Indian Acquisition of Russian Akula

[GHATAK]

Nuclear subs are not about firepower. The firepower is no different from diesel electris subs.

They have long range, thanks to the uninterrupted nuclear energy, and thus can be used to harass enemy ships even at long distances from the shore.

The only thing they need to bother about is food supplies.

The worry however is the noise level of nuclear power plant, which can be relatively easily picked by SONAR.

The greatest advantage of Subs is, their survivability in case of pre-emptive strike on nuclear weapons. With high resolution satellite tech, most land based [Including Mobile] nuclear weapons can be easily detected and neutralized. But there is no satellite tech to watch the underwater killers.

With no first use policy, it is a must to make sure our nuclear weapons survive, for a disasterous counter strike.

 

[GHATAK]

There are many a slip twixt cup and a lip....With the current state of Russo Indian relations in regards to Defence procurement I would not count on anything till it is sailing two months In Indian Colours.

The day will come. And you will watch it.

 

[Keysersoze]

The day will come. And you will watch it.

Yes yes I heard many a similar claim before......I believe it was about a aircraft carrier.....

Weren't the two deals linked? So If one deal is not yet sorted out how will the linked deal be completed?

 

[GHATAK]

Why do you thin Gorshkov and Akula deal are linked ?

Gorshkov was a procurement, Akula is a lease.

 

[Keysersoze]

Though they said that India has financed the completion of construction of submarine of project 971 "Shchuka B"(NATO codename Akula) under the USD 650 million deal signed in 2004 as part of the larger Gorshkov package, they did not reveal the cost of the lease of Chakra.

Part of the original post.

 

[Jliu]

The Navy's plan to tie up national security with nuclear submarines, as suggested by Jlliu, is working well.

Naturally. You command the votes and you get the cash for purchases.

Especially this Akula II (all indications are that its going to be the ex-Nerpa followed by ex-Gerpard).

In terms of strategic impact its going to factor in the PN's calculus when procuring SSKs, forcing them to spend more for alternatives in the "upper tier" platforms (U214, S80, Marlin) as well as sensor fit to attempt to counter these Improv LA class equivalents.

Tactically it will give the IN a huge adv against SSKs because of IN TRADOC and the role SSNs play in that as hunter-killers in an integrated ASW focused BG. I've met the officer responsible for that at Malabar '07 and you are fortunate to have one of the most brilliant minds in undersea warfare (we found IN undersea warfare to be superb and had a "challenging time"). From open source IN writings and thesises by IN Naval War College, IN TRADOC for a PN-IN "dustup" is essentially derived from the Israeli concept of 'kill zones' where a networked system of ASW escorts, aerial assets and SSK+SSNs combine to destroy a submarine centric force with its escorts.

Basically kill zones are going to be set up around Karachi and Gwadar as I understand it in concentric zones where each inner zone is assigned a SSK and the outer zones are covered by a ASW escort screen. Aerial assets such as the MKI are going to launch AshMs to wipe out OPFOR surface escorts (not hard at present) and "flush out" OPFOR SSKs into the "grey zone" just outside the inner zones where the IN has the waters wired for sound and then into the waiting IN SSKs. Any 'leakers' will be obviously psychologically distressed (making a lot of noise) and will be dealt with by the screen of ASW escorts and SSNs using superior speed and sensors to hunt them down.

The objective of the PN is to break the 'kill zone'/blockade and hopefully bag a few SSKs and the SSN along the way.

 

[GHATAK]

Naturally. You command the votes and you get the cash for purchases.

Especially this Akula II (all indications are that its going to be the ex-Nerpa followed by ex-Gerpard).

In terms of strategic impact its going to factor in the PN's calculus when procuring SSKs, forcing them to spend more for alternatives in the "upper tier" platforms (U214, S80, Marlin) as well as sensor fit to attempt to counter these Improv LA class equivalents.

Tactically it will give the IN a huge adv against SSKs because of IN TRADOC and the role SSNs play in that as hunter-killers in an integrated ASW focused BG. I've met the officer responsible for that at Malabar '07 and you are fortunate to have one of the most brilliant minds in undersea warfare (we found IN undersea warfare to be superb and had a "challenging time"). From open source IN writings and thesises by IN Naval War College, IN TRADOC for a PN-IN "dustup" is essentially derived from the Israeli concept of 'kill zones' where a networked system of ASW escorts, aerial assets and SSK+SSNs combine to destroy a submarine centric force with its escorts.

Basically kill zones are going to be set up around Karachi and Gwadar as I understand it in concentric zones where each inner zone is assigned a SSK and the outer zones are covered by a ASW escort screen. Aerial assets such as the MKI are going to launch AshMs to wipe out OPFOR surface escorts (not hard at present) and "flush out" OPFOR SSKs into the "grey zone" just outside the inner zones where the IN has the waters wired for sound and then into the waiting IN SSKs. Any 'leakers' will be obviously psychologically distressed (making a lot of noise) and will be dealt with by the screen of ASW escorts and SSNs using superior speed and sensors to hunt them down.

The objective of the PN is to break the 'kill zone'/blockade and hopefully bag a few SSKs and the SSN along the way.

Very interesting post.

Your posts about Naval operations are as good as Mr Salim's post about Army operations.

Do you serve in the Australian Navy ? I hope the above info regd Indian Navy is not classified.

 

[Jliu]

Very interesting post.

Your posts about Naval operations are as good as Mr Salim's post about Army operations.

Do you serve in the Australian Navy ? I hope the above info regd Indian Navy is not classified.

Yes I do. I'm glad you find my posts helpful.

You'll notice that I mentioned it is OSINT so it is accessible. Obviously actual IN doctrine would differ somewhat from what is available in writings.

Regards

 

[nitesh]

some enthusiasts have already started modeling
Model Shipwrights :: INS Chakra AKULA II Class by Somboon Vongveeranonchai

 

[Marshal]

INDIAN NAVY'S AKULA II NAMED INS CHAKRA IS ON IYTS WAY
India will take over its first 971 "Shchuka B"(NATO codename Akula II) class Russian nuclear submarine to be christened INS Charka by the end of this year. Thereafter the submarine which is in IDU's log as the Nerpa will undergo extensive trails and after on board crew training the 12,000 ton boat will be commissioned in to the Indian fleet next year. This acquisition will equip the fastest growing and most powerful Navy in the Indian Ocean with the quietest and most lethal underwater platform to enhance its blue water capabilities, and to remain underwater for long patrols. Further all Akulas have space for missiles and if Indian DRDO scientists led by Dr M Natarajan claims are to be believed, a nuclear tipped missile silo of K-15 Sagarika MRBMs with a range of around 700km could be retrofitted in due course, in the space left free by Russian missiles. Three successful launches from an under water platform replicating a submarine launcher have been announced by DRDO, and the plug of missiles on the ATV which is getting ready will surely take these missiles. When this fitment fructifies India's triad will be operational from the sea, though the Sukhanaya class are being progressively fitted with the nuclear capable Dhanush led by INS Subhadra. This is not the true Triad but still nuclear force from the sea. In any case all Indian missiles Prithvi, Agni 1 and II are on mobile TELs. Soon the balance of power in the Indian Ocean will shift immensely in favour of India. It was reported that India would get the INS Chakra on a 10-year-lease, which actually commenced on 11 June at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur shipyard with Indian witnesses and will be followed by sea trials. The reactor also went critical just before that date.

As per the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta this induction would help India fill the void caused by the delays in the indigenous Advanced Technology Vessel ATV project to build a nuclear powered, guided missile attack submarine, and gain experience on operating nuclear boats. The last Charlie class 571 boat also named INS Chakra that India took on lease in 1987 was returned in 1991, some claim under US pressure, but now with the 'Bon Hommie' between India and USA especially over the nuclear deal which is in its advanced stages and defence purchases, USA is keen to see India as a powerful bulwark against China in the region. This is now admitted by all strategists.

There has been hectic progress on the almost $ 2 bill ATV project and the hull sections are being joined for launch in the coming months at Vishakapatnam. There has been a change at the helm of the ATV Project called Akanksha (Hope) and retired Vice Admiral DSP Verma has taken over as Director General from Vice Admiral PC Bhasin, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India on contract. Both officers have earlier served as Chiefs of Material at Naval Headquarters and were associated with the secret project. Indian naval crews to man the nuclear submarines have already been trained at the specially set up training facility in Sosnovy Bor near St. Petersburg. There has been complete secrecy on the mode of payments for the Akula and the ATV as the former is possibly funded from nuclear projects of India, and the latter is a project under DRDO and has direct control from the PM's Office for funding and decision making. A new submarine base on the East Coast has also become necessary as the narrow entrance and merchant vessel traffic in Vishakapatnam has made naval operations difficult and there is no space for expansion, that the Indian Navy is poised for. Naval HQ already have in Vice Admiral K Sushil a submariner, advice for nuclear safety in the post of Director General Nuclear Safety and other officers have been trained in USA to ensure safety features for basing and operations of nuclear boats
http://http://www.indiadefenceupdate.com/news129.html

 

[Neo]

Russian-made Akula is the nuclear sub set to join Indian Navy – India rushes for startegic deterrence capabilities ​

Ratan Sen
Aug. 10, 2008

India is moving fast towards additional nuclear deterrence creating the strategic second and third line of invisible defense infrastructure.

"With nuclear proliferation posing a greater threat along with Weapons of Mass Destruction, our unilateral policy of no-first-use necessitates that India possesses a credible and survivable nuclear deterrent including submarine-launched," Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta says explaining Indian Navy’s strategic goals and aspirations.

Akula nuclear-powered submarine is likely to join service with Indian Navy next year. Indian Navy would use the Russian-made submarine for training in personnel before they get to operate the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine that is under secret construction at the Mazagaon Docks in Mumbai.

"Though it is an operational submarine, Akula will be basically used for training Naval operators before they get to operate our indigenous nuclear-powered submarine," the Navy chief said.

IndiaDaily - Russian-made Akula is the nuclear sub set to join Indian Navy – India rushes for startegic deterrence capabilities

 

[Contrarian]

Russian -made nuke powered submarine Akula set to join Indian Navy next year


New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) With India's aspiration to operate a nuclear submarine likely to be fulfilled next year with Russian-made Akula set to join the fleet, the Indian Navy is pitching for a submarine-launched nuclear missile to boost the nation's deterrence capabilities.
"With nuclear proliferation posing a greater threat along with Weapons of Mass Destruction, our unilateral policy of no-first-use necessitates that India possesses a credible and survivable nuclear deterrent including submarine-launched," Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said yesterday while delivering a lecture on Navy's vision for the future.

India had in February this year tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile for the first time that would take another three years to be fully operational.

After a delay, Akula nuclear-powered submarine is likely to join service with Indian Navy next year, Mehta said, pointing out that the Navy would basically use the Russian-made submarine for training in personnel before they get to operate the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine that is under secret construction at the Mazagaon Docks in Mumbai.

"Though it is an operational submarine, Akula will be basically used for training Naval operators before they get to operate our indigenous nuclear-powered submarine," the Navy chief said.

A DRDO project, the indigenous nuclear-powered submarine project, codenamed Advanced Technology Vehicle, is said to be well set for sea trials two years from now. PTI

http://www.ptinews.com/pti\ptisite.nsf/0/5B8026A017FDA7DF652574A100239DFC?OpenDocument

 

[Contrarian]

Doesnt get more credible than this. The Akula-2, now christened INS Chakra will be commisioned in the Indian Navy next year.

 

[Goodperson]

Doesnt get more credible than this. The Akula-2, now christened INS Chakra will be commisioned in the Indian Navy next year.

I wonder why is it not called "INS Chakra - II" or some other name to distinguish with earlier leased nuclear submarine.

 

[Contrarian]

I wonder why is it not called "INS Chakra - II" or some other name to distinguish with earlier leased nuclear submarine.

I thought that too! But its their call. I like the name Chakra.