April-May 2018 Volume 13 No. 2 `100.00 (India-Based Buyer Only) DEFEXPO 2018 SPECIAL Visit us @ Hall 6 Stall 6.2.10 www.spsnavalforces.com ROUNDUP THE ONLY NAVAL MAGAZINE FOR NAVIES ACROSS ASIA-PACIFIC PAGE 6 COVER STORY India-US Maritime Cooperation PHOTOGRAPH: Indian Navy Prime Minister Narendra Modi has indicated a maritime vision for Indian–Pacific Region and the concept of Indo-Pacific security. He is convinced that India’s development depends upon the freedom of sea lanes of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In his policy of not only ‘Look East but also act East’, he has reached out to other maritime nations in the region like Japan, US and Australia. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) PAGE 8 Navy’s Spy in the Sky Naval rotary UAVs (NRUAVs) can perform all the maritime UAV missions with the addition of search and rescue but without the problems of landing and take off by fixed wing UAVs. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) INS Vikramaditya has added new dimension to blue water capability of Indian Navy PAGE 9 The Maritime Mine Hunters It is understood that the acquisition process will start again with the invite sent to Kangnam Corporation, Intermarine of Italy, Navantia of Spain, Lockheed Martin of US, ThyssenKrupp of Germany and Russian shipyards Indian Navy’s Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) PAGE 10 Exercise Paschim Lehar and Maldivian Imbroglio Acquisition and Recently concluded Exercise Paschim Lehar extensively tested and revalidated the operational plans and manoeuvres in a hostile maritime scenario on India’s Western seaboard. Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd) Modernisation Plans PAGE 12 Friendship Across the Seas – Despite the severe setbacks especially in submarine build-up plan causing serious MILAN 2018 capability gaps, Indian Navy’s acquisition and modernisation plans, spanning over three From an event of sub-regional context, MILAN has now grown into a prestigious plan periods 2005-2022 are well on track, although some prestigious projects have international event and encompasses participation by maritime forces from not just missed the delivery milestones the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia but the larger Indian Ocean region. Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd) n REAR ADMIRAL SUSHIL RAMSAY (RETD) Strategy which flows from the aboveIndian Navy’s Maritime Capability “Vision statement” has adopted a generic Perspective Plan PAGE 13 N support of the nation’s growing capability building approach. Introducing Aircraft Carrier Programme. The acqui- Indo-French Naval Exercise – strengths and responsibilities, the the Vision, it stipulates, “the Indian Navy sition of extensively refitted and mod- Varuna 2018 Indian Navy is determined to create is today a potent and capable force which ernised, former Russian ICBM carrier Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd) and sustain a three dimensional; is highly regarded for its professional Admiral Gorshkov, commissioned as INS technology enabled and networked competence. The planned induction of Vikramaditya has added new dimension PLUS Iforce capable of safeguarding our mari- advanced platforms and technology, and to blue water capability of Indian Navy. News in Brief 14 time interests on the high seas and pro- creation of modern infrastructure, prom- INS Vikramaditya is currently the sole jecting combat power across the littoral. ise to boost the capabilities of the Service aircraft carrier engaged in extensive fly- Appointments 15 The Indian Navy’s Maritime Military even further in the near future”. ing operations with MiG 29K aircraft as 2/2018 1 COVER STORY This issue of Naval Forces The exhibition will also unveil conclusion that, despite the operational plans and manoeu- coincides with India’s Interna- India’s capability in manufactur- severe setbacks especially in vres in a hostile maritime tional Land, Naval and Internal ing Scorpene class submarine. submarine build-up plan caus- scenario on India’s Western Homeland Security Systems Kattupalli shipyard of L&T is only ing serious capability gaps, IN’s seaboard; Indo-French Naval exhibition named Defexpo 40 km from Chennai and visitors acquisition and modernisation Exercise – Varuna- 2018, the India 2018; which is being held to DefExpo can easily visit the plans, spanning over three plan importance of which was under- in Chennai from April 11 to 14. same. periods 2005-2022 are well on lined by Emmanuel Macron, DefExpo 2018 for the first time As per the directions of Rak- track, in spite of some presti- the President of the Republic of and will project India’s Defence sha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sith- gious projects having missed France when he said that, “We manufacturing capabilities to araman, the work for preparing the delivery milestones. want India as our first strategic the world. This is reflectedDetailed in the Project Report for the Prime Minister Narendra partner here, and we want to be tagline for the Expo, ‘India: The Tamil Nadu Defence Quad has Modi has indicated a maritime India’s first strategic partner in Emerging Defence Manufactur- been initiated by Department of vision for Indian –Pacific RegionEurope, and even the western ing Hub’. Defence Production in the Min- and the concept of Indo-Pacificworld;” and MILAN 2018 with EDITORIAL DefExpo 2018 will brand istry of Defence. The corridor, security. He is convinced that the theme of ‘Friendship Across India as a defence exporter of which is organized as a quadri- India’s development depends the Seas’. The issue just about several defence systems and lateral will extend from Chennai, upon the freedom of sea wraps up with the News Digest components for all three Ser- Hosur, Coimbatore, Salem and lanes of the Indian and Pacificand flag rank postings. Happy vices - Army, Navy and Air Force. Tiruchirappalli. It is expected Oceans. In his policy of not only reading and meet you all at While showcasing strengths of that with government opening ’look East but also act East’, he Hall 6 Stall 6.2.10. India’s substantial public sector, it up new opportunities for indus- has reached out to other mari- will also uncover India’s growing try in defence sector, the Tamil time nations in the region like private industry and spreading Nadu Defence Quad will provide Japan, US and Australia. Thus a MSME base for components and a major opportunity to the vibrant review of the Indo-US Maritime sub-systems. As the DefExpo manufacturing sector in the State. cooperation is included. There is is being held on the sea-shore, The lead article on Indian an update on Mine Countermea- it provides the Indian Navy to Navy’s(IN’s) Acquisition and sures Vessels and naval rotary brandish its domestic design and Modernisation Plans where the UAVs. There are also write ups manufacturing capabilities includ- author reviewing the progress on Exercise Paschim Lehar ing display of frigates, corvettes on surface, sub surface and which was aimed at extensively JAYANT BARANWAL and other ships. aerial platforms, comes to the testing and revalidating the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief PHOTOGRAPH: Cochin Shipyard the sole fixed wing fighter into her Air nal design collaboration on the model for Wing. the IAC project. The case for four multi-role Construction of prestigious 37,500 landing platform docks is being progressed tonnes Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) with two private shipyards – L&T and Reli- is on track and is likely to be commissioned ance Naval and Engineering Ltd. The con- by 2020. Vikrant would embark a mix of tract is expected to be concluded shortly. 30 aircraft, including MiG-29Ks and rotary wing assets to include KA-31, Airborne Fleet Support Ships Early Warning (AEW) helicopters. Fixed The 2008 order for a fleet tanker on Ital- wing aircraft operations would be based ian Shipbuilder Fincanterri had a follow- on Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery on option of up to three tankers. Indian (STOBAR) concept on an angled flight deck Navy has now exercised this option for with a 12 to 14º ski-jump. one follow-on ship. The induction of two Considering the complexity of design ships would enable Indian Navy to ensure development and construction, systems the availability of at least three such Fleet integration, the gestation period for IAC-2 Support ships at any time. Government has to be christened as INS Vishal, could well also approved induction of five fleet sup - span over 10-15 years. It is learnt that IAC-2 port ships to be indigenously constructed. of 65,000-tonne will have a conventional propulsion system with Catapult Assisted Submarine Arm Take-off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) Scorpene Project 75. The first project which would offer flexibility for launching Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is likely to be commissioned by 2020 under the perspective plan was Project 75, fighters as well as heavier aircraft for sur - Scorpene for indigenous construction of veillance, early-warning, electronic warfare The major change in the new series of stealth enously built and the procurement process six conventional stealth submarines under and other operations. frigates is replacement of the Klub missiles for the same is underway. transfer of technology arrangements with Projects 17 & 17A. All four ships of with BrahMos system. There are reports DCNS, France (now Naval Group). After the Project 17 stealth frigates built by MDL have of possible acquisition of additional three Amphibious Capability delay of more than a decade and numerous been commissioned. These ships are capable ships of the same class to be constructed in With the induction of the landing platform controversies the first of line of the proj- of carrying two advanced multi-role helicop- Russia and brought to India for integration dock (LPD) Jalashwa, Indian Navy has con- ect, INS Kalvari, an attack stealth submarine ters. Project 17A comprises seven stealth of propulsion, weapons and ancillary sys- siderably augmented its amphibious capa- was commissioned on December 14, 2017.