SP's Naval Forces Feb-Mar 2010
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SEE YOU AT DEFEXPO INDIA 2010, HALL 14, BOOTH 14.1 ������������� AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION UAVs fulfill functions of Intelligence-Surveillance Reconnaissance, and target, strike and combat support roles from on-shore and naval platforms. 4 Page 12 Most of the areas of instability and social strife are in cities and urban areas adjacent to seas. Under such circumstances, � � � � � � � ������� a littoral enabled force is of F e b r u a r y - M a r c h 2 0 1 0 ▸ V o l 5 N o 1 “Our armed forces personnel must be immense help. conscious of the respect for human rights... Rs 75.00 (INDIA-BASED BUYER ONLY) www.spsnavalforces.net (and) must follow the twin ethics of ‘minimum use of force’ and ‘good faith’ 3Page 10 during operations... they must bear in mind that the process of winning the hearts and minds of people is never an easy one.” —Defence Minister A.K. Antony at the Unified Headquarters in Jammu The first issue of SP’s Naval Forces for 2010 coin- cides with the Defexpo being held at Delhi from February 15 to 18. We � �at � �SP � � Guide � � � Publications are proud to state that we are the sole and exclusive publisher for official Modernisation Defexpo Dailies, publishing the show news dailies and the show flyer. The cover story, thus, befittingly is modernisation of the Indian Navy which covers sub surface, surface and the fleet air arm aspects comprehensively. This is followed by an article on Littoral Warfare which is going to effect the future naval operations. US Navy has already com- missioned two ships specially tailor made for such a role and many more are on the anvil. An insight into the Aegis missile system has been given by no less a person than Admiral Robert J. Natter, former US Navy’s Commander of the US Atlantic Fleet and Fleet Forces Command. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the navy’s eye in the sky for air defence which can fit very well into the overall air defence environment of any country’s navy thus an overview of the offer from US is included in this issue. The article on naval avi- ation gives a focused glimpse into the future of this very important branch of the navy. The articles on Network Centric Operations, naval UAV’s and naval armament cover the current and future scenario, and options for the Indian Navy. Considering the fact that Photographs: SP SP Photographs: Guide Pubns KAMOV Defexpo 2010 is devoted to the defence industry, it was pertinent to give a rundown on the naval shipbuilding scene in India. In an article on shipbuilders, the writer makes a case for the future blueprint to be built through mergers, consolidation, diversification and exports. It also includes a performance review of the three Indian Navy Upgrade Blueprint shipyards to include current and future ship building plans, balance sheet and plans for modernisation of their infrastructure. The Besides inducting technologies from varied sources, the Indian Navy has also built issue is wrapped up with the traditional naval up indigenous capabilities in warship designs and constructions digest and we sign off with happy reading. See you all at Hall 14, Stand Number One, Pragati Maidan, Delhi. REAR ADMIRAL (RETD) SUSHIL RAMSAY ince its inception, the Indian Navy unenviable stature, despite the many obsta- and exacting job. The manuals have details (IN) prides in its ability to induct, cles faced due to red tape and bureaucratic of the frequency and tasks to be covered absorb and exploit technologies from hurdles. during the planned maintenance cycles, or diverse sources. Simultaneously, it refit, as it is called in the navy. Refit can be Shas encouraged the build up of indigenous Surface and Sub-surface Ships carried out as early as two years, depending JAYANT BARANWAL capabilities in warship designs and construc- Upgradation: Construction, maintenance and on the type of ships and laid out instructions. PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF tions to such an extent that it has grown to an operation of submarines, is a highly technical Upgradation or modernisation of ships is SP’s NAVAL FORCES 1/2010 1 formance of Russian patrol capability. On conclusion of the con- Klub missiles have tract, the aircraft would be inducted during the since been successfully 13th Five Year Plan. resolved. Rotary Wing Aircraft Naval Aviation Sea Kings: Proposed upgradation of the Sea King helicopters includes new radar system Fixed Wing Aircraft and indigenous Electronic Support Measures IL-38s: The (ESM). The technical evaluation is well under- Modernisation of IL-38 way to find a suitable replacement for the Sea aircraft has progressed King 42 and 42A helicopters in three variants, quite successfully, anti-submarine, anti-surface vessels and com- enhancing its surveil- mando carrier. lance capabilities mani- Kamovs: The surveillance capability of the fold. The aircraft has Kamov 25 and 28 has been enhanced with been refurbished with the installation of indigenous ESM package. HARRIER state-of-the-art avion- The Kamov 31s are the new induction into the ics. Some outstanding helicopter fleet and additional Kamov 31 AEW issues related to the are being contracted for. installation of Dragon Advanced Light Helicopter: Eight utility ver- suites have been ami- sion of the ALH constructed at Hindustan cably resolved and are Aeronautics Limited have been inducted into now operational. the helicopter fleet. However, the Naval Staff TU-142M: The replace- Qualitative Requirements prescribed for the util- ment plan for ageing ity helicopter to perform anti-submarine warfare Long Range Maritime and communication roles has not been met by Patrol Aircraft TU-142M HAL. Hence, fresh request for information has has progressed well. been issued to leading global helicopter manu- Dornier Navy ALH Many globally renowned facturers like the Bell, Boeing, Eurocopters, etc. aircraft manufacturers done as part of the mid life update (MLU) and Multi Function Radar to be jointly developed have enthusiastically participated in the global Strike Aircraft is generally confined to weapons and sen- by Indian and Israeli industry is also being tender for Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine MiG – 29Ks: Delivery of first batch of three sors. A ship’s life is generally 25 to 30 years, considered for fitting out. The new generation Warfare Aircraft. Extensive field trials have of MiG-29K, the marine version for operating but in Indian conditions it can be stretched Sonars HUMSA and USHUS, along with indig- been conducted with the short listed bidders on board INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral beyond the life span usually guaranteed by enously developed communications and com- and finally contract for eight P8I aircraft has Gorshkov) was affected and delivery of bal- the manufacturer. Thus, the MLU update can bat management system, would also be taken been signed which is due for simultaneous ance 13 aircraft contracted along with Admiral be any time between 12 to 15 years. At pres- up in a phased manner during the MLUs. induction Gorshkov would take place in a phased man- ent, a comprehensive modernisation package SSK Submarines: These submarines are of into the US Navy and IN. Delivery of the first ner. Pilot training programme to operate the is being undertaken during the MLUs of the German origin and were introduced in the aircraft for the IN is scheduled for 2012/2013 aircraft was satisfactorily undertaken in collab- SSK/EKM Class submarines, and SNF and mid-1980s. MLUs being carried out in India and thereafter one aircraft each year. oration with US Navy. The aircraft is equipped Godavari Class ships for the upgradation of essentially include indigenously developed Dorniers: The Dornier fleet has been aug- with Extended Range, Beyond Visual Range weapons and sensors. While the EKM class surveillance devices like sonars, communica- mented by inducting 11 other aircraft, some missiles, with smart bombs and mid-air buddy modernisation package is being carried out at tion systems and electronic support mea- with Para-drop capability and the remaining to tanking facility from another MiG 29K aircraft the Russian shipyards, work on the remaining sures, besides replacement of periscope, fire beef up short-range and medium-range mari- for deep penetration role. Additional contact platforms is being done in India. control system and so on. MLU of two subma- time surveillance role. To improve the identi- for 24 MiG 29K is at an advanced stage of Godavari Class: Godavari, Gomti and Ganga, rines have been carried out successfully. fication capability, Forward Looking Infra-red conclusion which would take care of air wing that came into service around 1985-1988, EKM Submarines: Russia’s Type 877 Kilo system has also been installed. of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), as well. are due for MLU, especially for weapons and Class diesel-electric submarines have the Islanders: With a view to cover the capa- Sea Harriers: Upgradation programme for sensors. The update is being carried out at reputation of being extremely quiet boats and bility gap between long range and short Sea Harrier aircraft with Derby–Beyond Visual Naval Dockyard, Mumbai largely with fitment are in service in various countries, includ- range maritime surveillance, a case is Range missiles has been accomplished. As of indigenously developed sonars, radars and ing India. India’s Type 877EKM Sindhugosh being processed for the Medium Range many as 14 Sea Harriers will be upgraded at communication systems. Class submarines were being sent to Russia Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft. the cost of $120 million (Rs 560 core). Rajput Class Destroyers: This class has for modernisation refits since 1997. The pack- Procurement of six MRMR aircraft is being Light Combat Aircraft (Navy): This naval five ships—Rajput, Rana, Ranjit, Ranvir age includes torpedo tube-launched mis- sought as a replacement for the ageing variant is under development at Aeronautics and Ranvijay—which came into service in siles, radars, fire control systems, periscope, Islander 2T aircraft.