commander Dilip Donde’s  TeTe-e-TeTe successful completion of the first solo circumnavigation by an Indian Rear Admiral (Retd) Sushil Ramsay ‘Cooperation and interaction in the PAGe 6 Stealthy maritime domain will continue to be an important aspect of IN’s vision’

PhotograPh: abhishek / sP guide Pubns Chief of Naval Staff Admi - ral Nirmal Verma , in an interaction with SP’s Naval

The scope of accessing technologies from Forces , throws light on the the western world, so far denied to India, is security measures to deal witnessing an upward swing with the growing incidents Rear Admiral (Retd) Sushil Ramsay of piracy. Browse through PAGe 8 the second instalment of Mine Warfare the interview to know his Once the nuances of conventional mine vision on empowering IN warfare and countermine warfare are understood, it would be possible to with suitable capabilities. extrapolate the scenarios and arrive at some likely threats from the sea mine when used as a weapon for terror SP Guide Publications (SP’s): Despite well-coordi - nated surveillance and vigil by various navies, in - cluding the (IN), incidents of piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden have continued unabated. What in your view should be the security construct to deal with this kind of menace? Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) : Piracy off the coast of Somalia has grown steadily over the years and has now assumed very seri - ous proportions. The number of piracy in - cidents reported so far in 2009 has surpassed the total reported in 2008. As per the IMB annual piracy report of 2009, Commodore (Retd) C.P. Srivastava the number of attacks reported in 2009 around Somalia, Seychelles and off the PAGe 10 Oman coast is over 200. Of these, 47 re - Commanders’ Meet sulted in hijacking of vessels. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma To protect Indian flagged ships and In - presided over the Navy Commanders’ dian citizens employed in seafaring duties, the Indian Navy commenced anti-piracy pa - Conference in New Delhi recently trols in the Gulf of Aden from October 23, Rear Admiral (Retd) Sushil Ramsay 2009. A total of 17 IN ships have been de - ployed there since October 2008. Each de - PLUS ployment has been for a period of 35-40 days. In addition to escorting Indian flag Interview with Loic Piedevache 11 ships, ships of other flags have also been Country Head, MBDA Group escorted. Merchant ships, irrespective of Tech Watch 13 their flag, are currently being escorted First 14 along the entire length of 490 nm long and

3/2010 1  TeTe-e-TeTe

L Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, in an With terrorism raising its ugly head, mar - report with some interesting images of Com - interaction with SP’s naval Forces , threw light itime domain’s awareness is of primary impor - mander Dilip Donde’s solo circumnavigation in

A on the Indian Navy’s role in nation-building. This tance. An article on the subject has been 277 days on Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei, issue of SP’s naval Forces starts with Admiral included where the author brings out the chal - and the usual News Digest.

I Verma touching upon a number of subjects in - lenges faced by the naval forces as well as the The new look and feel of the magazine cluding anti-piracy measures, Indian Ocean coast guard, resources required and suggests reflects our endeavour to keep up with the Naval Symposium 2010 held at Abu Dhabi with an organisation which can provide foolproof dyanamics of the market. Hope our valuable R the theme, “Together, for the reinforcement of the maritime domain awareness. readers will appreciate this effort. maritime security in the Indian Ocean,” network- India got its indigenous stealth INS O centric operations, etc. Shivalik , which was commissioned by Defence The article is on mine warfare where the au - Minister A.K. Antony at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai T thor traces the evolution of naval mine warfare, in April. Under Project 17/17A, the Indian Navy its technology and employment in less than war is likely to acquire a total of 10 stealth . It I situations, thereby having a direct impact on was thus appropriate to include an insight into coastal defence and homeland security. The and what is involved in the

D other affected areas could be ports, channels, construction of a stealth . offshore assets, riverine and inland waterways, And then, there is a write-up on the Navy Jayant Baranwa L

E among others. Commander’s Conference held during May, a Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

PhotograPhs: indian Navy / Pib Interview with CNS continued objectives and to build bridges of friendship. The constabulary role would range from low 20 nm wide internationally recommended intensity maritime operation to maintaining transit corridor that has been promulgated good order at sea. These include aspects of for use by all merchant vessels. This coastal security in coordination with other arrangement has been working satisfactorily agencies of the government. Our benign role and 834 ships (111 Indian flagged and 723 includes tasks such as humanitarian aid, dis - foreign flagged from 47 different countries) aster relief, search and rescue, etc. have been escorted by IN Ships in the Gulf of Aden since October 2008. Navies at sea SP’s: What are the maritime security imperatives for are only dealing with the symptoms of mis - India in the context of the emerging maritime prowess governance in Somalia. Stability and effec - of China with its expanding reach into the IOR? tive governance in Somalia are required in CNS: China and India both have legitimate order to control piracy at sea off the coast interests in ensuring the safety of the SLOC of Somalia. in any part of the oceans, as necessary, in - cluding the Indian Ocean, as most of their SP’s: Network-centric operations have acquired energy needs necessarily have to transit the global prominence. What is your vision on empower - Indian Ocean. We have sought to build a co - ing IN with suitable capabilities in this emerging field operative construct and over the past few of force multipliers? years, interactions between the People’s Lib - CNS : Network-centric operations enable eration Army (Navy) and the Indian Navy sharing information on real-time basis be - have reflected this change. In 2008, Admiral tween widely dispersed forces and diverse Wu Sheng Li, the PLA (Navy) Chief visited platforms, in order to enhance battlefield India that was reciprocated by a return visit transparency. Typically, a networked envi - by Admiral Sureesh Mehta in 2009. Our ronment comprises three grids. The first is ships took part in the International Fleet Re - the sensor grid that collates information view at Qingdao in 2009. PLA (Navy) ships from multiple sensors and helps generate a have visited Kochi. Recently, Indian naval common operational picture and therefore officers from the Naval Higher Command shared awareness of the battlespace. The Course visited China on a study tour. The second, namely information grid, IN is structured to have capabilities that enables exchange or dissemination of infor - seek to serve our national maritime inter - mation such as operational status, informa - ests in a complex environment. tion for logistics, and personnel management. The third grid is the weapon SP’s: Over the years, the IN has very successfully grid, which enables integration of multiple engaged in CBM with the navies of Southeast Asia weapon systems in a force so as to optimise and has earned professional respect within the ordnance delivery on selected targets. region. What is your perspective of further These three grids together provide the consolidation and augment mutual cooperation and foundation for efficient and effective mar - understanding? itime operations. CNS: Our interactions with the navies of The IN has already developed these ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian grids through in-house efforts. These are Nations) countries have led to immense being periodically upgraded through soft - mutual benefits over the years. The inter - ware and hardware modifications by har - actions began with the Republic of Singa - nessing technological changes. The vision pore Navy and later expanded to include all of the Navy is to have net-centric capabili - other Southeast Asian navies. With some of ties for all our platforms in the shortest the navies we have coordinated patrols timeframe. Suitable projects have been for - every year. We also host Milan—a gathering mulated to achieve this capability. ‘Cooperation and interaction of navies in the Andaman and Nicobar Is - lands once every two years. In fact, in the SP’s: India’s profile as an emerging global power of in the maritime domain recently concluded Milan 2010 at Port Blair, the 21st century has received major recognition where I participated for two days, 12 navies worldwide through phenomenal economic growth will continue to be an were present. Eight countries were repre - and resilience shown in braving through the recent sented by nine ships and others sent their global economic downturn. What role would you as - important aspect of the delegations. As you are aware, the fre - cribe to the Navy in nation-building and its emergence IN’s vision for the future’ quency of natural disasters in our region is as the ambassador of resurgent India? very high. Thus, the humanitarian assis - CNS: The importance of the seas to India and tance and disaster relief workshop con - the dynamics of the Indian Ocean Region ducted in Port Blair helped us share the (IOR) maritime environment predicate the issues and solutions with each other. Many

t maintenance of stability, security and India is predominantly a maritime na - times, would be our constant endeavour. In of the navies which come to Milan belong e n

. safety at sea. This would enable use of the tion, with the economy critically dependent pursuit of our national interests, the IN en - to ASEAN members. Our relationship with s e seas to boost economic development and on the seas. More than 95 per cent of our visages four distinct roles: military, diplo - these navies is excellent and we benefit c r ensure the well-being of our people. Ab - trade by volume and 70 per cent by value are matic, constabulary, and benign. As a potent, from each other’s professionalism and re - o f l

a sence of requisite levels of security would transported over the seas. For a growing versatile and flexible instrument of sover - gional expertise. Our trade is interwoven v a be detrimental to the maritime environ - economy, these figures related to trade and eign power, the Navy can be employed in a with the well-being and prosperity of other n s ment and all activities therein, including commerce, are set to rise. Therefore, main - variety of situations, in a calibrated manner, countries. Thus, cooperation and interac - p s

. maritime trade, shipping, fishing, resource tenance of stability, security and safety at to safeguard national interests and maritime tion in the maritime domain will continue w extraction, offshore development, and sea in the IOR and ensuring that the sea lines security. Naval diplomacy entails the use of to be an important aspect of the IN’s vision w

w growth of coastal infrastructure. of communication (SLOC) are open at all naval forces in support of our foreign policy for the future.

2 3/2010 mArITIme ChAlleNGeS  a A Concern D M

,

Global g C

India in cooperation with its allies and friends around the world will have to work s U

: e g to ensure that lawful private and public activities in the maritime domain are a M i protected against attacks by criminals and other unlawful or hostile exploitations n COMMANDER SANDEEP DEWAN for trade and commerce, ensuring a safe and tracks, automatic identification system and intelligence gathering can assist in de - secure maritime environment is critical to (AIS) and long-range identification and tecting and mitigating threats to India’s he maritime domain is defined as all national security and economic well-being. tracking (LRIT) positions, and other external maritime security. Maritime threats, in - areas and things of, on, under, relat - To counter the multitude of threats pre - and internally collected data feeds, to cor - cluding piracy and the potential use of ing to, adjacent to, or bordering on sented by these conditions, India needs to relate, detect, classify and identify vessels small vessels can be mitigated through a sea, ocean, or other navigable wa - deny its adversaries the use and exploita - at sea. The correlation capability in the IN’s greater MDA. It is the IN’s responsibility to terways, including all maritime-re - tion of the maritime environment, including merchant ships information system (MSIS) use all available means of information to Tlated activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, its transportation systems. The first step provides a comprehensive display of tracks achieve that goal and the IN is doing so at and vessels and other conveyances. Maritime towards enhancing maritime security is which is a vital piece of the Navy’s maritime the best possible pace. domain awareness (MDA) is defined as the achieving increased awareness of activities domain awareness capability, a capability The Illustration on top of this page effective understanding of anything associ - in the maritime domain. that needs to be shared with the Indian overlays two satellite grabs depicting (total ated with the maritime domain that could The Indian Navy (IN), with its significant Coast Guard and other states and national vessel count 11,928 ships and ocean-going impact the security, safety, economy or en - maritime intelligence, collection, fusion and security partners. crafts transiting around the globe at any vironment. MDA is all about generating ac - dissemination capabilities, has been desig - AIS, a mandatory fit on ships above 300 given moment. This is the enormity of the tionable intelligence, the cornerstone of nated the lead agency in execution of MDA GRT provides position updates and other situation and the required information successful counter-terrorist and maritime operations. The IN would be responsible for information about the host ship to other affecting the MDA of the concerned law enforcement operations. developing MDA and orchestrating the ships in the vicinity and to coastal stations coastal states. The challenges facing Naval and Coast process by which information is collated, automatically. An AIS network that com - The IN, with its present connectivity Guard forces have changed dramatically monitored, analysed and shared with other bines the VHF and space segments can maintains a near real-time MDA plot at all over the past decade and made the future government agencies and maritime stake - provide comprehensive coverage and signif - maritime operation centres (MOCs) enabling security environment increasingly compli - holders. Sharing information is absolutely icant benefits in navigational safety, mar - exchange of positional awareness and net - cated and uncertain. This new environment essential if this growing network is to effec - itime security, search and rescue and a host working sensor information of assets. This highlighted by the events of September 11, tively detect, identify and track the most of other infringements in the maritime en - is achieved through all available means, 2001, and November 26, 2008, show that dangerous threats, including terrorists, vironment. However, primarily being an aid including satellite inputs, port stations, inte - the terrorists will continue to exploit access weapons of mass destruction, narcotics, to navigation, the system is prone to data gral/shore-based aircraft, helicopters, to the open society, economy and commer - piracy, mass migrations, and arms traffick - manipulation and spoofing. unmanned aerial vehicles, coastal , cial systems to bring about damaging and ers. Awareness generated through informa - LRIT, an International Maritime Organi - human intelligence as also inputs from open potentially catastrophic effects on any tion sharing will enhance understanding of sation mandated system, is aimed at en - sources like vessel monitoring and port country or its people. the global maritime environment, including hancing maritime security by automatically websites and data bases. In the short-term, India’s geographical location places it in adjacent ungoverned areas in which terror - providing transmissions of the ship’s iden - the IN intends to achieve a satellite-based a complex maritime environment. The sea ists operate, thereby providing opportuni - tity and position at sea to shore based con - comprehensive communications capability areas around India are one of the busiest wa - ties to deal with threats as far away from tracted vessel monitoring stations of the in the IOR. In the long-term, an all-encom - terways of the world, with over one lakh the Indian borders as possible. related flag, port, coastal and SAR states. passing surveillance and communications ships transiting the shipping lanes adjoining Specifically, the IN needs to continue to The data provided by marine-band radio capability will be achieved through a constel - its coast every year. The Strait of Malacca employ a layered approach to maritime do - broadcast, AIS is complementary to the data lation of satellites. alone accounts for nearly 60,000 ships an - main awareness, using complementary sys - provided by secure transmissions from near- The IN through its well-defined and nually. These ships that pass through vari - tems to increase overall capability. The IN global coverage of satellite relayed LRIT, so proactive approach will very soon enhance ous international straits and choke points also needs to accelerate deployment of a net- that one can be utilised to verify the other. its ability to: bordering the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR), carry centric tactical system that enables sharing Such correlation leads to a vessel track with l Maintain a network of unclassified nearly 75 per cent of the world’s maritime of situation data and services across multi - a higher integrity. By having both the data regional-based maritime information trade and half the world’s daily oil consump - ple agency and department domains includ - sources, the IN will be better equipped to de - which net-centrically integrates regional tion. About 95 per cent by volume and 70 ing the systems. tect anomalies and improve overall MDA. maritime situation awareness into the per cent by value of India’s external trade is Towards achieving MDA, the need is to Other techniques like port-level tactical global maritime situation awareness. carried by sea. With a more globally con - continuously evaluate the data received and camera coverage can increase l Establish an institution of coopera - nected economy and India’s continued re - from multiple sources including, but cer - the IN’s ability to track small vessels, while tion/coordination for broadcast of ves - liance on the global maritime environment tainly not limited to position reports, radar the other law enforcement information sel position. l Improve threat awareness and alert maritime partners of suspicious behav - iour and potential threats. l Secure India from any maritime attack by detecting, confronting and neutralis - ing any sea-borne threat. l Secure strategic access and retain global freedom of action by ensuring that areas of interest, lines of communica - tion and the global commons remain ac - cessible to all. l Strengthen existing and emerging al - liances and partnerships to address common maritime challenges. The importance of MDA has been aptly summed up by Admiral Walter Doran, for - mer Commander, US Pacific Fleet. “Our goal is to gain increased information sharing and enhanced situational awareness in order to facilitate international cooperation to im - prove security and cue effective threat re - sponses. Development and fielding of MDA tools and applications will be central to this effort,” he said. The security of the maritime domain is a global issue. India, in cooperation with its allies and friends around the world, will have to work to ensure that lawful private and public activities in the maritime do - main are protected against attacks by crim - inals and other unlawful or hostile exploitations. The author is currently a research scholar at United Services Institute, New Delhi

3/2010 3  SAGAr PArIkrAmA Around the Sea Commander Dilip Donde stood his solitary watch aboard the Mhadei day after day and night after night, as she was tossed by seas and continually threatened by the keening-wind, blowing unhindered by natural or man-made obstacles, across hundreds of miles of oceanic expanse

avoidable and she rounded the three Great vice President Hamid M. Ansari shaking Capes—the Cape Lleeuwin (Australia), Cape hands with Cdr Donde Horn (South America) and the Cape of Good Hope (Africa). The tale of the Mhadei is peppered by many firsts and promises—rich pickings for any raconteur worth his salt. The solo- circumnavigation voyage is the first by an In - dian citizen sailing aboard an indigenously- built boat—a first for the Indian Navy, the proud sponsor of the expedition (having al - ready sent expeditions to the North and South Poles)—a first for former Vice Admiral Manohar Awati, a legend in his own right, who midwifed the Mhadei as it underwent her birthpangs at Goa, and a first for the In - dian firm Aquarius Fibreglass of Goa, which built the Mhadei on the Tonga 56 design drawn from the globally renowned Dutch Yacht-design House, Van de Stadt. But for all that, even this heroic achieve - ment-from its grand flagging off by former Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta to its momentous reception by Vice President Hamid M. Ansari along with the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma remains a component of the time-space continuum that characterises the Indian Navy, as it continues its process of ‘tacking to the blue

y waters’, in constant affirmation of the age- v a N old seafaring traditions that have been part n a i d n

i and parcel of India’s hoary history—both

: s

h recorded and legendary. P a

r The succeeding paragraphs unfold g o t the unparallel challenges and vagaries of o h P the voyage as recorded by the Indian Navy officials. n REAR ADMIRAL (RETD) SUSHIL RAMSAY True to form, as the voyage progressed, Mhadei proudly flying Indian Cdr Donde stood his solitary watch aboard Tri-colour as she crosses finishing line n May 22, 2010, Indian naval sail - the Mhadei day after day and night after ing vessel, Mhadei, was ceremoni - night, as she was tossed by mountainous ously escorted into her home seas and continually threatened by the port Mumbai by a fast attack keening-wind, blowing unhindered by nat - craft, speed boats and two tugs ural or man-made obstacles, across hun - Oshowering water cannons, after success - dreds of miles of oceanic expanse. Rough fully completing the first solo circumnavi - seas were the norm for much of the voyage, gation by an Indian. punctuated by short bursts of balmy Mhadei clocked 277 days to complete weather, complete with azure blue skies the exercise code named Sagar Parikrama and the playful lapping of the waves against and was ably skippered by vintage yachts - the hull of the Mhadei. man Commander Dilip Donde of the Indian What makes this feat even more ad - Navy. To witness the historic event and ho - mirable is that during the circumnavigation, nour a unique maritime adventure Vice the Mhadei made only four stops—Freman - President of India Hamid M. Ansari, Chief tle (Australia) Christchurch (New Zealand), of the Naval Staff, Flag Officer Command - Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and Cape ing-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and Town (South Africa). Vice Admiral (Retd) M.P. Awati gathered The Mhadei made her first land-fall at the along with family members of the skipper. legacy rich port city of Fremantle, Australia A naval helicopter showered petals on on September 24, 2009, having traversed Mhadei and coloured flares were fired as all 5,300 nautical miles (9,800 km), 36 days out naval ships in harbour sounded their sirens of Mumbai. She was warmly received by the to welcome home, Cdr Donde and the Royal Australian Navy and representatives of Mhadei. Conforming to naval tradition all Fremantle Sailing Club. On October 11, 2009, ships in harbour hoisted on their yardarm the Mhadei become the first Indian sailing flag with “Welcome Mhadei” inscribed on it. vessel to take part in the Fremantle Sailing Steadily approaching the same berth Club’s Opening Season event. from where he had set sail on this epic voy - Having traversed 3,200 nautical miles age on August 19, 2009, Cdr Donde, and the (5,929 km) after crossing the Great Aus - Mhadei on their return from the epic voyage tralian Bight and the Tasman Sea, Mhadei around the globe, brought home, not the arrived at Lyttelton, the Port of

t plunder of the world, but priceless gifts in - Christchurch, New Zealand on November e n

. stead—the gift of narration of the delights 21, 2009, 20 days out of Fremantle. Much s e of distant shore—the gift of pride in the like the experience at Fremantle, the skip - c r fact that an Indian-built boat with an Indian per and his yacht were warmly received and o f l

a skipper has achieved this great feat to according to the Indian Navy press release. the meridians at least once, and the equator extended every courtesy by their Lyttelton v a global acclaim. “Perhaps the most valuable During Sagar Parikrama , Mhadei accom - at least twice and the distance covered by hosts—a fact acknowledged and recorded n s gift of all is the reaffirmation of the tri - plished all of the officially prescribed strin - her was more than the length of a meridian by the skipper in his much-followed blog. p s

. umph of the human spirit and the inspira - gent tests for a successful circumnavigation (21,600 nautical miles or 40,000 km), she did For those who do not believe in coinci - w tion that we can all draw from this under sail. Mhadei commenced and ended not pass through any canals or straits where dences, the Mhadei sailed from Lyttelton at w

w manifestation of grit and determination,” her solo voyage in the same port, crossed all the use of engines/towing would be un - 12 noon on the 12th day of the 12th month,

4 3/2010 SAGAr PArIkrAmA 

Mhadei crossing finishing SNAPShOTS line adjacent to INS Delhi US CNS Gary Roughead in India

GOA, India (April 14, 2010): Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Gary Roughead during his visit to INS Hansa in Goa

exactly 12 months after she was floated in on February12, 2010, and braving the Roar - her namesake river in India, and was once ing Forties. The Mhadei reached the Cape again seen off by Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Town, South Africa, at about 10.30 on the Mehta in his new avatar as India’s High sunny morning of February 25, 2010, 24 Commissioner to New Zealand. days out of Port Stanley. Upon arrival at The Mhadei entered Port Stanley, the Cape Town, the Mhadei was given a warm capital of the Falkland Islands at 11 on the welcome by the South African Navy and the chilly morning of January 16, 2010, 34 days Cape Towners, while being admired by many out of Lyttelton, New Zealand. The Mhadei visitors, including a raft of sea lions, and traversed 5,000 nautical miles (9,000 km), Phoenicia, a sailing vessel seeking to repli - Admiral Gary Roughead signing the visitor’s book of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Soutern Naval Command braved torrid gales in the South Pacific and cate the circumnavigation of Africa by bone numbing cold, the Fearsome Fifties Phoenician sailing vessels in 600 BC. By now, and finally emerged to a truly heartwarm - the brave Mhadei was just a year old, and ing reception at the distant outpost of Eng - had already traversed nearly 23,000 nautical land. Despite the sparse population of the miles (42,600 km) during her short life. Hav - Falklands (2,000), there was a ing effected minor repairs and taken some Type 42 , and an armada of 12 well-deserved rest, Cdr Donde finally left boats (comprising three sailing yachts and Cape Town at 10.30 in the morning on April a kayak)—the enthusiasm was so high that 3, 2010, bound for home—Mumbai. During islanders without yachts or boats rode up the home stretch, she traversed 6,500 nauti - on horseback and took up vantage posi - cal miles (12,000 km) from 40 degrees South t s y w

tions on hillocks overlooking the entrance latitude to 20 degrees North latitude braving r e d n

to welcome the Mhadei. Seeing this, Cdr the Roaring Forties, the Doldrums, Cape of a V

s

Donde sailed her along the Stanley Water - Good Hope, Gales, Trade Winds, the mon - e n o J front, eliciting a warm response from the is - soon, and keeping an eye open for any pi - i n i f f i t landers. After spending 10 busy days rates operating along the route. / o t o carrying out local repairs and hoisting the Thus ended the story of an epic solo h p

y v

Tricolour 13,000 km away from home on voyage so bravely charted by indomitable a N

. s January 26, 2010, the Mhadei sailed from Dilip Donde and his yacht the Mhadei. Be - . U

:

Port Stanley on February1, 2010. fitting the achievement, the entire naval fra - s h P a

Having traversed 3,600 nautical miles ternity, Mumbaikars and the members of r g o

(6,666 km), the Mhadei crossed the Prime media arose in unison to accord a rousing t o h

Meridian, celebrating the ship’s anniversary welcome to the brave sailor. P

India and Oman to Step Up Cooperation in Maritime Security

efence Minister A.K. Antony was on on economic and social development ac - a two-day visit to Oman. During the tivities. “We intend to continue such activ - Dbilateral discussions between De - ities even though we have lost personnel fence Minister Antony and his Oman coun - and have suffered attacks on our Embassy terpart Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al in Kabul,” he said. Busaidi at Muscat it was decided to accel - Antony expressed satisfaction at the erate their cooperation in maritime secu - existing defence cooperation between the rity and regional security issues. This is two countries which is characterised by the first ever visit of India’s Defence Min - high level visit exchanges, training, regular ister to West Asia. Speaking at the meet - bilateral exercises between the two navies ing, he said that maritime security is one and ship visits. In this connection, he re - of the issues that are causing concern to called the first ever air exercise ‘Eastern countries around the world. After the Bridge’ in October 2009. Royal Air Force of Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, Oman pilots have attended the Jaguar Sim - issues of maritime security have emerged ulator training in India in the past and sim - as a major aspect of India’s security con - ilar training is planned this year also. “We cerns. “Maritime security has also become have laid the foundation and should now a global concern due to the pirate attacks work towards adding more content to our in the Gulf of Aden. Piracy off the coast of defence cooperation,” he said. Somalia has been growing over the years Antony invited his counterpart to at - and has now assumed alarming propor - tend Aero-India in February 2011. Antony tions,” he said. also called on the Sultan of Oman who is Giving details of the measures taken by also the Supreme Commander of the New Delhi, the Defence Minister said that ships of other flags have also been es - ber of bilateral and regional issues. Refer - Armed Forces and Prime Minister Qaboos to protect Indian flag ships and Indian corted. “We are cooperating with other ring to Afghanistan, Antony said, “We bin Said bin Thaimour Al Said. citzens employed in seafaring duties, In - navies deployed in this area by way of in - have a common aim in Afghanistan and The Indian delegation included Defence dian Navy had commenced anti-piracy pa - formation sharing and have been partici - that is to ensure that it does not become a Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Indian Ambassa - trols in the Gulf of Aden from October pating in the Shared Awareness and base of safe haven for terrorists again. We dor to Oman Anil Wadhwa, CISC Air Mar - b i P

2008. A total of 16 Indian Navy ships have De-Cofliction (SHADE) Meetings since April want a stable, moderate, unified and dem - shal S.C. Mukul, DGMF Lt General Dalip : h P a

been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since. 2009,” he said. ocratic Afghanistan.” He added that New Bhardwaj, Air Marshal A. Raha and Rear r g o

In addition to escorting Indian flag ships, The two sides also discussed a num - Delhi’s efforts in Afghanistan are focussed Admiral L.V.S. Babu. t o h P

3/2010 5  TeChNOlOGY

Stealthy Ships The scope of accessing technologies from the western world, so far denied to India, is witnessing an upward swing y v a N n a i d n i

: h P a r g Shivalik during sea o t o acceptance trials h P

n REAR ADMIRAL (RETD) SUSHIL RAMSAY During the Cold War era, the US Zumwalt class destroyer and Finnish Ham - ships inducted as a replacement of aging launched its first mission to develop a de - ina class boats. Leander class frigates have a displacement lowing from India’s Maritime Mili - vice to prevent Soviet Union radars to track Stealth features built into design of Visby of 4,000 tonnes and speed of 30 knots and tary Doctrine, the Maritime Capa- down its U-2 spy planes. However, this class corvette makes it capable of eluding vi - is capable of anti- and anti-sur - bility Perspective Plan (MCPP) has proved unsuccessful in 1958 with the sual detection, radar detection, acoustic and face ship roles with Klub-N/3M54 missile adopted a de novo approach to shooting down of a U-2 spy plane. Innova - infra-red detection. The ship’s surface is system. Its stealth features include a special force development for the Indian tive changes in aircraft design were contem - built by using carbon fibre reinforced plastic hull design, reduced RCS, electromagnetic, FNavy (IN) with emphasis on capability build- plated to deflect electromagnetic waves (FRP). Avoidance of right angles in the design acoustic and infrared signatures. Besides up rather than numbers which has been from radar transmissions to reduce results in a smaller radar signature, reducing Russian weapons and sensors, these ships adequately enunciated in the maritime chances of detection of own aircraft. Simul - the ship’s detection considerably. In the case have integrated quite a few indigenous sys - strategy as well. taneously, research efforts were concen - of design of Britain’s Type 45 anti-air war - tems, including the sonar suite and com - This philosophy was re-emphasised by trated in developing special absorbent fare destroyer, it is primarily based on the plete communication equipment. These the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal material for use on the aircraft to effec - concept of Visby class, the major deviation ships commissioned as IN Ships Talwar, Tr - Verma during a recent press conference as tively absorb radar transmissions to reduce being use of steel for hull instead of carbon ishul and Tabar have performed commend - he confirmed that the IN’s perspective plan - detection chances. Pioneering achievements FRP. In the US, initial efforts in developing ably for the IN and earned accolades the ning in terms of force levels is now driven such as these have aided development of stealth design were based on tumblehome world over. by a conceptual shift from number of plat - stealth technology as witnessed now. and Swath features in the Sea Shadow. Grad - Encouraged by the potency and capa - forms i.e., from the old bean-counting phi - Encouraged by outstanding success of ually, stealth technology, somewhat similar bility of these stealth ships, the Indian gov - losophy to one that focusses on creation of stealth technology, there is an increasing to German concept was extended to Arleigh ernment has contracted three additional capabilities. The MCPP is the IN’s roadmap shift towards it in the design concepts of Burke class destroyer. The US Navy’s ships to be built at Yantar Shipyard in for capabilities based force development surface ships, and aircraft. Zumwalt class of also recognised Kaliningrad. The delivery of first ship is over the three plan periods between 2005 Going by its emerging prominence, stealth as DD(X) have now emerged as the latest US scheduled in April 2011. These are up - and 2022 to meet contemporary and future technology has been successfully adopted stealth ships. graded version of Talwar class and Brah - challenges. Commissioning of stealth frigate in design concepts by several navies of the The philosophy of stealth is to deny Mos supersonic anti-ship INS Shivalik on April 29 was a major mile - world, leading among them being the hostile forces any clue of the presence of has been installed instead of the Russian stone in that direction. Swedish Visby class corvette, the Dutch friendly forces. The concept of camouflage missile system. The three ships will be Zeven Provinciën class frigate, the Turkish and concealment by merging into the back - commissioned as IN Ships Teg, Tarkash Stealth technology Milgem corvette, the Norwegian Skjold class ground visual clutter was the rudimentary and Trikhand. Stealth technology in naval ship design and , the French La Fayette class initial attempt. Advances in detection and The first indigenous ships to contain construction is used to ensure that ships frigate, the Chinese Houbei class missile interception devices have posed serious signature reduction features belong to evade detection by a host of detection de - boat and Type 054 frigate, the German challenges before the naval architects and Kolkata class guided-missile destroyers vices such as radars, visual, sonar, and in - MEKO ships Braunschweig class corvettes ship designers reduce infrared signatures under Project 15A. Three ships of the class frared. Genesis of technology for naval ships and Sachsen class frigates, the Indian Tal - of the ships and submarines. Viable solu - are being built at the premier defence ship - has linkages with successful development of war and Shivalik classes of frigates, the Sin - tion to the challenge emerged by integrat - yard Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The first stealth aircraft technology. Additionally, gaporean Formidable class frigate, the ing stealth features ab initio, at the design ship is expected to be commissioned in decades of research and development ef - British , the US Navy’s stage itself to reduce and control infra-red 2012. This is first conceptual design with forts in surface ship design and construction signatures. This has generated a totally new stealth features embedded into it to be de - such as wake, , hull vibra - geometric look to the contours and design signed by the Directorate General of Naval tion and radar cross section (RCS) reduction The first indigenous ships to of hull, upper decks and superstructure of Design (Surface Ships Group) of the IN. Proj - techniques, etc., have been successfully the stealth ships. ect 15A ships are follow-on of earlier Delhi dovetailed in stealth technology design for contain signature reduction class with major advanced package of naval ships. Low observable technology is a features belong to Kolkata Stealth technology and the IN weapons and sensors. precursor to stealth technology globally em - In the context of IN, the Talwar class of Indigenously developed and built sys - ployed over past several decades in naval class guided-missile frigates designed and built by Russian de - tems incorporated into the project are Hull tactics besides passive electronic counter- sign bureau and shipyard under project Mounted Sonar Array-New Generation measures which make the aircraft, ships destroyers under Project 15A 1135.6 were the first to be inducted. This (HUMSA-NG) and Nagin active towed array and submarines less visible to radar, in - guided missile frigate is a modernised ver - sonar. In addition, the ships will have Brah - frared, sonar and other detection devices. sion of Russian Krivak III class frigates. The Mos cruise and the Indo-Israeli

6 3/2010 TeChNOlOGY 

PhotograPhs: indian Navy / ajay shukla long-range surface-to-air missile with a and internal communication systems. The range of up to 70 km. new total atmosphere control system for Going by the successful progress and the ship’s air-conditioning and ventilation the potential of Project 15A ships, con - are different from earlier designs in terms struction of four additional destroyers of design concepts. under Project 15B has been approved by The other Project 17A ships, INS Sat - the government. The ships under Project pura and Sahyadri are likely to be commis - 15B have been designed with far greater sioned by November 2010 and May 2011 changes in the superstructure and more ad - respectively. vanced stealth features with better sound and infra-red suppression systems. These First stealth ASW corvette launched ships are designed to carry cruise Mamatha M, wife of the Minister of State for missile of 1,000 km range, hypersonic Defence, M.M. Pallam Raju, launched the BrahMos-II cruise missiles and extended first of its kind anti-submarine warfare range surface-to-air-missile (ER-SAM) with a (ASW) Corvette at Garden Reach Ship - range of 100 km. builders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on April19, 2010. The Kamorta class being con - Project 17 structed under Project 28 is the next gener - Project 17 ships are multi-role frigates with ation warships with ASW capability and very advanced stealth features, being built at low signature of radiated under water noise. MDL. The lead ship of the project INS Shiv - This corvette designated to be a frontline alik was commissioned by Defence Minister warship for the IN is equipped with sophis - A.K. Antony at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on ticated arrangement for mounting the ship’s April 29 this year. Rear Admiral K.N. Vaid - machinery. The ship’s weapon systems and hyanathan, Director General, Naval Design, sensor suits are fully indigenous. stated, “INS Shivalik has the latest stealth The ‘X’ form of hull and superstructure features to outsmart the enemy with low gives her a low RCS. Displacing around radar cross section, be it of the hull, infra- 2,500 tonnes, the ship’s hull form has over - red or sound signatures.” Project 17 ships all length of 109 metres, width of 13.7 me - have been designed to be the mainstay of tres and can cut through the sea at a very the frigates fleet of the IN for at least the high speed of 25 knots. It is built with spe - next three to four decades. Under Project cial grade high tensile hull steel DMR 249A 17 and 17A, there is a plan to build a fleet specially developed by SAIL. These ships of ten frigates in different phases. In Phase will have a very high percentage of indige - 1, IN Ships Shivalik, Satpura and Sahyadri nous equipment, either designed indige - are planned to be commissioned. Design nously or built under licence through features of balance seven frigates would be transfer of technology agreements. progressively updated to incorporate future The propulsion system of the ship typi - advancements. fies power combined with flexibility and consists of two controllable pitch pro - INS Shivalik pellers. Each gear unit and associated en - The basic design of Shivalik class developed gines are raft mounted to reduce acoustic by the Directorate General of Naval Design and vibration signatures. The ship will fea - (Surface Ships Group) had conceived 5,000- ture automated control and battle damage tonne stealth frigates, incorporating systems mounted on a common raft. It has advanced signature suppression and signa - Kirloskar Group indigenously manufac - ture management features. The detailed de - tured four diesel engines each of 3,800 kw. sign for the ship construction was developed Four ASW Corvettes are at present under by MDL. Although the order for the first construction and the first of the line is ex - three ships was placed in early 1999, its pro - pected to be delivered to the IN during duction could commence only two years 2012. All the four corvettes are planned to later, owing to lack of inputs for the be handed over by the year 2014. weapons suite, specification changes to the DCNS has supplied the noise-suppress - hull steel and delays in delivery of high- ing raft-mounted gearbox for CODAD strength D-40S steel from Russia. propulsion. Wartsila India will deliver the In a major step towards self-reliance, low-vibration diesel alternators to power DRDO and Steel Authority of India Limited the on board electronics. Other signature (SAIL) indigenously designed and developed management control features are built in to a special AB-grade steel required for the combat the ship’s infrared, RCS section sig - project and subsequent ship construction nature, noise and magnetic outputs, and activities. Construction of the first ship of two independent interconnected switch - Project 17 commenced with plate cutting boards optimise redundancy and reliability. on December18, 2000. The keel was laid on The armament is to include a Otobreda July11, 2001, and the ship was launched on 76 mm Super Rapid gun in a stealth mount April 18, 2003. The ship was built through built under licence and other weapons pack - modular-construction in 172 modules. age identical to those fitted on the Talwar Commissioning of INS Shivalik was re - and Shivalik classes of frigates including a portedly delayed by two-three months due Klub-N missile system in vertical launchers, to restrictions placed on General Electric two Larsen & Toubro (L&T) built derivatives from working on integration of the 30mm guns, 32x Barak SAM, 9M317 (Top to bottom) Defence Minister A.K. Antony unveiling of the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket LM2500+ gas turbines of the ship, pending (SA-N-12) SAM (total of 24 missiles), eight Shivalik plaque; Commissioning Guard of Honour-INS launcher, as well as L&T launchers. a review of all defence projects by the US Klub/BrahMos cruise missiles, 90R missiles Shivalik and details of the ship Revati, the naval variant of the DRDO-made administration. The ship has a displace - (ASW), DTA-53-956 torpedoes, Klub ASW central acquisition radar, is a confirmed sen - ment of 6,000 tonnes standard and 7,462 missile and two RBU-6000 (RPK-8). The ship sor aboard the vessel. Hangar and aviation tonnes full load, length 142.5 metres, beam would carry two HAL manufactured Dhruv facilities will also be standard features. 16.9 metres and draught 4.5 metres. The helicopters or Sea King Mk 42B. incorporation of systems to minimise her propulsion system includes two Pielstic 16 The main features of this project are its signatures. These include an infra-red sup - Conclusion PA6 STC diesel engines and two GE LM stealth characteristics and the land-attack pression system provided by Canada’s The IN’s mission to steadily proceed on 2500+boost turbines in Combined Diesal or capability. The ships incorporate structural, Davis Engineering. The acoustic and vibra - developing capability based force structure Gas Turbine (CODOG) configuration. Shiva - thermal and acoustic stealth features. Their tion signatures would be suppressed by use is evidently well on track. The scope of ac - lik is capable of doing 32 knots and eco - stealth capability is provided through the of noise and vibration-proof mounts and cessing technologies from the western nomic speed of 22 knots. the design caters to the reduced radar cross world, so far denied to India, is witnessing Sensors and processing systems include section. The weapon package of the ship in - an upward swing. Now the time is therefore one MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar, Indian Navy’s mission to cludes the Klub anti-ship and BrahMos su - most opportune to substantially augment four MR-90 Orekh radars, one ELTA EL/M personic cruise missiles. and upgrade the in-house design capabilities 2238 surveillance and threat alert radar steadily proceed on The ship is designed to use 10 gigabit and the indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, (STAR), two ELTA EL/M2221 STGR (fire con - LAN for their network. Fire control systems both in public and private sectors to take full trol radar), one BEL Aparna, HUMSA, ATAS/ developing capability based developed by DRDO and built by BEL has advantage of inflow of top-end technologies. Thales Sintra Towed Array system and BEL been installed on the Shivalik. This will be This dictum would provide the much needed manufactured Ajanta provide electronic force structure is evidently the first IN ship to have a CODOG propul - fillip to IN’s maritime strategy propounded warfare suite. well on track sion plant. She has an ATM based inte - upon the capability building approach in Weapon package of the ship comprise grated ship data network (AISDN) which meeting new threats and contemporary and of OTO Melera 76mm SRGM, two AK 630 serves as the foundation for the external future challenges.

3/2010 7  hOmelAND SeCurITY Mine Warfare Once the nuances of conventional mine warfare and countermine warfare are understood, it would be possible to extrapolate the scenarios and arrive at some likely threats from the sea mine when used as a weapon for terror

n COMMODORE (RETD) C.P. SRIVASTAVA Mine warfare counter-measure ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) naval minefield is a significant conducts sea trials with physical and psychological threat advanced minesweeping gear that can cause attrition to all type off the coast of Texas of enemy ships and submarines or limit ship movements by forcing dAelays and diversions. Any suspected mine - field must be treated as a serious danger, thereby forcing the ship’s captain to make decisions with incomplete information of the true threat, little information on the rel - ative merit of the available choices, and dire consequences if a wrong choice is made. During the American Civil War, the Con - federate forces at the Battle of Mobile Bay, unable to meet the Union fleet on equal terms, used mines as a defensive barrier. Less noticed, mining by the allies had some notable successes in World War II as well. In the Atlantic, the Royal Air Force (RAF) flew 20,000 mine-laying sorties over a pe - riod of five years, sinking 638 ships with the loss of 450 aircraft. This compares with 366 ships sunk directly by RAF torpedoes and bombs over the same period with the loss of 857 aircraft. Only 196 Axis ships were sunk by British submarines and sur - face ships. Similarly, in the Pacific theatre mines dropped by US B-29s in the spring of y

1945, together with American submarine v a N

warfare, effectively isolated Japan from all s U

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overseas sources of food and fuel. h P a r g o

Proliferation of Sea Mines t o h

Since the Gulf War, the number of mine P producers and exporters has grown signif - icantly. Today, there are 49 countries that enemy attack is the oldest application of aries, establish blockades or prevent actually striking the enemy targets. possess mining capabilities. There are the technique. Minefields are extensively enemy combatants from leaving (or re - l Support to mine countermeasure efforts : about 30 known sea mine manufacturing used to protect ports and other installa - turning to) ports. An active mine programme can also countries and 20 known exporters. Wide - tions from intrusion by sealing off all but a l Reduced risk : Since they are unmanned, support expertise in mine design, mine spread availability of advanced electronics few very secret passages. The same tech - naval mines reduce the risk to friendly countermeasures and mining tactics. and sensors will allow mines to be signifi - nique is used to defend coastal shipping personnel. The risk to high-value, multi- l Support to allies : Mines and expertise cantly more sophisticated and therefore lanes by laying comprehensive minefields purpose units are also reduced through can be made available to allies in situa - more difficult to clear. to seaward of the route. the use of mines as a first line of defence. tions that otherwise might require di - Mines are particularly valuable to hos - Interdiction : In mine warfare terms, this l Battlespace shaping : Mines can deny rect intervention. tile asymmetric forces that cannot engage involves the obstruction of shipping lanes enemy access even to areas that are also l Rapid reaction for limited contingen - regular naval forces directly. Naval mines and transit points by well-placed minefields denied to own surface or subsurface cies : Modern naval mines could be de - are more widespread and in many ways intended to restrict the ability of hostile ships or to areas where own forces are livered rapidly anywhere, anytime, with more difficult and certainly more time con - forces to mount attacks from the sea, to unavailable. The principles of manoeu - limited risk to friendly forces/person - suming to counter than the likely air and prevent the infiltration of submarines into vre warfare hinge on the ability to un - nel. They require neither a complex missile threats. Therefore, the use of sea critical areas or to inhibit the free flow of derstand the situation and to shape the build-up and deployment period nor mines by rogue states, terrorist organisa - commerce. battlespace by putting the enemy in a the establishment of a support base in tions and non-state players is a threat Attrition : Interdiction is effectively min - restricted, disadvantageous position the forward area. which cannot be ignored by any maritime ing somebody or something out of a given faster than he can react. Naval mines Mine categories : There are two gener - nation. Classic mine warfare as a discipline area. Attrition can be defined as the art of can provide such a capability by either alised categories of mines—moored mines of undersea warfare in certain scenarios mining high value assets into a selected area. creating restricted areas or by slowing and ground mines. Moored mines float at a emerges as a potent weapon of terror. Cer - Usually the effort is aimed at preventing a the enemy down. given depth and are held in place by an an - tain broad principles to counter such a particularly crucial naval unit (typically an l High-endurance weapon : Naval mines chor. These are by far the least sophisti - threat to homeland security, in less than aircraft carrier or a subma - can remain on station around the clock cated form of naval mines. The problem war scenarios, are articulated here. rine) from getting to sea and deploying. for long periods. with these weapons is that they cause less Force multiplication : Further use of l Diplomatic leverage : Naval mines em - destructive contact explosions rather than Concept minefields is to accentuate the effective - ployed in the “grey” area between devastating under-the-keel hits. Ground Mine warfare is a discipline of undersea ness of other weapons and to provide a peacekeeping missions and open hostil - mines detect the target by the acoustic, warfare that utilises the sea mine as a suitable environment for their use rather ities can prove useful to the nation’s magnetic, or pressure signatures of a ves - weapon to further its maritime aims. It has than as a primary weapon. This may be diplomatic objectives by enforcing sanc - sel, or a combination of these signatures. application in war as well as less than war achieved by using minefields to channel tions without initiating open conflict. As These weapons are also called influence situations. A point that merits mention is enemy shipping into selected killing tools of coercion naval mines may con - mines. After the target has been detected that the destruction of ships, whether civil - grounds or to restrict their manoeuverabil - tribute to achieving objectives without and is within range, the mine explodes at a ian or military, is not the primary purpose ity and thus enhance their vulnerability. An - set distance from the target. This ensures of a minefield. Mines are intended to pre - other very important role is to draw scarce that the explosion is of under-the-keel vari - t vent the use of or passage through an area and irreplaceable mine warfare ships into Sea mines are primarily sea ety and maximises damage. e n

. of sea. Mine countermeasures are intended positions where they can be destroyed. International law governing naval s e to permit the exploitation of an area of sea Contributions of sea mining to mar - denial weapons and once mine warfare : While the general impression c r or allow safe passage through such an area. itime capability : The major contributions is that international law severely limits the o f l planted, mines do not

a Some of the classic applications of sea that sea mining can make to a nation’s mar - applicability of mining, perusal of interna - v a mines and minefields for furtherance of itime capabilities are the following: tional rules for mining in peacetime, or dur - n differentiate between s maritime interests are enumerated in the l Low-cost force multiplier : Mines can re - ing a crisis, reveal the following: p s . succeeding paragraphs. lieve other platforms in maintaining friend and foe l Nations can lay armed or controlled w Asset protection : Historically, the use static defences such as anti-ship or anti- mines in their own internal waters at w

w of minefields to impede and defeat an submarine barriers that create sanctu - any time without notification to others,

8 3/2010 hOmelAND SeCurITY 

and in archipelagic waters and territo - free at 8 a.m. It is thus necessary to be able l Airborne MCM may in fact provide the terrorists. While it may be a work culture rial seas during peacetime, with notifi - to demonstrate quickly and unobtrusively answer to the need of rapid deploy - issue, ethos or a deep-rooted national cation of minefield location, to meet that nothing has appeared on the seabed or ment. This if coupled with a dedicated malaise, the fact of the matter is that this temporary “national security purposes.” if something has appeared, it can be inves - MCM support vessel (of the class/size of singular shortcoming will always be ex - l Nations cannot lay armed mines in in - tigated, and if necessary, neutralised. INS Jalashwa), one on each coast would ploited by the adversaries. ternational straits or archipelagic sea At first sight, the terrorist use of mines provide the necessary reach and sus - Involve the entire maritime commu - lanes during peacetime. can be considered a sub-set of interdiction, tainability. This will bring down the nity : Akin to involving each citizen in the l Nations can lay controlled mines in yet the reality is that the problems and de - ‘time to deployment’ to as low as two to fight against terror, all seafarers must be their own archipelagic waters or territo - mands of countering terrorist mining are in five days. educated and sensitised to the danger from rial sea without notification. a class by themselves. A terrorist “mine - l An assessment may be required to as - mines. The fishing community if orches - l Nations can lay controlled mines in in - field” can consist of as little as a single certain if the current explosive ord - trated and empowered may be the ears and ternational waters, without notification, covertly-placed mine. The objective is not nance disposal (EOD) teams are eyes of near shore homeland security. This as long as they do not constitute an “un - so much the destruction of the ship but the adequate; in terms of their numbers, will pay dividend far in access of any radar reasonable interference” with other law - economic damage caused by disruption to equipment and training. chain or similar surveillance systems, at a ful uses of the seas. trade, the financial penalties resulting from l The availability of remotely operated fraction of the cost. It is the same for the l Armed mines cannot be laid in interna - increased shipping insurance rates and ex - underwater vehicles and unmanned shipping and offshore community. tional waters prior to an outbreak of tended journey times and the political im - under sea vehicles for MCM is another Dynamic and knowledge sharing ma - armed conflict, except under special cir - pact of demonstrating the inability of the point for consideration. In fact, making trix organisation : It is essential that an or - cumstances. If laid, prior notification of government to defend the sea routes. them available to all major warships, as ganisation which can coordinate and their location is required, and an on- Thus countermine planning and contin - part of integral ‘point defence’ against control the entire coastal defence, includ - scene presence must be maintained gencies must include (but not restricted to) mines and other support functions, is ing the threat from sea mines, is put in during peacetime to ensure that warn - the defence of the following: recommended. In today’s scenario of place. This has to be a matrix organisation ing is given to all approaching ships. l Commercial and Naval ports and channels coalition and international cooperation with knowledge sharing intrinsic in its When the imminent danger has passed, l Offshore static assets against terrorism, coordinated MCM op - structure and the design being dynamic such mines must be rendered harmless l Floating Assets- Men of war and the erations with other friendly neighbour - enough to tackle terrorist organisations or be removed. mercantile fleet ing navies must be one of the thrust which are far more innovative and creative l Riverine and inland waterways areas during the joint exercises. than normal organisations. Threats from sea mines l To take full advantage of this potential Robust and automated processes : The Sea mines are primarily sea denial weapons Defence of ports and channels own forces and other friendly foreign processes for reporting, collating and dis - and once planted, mines do not differenti - A credible peacetime mine threat could countermine warfare forces will have to semination of actionable information have ate between friend and foe. Therefore, own quickly close a port or waterway not only be - be highly interoperable, requiring stan - to be robust, lean and automated. For ex - and neutral shipping and fishing will also cause of the ships’ immediate concerns dardised countermine warfare data ample, some of the mobile service be denied usage of the area. During peace about damage, but also because the ships en - structures, data links and procedures. providers could be mandated to erect pow - time, if laid for national security purposes, tering mined waters may not be insured. l Actual mine hunting and clearance erful, seaward looking, long-range towers notification is essential only if laid in terri - Clearly, a credible terrorist mine threat times could be extended appreciably by on the coast and the fishermen and off - torial and archipelagic waters. No notifica - against any port, both the commercially busy lack of current data on hydrology, tide shore shipping community could use exist - tion is required for any mine laid in internal major ones as well as the strategically signif - and wave movement, composition, ing mobile sets to call a dedicated toll free waters or controlled mines laid anywhere. icant minor ports, a free floating sea mine in hardness and roughness of bottom and number to report suspicious activity, in The term “mine warfare” is used to in - the vicinity of offshore hydrocarbon assets most importantly presence of “non- their preferred language, 24x7, akin to a clude both naval mining and countermine call centre. In fact, such a process can easily warfare. The term “countermine warfare” is be outsourced and only filtered, collated used to include not only local measures to and actionable information fed to the deci - detect and clear mines, but also the intelli - sion-making organisation. This approach is gence and other support activities impor - being used by the US to collate the vast tant to countering the threat of mines at sea amount of data coming real-time from and in the approaches to shore. Therefore, UAV’s and drones in its fight against terror while mines are intended to prevent the use in the Af-Pak region. of, or passage through an area of sea, mine Defence of offshore assets : Mine threat countermeasures are intended to permit to static offshore assets during less than the exploitation of an area of sea or allow war situations is likely to be restricted to safe passage through such an area. floating contact mines. Since these mines can best be detected visually, enhanced pa - Sea mining and homeland security trolling by OPVs and neutralisation of Asset protection : Defensive mining can be mines detected at a safe standoff range resorted to as an entry barrier (akin to bor - may be the most cost-effective and practical der fencing and mining in no man’s land) in solution. Constant sensitisation of the waters contiguous with high value vital crews on the oil platforms and frequent areas, installations and assets on the water One of the navy’s mine neutralisation drills will increase awareness and therefore front. The challenge would be to ensure vehicles (MNv) is raised out of chances of countering the threat. non-penetration of the barrier by own and the water after the completion of a Defence of floating assets : Defence of mine countermeasure exercise neutral crafts. aboard USS Ardent floating assets, while in harbour (alongside Interdiction : Interdiction is effectively or at anchorage) or in the channel, will re - mining somebody or something out of a main the responsibility of the port author - given area. The terrorists will almost always or a busy coastal sea lane, would create a mine, mine like bottom objects” in own ities. While warships may initiate self- mingle with existing traffic to transit from major economic problem as well as a critical ports. Collecting and updating such protection measures, it is unlikely that the ‘home base’ to ‘launch site’. Use of mine challenge to the navy and all other agencies data is an internal exercise utilising the mercantile fleet can undertake any such fields to obstruct shipping lanes and transit involved in homeland security. Akin to fight - existing platforms. measures. points and thereby restrict the ability to ing terror on land, here too success will de - While availability of appropriate hard - Riverine mine warfare : The subject of mount attacks from the sea, may therefore pend on a host of factors; coordination ware will remain a necessary condition to mine warfare carried out within the envi - be an option only in very rare and specific between agencies, involvement of the entire tackle the sea mine threat from terrorists, it ronment of inland waterways (including circumstances. Availability of controlled maritime community (including the fishing, is not sufficient. Other crucial aspects such canals as well as rivers) is often neglected. mines, proven command and control struc - shipping and offshore maritime community), as organisations, structures, processes, etc, Yet such waterways often represent a major tures and demonstrated will to use all ‘avail - dynamic knowledge sharing matrix organi - are also vital for this war against terror. means of commercial movement and are able means’ would be a pre-requisite, if such sations, robust automated processes and Some of these are enumerated in the suc - the primary means of communication in a mine field (actual or paper) is to be utilised contemporary wherewithal. All these will ceeding paragraphs. rural areas. The environment of rivers is not for purposes of homeland security. have to be orchestrated to counter this men - Coordination between agencies : This is an easy one for either offensive or defen - Attrition : Attrition can be defined as the ace and this ‘system of systems’ will only be one monster which needs to be slain before sive mine warfare operations. The combina - art of mining high value assets into a se - as strong as its weakest link. terrorism can be confronted on any front, in - tion of fast-flowing waters and silt-covered lected area. Terrorist organisations are al - Requisite mines counter-measures cluding countering the use of sea mines by beds makes conventional mining activities most always likely to use low value crafts (MCM) wherewithal : Certain guidelines and very difficult. A floating contact mine will or crafts of opportunity (COOP) for mount - concepts based on the emerging MCM be the preferred mine used by the terror - ing attacks from sea. Use of mine fields trends are enumerated below: Sea mines can be a poor ists, which may be released upstream. The purely for purposes of causing attrition is, l Deployment of surface MCM from their counter to this remains the same; educating therefore, an unlikely option under normal home port to port under-mine threats man’s naval force capability the public and vessel owners and sensitis - circumstances. itself may be 5-10 days, depending on ing them to the dangers. Neutralisation of the current basing of the limited MCM that is being proliferated such mines will again have to be under - Countering terrorist mines platforms available with the Navy. taken by specialised EOD teams which must Countering terrorist mining is very difficult. l Large-scale surface MCM augmentation widely, including non-state have the ability to arrive at the scene with Essentially, it involves proving that no would be needed to reduce the clear - players and terrorist minimum delay, akin to a conventional mines are present to the sea faring commu - ance time line to an economically ac - bomb disposal team. nity. The situation becomes more com - ceptable level and to achieve the organisations pounded as if a given area is mine free at 8 necessary degree of certainty that the p.m., it does not mean that it will be mine- port is actually clear of mines. Continued on page 13

3/2010 9  CONfereNCe Commanders’ Meet Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma presided over the Navy Commanders’ Conference, organised at the Integrated Headquarters of the MoD

Defence Minister A.K. Antony, addressing Navy Commanders’ Conference 2010 y v a N

n a i d n i

: h P a r g o t o h P

n REAR ADMIRAL (RETD) SUSHIL RAMSAY a requirement for a national effort involv - time to time to bring in more transparency, best quality ships in a shorter timeframe ing various ministries to build a common efficiency and accountability. The annual re - and at competitive costs. The Navy and the he annual Navy Commanders’ Con - maritime picture and enable online infor - view of the defence procurement procedure shipyards must interact closely with the ference was held from May 18 to mation exchange. The aim was to synergise was one such step in the direction. other agencies to meet contractual time - 21, 2010, at the Integrated Head - various agencies with the vast spectrum of The Defence Minister said we need to lines and adhere to the best quality stan - quarters of the Ministry of Defence information available to build an integrated firmly secure our maritime frontiers, water - dards,” said Antony. (Navy) and presided over by Chief picture of the maritime domain. ways and offshore resources on a perma - Addressing the media on the sidelines Tof the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma. During discussions on coastal security, nent basis. He said there was a need to of Navy Commanders’ Conference, the De - The ever-increasing demands of maritime it was brought out that the joint operations create necessary infrastructure for the se - fence Minister once again turned down sug - security both in the littorals and high seas centres (JOC) were operating effectively in curity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as gestions for raising the FDI limit in the and the consequent need for the Indian close coordination with the IN and the also Lakshadweep. “Our island territories defence production sector, holding that 26 Navy (IN) to maintain a high state of Coast Guard (CG). The other stakeholders form natural bulwarks that extend our per cent was enough at the moment. “Our preparedness, professional excellence, were also integrated ensuring effectiveness strategic arms to our east and west and also defence production policy is evolving over coupled with material preparedness, of the JOCs. The CNS was pleased to note function as the last outpost for the defence the years, but at the moment we feel the In - sound logistics, effective maintenance and the fillip provided to the coastal security of our mainland. Considering the impor - dian defence sector is not mature enough comprehensive training were exhorted matrix by the coastal community of fisher - tance of the eastern region, we need to cre - to absorb more FDI. We feel that the time is upon by the CNS. men acting as their eyes and ears. ate the necessary infrastructure in the not right to further expand it,” said the Min - While reviewing the operational pre - Addressing the conference on May 20, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Similarly, ister. This came after the Commerce Min - paredness of the IN, the CNS apprised Defence Minister A.K. Antony urged senior the Lakshadweep Islands, which straddle istry’s Department of Industrial Promotion Naval Commanders about major contracts officers of the IN and the Ministry of De - the oil artery of the world, require our un - and Policy proposed that the FDI limit be like additional MiG-29Ks and cost revision fence (MoD) to take immediate steps to en - divided attention,” he said. hiked to as much as 74 per cent. of Gorshkov which ensured full utilisation sure that the proposals and assets Referring to the threat posed by piracy, Antony often points at the “sensitivities of the allotted budget. He said that due approved by the government for coastal se - especially off the coast of Somalia, Antony involved’’ in the defence sector. Yes, de - emphasis was being laid on improving curity were put in place at the earliest. said it continued to be a major concern as fence is a strategic sector. But it is equally the efficiency of the internal processes as - “Coastal security is a very high priority for piracy affects the security and economy of true that India desperately needs a robust sociated with acquisition to achieve the the government and the Navy plays a key the entire region. He said his discussion defence-industrial base to fulfill its aspira - goals laid out in the Maritime Capability role in this. The government is equipping with the Sultan and other top functionaries tions of becoming a global power. “We are Perspective Plan. both the Navy and Coast Guard for coastal of Oman during the just concluded two-day forced to import even basic stuff like bul - During the discussions on anti-piracy surveillance and patrolling both in terms of visit had given us “new hints” which we let-proof jackets, ballistic helmets, assault measures, it was brought out that since Oc - assets and manpower. Proposals towards must pursue seriously. rifles, artillery shells and the like. FDI can tober 2008 the IN had maintained a contin - this end have been approved. It is now the Turning to shipbuilding activities, be kept out of areas which are really sensi - uous patrol in the Gulf of Aden and responsibility of all of you to ensure that Antony said the recent commissioning of tive,’’ said a senior officer. “Greater FDI will deployed 17 IN ships for anti-piracy duties. these are put in place at the earliest and the first indigenous stealth frigate INS Shiv - usher in top-notch technology, quality and Till date, 976 merchant ships, including 130 used effectively and efficiently for coastal alik was a welcome development. He said management skills, as also lower prices and

t Indian traders have been safely escorted security,” he said. there were 33 ships and submarines in var - will promote competition. A defence-indus - e n

. through the Gulf. It was also brought out He also assured that the government was ious stages of construction at Indian ship - trial base, even with higher FDI, will be far s e that the deputation of units for patrolling committed to the modernisation of the Navy yards. He called for adherence to timelines better than being so dependent on im - c r the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and mar - and funds would not be allowed to become and quality standards to meet the indigeni - ports,’’ said an official. o f l

a itime areas of interest of friendly island a constraint. However, the onus of utilising sation requirements. While the Defence Ministry wanted the v a countries in the Western Indian Ocean such the allocated funds, optimally and judi - “Our efforts to modernise the Navy FDI limit to remain unchanged, it would n s as Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives would ciously lay collectively with both the Navy through indigenisation will proceed at the shortly fine-tune its purchase policy to give p s

. continue to be facilitated. and Defence Finance Department. He said desired pace, only if the shipyards em - more space to the public and private sec - w Speaking on maritime domain aware - that the ministry was trying its best to suit - brace modern ideas and technology. This tors to promote indigenisation of defence w

w ness (MDA), the CNS stated that there was ably fine-tune the procurement process from will enable the shipyards to produce the hardware production.

10 3/2010 Oem/INTerVIew 

‘MBDA is Seeing India as the Fifth Pillar of its Structure after the Four Domestic Countries (UK, France, Italy and Germany)’

MBDA, a world leader in missiles and missiles system, desires to be a major player in the Indian defence market and is viewing India as the fifth pillar of its structure in addition to current partner countries—France, UK, Italy and Germany. Loic Piedevache , Country Head, MBDA Group, in conversation with SP’s Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal , spoke about building a reliable, strategic and long-term partnership in India.

SP Guide Publications (SP’s): MBDA was formed with of defence systems to create an effective the merger of key missile producers in France, Italy layered defence system—from deployable and Great Britain, and subsequent acquisition in Ger - short- range systems such as Mistral and VL many. Has this made you a world leader or was it a Mica to higher level systems such as Aster. fait accompli? Our air dominance range includes AS - Loic Piedevache (Loic) : In the past few decades, RAAM, Mica and Meteor to ensure the air- there have been many mergers and reorgan - to-air battle. Dual Mode Brimstone and isations in the defence sector worldwide. Storm Shadow/SCALP are available to de - The merger of several companies has inad - liver devastating precision in the air-to- vertently resulted in huge turnover as the ground attack missions. best of resources and expertise on a wide In the battlefield warfare, MBDA is of - range of products came together. fering MILAN and Eryx missiles. Concerning But a lot of hard work was required to the maritime threats, we can offer a wide effectively integrate the companies and en - choice of weapons: the latest generation of sure that their operating systems are coor - family (MM40 Block 3) and Otomat dinated properly. In order to create a Mk2 Block IV for long range targets and suitable business model, resources had to Marte Mk2 for middle range targets. be pooled in the most effective manner with the correct use of synergies. SP’s: You lay a lot of emphasis on customer support. MBDA has set a benchmark in terms of How do you ensure that every sale is followed by international integration within the defence quality customer support? sector and has become a global player. Loic: Customer support is crucial for us. We ensure that the customer gets the maximum SP’s: Can you tell us about the company’s current pro - Weapons such as Storm Shadow/SCALP benefit from the equipment “through life file? How do you position yourself in the global mar - A Brief Profile and Meteor are the world leaders and can - support through life performance”. Our sup - ket today? Loic Piedevache has been the Country not be compared with other weapons. We port service ranges from training, spares Loic: MBDA is a global player having busi - Head, India, MBDA Group since 2007. combine the industrial and technological management, repair work, assistance with ness in defence markets across the globe. Prior to this, he was with Sofema and strengths of France, Italy, Germany and the live firings, stockpile management, etc. We are moving towards a situation where served as the Director, South Asia, from UK together within one company. Our customer service is highly person - over 50 per cent of our turnover will come 2003 to 2007, Director, Latin America Meteor, the beyond visual range air-to- alised and does not come off the shelf or out from export activities as opposed to domes - and the Caribbean from 2000 to 2003, air missile dominates the air battle giving of a catalogue. It is discussed, developed, tic sales (UK, France, Italy and Germany). and Office Director, Rio de Janeiro of - air superiority against the threat, provides adapted, customised and implemented in Our latest programmes include Storm fice, Brazil from 1994 to 2000. An alum - an unmatched no escape zone. It has been line with each and every customer’s specific Shadow, SCALP , to name a few. nus of Collège Stanislas, Paris and Ecole ordered by the UK Ministry of Defence and requirements. Our approach is work in- des cadres Management School, Paris, five other European nations namely France, country with the customer. SP’s: Can you briefly outline the company’s history? Loic has served as Overseas Trade Advi - Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The What are the factors that lead to the merger? In hind - sor for France Vice-President of India Storm Shadow/SCALP is a conventionally SP’s: The Milan anti-tank missile has been in service sight, what have been its positive points? section from 2004 to 2008. He has a pri - armed stand-off air-to-ground long-range with the for a long time now. It is under - Loic: The consolidation of Europe’s missile vate pilot’s licence and is the recipient missile which can be deployed day and stood that a fresh contract was signed at the end of companies began in 1996, when parts of of the French National Defence medal. night and in adverse weather. 2008 for an upgraded version. Can you elaborate? Matra Defence and BAe Dynamics merged Loic: Milan is a success story between MBDA to form Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD). In SP’s: MBDA is one of the leading manufacturers of and the Indian public sector undertaking 1999, the Aérospatiale-Matra Missiles was quantities around the world. missiles in the world. In what ways are the 15 new Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) which formed. In 1998, GEC-Marconi Radar and products now being developed by MBDA different? started 30 years ago. Licences for several Defence Systems and Alenia Difesa com - SP’s: MBDA is a multinational company. What is the Loic: The new developments include intelli - versions of Milan missiles have been suc - bined their missile and radar activities to collective view of the nations involved (in MBDA) with gent warheads, modular systems, and new cessfully implemented in India. The last ver - form Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS). In De - regard to transfer of the latest and sensitive technolo - propulsion technologies among others. sion delivered to India is the Milan 2T which cember 2001, MBD (including AMM) and the gies to India? Are there any conflicts of interest? They are all designed to meet new customer has a deadly tandem warhead and enhanced Missile and Missile Systems activities of Loic: There are no conflicts of interest. requirements regarding new terms of en - operational capabilities. AMS were merged and thus came up MBDA. MBDA’s identity is represented by advanced gagement, new platforms, threats, etc. In June 2005, LFK, a unit of EADS Defence technology and not nationality. Transfer of SP’s: It has been reported that MBDA and the Defence and Security Systems merged with MBDA. technology (ToT) is the key feature that SP’s: When something becomes seemingly obsolete, Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are The merger was necessary for the survival MBDA offers. In most cases, transfer of do you phase out the product or upgrade it? Or is it a jointly developing a new generation of low-level, of the fragmented European industry. technology is a key feature of MBDA’s offer combination of both? quick-reaction air defence missile Maitri for the In - to the customers. Our customers do not Loic: Because of paucity of funds, some cus - dian Navy and the Air Force. It is understood that it SP’s: What is the annual turnover of MBDA? Your web - wait for a product enhancement to be com - tomers ask for upgradation, to extend the has been offered to the Indian Army as well. Can you site says you have as many as 45 products in service. monly available. If the customer makes spe - life of the existing products. In many cases comment on the project? What are your most sought-after products? cific demand for a product, we make it we have provided life-extention service up Loic: MDBA is considering India as a strate - Loic: The growth was rapid and by 2005 available for them after discussions with to 5-10 years through our support team. As gic long-term partner and is keen to shift MBDA had doubled its turnover to 3 billion them about the specific enhancements in we respond to customer operational needs, from a usual buyer-seller approach to a Euro. The company’s current turnover line with national specific requirements. it results in the long-term development of deeper relation through a strong co-devel - (2009) stands at 2.6 billion Euro. It will be our product portfolio. Of course, we need opment programme involving key transfer difficult to say what are our most sought SP’s: MBDA offers a range of weapons for all the three to provide long-term support for in-service of technologies. Developing short range after products. In terms of quantity (number forces—land, sea and air. What edge does your range products and so we cannot just decide a surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) is in tandem not value) – large quantities of Eryx missiles of weapons offer compared to your competitors? Is product line as obsolete and ignore it. with this strategic step. The Indian Navy and Exocet missiles have been sold. Mistral cutting-edge technology the USP of your group or do will also be a potential customer for SRSAM. is in service with about 30 countries and will you have other aces too up your sleeve? SP’s: Can you elaborate on the ground-based air de - soon be in service on the Indian Dhruv/WSI. Loic: MBDA has many aces—we are a technol - fence missile, air dominance missile and surface to SP’s: Will you also offer core technologies like the de - But MILAN manufactured under licence in ogy leader, we are the only company provid - surface missile systems manufactured by MBDA? sign of the active seeker head and the missile engine India by BDL has been sold in even higher ing weapons to all three of the armed forces. Loic: MBDA is a leader in providing a range apart from the other sub-systems?

3/2010 11  Oem/INTerVIew

Loic: Sensitive technologies will be trans - SP’s: Has MBDA established any joint venture or part - ferred in the form of SRSAM, but at this nership with any Indian company in the private sector stage, we cannot disclose more information. or do you propose to do so to meet the possible offset requirements? SP’s: What about the missiles systems for the Indian Loic: MBDA is looking for a strong, reliable, Air Force (IAF) and missile upgradation for Jaguar and strategic, long-term and fruitful partner - Mirage 2000? Is MBDA contemplating on participating ship with India. In this regard, we are in the mid-life upgradation programmes of these having advanced discussions with a major combat aircraft of the IAF? private Indian group. This partnership Loic: Regarding the Mirage upgradation, will be a structured and comprehensive MBDA has been requested to make an offer one and will meet all the procurement for the air-to-air weapon. We have proposed requirements. the MICA, the multi-mission air-to-air We are looking for a partner having missile system which has outstanding ma - complementary technologies and skills, a noeuverability, high resistance to counter- strategy consistent with MBDA’s global measures, two interoperable advanced strategy, in order to become/behave as a technology seekers and can be used in source or an equal partner, able to export multi-target from long BVR intercept to from its home base, share MBDA views on close-in dog fight. collaboration with SME’s, DPSU’s, and be Regarding the Jaguar, MBDA is currently recognised by the Indian authorities as a responding to a request for proposal (RFP) strategic industrial asset for the country. for a close combat missile. We are offering Asraam Combat Missiles for Jaguars, which SP’s: What are your long-term plans for India? How Latest generation of Exocet family (MM40 Block 2) (top) has already been fitted on Jaguars opera - do you see the potential? and Otomat Mk2 Block Iv missiles for long range targets tional in other air forces. Loic: Besides BDL, we have also been work - ing with Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) and SP’s: Is MBDA a part of the 126 medium multi-role Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). We combat aircraft (MMRCA) for the IAF? welcome the developments with regard to Loic: MBDA is providing missiles in weapon foreign direct investment in India, which is packages of the three European OEMs at present 26 per cent. Emergence of pri - including Dassault (Rafale), EADS (Eu - vate sectors would be fruitful to compli - rofighter), Saab (Gripen). ment the public sector. MBDA wants to be a major local player SP’s: Can you tell us something about MBDA’s multi- in India. All the clearances towards exports purpose combat vehicle project and its other vari - are well in place. We offer to co-develop ants? Will it be offered to India? Meteor and various other leading pro - Loic: The multi-purpose combat vehicle is a grammes in India. Meteor is claimed to be versatile and deadly accurate air trans - beyond competition. portable vehicle equipped with a motorised MBDA is seeing India as the fifth pillar a D

b turret, with electro optical sensors. It has a of its structure after the four domestic M

:

h small calibre gun and four ready-to-fire countries (UK, France, Italy and Germany). P a

r missiles that can be operated from an inte - g o t rior firing console. It will be offered to India SP’s: How do you look at the future? o h P if there is a requirement. Loic: We work 20 years ahead of time.

Journey of Hundred Years (Clockwise from right) The French Naval Aviation Centenary Air Alpha jets dispersing from the formation; Show witnessed a marvelous display of vought F4U-7 air power by more than 100 aircraft and Corsair at static display; F-18 Hornets at helicopters. A glimpse of images by SP’s the flight line; curious crowd at the display; US Navy’s F-18 Hornet Photo Editor Abhishek Singh from Hyères, low level fly pass; Dassault Rafale South of France. taxing and A380 low level fly pass t e n . s e c r o f l a v a n s p s . w w w

12 3/2010 TeChwATCh 

Hull Grooming Robot Dry Suit

A hull-cleaning device, similar to a robotic home vacuum cleaner developed under ONR’s Bare’s XCD2 Tech Dry, a 2mm Discovery and Invention Programme is being tested now hyper-compressed neoprene dry suit

Carderock estimates that the vesserl are Sportswear Corporation is developing speed is reduced by up to 10 per cent the XCD2 Tech Dry, a front-entry, 2mm from biofouling, which can require up Bhyper-compressed neoprene dry suit. It fea - to a 40 per cent increase in fuel con - tures Bare’s patented automatic torso recoil (ATR) sumption to counter the added drag. system and Bare’s exclusive no-stitch technology ONR is developing the hull bug to pre - (NST). For inflation and deflation, the tech dry has vent or suppress the growth of ad - a 360° swivel inflator valve and a low-profile ad - vanced biofouling. It is an autonomous justable exhaust valve. vehicle designed to groom and main - The Tech Dry’s tain the hull surfaces of ships. Its mis - 2mm hyper-com - sion is similar to a robotic home floor pressed Metalite neo - cleaner, lawn mower or some advanced prene is laminated pool cleaners in that it is designed to with diamond-tuff be tether free, autonomous and run on nylon and the self-don - a battery for a significant duration of ning front zipper has a its mission. Once developed, it is ex - protective zipper cov - pected that the hull bug platform ering. The tech dry is could provide other capabilities such delivered with HD l i as hull inspection or force protection. 7mm neoprene vulcan - m . t y h v g a Hull bug is an independent under - ised bare boots or i r n . W r z N water hull grooming robot specifically compression-resistant t i o F

: : h designed to prevent the accumulation soft boots, in addition h P P a a r of marine fouling. By reducing marine to K-padz ware resist - r g g o o t fouling on ship hulls, the hull bug will ant kneepads, radar t o o h h P help ensure peak ship performance, re - and light reflective P duce fuel consumption associated with patches and carry bag, he US Office of Naval Research and submarines rely on critical design increased drag from accumulated be - LP hose, zipper wax and manual. Optional cuff- (ONR) is testing the robotic hull factors such as top speed, acceleration, fouling and decrease the US Navy’s car - rings are available for the dry glove system. Tbio-inspired underwater groom - and hydroacoustic stealth to achieve bon footprint. This will reduce the risk The XCD2 Tech Dry is being manufactured by ing tool (hull bug) as a hull-cleaning their mission. Biofouling of ship hulls, of hull invasive species transfer. FitzWright Company Ltd, a wholly owned sub - device. The hull bug is similar in con - primarily caused by the buildup of ma - The hull bug is being developed sidiary of Bare Sportswear Corporation, which is cept to an autonomous robotic home rine crustaceans such as barnacles, under ONR’s Discovery and Invention North America’s largest manufacturer of insulat - vacuum cleaner and uses a bio-film adds weight, roughness and increases (D&I) Programme. If successful, the ing diving apparel. A 25-year-old company, it has detector to differentiate between the drag, reducing the vessels fuel effi - technology will be further developed over the years grown as a leading supplier of wet - clean and unclean surfaces on the hull ciency especially for navy ships as they through the Future Naval Capabilities suits, dry-suits, wading gear and accessories. The of a ship. move in the oceans. (FNC) programme with full ship company’s products are available in more than 30 High-performance naval warships The Naval Surface Warfare Center, demonstrations by 2015. countries across the world.

Mine Warfare continued from page 9

Remote mine-hunting system (RMS) is an organic, off-board mine reconnaissance system

Control regime for mine t echnology tinent to mention that such a regime has Sea mines can be a poor man’s naval force also been recommended by a special study capability that is being proliferated group in the US Department of Defence, widely, including non-state players and which was mandated to study the threat terrorist organisations. The mines them - from sea mines. selves range from World War I vintage to modern, self-burying, hard-to-find mines Conclusion with sophisticated fusing that is becoming The sea mine has been a weapon of asym - increasingly difficult to counter. Even metric warfare for the last couple of cen - the poorest countries and hostile organi - turies. Its use by terrorist organisations sations may be able to acquire highly and non-state players is a danger. Agen - advanced mines. cies mandated with homeland security in A serious, if not wholly successful at - less than war situations will have to factor tempt to inhibit the proliferation of ballis - this into their contingency planning. Once tic missiles is contained in the Missile the nuances of conventional mine warfare Technology Control Regime instituted in and countermine warfare are understood, 1987. A similar regime for mine technology it would be possible to extrapolate the sce - might similarly limit the threat of advanced narios and arrive at some likely threats mines that may be used against the fleet or from the sea mine when used as a weapon shipping critical to the free world. It is per - for terror.  fIrST

Large and Powerful UK’s Future Aircraft Carriers—Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales

PhotograPh: bae systems ork on United Kingdom’s Future Aircraft Carriers—HMS WQueen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales—for the Royal Navy, is in full swing. The aircraft carriers will be the largest and most powerful surface war - ships ever built in the UK and will dis - place approximately 65,000 tonnes, a size between the USA’s 100,000-tonne Nimitz class and the French 43,000-tonne Charles de Gaulle class aircraft carriers. These are three times larger than the in - vincible class carriers. The two ships are likely to enter serv - ice in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Ini - tially to be configured for short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) operations, the carriers are to be adaptable to short take- off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) or catapult assisted take-off but arrested re - covery (CATOBAR) configurations to allow any type of future generation of aircraft to operate from them. The carrier will have a maximum speed of 25 knots and at 15 knots and the range will be 10,000 nautical miles. The ships will have the capability to carry food, fuel and stores for an endurance of seven days between replenishments. Each ship will have a complement of typically 1,200 including 600 crew members. Future Aircraft Carrier will be the the Lockheed Martin F35 Joint Strike Although CV-based, the ships will be ini - mensions of CVF are yet to be con - principal platform for the RN/RAF Fu - Fighter (JSF). tially fitted with a ramp for STOVL oper - firmed, initial indications suggest that ture Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) which In order to maximise the flexibility ations. After JSF, the design will be the carriers could be the largest war - will replace RN and RAF Harriers. The that CVF can offer over its potential capable of modification to operate an ships ever built for the Royal Navy. FJCA role will be filled by the short take- 50-year service life, the carriers will be aircraft requiring a catapult launch and The base port will be Portsmouth, off vertical landing (STOVL) variant of built to an innovative adaptable design. arrested recovery. Although the final di - Hampshire.

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14 3/2010 

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant baranwal News in Brief Executive Editor subir ghosh Senior Editorial Adviser r. adm (retd) s.k. ramsay Atlas Maritime Security (SA Maritime Secu - Senior Technical Group Editor rity), the new company will be co-owned by Lt general (retd) Naresh Chand EADS Defence & Security and Atlas Elek - Contributing Editors Lt general (retd) V.k. kapoor tronik. The merger will be closed and imple - air Marshal (retd) V.k. bhatia mented subject to clearance decisions by the Copy Editor

y competent anti-trust authorities expected in sucheta Das Mohapatra v a N the course of 2010. The new company will Assistant Correspondent n a i d abhay singh thapa

n rely on a total workforce of over 170 highly i

: h Assistant Photo Editor P skilled maritime surveillance specialists in a r abhishek singh g Germany and France, as well as on its large o t Contributors o customer base with more than 210 VTS and h

P India CSS systems in use in some 50 countries. It admiral (retd) arun Prakash will have the required financial strength to Vice adm (retd) r.N. ganesh INDO-US JOINT NAvAL ExERCISE: deliver the large-scale security solutions re - Vice adm (retd) P.J. Jacob Malabar was conducted in the Arabian Sea from April 23 to May 2, 2010. The 14th quired by governments and maritime users r. adm (retd) raja Menon Cmde rajeev sawhney round of exercise Malabar had frontline units of US Navy’s (USN) 7th Fleet and Indian troughout the world. Europe Navy’s (IN) Western Fleet participating. The scope of Malabar exercise includes diverse alan Peaford, Doug richardson, andrew range of operational activities at sea. The USN was represented by ships from CTF 70 DCNS PRESENTS FRIGATE AqUITAINE brookes (Uk) of the USN 7th Fleet which is based at Yokosuka, Japan. The CTF included the Cruiser USA & Canada USS Shiloh (CG 67), Destroyers USS Chaffee (DDG 90), USS Lassen (DDG 82) and Frigate Lon Nordeen (Usa) USS Curts (FFG 38). In addition, one Los Angeles class nuclear-powered submarine, USS anil r. Pustam (West indies) Annapolis (SSN 760), two P3C Orion aircraft and a 28-member US Navy Special Forces West Asia/Africa team also participated in the exercise. h.r. heitman (s. africa) The IN was represented by INS Mysore, an indigenous Delhi class guided missile de - Chairman & Managing Director stroyer and three guided missile frigates, INS Godavari, INS Brahmaputra and INS Tabar. Jayant baranwal In addition, one Shishumar class submarine, INS Shankush, Sea Harrier fighters, other Administration & Coordination bharti sharma, survi Massey fixed and rotary wing aircraft also participated. Naval cooperation between India and the Senior Art Director United States epitomises the long-term strategic relatißonship between both countries. anoop kamath Both navies have, over the years, undertaken diverse bilateral activities such as training Design exchanges, information exchange, and technical cooperation. Both the nations have sig - Vimlesh kumar Yadav, sonu singh bisht nificant convergence of interests, especially in the maintenance of maritime security. To - DCNS revealed the frigate Aquitaine, the Sales & Marketing wards this, an India-USA Framework for Maritime Security Cooperation was signed in 2006. first of the European FREMM multimission Director sales & Marketing : Neetu Dhulia Amongst other aspects, this framework also urges that both navies need to periodically frigate programme, at a ceremony attended head Vertical sales : rajeev Chugh sales Manager : rajiv ranjan ‘exercise’ at sea/in harbour so as to build interoperability, as also share ‘best practices’. by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Over SP’s Website The annual Malabar series of exercises, commenced in 1992 provide such an oppor - 1000 people witnessed the event at DCNS’s sr. Web Developer : shailendra P. ashish tunity. Thirteen such exercises have been held so far. The regular IN-USN interaction Lorient centre, the home of excellence in Web Developer : Ugrashen Vishwakarma over the years has resulted in an increase in the complexity and professional content of French surface combatant construction for Published bimonthly by Jayant baranwal on the bilateral exercise. The thrust of the exercise this year was on Anti-Submarine War - almost 400 years. DCNS will build a batch of behalf of sP guide Publications Pvt Ltd. all fare, Surface Firings, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure 11 FREMM frigates with deliveries scheduled rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval and Submarine Operations. to begin in 2012 and continue until 2022. system, or transmitted in any form or by any The exercise was primarily aimed at deriving mutual benefit from each other’s ex - Drawing on state-of-the-art technologies, means, photocopying, recording, electronic, periences. The interoperability achieved over the years as a result of such exercises has the DCNS-designed FREMM combat system or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. proved to be operationally beneficial particularly during the ongoing Anti-Piracy Oper - can accommodate the latest weapons, sub - ations in the Gulf of Aden as also during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief systems and equipment. The combat man - Printed in india by kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd (HADR) operations such as the tsunami of 2004. Strong relationships between the two agement system (CMS) software represents © sP guide Publications, 2010 navies contribute to peace and stability. Cooperation between both the navies is a over 5 million lines of code. The main annual subscription positive symbol of India’s commitment in ensuring a positive climate for stability and weapons include naval cruise missiles offer - inland: rs. 600 • overseas: Us$180 economic prosperity. ing a deep-strike capability and MU90 torpe - email: [email protected] does with a range of several tens of nautical Letter to the Editor miles. The sensor suite is designed around [email protected] the Herakles multifunction radar with a For advertising Details, Contact: >> SHOW CALENDAR [email protected] BOEING RECEIvES 1ST P-8I INDIGENOUS range of more than 250 kilometres. [email protected] 5 July - 6 July EqUIPMENT FROM BHARAT ELECTRONICS [email protected] Boeing has received a key communications DCNS TO SELF-FUND CONSTRUCTION OF [email protected] International Maritime Acquisition and technology for the Indian Navy’s P-8I long- HIGHLY INNOvATIvE OPv SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PvT LTD Security, 2010 range maritime reconnaissance and anti- POSTAL ADDRESS Singapore, Singapore. Post box No 2525, New Delhi 110 005, india submarine warfare aircraft from Bharat www.fleminggulf.com Corporate Office Electronics Limited (BEL) in April, one a 133 Nagar, opp Defence Colony, month ahead of schedule. BEL delivered the New Delhi 110 003, india 27 July - 28 July Indian-designed Data Link II, a communica - tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Seaport Security Asia 2010 Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 tions system that will enable exchange of Rendezvous Hotel, Singapore Regd Office tactical data and messages between Indian www.seaportsecurityasia.com Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 Navy aircraft, ships and shore establish - email: [email protected] ments. Boeing will install the system during representative offices 23 August – 25 August P-8I final assembly at its facility in Renton, BANGALORE, INDIA Maritime Interdiction Summit Washington. BEL’s delivery of the state-of- air Marshal (retd) b.k. Pandey 534, Jal Vayu Vihar, kammanhalli Main rd, Venue to be Confirmed, San the-art electronics will support P-8I test and DCNS, a leading player on the world market Diego, CA bangalore 560043, india. integration activities in Seattle. BEL will de - for capital warships, also aims to win new tel: +91 (80) 23682534 www.maritimeinterdiction.com liver the last of the Data Link components in business in the corvette/OPV sector. In line LONDON, UK late 2011. Boeing will deliver the first of with this policy, the Group has decided to shikha thukral 24 August – 26 August eight P-8I aircraft to India within 48 months self-fund the construction of a Gowind off - area sales Manager, europe 2010 ONR Naval S&T Partnership Conference 64 Western road, sothall Middlesex of the original contract signing, which took shore patrol vessel. The new ship is de - Mob: +447404424208 Hyatt Regency Crystal City, place in January 2009. India is the first inter - signed for a wide range of government MOSCOW, RUSSIA Arlington, VA national customer for the P-8. missions at sea. Shipbuilding will begin soon LagUk Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin www.sname.org at DCNS’s Lorient centre. Patrick Boissier, krasnokholmskaya, Nab., EADS DEFENCE & SECURITY AND ATLAS Chairman & CEO of the DCNS Group said, 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, russia. tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, 28 September – 30 September ELEKTRONIK JOIN FORCES “The prime aim of the Championship growth Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 Modern Day Marine EADS Defence & Security (DS) and Atlas Elek - initiative is to double Group revenue over www.spguidepublications.com MCB, Quantico, Virginia tronik (AE) have decided to consolidate their the next ten years. One important way of www.spsnavalforces.net http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com position in the maritime safety and security achieving this is by expanding our product rNi Number: DeLeNg/2008/25836 market by merging their subsidiaries portfolio. The self-funded construction of 4 August Sofrelog, acquired by DS in 2006, and Atlas this Gowind OPV will do just that. By giving Warship Building and Overseeing Maritime Security, a spin-off of AE. The joint us a marketing tool without equal, this ves - INHS, Asvini Auditorium venture will take the form of a strong and sel will also help us to achieve growth across [email protected] flexible SME tailored to meet specific cus - the board while the shipbuilding effort make tomer needs in this market. Named Sofrelog us more competitive.”

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