Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta Spells Out Vision 2022

[nitesh]

$200 m sought for Gorshkov overhaul

$200 m sought for Gorshkov overhaul
Shishir Gupta
Posted: Sep 19, 2008 at 0021 hrs IST
Moscow wants New Delhi to immediately pay $200 million to cash-strapped Sevmash shipyard in order to speed up the upgrade of Admiral Gorshkov even though the final price negotiations of the ship are expected to be completed during Russian Defence Minister A Serdyukov’s visit to Delhi later this month.
Government sources said that after New Delhi expressed concern over the slow progress in overhauling Gorshkov (to be called INS Vikramaditya) at the Sevmash shipyard in North Sea, Russian asked South Block to immediately put in money without prejudice to the on-going price negotiations. Moscow had raised demand for an additional $1.2 billion after the two sides signed an agreement on $750 million for the aircraft carrier.

As the aircraft carrier is now expected to be inducted only by 2012 (August 15, 2008 was the original date), the issue will be taken up by the Indian side at the 8th Inter-Government Meeting on Military Technical Cooperation on September 28-29. During Serdyukov’s trip, the Indian side will mount pressure on its Russian counterpart to scale down the $1.2 billion demand.

Official sources said that South Block was even considering holding trials of the refitted Admiral Gorshkov and handle some technical work so that the additional costs could be cut down by nearly 50 per cent. However, the Indian Navy is totally opposed to this idea, as New Delhi would end up getting the blame from Russians if any system or armament malfunctions during the trials. The Navy wants only the Russians to integrate the weapons on to the air defence platform so that the responsibility is entire on them.
Even though the Cabinet Committee on Security has given the mandate to Defence Ministry to negotiate the price of Gorshkov, the latter would have to go back to the apex body once the two sides arrive at a figure. But given the financial condition of the shipyard and India’s urgency, with its sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat on its last legs, Russians will drive a hard bargain.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Opinion / Leader Page Articles : UPA should not be myopic to world events


UPA should not be myopic to world events

M.K. Bhadrakumar
If diplomacy is a lot about timing, the “Malabar Exercises” have been most crudely timed. Our diplomats should have known that issues of war andpeace are hanging by a thread.
The times seem to have changed in South Block. There was a time not too long ago when the Ministry of External Affairs needed to give political clearance to interactions — all major and most minor ones — involving our armed forces with foreign countries. Maybe, with a Congress party stalwart with a Gandhian slant at the helm of affairs in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), there is no more need to consult the foreign policy establishment.

What comes to mind is the stupendous folly of the timing of the so-called “Malabar Exercises” with the United States Navy along our western coast in October. The event has been scheduled in complete isolation from the goings-on in India’s immediate neighbourhood, and it runs contrary to the larger co-relation of forces in the international arena. Can it be that a highly experienced diplomatist and statesman like Pranab Mukherjee is losing his touch not to know where Indian foreign policy should tread softly at this point in these troubled times lest it treaded on the sensitivities of the emergent world order? If diplomacy is a lot about timing, the “Malabar Exercises” have been most crudely timed. Our able, highly professional diplomats should have known that issues of war and peace are hanging by a thread. Conceivably, they have been overruled by the political leadership.

Three things come to mind. First, of course, the gathering storms in “East-West” relations. It is obvious that the two-decades-old post-Cold War era is drawing to a close. And, as it happens in twilight zones, the shadows are lengthening minute by minute. In the downstream of the conflict in the Caucasus, relations between the U.S. and Russia can never be the same again. Equally, it is clear that subterranean tensions, as old as the first term of Bill Clinton, in the relations between the two big powers have begun to froth.

The well-known American scholar on Russia, Stephen Cohen, analysed recently that these tensions are far more dangerous than the Cold War-era tensions. Mr. Cohen says that in many respects the U.S.’ 15-year containment strategy toward post-Soviet Russia has been more hostile than its Cold War-era variant. Nothing brings this out more clearly than the stunning details given out by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Germany’s ARD television channel that U.S. military advisers were present in the combat zones alongside the Georgian forces that assaulted South Ossetia in the night of August 7. Never during the Cold War had either camp shown the audacity to indulge in such high provocation.

In a subsequent interview with CNN, Mr. Putin bitterly added: “Those [in Washington] who pursue such a policy toward Russia, what do they think? Will they like us only when we die?”

Without getting into the nitty-gritty of the conflict in the Caucasus, this much can be said: that it is the latest chapter in a sustained U.S. campaign to expand the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) eastward beyond Europe and to “contain” Russia’s resurgence. The U.S. policy is integral to its global strategy that in the New American Century any rival power even remotely capable of challenging U.S. dominance will be stopped in its tracks. Of course, casting Russia in adversarial traits as an enemy at the gates would also re-establish the U.S.’ trans-Atlantic leadership. Woven into all this is the struggle for the control of Caspian oil. NATO’s current muscle-flexing in the Black Sea underscores that this high-stakes game is far from over and that its outcome will largely determine the contours of the international system for decades to come.

These are not esoteric topics for a serious regional power like India. Even with the obsessive drive on the part of the UPA leadership to navigate the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal to its safe destination in the next few critical weeks, we cannot be so very oblivious of what is going on in the world in which we live. We aren’t one-dimensional men. At issue is the nature of the world order. At the very least, we are an interested party because Russia is an old friend and the U.S. is our present-day benefactor. Even if there is no more a bilateral treaty in vogue with Russia which places obligations on us to enter into consultations with Moscow, we are concerned about what has happened in the Caucasus for nothing else than that U.S.-Russian relations form a crucial template of the world order.

Bad taste
At the very minimum, it is a matter of bad taste that we host a massive U.S. naval fleet — involving aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and warships of high offensive capability — on our waters for friendly exercises at such a juncture. The UPA leadership should not be petrified that Washington might get irritated if we told them that the present time posed us some difficulty in conducting the “Malabar Exercises.” After all, the heavens are not going to come down on our armed forces if we don’t schedule these exercises at precisely this point in time. Haven’t we already had over 50 military exercises with the U.S. in the past seven years? Even NATO allies do not have such an intensive level of interaction with the U.S.

Then, there is a second aspect. Let us not fool ourselves that the U.S.-Iran standoff has blown over. Great standoffs in politics and history do not just wither away. They are about power and the exercise of power. They constantly strive to outwit political realism in their overreach for absolute victory. Unsurprisingly, the majority opinion amongst the “Iran watchers” is that the most critical period in U.S.-Iran tensions is just about approaching — the period between the U.S. presidential election in November and the historic departure of President George W. Bush from the White House to his ranch in Texas in January. Most observers believe that if a U.S. or combined U.S.-Israeli or “stand-alone” Israeli attack on Iran were to take place, that could most likely happen between November and January.

South Block cannot be unaware that the Persian Gulf remains a tinder-box. It is a supreme irony that we have scheduled the “Malabar Exercises” along our western coast straddling the Persian Gulf against precisely such a backdrop. Could there be a more unkindly cut aimed at Iran than what the UPA government is doing?

What is the message we are conveying to the Muslim Middle East? What has Iran done to India to earn such pitiless wrath from the UPA? As it is, it is bad enough that the UPA government lacks the courage to defy the U.S.-Israeli diktat and pursue the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. Tehran feels disappointed that the UPA leadership does not realise that India is actually a “powerful country.” Iranian diplomats are completely devastated that Delhi uses India-Iran relations to leverage additional advantages out of Washington. Imagine this: a sudden flurry of activity on the India-Iran front; alarm bells start ringing in Washington; and one more ounce of U.S. concession to Delhi is extracted. The Iranians cite instances to show that the UPA government has been using the gas pipeline project to extract concessions out of Washington. If there is an iota of truth in all this, we should hang our head in shame. This is simply no way to treat the Persians.

A third aspect concerns the very nature of the “Malabar Exercises.” The exercises are not pro forma goodwill exercises of the sort that the Indian Navy might have with Brunei or Papua New Guinea. They are manifestly aimed at co-coordinating the offensive capabilities of the two sides — U.S. and Indian — in combat conditions. They are precisely of the sort that are required to conduct joint military operations. The U.S. has not hidden its interest in co-opting India as its junior partner in the Indian Ocean region. The U.S. National Defence Strategy spells out Washington’s expectations of India being groomed as a “stakeholder” in its global strategies. Indeed, Washington has been quite open about its intentions.

The UPA government cannot pretend that the sort of “strategic partnership” it is gearing up for — via the “Malabar Exercises” or the “Red Flag” exercise in Nevada in August — is no different from what India has with Albania. (Yes, believe it or not, this was exactly what the UPA leaders maintained with the Left parties within the four walls of their famous committee cogitating over the nuclear deal).

The point is that the UPA government is assuming a “bloc mentality” in its approach to the world order. This is not only contrary to what India has been professing — a multilateral, democratised world order — but also is sure to be challenged including by friendly countries such as Russia and Iran. Alas, a country that cannot distinguish its friends is truly myopic. The MEA should have counselled the MoD to stand down on the “Malabar Exercises” at this point in contemporary regional and world politics.

(The writer is a former Ambassador and an Indian Foreign Service officer.)

 

[Marshal]

Indian Navy awaits govt nod for establishing piracy-response system

New Delhi, Sept 19: In the wake of threat from pirates to ships in the high seas, the Indian Navy is seeking a government nod for establishing a system to provide a befitting response to such situations, particularly when Indian crew was among the abducted.

"We are working along with the government to find a way to respond to such situations (ship hijacking by sea pirates)," the Navy's Vice-Admiral R P Suthan said here today.

The Navy had about a year ago written to the Defence Ministry seeking directions and powers to respond to piracy threats to ships in the Indian Ocean Region through which about 80 percent of the world's maritime trade passes.

In the latest pirate-related crime, a Panama-owned merchant oil tanker with 18 Indian crew on board had been hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen and the ships sailed to Somalian coast along with the cargo and the hostages on September 15.

Suthan said the Indian Navy was always prepared for a contingency like the hijacking of a ship and has already responded to certain incidents on earlier occasions.

However, in the present case, the Indian ships had just been there along the African coast carrying out patrols for over a month in August-September and had just returned home a week ago.

Further, the distance from Indian posts to the African coast was too long for an immediate response. But India did have the wherewithal to tackle the piracy menace and it would do so with government approval, he added.

Bureau Report

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=470343

 

[Marshal]

Indian, British troops complete joint training

New Delhi, Sept 19: India and Britain on Friday ended their joint Army exercises in which tanks and armoured personnel carriers manoeuvres were simulated for hard, warlike training sessions in the United Kingdom.

The three-week long military exercises witnessed 126 men of all ranks from the Indian Army's 16 Mechanised Infantry Regiment testing their wits against the troops from the UK's 3rd Mercian Regiment at the Salisbury Plains, according to an Indian Army spokesman here.

Beginning on August 29, the exercise was divided into two modules named 'Exercise Lion Strike' and 'Exercise Wessex Warrior' and the two modules were completed today, he said.

Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor was one of the important guests who witnessed the exercise during his recent visit to the UK.

The interaction is also expected to increase interoperability between the Armed Forces of the two countries and is in tune with India's increasing role and influence on the world stage, the spokesman added.


http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=470370 .

 

[Marshal]

MoD nod for MiG 29 K from Russia
http://www.idrw.org/2008/09/19/mod_nod_for_mig_29_k_from_russia.html
The Gorshkov aircraft carrier may have been hit by delays and cost overruns, but India is going ahead with the procurement of additional MiG 29 K ship borne fighters from Russia to boost the Navy’s aerial capabilities.

While 16 MiG 29 K/KUB were ordered as part of a $1.5 billion deal for the aircraft carrier signed in 2004, the Defence Ministry has given a go-ahead for the procurement of 29 additional fighters over the next few years to raise additional Naval fighter squadrons.

Ministry sources said the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) has given an in principle clearance to go ahead with the purchase of the additional fighters from Russia as a follow on order of the 2004 deal.

While price negotiations for the fighters have not started, the contract is expected to be worth close to $ 2 billion. Sources said the Navy is planning to raise a total of three squadrons of MiG 29 K ship borne fighters. A follow on order to take the total number of fighters to around 50 is expected in the future. The matter will also be discussed when Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov visits India on September 28 for a meeting of the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Comm-ission for Military-Technical Cooperation.

The fate of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier, which was scheduled to arrive in India this year, still hangs in balance as the Russian Sevmash shipyard is struggling to stick to the new deadline of 2011 for completing the refurbish. Russia is also pushing for at least $1.2 billion more to complete work.

However, the MiG 29 K fighters for the carrier have been manufactured on time and are set to arrive by next month. Naval sources said while the fighters are ready for a ferry flight to India, the actual induction may take time as the training modules for pilots in Russia have not yet been completed. “Weather permitting, the training will be completed on time and the fighters will be ferried to India by October-November,” a source said.

 

[Contrarian]

Long awaited as well. 16 was too small a number, keeping in mind the down time, maintenance and other things.

 

[nitesh]

LiveFist: Prasun K Sengupta: Navy to order more MiG-29Ks

NAVY TO ORDER MORE MIG-29K FIGHTERS

Monday, September 22, 2008
Unfazed by the delayed delivery (from 2008 to 2012) of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia, the Indian Navy (IN) has decided to order a follow-on batch of 29 MiG-29Ks, all of which will be subjected to the same incremental block development plan as that for its initial 12 RAC MiG-built single-seat MiG-29Ks and four tandem-seat MiG-29KUB operational conversion trainers.

Under this approach, incremental performance enhancements will be introduced, much like that for the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKIs, that will, by 2012, transform the MiG-29K/KUB from a medium multi-role combat aircraft into a dedicated, network-centric information warfare platform that will also possess force-multiplier capabilities such as airborne early warning & control as well as offensive electronic jamming. These capabilities are now being validated on board two preproduction prototypes—a MiG-29KUB-47 that had made its maiden flight (after a six-month delay) on January 22, 2007 at Russia’s Gromov Flight Research Institute at Zhukovsky on the outskirts of Moscow, and a MiG-29K-41 that joined the flight test program in June the same year. The last milestone that was attained on March 18 last year in the presence of the IN’s visiting Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Suresh Mehta, involved the maiden flight (originally slated for November 2006) of the first production standard MiG-29KUB (No113) at the Lukhovitsy-based flight test centre of RACMiG in the outskirts of Moscow. The MiG-29KUB, piloted by RAC-MiG’s senior test pilots Pavel Nikolaevich Vlasov and Aleksandr Petrovich Pelikh, made two traditional taxi runs and completed a 42-minute flight. By last June, this aircraft was made available for test-flights and operational conversion to a team of IN pilots led by Capt J Mahapatra. Series production deliveries to the IN will begin later this month, and will be completed by late 2009. The US$720 million contract for 12 MiG-29K-41s and four MiG-29KUBs, which was inked on January 20, 2004, also gives the IN the option to procure a second batch of 29 MiG-29K/KUBs which, once ordered, will be delivered between 2010 and 2013.

The maximum offensive payload of the MiG-29K will be 5,500kg (12,125lb). The aircraft’s airframe will have a service life of 4,000 hours or 40 years, while its wings have additional slats
that retract into its wing roots and provide increased lift while landing. To be serviced on an ‘on-condition’ basis that will reduce direct operating costs per flying hour by 40% (or 2.5 times lower than the MiG-29B-12 variant), the airframe will be required to undergo a scheduled maintenance every 300 flight hours and technical condition checks every 1,000 hours, or every 10 years. In all, the MiG-29K/KUBs will have only three major airframe checks during their lifetimes. The entire airframe will also be applied with radar absorbent coatings to reduce the radar cross-section by a factor of five.

For full airworthiness certification, RAC-MiG and GosNIIAS have to date built 28 test-rigs, including the on-board Karat-B29K, co developed by the Kursk-based Aviaavtomatika OKB and GosNIIAS, that combines the functions of built-in test equipment, systems monitoring and flight data recorder/cockpit voice recorder for collectively capturing flight data, generating systems failure warnings and recording the aircrew’s air-to-ground or air-to-air communications on a common medium.

While RAC-MiG’s Lukhovitsy-based facility is responsible for final assembly of the aircraft, the Federal Scientific Production Centre Ramenskoye Instrument Building Design Bureau (RPKB) and GosNIIAS are prime systems integrators for the MIL-STD-1553B digital databus-based PrNK-29K and PrNK-29KUB open-architecture navigation-and-attack avionics suites for the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB. RPKB is also supplying the on-board IDK-42 health and usage monitoring system, ShKAl wide-angle monochrome HUD and 6-inch by 8-inch MFI- 10-7 active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD). MNPK Avionika and the Elara JSC have co-developed the KSU-941 quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system as well as the BARK full-authority digital electronic control system for the aircraft’s twin Klimov NPOdesigned RD-33-3 turbofans. Components of French origin on board include the Sagem Défense Sécurité-built SIGMA-95 GPS/ring-laser gyro-based inertial navigation system, and THALES-built TACAN radios (two), a UHF radio and radar altimeter. IN pilots will use THALES-built lightweight TopOwl-F helmet-mounted sights and will also be able to see a combined radar, thermal imaging and digital map picture in real time on the aircraft’s HUD and AMLCD displays. The HF and VHF radios are of Russian origin, while the radar warning receiver and TACAN navigation system will be the Tarang Mk3 built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). The active jamming pod, to be carried by the No8 under wing hard point, will be the EL/L-8222 EW pod built by ELTA Systems of Israel. Urals Optical Mechanical Plant (UOMZ) is supplying the 13SM infra-red search-and-track sensor (IRST), with the Zhuk-ME (N-010ME) multi-mode X-band radar coming from Phazotron NIIR Corp for the first batch of MiG-29K/KUBs only. The radar can detect airborne targets out to 150km, start tracking 10 targets out to 130km, and can engage four of them simultaneously. The radar also performs ground mapping and moving target location functions, offering a resolution of 5 metres. Vympel JSC is supplying the chaff/flare dispensers and their 50mm cartridges. For the second batch of 29 MiG-29K/KUBs, the IN will soon decide whether to equip them with the Tikhomirov NIIR-built BARS-29 passive phased-array X-band radar, or Phazotron JSC’s Zhuk-AE active phased-array radar.

For air dominance operations, particularly in the beyond-visual-range (BVR) fight, the MiG-29K/KUB will each have an on-board tactical information data link system (TIDLS) that can connect up to four aircraft in a full two-way link. With a range of 500km and being highly resistant to jamming, the TIDLS will display the position, bearing and speed of all four MiG-29K/KUBs in a formation on a tactical information system, including basic status information such as fuel availability and weapons state. When used in the ‘silent attack’ mode, an adversary may be aware that he is being tracked by a radar that is outside BVR air-to-air missile (AAM) range. He may not be aware that another, closer MiG-29K/KUB is receiving that tracking data and is preparing for a BVR-AAM launch without using its own radar. In addition, two radars can exchange information by the TIDLS and locate hostile targets by triangulation. Usually, three plots (echoes) are needed to track a target in the track-while-scan mode. The TIDLS also allows the radars to share plots—not just tracks—even if none of the MiG-29K/KUBs in a formation gets enough plots on its own to track the target, they may do so collectively. Each radar plot includes pulse-Doppler velocity, which provides the individual aircraft with range-rate data. Using TIDLS, two MiG-29K/KUBs can take simultaneous range-rate readings and thereby determine the target’s track instantly, thereby minimising the need for radar transmission. During EW missions, one MiG-29K/KUB will be able to track and engage a target while the wingman will simultaneously focus jamming on the same target. This will make it very difficult for the hostile airborne target to intercept or jam the radar that is tracking him.

Another anti jamming technique that will be validated in future is for all four radars to illuminate the same target simultaneously at different frequencies, and relay the data in real-time to an airborne Kamov Ka-31 AEW helicopter acting as a tactical airborne battle management platform. The Klimov RD-33MK ‘Sea Wasp’ turbofans selected for the MiG-29K/KUB are being built by the Moscow-based V V Chernyshev Machinery Enterprise. Each turbofan develops 19,840lb thrust with afterburning, has a 1,000-hour time between-overhauls, and a total technical service life of 4,000 hours. The engine has a wider chord fan for six per cent greater airflow, full authority digital electronic control for regulating and optimizing the turbofan’s fuel-flow, a new ‘multi-section’ no-smoke combustor and three-dimensional aerodynamics in the turbine. The turbofan’s low-pressure and high-pressure compressors, combustion chamber and low-pressure/high-pressure turbines will all have special coatings to minimize the effects of salt water corrosion. The KSA-33M accessory gearbox and VK-100 auxiliary power unit have been developed by Klimov NPO. Zvezda’s K-36D-3.5 zero-zero ejection seats have been selected for the cockpit, as are MNPK Avionika’s BLP-3.5-2 ejection sequencing modules are used for preventing ejection seat collisions during a simultaneous ejection from a MiG-29KUB.

For increasing the flight endurance, a fully retractable L-shaped in-flight refueling probe on the port side of the forward fuselage has been installed. In addition, a 3-metre-long UPAZ-1MK aerial refueling pod has been developed by NPP Zvezda that is carried by the aircraft’s centerline pylon. When used along with four under wing drop tanks each filled with 1,150 liters of fuel, the MiG-29K/KUB will be able to operate as a ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling tanker. Armaments package for the MiG-29K/KUB includes an internal 30mm GSh-301 cannon located in the port wing’s leading edge root extension; Vympel’s R-77 BVR-AAM and R-73E within-visual-range air combat missile; Zvesda-Strela’s (now part of Tactical Missiles Corp JSC) 130km-range Kh-35 Uran-E anti-ship cruise missiles; Kh-31AD Krypton supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, which has a length of 4.8 metres and 110km-range; and the Kh-31AM/PM anti radiation missile, equipped with a waveband specific seeker, which has a length of 5.2 meters and a range of 170km. The Kh-31AD is fitted with a Leninetz-designed U-505 passive radar seeker. For medium-range standoff attack using precision-guided munitions, use will be made of the Sagem Défense Sécurité-built AASM family of laser-/GPS-guided bombs that will make use of RAFAEL-built Litening-3 target acquisition/designation pods. Under the IN’s block development roadmap, RAC-MiG and Klimov will upgrade the RD-33MK to the RD-33MKV standard, which will deliver 81.4kN of thrust with afterburning, will weigh 1,145kg, will incorporate single-crystal turbine blades, and will be equipped with a swivelling nozzle can be deflected by up to 15 degrees in any direction. Thrust vectoring will be achieved by controlling a short inner segment of the nozzle. Also to be replaced will be the Zhuk-ME with most probably the Zhuk-AE active phased array radar, which will weigh 280kg, have an antenna diameter of 700mm, will contain 1,064 transmit/receive modules, have a vertical antenna reflector that can be directed 20 degrees upwards and sideways, have a power consumption of 6kW, have a target detection range of 200km, and will track 30 airborne targets simultaneously and engage eight of them. The Zhuk-AE will have a guaranteed service life of 10,000 hours, and its prototype has to date achieved the 900-hour mark. For all-weather navigation and within-visual-range air combat UOMZ is developing an integrated, fifth generation IRST system that comprises three separate sensors—one on the aircraft’s nose in front of the cockpit canopy, and two conformally-mounted underbelly installations. The former, called OLS-UEM and weighing 78kg, can detect and track airborne targets automatically and comprises an IR camera with a matrix of 320 x 256, a TV camera with a matrix of 640 x 480, and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. The sensor’s cover is made from leucosapphire, while the mirror scans the airspace of +/-90 degrees horizontally and -15/+60 degrees vertically. Airborne targets 45km away can be detected from the front, while the laser ranger has a 15km range. The two underbelly IRST sensors, called OLS-UM can do all of this, and also detect ground based and seaborne targets out to 40km.

For imparting shore-based operational conversion training-cum-proficiency training for tactical combast, a joint venture of Germany’s Rheinmetall Defence Electronics and Russia’s RAC-MIG has won the contract to supply the Indian Navy with a MiG-29K full mission simulator along with the AVIOR laser image projection system and US-based Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp’s EPXTM-500 seven-channel out-the-window visual system that will be equipped with a 3-D whole-earth terrain model and delivered with three high resolution insets. The simulator is scheduled for delivery to the Navy later this year.

 

[Contrarian]

The MiG 29K will really change the Navy's effective area of operations from the carrier. They are already constructing a carrier training station in Goa.
The IAF's MiG 29's are also being upgraded to near this K model.

 

[nitesh]

so navy is going with AESA

he IN will soon decide whether to equip them with the Tikhomirov NIIR-built BARS-29 passive phased-array X-band radar, or Phazotron JSC’s Zhuk-AE active phased-array radar.

Does it applies to 3D TVC?

Under the IN’s block development roadmap, RAC-MiG and Klimov will upgrade the RD-33MK to the RD-33MKV standard, which will deliver 81.4kN of thrust with afterburning, will weigh 1,145kg, will incorporate single-crystal turbine blades, and will be equipped with a swivelling nozzle can be deflected by up to 15 degrees in any direction.

 

[Contrarian]

Cant say for either one mate. Zhuk AE is yet to demonstrate its ability for the IN to decide whether it wants it or not.

 

[nitesh]

Cant say for either one mate. Zhuk AE is yet to demonstrate its ability for the IN to decide whether it wants it or not.

It is mentioned that this plan is going like the MKI means the progressive upgrades. So I am confident that this radar will come in to picture. Or for that matter I don't think russia will allow to put the indigenous (Based on Elta 2052) to be put here. So if navy wants to have an AESA then they will go with this route. regarding the second point it looks like 3D TVC but let's see.

 

[nitesh]

On January 20, 2004 India and Russia signed a deal to refurbish and convert the 40,000t Soviet/Russian Admiral Gorshkov into a full carrier by removing the guns, anti-shipping and anti-air missile launchers on the front deck, replacing them with a full runway and ski jump, changing the boilers to diesel fuel, enlarging and strengthening the rear aircraft elevator, and many other modifications. The announced delivery date for INS Vikramaditya was August 2008 – an ambitious schedule, but one that would allow the carrier to enter service in 2009, around the time as their 29,000t light carrier/LHA INS Viraat (formerly HMS Hermes, last of the Centaur class) was scheduled to retire. The new ship will berth at the new Indian Navy facility in Karwar, on India’s west coast.

Initial reports of delays sparked controversy in India, but even the Ministry has now admitted their truth. The INS Viraat’s retirement is now set for 2010-2012 – but even that may not be late enough, as slow negotiations and steadily-lengthening delivery times will push delivery of the Gorshkov back to 2010 at the earliest. Reports of delivery in 2012 or later have surfaced, and the continued absence of a contract that Russia will honor is likely to create further delays. Even as the delivery date for India’s locally-built 37,500 ton escort carrier appears to be slipping well beyond 2013.

Right now, there are 2 major concerns in India. One is that slipping timelines could easily leave India without a serviceable aircraft carrier. The other is the extent of the cost increases, especially if more increases are added once India has paid for most of the budgeted work and is deep into the commitment trap. The carrier purchase has now become the subject of high level diplomacy, involving a shipyard that can’t even execute on commercial contracts, and an agreement in principle that has yet to be finalized into a contract. Meanwhile, Russia’s new naval fighters will have to deploy on land, because its only operational carriers is undergoing refits. That hasn’t stopped India from approving further MiG-29K purchases, however…


According to the 2004 press release, INS Vikramaditya was supposed to enter the Indian Navy in August 2008. That looks almost certain to fail, but India’s Ministry of Defence initially denied reports of delays. Then, in May 2007, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta said the ships will be delivered:

”...by late 2008 or early 2009…. Our officials, who are stationed at the spot, have said that the work is going on as per schedule and we can have a month long delay once the work is completed as that part of Russia is frozen for a long time.”

Later comments on this issue included this May 1, 2007 quote:

“The work is only three to four months behind schedule and we can expect the aircraft carrier to be delivered by late 2008 or early 2009”

Subsequent updates, however, have proven the critics correct, with even the Ministry admitting as much. Cost estimates and reports concerning the Gorshkov’s final total vary from $700-$1.4 billion, of which $400-500 million has reportedly already been paid. DID’s experience with Indian defense procurement issues is that these figures mean little, beyond defining broad orders of magnitude. Transparency will eventually come, but deals with Russia mean that it will come only from pressure within India, and then only after all other alternatives have been exhausted. Reports until then are really a set of varyingly educated guesses.

That there is a real issue of both time and cost, however, can no longer be denied. February 2008 news reports are giving figures of up to 3-4 years before refurbishment and testing are complete, and the refurbished ship can join the fleet. This would place its in-service data at 2011-2012, which risks a gap with no serving carriers in the fleet if further delays occur or the INS Viraat retires slightly early.

Meanwhile, China is working hard to refurbish the 58,000t ex-Russian carrier Varyag, and some analysts believe the ship could be operational in a testing capacity by 2010.

Those sunk construction costs, Russian possession of the Gorshkov, the difficulty in finding a substitute carrier to replace the Gorshkov sooner than 2013, and the Chinese push with the Varyag, have all combined to give the Russians substantial leverage in their negotiations.

Gorshkov-Vikramaditya: Aerial Complement


Many of Gorshkov’s key modifications are aircraft-related, including the new arrester gear and ski jump. New boilers and wiring are the other major components. The timelines and cost figures for delivery of the ship do not include aircraft, however, which are contracted separately.

The original carrier’s complement was 12 Yak-38 Forger V/STOL fighters, 12 Ka-28 helicopters, and 2 Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters. The removal of the Gorshkov’s forward missiles, ski ramp, and other modifications will improve the ship’s air complement somewhat. The nature of its original design, however, means that INS Vikramaditya will still fall short of comparably-sized western counterparts like the 43,000t FNS Charles de Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with its 40-plane complement that leans heavily to fighter jets.

Carriage ranges given for the refitted Vikramaditya seem to average 12-16 fighters and 4-16 of the compact Ka-28/31 helicopters; diagrams seem to suggest total stowage space for a “footprint” of no more than 15-16 MiG-29Ks, with each Kamov helicopter sporting a comparative footprint of about 0.4, and about 5-6 open footprint spots on deck.

A related $740 million contract for 16 MiG-29K aircraft plus training and maintenance was confirmed on December 22, 2004, with an option for another 30 MiG-29Ks by 2015. They would be operated in STOBAR (Short Take-Off via the ski ramp, But Assisted Recovery via arresting wires) mode, and the MiG-29K was reportedly selected over the larger and more-capable navalized SU-33 because India hopes to operate them from an indigenous smaller carrier as well.

The Gorshkov-Vikramaditya’s complement will also include Kamov Ka-31 AEW and/or Ka-28 multi-role helicopters, along with a complement of torpedo tubes, air defense missile systems, et. al. If India does indeed buy E-2C+/E-2D Hawkeye naval AWACS aircraft, as is currently rumored, they would be added to this mix and take up footprint slots of their own.

Updates & Contracts:
Sept 21/08: Still no firm deal on the Gorshkov refit, but India’s Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) has given approval in principle to add another 29 MiG-29Ks to the original 16-plane, $1.5 billion deal.

No price negotiations have taken place, but the contract is expected to be worth close to $2 billion. The Navy is reported to have set its sights on a 3-squadron goal for its MiG-29K/KUB force. Indian Express report.

June 3/08: Press Trust of India reports that Russia’s Sevmash shipyard has promised readiness by 2012 – maybe. RIA Novosti quotes Sevmash officials as saying that:

“The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year… At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy.”

Negotiations and maneuvering around the contract’s final details continue, and Sevmash’s history of delivery, detailed below, must also be considered when evaluating such statements.

June 2/08: Defense News reports that India’s MiG-29Ks will be based on land, because the country has no operational carriers. With INS Viraat unavailable due to upgrades and Vikramaditya badly behind schedule, the MiG-29Ks will go to the Naval Aviation Centre at INS Hansa in Goa instead. Hansa is the based used to train naval pilots. Deliveries of all 16 MiG-29Ks are expected to be complete by 2009.

May 30/08: Reuters reports that American Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was asked about rumours that the USS Kitty Hawk might be sold to India at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum of regional analysts, defense and security officials. “I am aware of no such plans,” Gates replied.

May 9/08: News Post India’s “Indian Navy To Order Another Aircraft Carrier” claims that the Indian Navy will supplement the Vikramaditya with 2 of its 37,500t indigenous “Air Defence Ship” carriers, instead of just one. The article also includes additional information about the Vikramaditya’s schedule and the potential risks.

April 9/08: Despite an agreement that was supposed to be finalized in March, Indian Defence Secretary Vijay Singh describes the parties as still “locked in intense negotiations over the price details,” adding that “technical assessment of the work needed on the carrier is still on…” The expected responses re: the deal being on track, and having a final price proposal to bring to the Cabinet “soon,” were also voiced. Zee News.

March 10/08: The Indian government’s DDI News reports that “India has reconciled to a price hike for procurement of Russian carrier Admiral Gorshkov and the government has constituted an experts committee to work out the increase.”

Naval Chief Sureesh Mehta, who had opposed additional payments under the contract, said that: “There will be some price hike. We need to pay extra amount and whatever amount is due as per contracts we will pay.” This does not sound like an encouraging report from ongoing negotiations.

March 3/08: India opts to pay Russia more, in hopes of getting the Gorshkov ready in time. Figures given vary between $500 million and $1.2 billion; exactly how much more India will agree to pay will be decided later in March 2008, after 2 more rounds of negotiations. India’s Defence Secretary Vijay Singh is quoted as saying that:

“It should be completed by mid-2010. After that, it will undergo 18 months of extensive sea trials by the Russian navy to ensure all systems are working properly.”

Retired Admiral Arun Prakash was head of the Indian Navy in 2004 when the original deal was “laboriously and painstakingly negotiated for 11 months, and the contract sealed and signed.” He told BusinessWeek that he is disappointed by Russia “reneging on the deal” and says Russia “gifted” the Gorshkov to India in exchange for a $1.5 billion contract to buy planes and helicopters and “revive their terminally ill shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing industries.”

India will also reportedly send 500 shipyard workers, technicians and managers to Russia, to take direct charge of the work, cover Russia’s labor shortage, and keep an eye on quality control so that it’s caught immediately. Whether this will suffice, in the wake of Sevmash shipyard disasters like the Odfjell contract (q.v. Feb 21/08), remains to be seen.

What also remains to be seen is whether India’s MiG-29K contract becomes the next bottleneck. India remains the only customer for this substantially different aircraft, and MiG will need to make production line changes that the existing contract may not adequately finance.
Meanwhile, BusinessWeek has its own speculation re: “Why India Talked Up A US Carrier Deal.” As an interesting second perspective on the larger Russia-India relationship, see also the Navhind Times March 4/08 article “India’s Defence: Looking Beyond Russia”.

March 3/08: India’s Defence Minister Shri A K Antony confesses that India’s Sea Harrier fleet has an availability problem, due to the rotation of aircraft through the current upgrade program.

“India’s Sea Harrier Shortage” looks at numbers and planned upgrades for India’s legacy naval aircraft, as the Navy prepares for future operations with MiG-29Ks.

Feb 27/08: India’s Minister of Defence Shri A K Antony, asked about this issue, says:

“The overall progress of repair and re-equipping of the ship, ex-Admiral Gorshkov, in Russia is behind schedule. Execution of contract for construction of three ships of Project 1135.6 (follow-on-ships of Talwar Class) is on schedule. Russia has indicated an increase in price for repair and re-equipping of ex-Admiral Gorshkov. There is no proposal under the active consideration of the Government to contact some other country in this regard. The need for contacting other country does not arise as the existing contract with Russia is still valid.”

A fine politician’s reply, answering nothing at all. If another country contacted India instead, his denial would no longer apply…

Feb 23/08: Progress on Gorshkov? According to the India Times’ Economic Times, Indian Defence Secretary Vijay Singh’s 5-day delegation visit to Sevmash Shipyard, and talks with Russian Energy and Industries Minister Viktor Khristenko, may have made progress. Russian senior officials reportedly assured Singh that the Russian government was making strenuous efforts to improve the situation.

Feb 19-23/08: Crazy Sam’s Carrier Clearance Sale? As reports begin to suggest that Russia and India are too far apart to agree on the Gorshkov refit, speculation grows that the USA intends to solve India’s problem with a stunning offer during Defense Secretary Gates’ imminent visit to india. instead of retiring and decommissioning its last conventionally-powered carrier, the 81,800 ton/ 74,200t USS Kitty Hawk [CV-63, commissioned 1961], would be handed over to India when its current tour in Japan ends in 2008. The procedure would resemble the January 2007 “hot transfer” of the amphibious landing ship USS Trenton [LPD-14], which become INS Jalashva. The cost? This time, it would be free. As in, $0.

Naturally, there is a quid pro quo that accompanies these rumors. In return for an aircraft carrier that would be larger than its counterparts in every navy other than the US Navy, India would select at least 60 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets in its MMRCA fighter competition, to serve as the carrier’s air wing. Unlike the Gorshkov, the Kitty Hawk is a purpose-built carrier whose full air complement is a whopping “75+” aircraft and helicopters. India has also expressed interest in the USA’s E-2 Hawkeye carrier AWACS aircraft, which would be a natural fit for its new ship.


As a number of sources point out, this is a multi-pronged move that would achieve several objectives at once. First, the offer removes all Russian negotiating leverage over India by removing the issues of sunk costs, foreign possession of the Vikramaditya, and any danger of being left without a carrier. The Indian Navy would be greatly strengthened, and its ability to police the Indian Ocean from the Straits of Malacca to South Africa would take a huge leap forward. Any additional work to upgrade or refurbish the carrier could be undertaken in India, providing jobs and expertise while maintaining full national control over the refit. The USA gains financial benefits of its own, as the Navy avoids the expensive task of steaming the Kitty Hawk home and decommissioning it. Americans would almost certainly receive maintenance contracts for the steam catapults, and possibly for some new electronics, but those economic benefits pale in comparison to the multi-billion dollar follow-on wins for Boeing (Super Hornet), Northrop Grumman (E-2 Hawkeye), and possibly even Lockheed Martin (F-16 E/F, F-35B). All of which works to cement a growing strategic alliance between the two countries, and creates deep defense industrial ties as well.

Then there’s the effect on Russia, whose relations with the USA currently border on outright hostility. With the MiG-29Ks no longer necessary for India, that contract would almost certainly be canceled. At which point, the commonality value of choosing the MiG-35 as a lower-cost secondary MMRCA buy drops sharply, opening the door for other MMRCA split-buy options that could include the Saab/BAE JAS-39 Gripen, or a complementary American offer of F-16E/Fs and/or F-35Bs. The combined effect of these blows would be a severe setback for Russia’s arms industry, though rising oil & gas revenues in Russia and other export opportunities may lead to less shrinkage and civilian re-purposing than publications like the Weekly Standard believe. The question now is: will this happen? Barents Observer |
Weekly Standard | Information Dissemination: Feb 20th/ 23rd.

Feb 21/08: “Galrahn” of the respected blog Information Dissemination passes a key tip along to DID. First, recall that the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Archangel Oblast is responsible for the Gorshkov refit. Until recently, they also had a $544 million contract to build up to 12 tankers for the Norwegian shipping form Odfjell. When it was signed in 2004, it was promoted as “a historic deal in Norwegian-Russian industrial relations.” Now it has been canceled, and Odfjell CEO Terje Storeng has used terms like “no will to try to understand that this is a commercial project,” “deliberately sabotaged and delayed the project” et. al. to Dagens Næringsliv. No longer:

“Following serious delays in the construction process, combined with demands for further price increases from the Yard, continuous cooperation problems as well as protracted negotiations, Odfjell decided today to serve formal notice of cancellation to Sevmash. The instalments already paid are covered by standard refund guarantees from international banks. Odfjell will further claim full compensation for its costs and losses caused, on account of wilful misconduct and massive contract breaches by the Yard. Unless the matter is solved amicably between the parties, the issue will be solved by arbitration in Sweden, as provided for in the contract.”

Note the Russian official’s comments in the Feb 7/08 entry. Closure may once again become a very real possibility for Sevmash. Worse, Odfjell’s experience has to give India serious pause re: the reliability of Russia’s new refit cost estimates, and the likelihood of further extortion to ‘adjust’ the deal down the road. Barents Observer | Dagens Naeringsliv report [Norwegian] | Odjfell.NO release

Feb 7/08: Zeenews quotes an unnamed “Russian official” with interesting and somewhat unsettling arguments, in advance of a high-level delegation’s arrival led by Indian Defence Secretary Vijay Singh:

“Moscow feels that the agreement for supply of the 45,000 tonne warship was signed at a time when the Russian ship-building company was in bad shape and India “used” the situation to sign the contract at lower price. The ship-building company was facing closure and was ready to sign any kind of contract when the contract was signed.”

Defense Industry Daily needs to look up the exact definitions to be certain, but we believe this process is known as “shrewd negotiation,” followed by “a deal.” Indian Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta appears to be using the same lexicon, and has publicly said that there should be no revision to the Goshkov contract. Still, India cannot receive the carrier she wants if the shipyard goes bankrupt, and Russia is holding the carrier. This gives the Russians considerable leverage in negotiations, unless India can find an alternate provider. There may be a way out, however:

“But Russia is willing to “compensate” for the cost of Gorshkov if it gets more military orders, which Moscow insists is not linked to 126 fighter planes that India is planning to buy but other defence purchases.”

Nov 19/07: India’s MoD confirms delays in the Gorshkov’s delivery and slow progress, without really answering any questions. It acknowledges that the Russian side has submitted a revised Master Schedule, attributing the delays to “Growth of Work.” In response, an apex level Indian committee under the Defence Secretary, and a Steering Committee under a Vice Admiral, have been set up. A team has also been stationed at the shipyard.

No word on the timelines or costs suggested; indeed, these are likely to remain under negotiation. Indian MoD release.

Nov 6/07: A top-level Indian Navy delegation is heading for Moscow to discuss the delay and price escalation in the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal. A detailed financial and technical plan outlining the specific justifications and amounts will be presented to the Indian side, who is there to listen rather than to negotiate.

The report pegs the original price quoted for refurbishing the carrier was just under $980 million, adding that the Russians are insisting on cost increases of at least $350 million. Indian officials reportedly fear that the final escalation may end up being much more once they are deep enough into the commitment trap of having paid for work. The report also adds that the Navy “had reconciled itself to the fact that the delivery of the ship would be delayed from the original deadline of August 2008 by a few years,” a surprising development given the limited service life of India’s remaining carrier. If the government is indeed prioritizing cost containment over delivery dates, reconciliation of the INS Viraat’s service life with Gorshkov’s entry may prove difficult. IDRW.

Oct 18/07: India’s MoD finally admits the obvious, as part of an announcement concerning an Indo-Russia fighter development deal. India MoD release:

“The Defence Minister described the Agreement on FGFA as a ‘major landmark’ and said that the Indo-Russian relationship is on a trajectory to reach new heights…. Mr. Antony expressed satisfaction at the outcome of discussions on other important projects e.g., supply and licensed production of T-90 tanks, SU-30 MKI aircraft and other strategic issues. He admitted that there has been a delay in the delivery of the repaired and refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov along with supply of deck-based fighter aircraft MiG-29-K and said it was decided that some more studies by technical groups would be done to go through the details. He appreciated the efforts made by the Russian side to resolve issues relating to life cycle support of equipment of Russian origin.”

June 16/07: India Defence: High Level Indian Delegation In Russia To Re-Negotiate Defense Deals Pricing:

“With differences over prices delaying the delivery of upgraded Sukhoi multi-role fighters and Gorshkov aircraft carrier, India today rushed a high-level defence team to Russia with fresh proposals to break the logjam…. The visit of the team assumes significance with Defence Minister AK Antony admitting that New Delhi was facing “problems” in acquisition of the carrier Gorshkov as well as in negotiating a new deal to buy 40 more upgraded Sukhoi-30 fighters for the Indian Air Force.”

May 17/07: India Defence: No Delays in INS Vikramaditya Acquisition from Russia: Defence Minister. “However, sources from the Indian Navy had earlier confirmed reports being circulated in the Indian and Russian media regarding a possible two year delay in the acquisition of the Aircraft Carrier.”

INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases

 

[nitesh]

Antony nixes expansion of India-US Malabar naval exercise


By Indo-Asian News Service on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The defence ministry has decided against expanding the India-US Malabar naval exercise after its 2007 multilateral edition was marred by controversy due to criticism by the Left parties.


Defence Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday said this year's Malabar war game Oct 15-24 will be a purely bilateral exercise with the US Navy off the country's western seaboard.

“Only last year was Malabar a multilateral exercise. It invited a lot of criticism. Now there will be no multilateral element and it will remain an India-US bilateral exercise,” Antony told reporters here.

Last year, the Malabar exercise saw five countries - India, the US, Australia, Japan and Singapore - taking part. The event, however, was marred by controversy with the Left parties that at the time supported Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government from the outside vehemently protesting the drill and seeing it as yet another sign of the growing closeness between New Delhi and Washington.

The ministry's decision comes even as the Indian Navy has been pushing for multilateral war games as this saves on resources and on the time taken to prepare for each exercise.

“We would want to participate with as many nations as possible as it is economical in terms of our resources and time. This time, the exercise is going to be a low key affair with only one aircraft carrier of the US Navy participating as our carrier INS Virat is undergoing a refit,” a senior naval official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US Navy will be fielding the nuclear powered carrier USS Ronald Reagan, nuclear powered submarine USS Springfield - sans its ballistic missiles - guided-missile frigate USS Thach, guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley and USS Decatur and guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville.

The USS Ronald Reagan, the US navy's newest Nimitz-class carrier, has set out to sea from Japan and will reach India's west coast after calls at a few ports en route.

The Indian Navy will be fielding a Shishumar class submarine, frigates INS Talwar, INS Godavari, INS Brahmaputra and INS Betwa, and fleet tanker INS Aditya.

The exercise will involve anti-submarine operations, submarine-to-submarine operations, flying operations and cross-deck embarkation. The drill will also involve alternating command and control, with the Indian fleet commander take over the command of the US fleet and vice versa.
Antony nixes expansion of India-US Malabar naval exercise | Latest News

 

[nitesh]

Govt to take final decision on Gorshkov price hike in Oct

Govt to take final decision on Gorshkov price hike in Oct

Manu Pubby
Posted: Sep 25, 2008 at 0112 hrs IST

New Delhi, September 24 India will take a final decision on price escalation of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier with Russia next month when the matter is brought before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
A senior MoD official said price negotiations for refurbishing the aircraft carrier, which started last year when Russia demanded an additional $1.2 billion for the warship over and above the contracted price of $1.5 billion, were still on and the final proposal would be put forward to the apex decision-making body next month.

The matter would also be discussed during the visit of Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to India on Monday but MoD officials made it clear that a final decision would only be taken by the CCS on the basis of a detailed report by the Indian Navy and issues raised by Russia.

While neither side is commenting on the expected price escalation for refurbishing the warship, Indian officials admit that the aircraft carrier needs more funds to replace vital parts, including two engines and a significant amount of cabling.

In addition, extensive trials planned out for the warship in Russian waters after the refit will also add to the final cost of the deal. Ministry officials say the trials can end up adding over $600 million in fuel and operating costs for the deal.
While it is clear that India will need to cough up more money for the warship, its delivery schedule still remains in doubt. The warship was expected to be delivered by 2008 but the date has now been pushed to 2012.

Russia had said its Sevmash shipyard, where the ship is being refurbished, underestimated the scale of work and costs involved. To add to this, the shipyard is undergoing a severe financial crunch with managers struggling to recruit workers for the ship.

In May, after it became clear that the price will need to be readjusted, India had asked the Russian Government to make an advance payment of $250 million to the shipyard and ensure that work does not stop. The amount would be adjusted with Russia after the final price negotiations. The Sevmash shipyard has already put 300 additional workers on the warship to increase the pace of work and has assured that sea trials will begin in 2011 to pave the way for its induction into the Indian Navy the next year.

Meanwhile, India is going ahead with the procurement of additional MiG 29 K ship-borne fighters from Russia that will be placed onboard the Gorshkov. While 16 MiG 29 K/KUB were ordered as part of the deal signed in 2004, the Defence Ministry has given the go-ahead for the procurement of 29 additional fighters over the next few years to raise additional Naval fighter squadrons.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : National : Keel-laying of indigenous aircraft carrier in December

Keel-laying of indigenous aircraft carrier in December

S. Anandan
Construction right on course using integrated hull outfitting method
Kochi: Laying of keel for India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), originally named Air Defence Ship (ADS), will take place at the Cochin Shipyard in December this year when a major construction block will be lowered into the building bay.

“We are looking forward to completing close to 400 of the total 900 blocks by the time the keel is laid. And the tonnage would be about 8,000 tonnes,” sources told The Hindu.

Despite the initial hiccups caused by non-availability of warship-grade steel, the construction is right on course using the integrated hull outfitting and painting method.

It is concurrent engineering with regard to design and construction, and steel is sourced “primarily” from the Steel Authority of India (SAIL).

“The idea is to launch it in 2010 when it would have completed some 20,000 tonnes, including hull, as it cannot be launched at a higher displacement from the building bay. After about a year’s building in the refit dock, it would be launched again when every major component and everything underwater would be in place. Only outfitting would remain. If everything goes as per the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) plan, it should touch the waters in 2013,” sources said.

Originally, the carrier was to have been built by 2012. But a delay in arrival of indigenous steel — after efforts to import steel from Russia ran aground — caused it to be a year behind schedule. After steel was cut for the construction in April, 2005, there was considerable delay.

“But the country got a definite shot in the arm as we have been able to indigenously manufacture ABA-grade quality steel (which is six times stronger than the steel used for building ships). This will stand us in good stead when we embark on construction of the second carrier soon after this. Besides, this has tremendously brought down the overall construction cost,” said a Navy officer associated with warship production.

With crucial inputs from the Hyderabad-based Defence Metallurgical Research laboratory, and overall supervision of the Naval Design Bureau, SAIL, along with Heavy Engineering Corporation, Ranchi, Krishna Industries, Nagpur and Bajrang Alloys, Raipur, has been able to “open a new frontier” in carrier building technology by fashioning the requisite quality steel, a Navy engineer said.

The Naval Materials Research laboratory, Mumbai, developed the welding technology besides carrying out corrosion-proofing of welded steel. Although about 4,000 tonnes of bulb bars required by the vessel is imported from Russia, a relatively smaller quantity is rolled and readied by Krishna Industries.

As per the original plan, the carrier would have the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv in its fleet of 30 assorted aircraft besides MiG 29 K and Ka-31.

“By the time the IAC is commissioned, the naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) would also be ready,” said a Navy engineer. Further, with the Navy now on the lookout for replacement for its ageing Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter Sea King beyond the ALH, some changes in the carrier fleet composition are anticipated. Russian News agency, RIA Novosti, has reported that India would be buying 30 more MiG 29 Ks and two-seater MiG 29 KUBs apart from the 12 it would receive as per a 2004 contract.

“The STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) carrier will have a versatile deck from which any aircraft, MiG 29 downwards, could operate,” said a Navy officer.