2022 Year End Review – Indian Navy

walterbibikow · Dec 31, 2022

The year 2022 belongs to Indian Navy. All thanks to their immaculate planning and continuous impetus to make in India initiative, the Navy has been able to acquire several critical assets which boosts is massive capabilities in the blue waters.

Commissioning of INS Vikrant – Indigenous Aircraft carrier

On 2nd September, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier was inducted which is the most important acquisition for Navy. The 262m long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes built at an overall cost of close to Rs. 20,000 Crore with indigenous content of 76%. The integration of aircraft with INS Vikrant is likely to be accomplished by May or June next year.

Kalvari Class submarine – 1 Delivered + 1 Launched

The fifth submarine of the Project – 75, Kalvari Class submarines was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 Dec 22. She has completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines. It is expected to be commissioned In January 2023.

The 6th and last submarine of this class Vagsheer was also launched on 20th April 2022 and is expected to be commissioned in 2024.

Destroyer: 1 commissioned + 1 launched

On 18th December, Indian Navy has commissioned 2nd of Project 15B class destroyer INS Mormugao. Having displacement of 7.400t and equipped with BrahMos ER & Barak-8 missile – it is the most powerful destroyer of Indian Navy with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems. The last & 4th destroyer of this class Surat has also been launched on 17th May.

Frigates: 3 Launched

Project-17 Alpha or Nilgiri class frigates are among the most advance and lethal frigate of Indian Navy with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems. The frigate has displacement of 6,670t and equipped with BrahMos & Barak-8 missile. Three vessels of this class namely Udaygiri, Dunagiri & Taragiri has been launched in May, July and September respectively.

Diving Support vessels: 3 Launched

Having displacement of 9,350t and nearly 80% indigenous content, the two Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) – Nistar and Nipun – built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam were launched in September. DSVs equipped with an array of complex Diving Support systems and Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel are being deployed for deep sea diving and submarine rescue operations. The ships are also capable of conducting Search and Rescue operations and carrying out Helicopter Operations at sea.

Survey vessel (large): 3 Launched

GRSE in collaboration with L&T is building four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) for Indian Navy. Nirdeshak, Ikshak & Sandhayak – three vessels of this class were launched in 2022 and is expected to be commissioned next year. SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships with new generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data. The Survey Vessel (Large) ships has displacement of 3400 tons and capability to carry four Survey Motorboats and an integral helicopter, the primary role of the ships would be to undertake full scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of Ports and navigational channels.

Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC): 1 Launched

On 20th December, GRSE has launched its 1st ASW SWC known as Arnala, which is expected to be commissioned by 2023. MoD had signed contract for constructing 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) at a cost of ₹13,440 crore. It is equipped with sophisticated sonar equipment, including a hull-mounted sonar (HMS) and towed low-frequency variable-depth sonar (LFVDS) for detecting and intercepting hostile submarines. These vessels are not only capable of detecting submarines, but they can also detect mines laid by submarines and midget submarines.

Induction of Aircrafts: 4 aircrafts + 22 Helicopters

This is the most interesting part of entire induction program. Navy has inducted more number of aerial platforms in the year 2022 than Air force and Army combined. Indian Navy has inducted 16 ALH MK III helicopters, 04 P8I aircrafts & 3 out of 24 multi-role helicopters (MH 60Rs). Three more MH 60R helicopters have been accepted by IN and were retained in USA for training of IN personnel. The remaining helicopters would be inducted by mid-2025, from USA.

Commissioning of Air Stations/ Air Squadrons.

IN has commissioned three new Air Squadrons in the last one year. The second P8I Squadron INAS 316 was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 29 Mar 22. Two ALH Mk III Squadrons, INAS 324 and INAS 325 have been commissioned at Visakhapatnam and Port Blair on 04 Jul 22 and 31 May 22 respectively.