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Global ambitions of Indian Navy
Dr Raja Muhammad Khan
The active strength of the Indian Navy is 58,350 persons. Besides, it has 55,000 reservists. Indian naval vessels include; sixteen SSK series submarines, eight DDG Destroyers and twelve Frigates. Besides, it has twenty-four Corvettes; twenty-eight Patrol and Coastal Combatants’. It has forty-seven vessels to provide logistic support. Indian Navy has ten Mine countermeasures (MSO 10 Pondicherry-(FSU Natya) and seventeen amphibious flotillas. With over 7,000 Naval Aviation personnel, it has adequate combat naval aviation power to support its marine operations. The Russian origin ten Kilo-class Type 877EM or the Sindhugosh-class- units are considered as the backbone of the Indian naval fleet. The first indigenously built nuclear submarine “Advanced Technology Vessel” (ATV) named as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Arihant was put under sea trial in July 2009, which met success. India is planning to add 5-6 nuclear capable ATV submarines in its naval fleet for undertaking strategic nuclear role. Today Indian Navy is the sixth largest Navy of the world, having nuclear capable submarines.
Apart from its indigenously developed Naval vessels, India has the experience of leasing the Soviet Submarine Project 670 Skat (NATO name Charlie-I) from 1988 to 1991. Since that leasing experience was a success, therefore India has decided to lease another Russian origin nuclear-submarine, the Project 971 Schuka-B (NATO name AKula-II). Approximately 300 Indian marines have undergone training of the submarine at a special facility in Sosnovy Bor, near St. Petersburg, Russia. The submarine is being handed over to the Indian Navy by mid of 2010. The Akula series submarines, known as the Project 971 Shchuka (meaning pike or peak) is a “nuclear-powered attack submarine.” The first of its kind was built and deployed by former Soviet Union in 1986. This series has further three sub-classes: original ‘Akula-I’; seven submarines of this sub-category were built by former Soviet Union from 1982 to 1986. Five submarines of the second sub-class, known as the ‘Improved Akula’ were built from 1986 to 1991. The two submarines of third sub-class, the ‘Akula-II’ were built by Russian Federation from 1993 onwards. This is much-improved version of the submarine.
With the capability to strike against hostile ships and coastal installations, Russia had deployed most of its Akula class submarines in the Pacific region, as an “aggressive breed of fresh water pike.” The average length of the Akula submarines is 110 meters. It is double-hauled with sufficient distance between its outer and inner hull, primarily for the protection of the later. As compared to the single hull craft, the double hull submarines increases its reserves buoyancy approximately three times. These submarines can launch both anti-submarine and anti-surface torpedoes. While the Snoop Pair or the Snoop Half acts as the surface search radar for the target acquisition, the MGK 540 sonar system provides automatic target detection. With the seven bladed fixed pitch propellers, the propulsion system provides “a maximum submerged speed of 33 knots and a surface speed of 10 knots.” Besides, there is a 370 KW reserve propeller system, powered by two motors, which provides it a speed of 3 to 4 knots. Akula submarine can dive up to a depth of 600 meters. It can carry the supplies for itself as well as the people on board that can sustain them for over 100 days. Its operational crews comprises of seventy three members.”
Technically, the double hull Akula submarine “composed of an inner pressure hull and an outer light hull. This allows more freedom in the design of the exterior hull shape, resulting in a very hydrodynamic submarine compared to western counterparts at the time. The distinctive “bulb” or “can” seen on top of the Akula’s rudder houses its towed sonar array, when retracted.” Submarines of this series have been armed with “four 533 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 53 torpedoes and SS-N-15 Starfish missile, and four 650 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type-65 torpedoes or the SS-N-16 Stallion missile. These torpedo tubes are arranged in two rows of four tubes each.” Besides, the Akula-II and Improved Akula submarines are fitted with an “additional six 533 mm torpedo tubes mounted externally. The external tubes are mounted outside the pressure hull in one row, above the ‘Normal’ Torpedo tubes, and can only be reloaded in port or with the assistance of a submarine tender. The 650 mm tubes can be fitted with liners to use the 533 mm weaponry. The submarine is also able to use its torpedo tubes to deploy mines.”
As compared to Akula-I, the Akula II submarine is approximately 230 tons larger in displacement and 2.5m greater in LOA. The space so increased is being used to reduce the active noise. “The MGK-501 Skat sonar system on Akula-I is replaced to a new MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system.” By doing so, it attained the equivalence of the same class of American AN/BQQ-5/6. It is worth mentioning that the K-157 Vepr has attained the status of the first Soviet submarine that was quieter than the latest US attack submarines of that time, which was the Improved Los Angeles class (SSN 751 and later). Indeed, the advancements made by Soviet for quieting the sound of submarines to a considerable level have caused uneasiness in NATO and US. This achievement of the quieter and more accurate propellers was attained through the Japanese firm Toshiba, which sold to Soviet Union the sophisticated nine-axis milling equipment along with the computers control system in 1983-84. Soviet Union later acquired the services of Norwegian firm Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik for its further refinement.
Apart from the centralized weapon system, this version of the submarine has better command and control with high degree of automation, which reduce the strength of the crews. The project has the similarity with the Project 705 Alfa SSN. Akula-II is being commissioned as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Chakra in mid 2010. It is “slightly smaller and streamlined towed array dispenser than the other submarines of the class.” As compared to other submarines, this would have longer sail. Moreover, it is equipped with 28 nuclear capable cruise missiles, which can engage target up to 3000 kilometers. Therefore, it would cause a major naval imbalance in the region.
After necessary repair, Akula-II submarine was put through the sea trial again and has successfully completed that in the presence of the Indian submariners, who were on board. Upon commissioning, the submarine may not be carrying the nuclear weapons out rightly, but certainly has the capability to do that, therefore, would carry those as and when required. It would however carry anti ship and land attack Klub missiles besides torpedoes. Apart from using this submarine as the training platform for India’s indigenous nuclear submarine fleet, it would help in the refinement of the nuclear operational concepts. “Akula-II nuclear attack submarine is recognized as a state-of-the-art and top of the line weapon system amongst contemporary submarines. Its induction into the Indian Navy will significantly enhance India’s reach and offensive capability and may be used as the platform for the second strike in the event of a nuclear attack. Besides its own indigenously built nuclear submarine; INS Arihant, induction of this Russian version Akula-II submarine would significantly tilt the balance of power in India’s favour. Akula-II; the hunter-killer submarine is one of the quietest submarine in the world today. It can reach very near to the target area without detection.With this massive naval built up, Indian military power is becoming a nuisance not only for the South Asian countries, but for the China and Gulf countries as well. Indeed, in the field of naval development, India has global ambitions. It intends operating at the international waters like the navies of United States, Russia, and United Kingdom. In ordered to be realized, it would operate on the principle of submarine-based minimum nuclear deterrent (MND). The Indian ATV programme, leasing of nuclear submarines, and acquisition of air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines are part of this strategic naval development.
Owing to their traditional rivalry, Pakistan feels seriously threatened by the addition of the nuclear capable submarines in the Indian naval fleet. International community must be fretful of the fact that why India is being allowed to expand its naval capabilities out of proportion. This unrealistic Indian act would provoke Pakistan and other regional countries to acquire the similar capability, thus giving way to an unending naval race in South Asia. Now it is up to the global players like US and Russia, that either they should promote the global peace by denying India the acquisition of deadly war munitions like Akula-II or to sell their weaponry for making the world insecure.
—The writer is a South Asian analyst.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=30150
Dr Raja Muhammad Khan
The active strength of the Indian Navy is 58,350 persons. Besides, it has 55,000 reservists. Indian naval vessels include; sixteen SSK series submarines, eight DDG Destroyers and twelve Frigates. Besides, it has twenty-four Corvettes; twenty-eight Patrol and Coastal Combatants’. It has forty-seven vessels to provide logistic support. Indian Navy has ten Mine countermeasures (MSO 10 Pondicherry-(FSU Natya) and seventeen amphibious flotillas. With over 7,000 Naval Aviation personnel, it has adequate combat naval aviation power to support its marine operations. The Russian origin ten Kilo-class Type 877EM or the Sindhugosh-class- units are considered as the backbone of the Indian naval fleet. The first indigenously built nuclear submarine “Advanced Technology Vessel” (ATV) named as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Arihant was put under sea trial in July 2009, which met success. India is planning to add 5-6 nuclear capable ATV submarines in its naval fleet for undertaking strategic nuclear role. Today Indian Navy is the sixth largest Navy of the world, having nuclear capable submarines.
Apart from its indigenously developed Naval vessels, India has the experience of leasing the Soviet Submarine Project 670 Skat (NATO name Charlie-I) from 1988 to 1991. Since that leasing experience was a success, therefore India has decided to lease another Russian origin nuclear-submarine, the Project 971 Schuka-B (NATO name AKula-II). Approximately 300 Indian marines have undergone training of the submarine at a special facility in Sosnovy Bor, near St. Petersburg, Russia. The submarine is being handed over to the Indian Navy by mid of 2010. The Akula series submarines, known as the Project 971 Shchuka (meaning pike or peak) is a “nuclear-powered attack submarine.” The first of its kind was built and deployed by former Soviet Union in 1986. This series has further three sub-classes: original ‘Akula-I’; seven submarines of this sub-category were built by former Soviet Union from 1982 to 1986. Five submarines of the second sub-class, known as the ‘Improved Akula’ were built from 1986 to 1991. The two submarines of third sub-class, the ‘Akula-II’ were built by Russian Federation from 1993 onwards. This is much-improved version of the submarine.
With the capability to strike against hostile ships and coastal installations, Russia had deployed most of its Akula class submarines in the Pacific region, as an “aggressive breed of fresh water pike.” The average length of the Akula submarines is 110 meters. It is double-hauled with sufficient distance between its outer and inner hull, primarily for the protection of the later. As compared to the single hull craft, the double hull submarines increases its reserves buoyancy approximately three times. These submarines can launch both anti-submarine and anti-surface torpedoes. While the Snoop Pair or the Snoop Half acts as the surface search radar for the target acquisition, the MGK 540 sonar system provides automatic target detection. With the seven bladed fixed pitch propellers, the propulsion system provides “a maximum submerged speed of 33 knots and a surface speed of 10 knots.” Besides, there is a 370 KW reserve propeller system, powered by two motors, which provides it a speed of 3 to 4 knots. Akula submarine can dive up to a depth of 600 meters. It can carry the supplies for itself as well as the people on board that can sustain them for over 100 days. Its operational crews comprises of seventy three members.”
Technically, the double hull Akula submarine “composed of an inner pressure hull and an outer light hull. This allows more freedom in the design of the exterior hull shape, resulting in a very hydrodynamic submarine compared to western counterparts at the time. The distinctive “bulb” or “can” seen on top of the Akula’s rudder houses its towed sonar array, when retracted.” Submarines of this series have been armed with “four 533 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type 53 torpedoes and SS-N-15 Starfish missile, and four 650 mm torpedo tubes which can use Type-65 torpedoes or the SS-N-16 Stallion missile. These torpedo tubes are arranged in two rows of four tubes each.” Besides, the Akula-II and Improved Akula submarines are fitted with an “additional six 533 mm torpedo tubes mounted externally. The external tubes are mounted outside the pressure hull in one row, above the ‘Normal’ Torpedo tubes, and can only be reloaded in port or with the assistance of a submarine tender. The 650 mm tubes can be fitted with liners to use the 533 mm weaponry. The submarine is also able to use its torpedo tubes to deploy mines.”
As compared to Akula-I, the Akula II submarine is approximately 230 tons larger in displacement and 2.5m greater in LOA. The space so increased is being used to reduce the active noise. “The MGK-501 Skat sonar system on Akula-I is replaced to a new MGK-540 Skat-3 sonar system.” By doing so, it attained the equivalence of the same class of American AN/BQQ-5/6. It is worth mentioning that the K-157 Vepr has attained the status of the first Soviet submarine that was quieter than the latest US attack submarines of that time, which was the Improved Los Angeles class (SSN 751 and later). Indeed, the advancements made by Soviet for quieting the sound of submarines to a considerable level have caused uneasiness in NATO and US. This achievement of the quieter and more accurate propellers was attained through the Japanese firm Toshiba, which sold to Soviet Union the sophisticated nine-axis milling equipment along with the computers control system in 1983-84. Soviet Union later acquired the services of Norwegian firm Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik for its further refinement.
Apart from the centralized weapon system, this version of the submarine has better command and control with high degree of automation, which reduce the strength of the crews. The project has the similarity with the Project 705 Alfa SSN. Akula-II is being commissioned as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Chakra in mid 2010. It is “slightly smaller and streamlined towed array dispenser than the other submarines of the class.” As compared to other submarines, this would have longer sail. Moreover, it is equipped with 28 nuclear capable cruise missiles, which can engage target up to 3000 kilometers. Therefore, it would cause a major naval imbalance in the region.
After necessary repair, Akula-II submarine was put through the sea trial again and has successfully completed that in the presence of the Indian submariners, who were on board. Upon commissioning, the submarine may not be carrying the nuclear weapons out rightly, but certainly has the capability to do that, therefore, would carry those as and when required. It would however carry anti ship and land attack Klub missiles besides torpedoes. Apart from using this submarine as the training platform for India’s indigenous nuclear submarine fleet, it would help in the refinement of the nuclear operational concepts. “Akula-II nuclear attack submarine is recognized as a state-of-the-art and top of the line weapon system amongst contemporary submarines. Its induction into the Indian Navy will significantly enhance India’s reach and offensive capability and may be used as the platform for the second strike in the event of a nuclear attack. Besides its own indigenously built nuclear submarine; INS Arihant, induction of this Russian version Akula-II submarine would significantly tilt the balance of power in India’s favour. Akula-II; the hunter-killer submarine is one of the quietest submarine in the world today. It can reach very near to the target area without detection.With this massive naval built up, Indian military power is becoming a nuisance not only for the South Asian countries, but for the China and Gulf countries as well. Indeed, in the field of naval development, India has global ambitions. It intends operating at the international waters like the navies of United States, Russia, and United Kingdom. In ordered to be realized, it would operate on the principle of submarine-based minimum nuclear deterrent (MND). The Indian ATV programme, leasing of nuclear submarines, and acquisition of air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines are part of this strategic naval development.
Owing to their traditional rivalry, Pakistan feels seriously threatened by the addition of the nuclear capable submarines in the Indian naval fleet. International community must be fretful of the fact that why India is being allowed to expand its naval capabilities out of proportion. This unrealistic Indian act would provoke Pakistan and other regional countries to acquire the similar capability, thus giving way to an unending naval race in South Asia. Now it is up to the global players like US and Russia, that either they should promote the global peace by denying India the acquisition of deadly war munitions like Akula-II or to sell their weaponry for making the world insecure.
—The writer is a South Asian analyst.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=30150
