Indian Navy News & Discussions

[sudhir007]

Indian Navy Ship Magar arrives on a Goodwill Visit to Srilanka idrw.org

The Indian Navy ship “Magar” arrived at the Port of Trincomalee on a goodwill visit today (10th April 2010). On arrival, the ship was warmly received by the Sri Lanka Navy in keeping with naval traditions. Subsequently, the Captain of the ship Commander Simon Mathais paid a courtesy call on the Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage.INS Magar, a landing ship tank with a Chetak helicopter on board, is scheduled to stay in Sri Lanka for a few days. Used for amphibious and replenishment operations, the ship measures 125 meters in length and has a displacement of 5700 tons. It carries a crew of 20 officers and 235 sailors on board.

Over 100 SLN Officer under trainees and a number of sailors will embark on board INS Magar for a practical training session on areas ranging from navigation, communication, seamanship, Naval knowledge, damage control and fire fighting. The ship’s crew, as a reciprocative measure, will be accorded a special visit programme arranged by the SLN.

The ship’s visit reflects the cordial friendship that exists between the two friendly Navies and further strengthens the bilateral relations of the two neighbouring nations.

 

[sudhir007]

Chindits: Photos: Indian Navy Takes Up Anti-Piracy Missions In Gulf Of Aden

 

[Ingis]

Nope. Wrong again. Japanese had CBGs during WW-II.
Also, India has CBG's since 1961 with Vikrant Aircraft carrier.
Thailand too operates a small aircraft carrier.

Oops.. forgot about the erstwhile Empire of Japan.

BTW, I said "first and only Asian country to build" not "first and only Asian country to operate".

So, pointing out Thailand was a bit irrelevant.

 

[sudhir007]

Navy officer in Gorshkov deal faces sex-scandal inquiry - dnaindia.com

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is swiftly moving towards punishing its senior officer Commodore Sukhjinder Singh, who was closely involved in the Admiral Gorshkov deal with Russia. It said a court of inquiry is underway against Singh, who was till a few months ago the principal director in the naval headquarters, looking after the Gorshkov project.
You may also want to see
The navy has been investigating Singh’s moral conduct, as reported by DNA on Monday. However, sources within the defence and intelligence establishment are concerned that this process could only help in covering up rather than bringing out the truth behind Singh’s conduct; it may also not aid in identifying if other officials involved in the Gorshkov deal maintained unauthorised contact with Russians.

Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, renamed INS Vikramaditya, saw an unusual hike in its cost from Rs4,870 crore in 2004 to Rs11,650 crore this year. The project was also delayed by about four years. Singh was stationed in Moscow for several years to look after the project and returned to New Delhi to become the principal director and oversee the Gorshkov deal from here. A few months ago, he moved out of the post.

A navy source said Singh was “hand-picked” in 2004 to look after the Gorshkov refit in Russia. He had been a favourite of the naval top brass and was involved in all ministry of defence (MoD) and naval delegation visits to Russia to look into the Gorshkov deal. There is no instance in recent memory of India assenting to revise an agreed defence contract and pay almost three times more, as was the case with Gorshkov. Though it was being justified by the government as because of the complex nature of the contract, many within the navy as well as others expressed outrage about the price hike demand by Russia. Many had informally called for the cancellation of the contract.

A civilian source in the defence establishment suggested that the navy should “draw assistance” from investigation agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation to find out if Singh also benefited financially from the deal, and if other officers were also involved. “The navy’s one-man inquiry does not have the capability to go into those facts, including the money trail. The project is of utmost national importance, and you cannot compromise on transparency,” the official told DNA.

Indications are emerging that the navy would conclude its inquiry in a few days. Under the cover of the findings, Singh may be permitted to resign from the navy, a source told DNA. “His silence would be a blessing for many,” the source said.A navy source said Singh was “hand-picked” in 2004 to look after the Gorshkov refit in Russia.

He had been a favourite of the naval top brass and was involved in all ministry of defence (MoD) and naval delegation visits to Russia to look into the Gorshkov deal. There is no instance in recent memory of India assenting to revise an agreed defence contract and pay almost three times more, as was in the case of Gorshkov. Though it was being justified by the MoD and the government as because of the complex nature of the contract, many within the navy as well as others expressed outrage about the price hike demand by Russia. In fact, many had informally called for the cancellation of the contract itself.

 

[Justin Joseph]

Joint coastal security exercise begins off Gujarat coast

Ahmedabad: The second joint coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach', conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with the Indian Navy and the coastal police began off Gujarat and Daman and Diu coast today, officials of the ICG said.

The two-day joint exercise in coastal areas of Gujarat, Daman and Diu, would focus on synergy in operations, both over sea and land to test efficiency and validation of standard operating procedure, they said.

According to the ICG officials, various mock drills and situations would be created to test the joint response of the security forces against offensive actions spread over the sea and land.

The exercise would involve the Indian Navy, Coastal Police and other central and state agencies, they said.

ICG officials further said that the joint effort put in by all stake holders would strengthen the surveillance, detection and identifications of enemy forces, communication network and security measures.

The lesson learnt during the exercise would be analysed to improve coastal security system, they added.

The first exercise of the 'Sagar Kavach' was conducted jointly by the ICG, Navy and other agencies in October 2009 in the Arabian sea.

Joint coastal security exercise begins off Gujarat coast - dnaindia.com

 

[brahmastra]

credit : wildfrespo

 

[DMLA]

credit : wildfrespo

I don't think shivaliks have shikari directors. Moreover, the labeled system is in all likelihood a SATCOM antenna. Shikari's were originally procured for brahmaptra's and Godavari's (trishul SAM) but when barak was decided as the standard point defence SAM, they became redundant.

 

[Justin Joseph]

Navy concerned over delays in ship-building

The Indian Navy will commission the first Shivalik class frigate later this month. The project took over a decade to complete, highlighting the problems of time overruns being faced in domestic ship-building, a point stressed by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma.

The keel-laying for the first of the three Shivalik class ships was done in 2001, but its completion was delayed on account of a series of issues, including steel being sourced from outside and weapons systems. Defence Minister A.K. Antony is scheduled to commission the ship at Mumbai on April 29.
Delays expected

While naval officials maintained that delays in the first of the series are to be expected, the overall view is that the time taken by Indian ship-builders is much more than international standards.

In its latest report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, for the second year in a row, noted that the Navy does not have the accepted force level of 138 ships determined in 1964.

The present strength of the Navy is 129, including 37 major war vessels such as a carrier, destroyers and frigates, 16 submarines, 59 minor war vessels and 17 auxiliary ships.

Recently, Admiral Verma told The Hindu that while there was a proactive system for approval by the government to build ships, the problem lay in converting these into deliverables.

“If you look at ship-building periods [in India], take frigates, destroyers, corvettes, and benchmark it against world standards [of] how much time it takes to finish [a project]of that size and complexity, there is a fair amount of catching up [to do],” he told The Hindu.

For instance, he said the Navy had ordered two fleet tankers being built by a shipyard in Italy, which was being done in two years flat.

Comparatively, this would take more time in India though labour is cheaper.

With the government's reluctance to engage overseas shipyards for building warships, the Navy came out with a document on the imperative to revitalise the domestic ship-building industry with suggestions to deal with the issue.

The Hindu : News / National : Navy concerned over delays in ship-building

 

[holysaturn]

guys good news............the first p-28 ASW corvettes to be launched today at 16:40pm according to indian express ad, minister pallam raju's wife will launching it.........another link

The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a PSU under the ministry of defence in style.On April 19,it will launch the countrys first ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette in the presence of defence minister A K Antony.

Times of India Publications

 

[Justin Joseph]

Rosoboron Comes Up With Naval Aviation Repair Centre in Goa

Earlier this month, Flag Officer Goa Area, Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai inaugurated a landmark Naval Aviation repair facility at Dabolim Goa. The facility erected by Rosoboronservice India Ltd (ROS(I) will initially repair Kamov Helicopters and Ilyushin aircraft and will later be equipped to also cater to the needs of MiG29K fighters. ROS(I) is a joint venture between Krasny Marine Services Pvt Ltd and Rosoboronexport, the Russian armament export channelizing agency, along with some of its OEM suppliers.

This is the first private sector facility in India to be erected with the sole purpose of servicing aviation assets of the Indian Navy. On the occasion, Vice Admiral Pillai stated that the new facility would greatly reduce the delays currently faced by the Indian Navy in getting equipment of Russian origin repaired. He welcomed the initiative taken by Cdr (retd) VG Jayaprakasan and ROS(I) and encouraged them to expand their repertoire of services. Cdr VG Jayaprakasan clarified that ROS(I) already has service centres for ships and submarines of Russian origin at Mumbai and Vizag.

The $25 million center is expected to drastically reduce the turnaround time for aircraft that so far had to head for Russia for repairs and caused the Indian Navy to often crimp operations.

Jayaprakasan said that in order to overcome bottlenecks in the procurement of spares, at the urging of Russia, the Indian government has given proprietary article certificates (PAC) to ROS(I) for the products of its founding members like the Baltitsky Zavod Yard, Kamov and Ilyushin.

 

[baker]

The Indian Navy is to get 16 stealth frigates in the next 10 years, with 10 being built indigenously, three imported from Russia and
another three on order, an officer said on Wednesday.

The first indigenously-built stealth ship, INS Shivalik, will be commissioned on April 29. The 6,000-tonne ship was built at Mumbai's Mazagaon Docks Limited under Project 17. Two more such vessels - INS Satpura and Sahyadri - are under construction and are likely to be commissioned in the next one year.

The cost of each frigate is nearly Rs 2,300 crore. The stealth features prevent a ship from being easily detected by radar, reduce underwater radiated noise signatures and ensure infrared suppression.

The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art technology and bristles with a sophisticated system of radars and weaponry. Its armaments include the Klub surface-to-surface missiles and the Shtil and Barak air defence missiles, rocket launchers and indigenously designed sonar systems meant for detecting and attacking submarines.

Shivalik, which has a crew of 250, "is equipped with a judicious mix of Russian, Western and indigenous weapons and sensors. The indigenous effort accounts for over 60 per cent of the ship's cost," Rear Admiral KN Vaidyanathan, director general (Naval Design), told reporters in New Delhi.

"Besides design and construction, which is totally indigenous, the ship incorporates technologically advanced indigenous systems such as the integrated versatile console system, ship-wide data network and the jointly developed (with Russia) combat management system," he added.

According to naval officers, the Shivalik class vessels will be the mainstay frigates of the Indian Navy in the first half of the 21st century.

The ships also have the indigenous Kavach chaff-dispensing system to counter incoming missiles, as also indigenous sonars and anti-submarine warfare systems.

Vaidyanathan pointed out that for the first time, an Indian Navy ship would be powered by combined diesel or gas (CODOG) technology. "The propulsion plant combines the long endurance of diesel propulsion with the high-power of the gas turbine for high speeds."

He said designing is in an advanced stage of the Project 17A vessels, a follow on of the Shivalik class frigates with advanced weapons and sensor suites and improved stealth features. Seven such vessels will be built.

"Acceptance of necessity (AON) has been accorded in June 2009 for building seven ships of this class," he added.

The Indian Navy operates three stealth frigates - Talwar, Trishul and Tabar - bought from Russia. Three more are being built in Russia and likely to be commissioned by next year. With the completion of Project 17A, the Indian Navy will have 16 stealth frigates in its fleet.

India Navy to get 16 stealth frigates in 10 years-Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

 

[Dark Angel]

This is freekin amazing

 

[sudhir007]

Short supply of fleet haunts Navy

Just after the 1962 war with China, the centre zeroed in on the optimal level of naval fleet strength for securing India. Nearly half a century down the line, the navy still has not been able to achieve that level.

The emergency committee of the Union Cabinet had accepted a force level of 138 ships for navy in 1964. The current strength level is 129 ships including vintage submarines, which in any case are being phased out. The navy currently has 37 major war vessels (carrier, destroyers, frigates), 16 submarines, 59 minor war vessels and 17 auxiliary ships. Another minor vessel – an anti-submarine warfare corvette – was launched in the water from Kolkata on Monday. The vessel will be inducted after sea trials.

The submarine fleet is the worst lot among all warships. It is not only down in numbers but the serviceability of these is down to half. Navy officials admit that induction of submarines has not kept pace with the de-induction schedule.

Senior officers have told a Parliamentary panel that the Centre approved a 30 year long term submarine plan in 1999, which entails construction of 24 modern conventional diesel-electric submarines by 2030. Following the 1999 plan, the navy signed a Rs 15000 crore ($ 3 billion) deal in 2005 with French company DCNS to build six submarines at Mazgaon dock in Mumbai. The first submarine was to delivered by 2012.

This programme is lagging behind schedule due to protracted delay in supply. The delivery is now expected to commence in 2015 and the entire fleet should be available by 2018, a navy official told the committee. The Navy, meanwhile, is looking for a shipyard to start building the second line of six conventional submarines with foreign collaboration. The remaining 12 are likely to be completely indigenous.

The much awaited naval satellite is set to be launched between December 2010 and March 2011. The Rs 950 crore satellite, being developed by ISRO, will not only enhance connectivity between various ships and shore-based command units, but also improve navy’s surveillance capability.

 

[baker]

here comes the first one....

INS Shivalik. A PIB Photo.
Career in Defence & Aerospace More NewsSu-30MKI: The frontline of the IAFProject 15A destroyer- INS ChennaiIndia's Light Combat HelicopterINS Shivalik, the stealthiest Indian warship, so far, will be commissioned by the Indian Navy on April 29.

The indigenously built multi-role frigate is the first of the 3-ship Project-17 frigates constructed at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and conceptualised by the Directorate General of Naval Design.

The Shivalik class friagate is a modified version of the Russian Project 1135.6 Talwar (Krivak III) class frigates.

The construction of the frigate began in the year 2000 and the keel was laid on 11 July, 2001. It was launched on 18 April 2003.

The 143-metre-long warship, with 6,000-tonne displacement, has a versatile control system and external control system with signature management and radar cross section reduction features. The total length of the ship is 143 meters while its breadth is 17 meters and has a maximum speed of 30 knots.

The naval warship has the latest stealth features to outsmart the enemy with low radar cross section, be it of the hull, infra-red or sound signatures.

The lower infra-red signature is due to Infra-Red Supression System (IRSS) design tools and training provided by Canada's Davis Engineering. The Canadian IRSS is the most effective IR signature reduction device.

The sensors and weapons of the ship are controlled through a Combat Management System designed and developed by an Indian Navy establishment and manufactured by Bharat Electronics.

The warship incorporates several new design features giving it enhanced operational capabilities in terms of survivability, stealth, sea keeping, ship handling and weapons.

Shivalik class warships can deal with multiple threat environment, fitted with weapon suite comprising both area and point defence systems; sensors for air, surface and subsurface surveillance and tracking; medium range and close-in gunnery, electronic support and counter measures; and decoys for soft kill measures.

The prime weapons which will be mounted on the ship includes the Russian Klub surface-to-surface missiles and the Russian radar-guided Shtil missile system and Israeli Barak-1 air-defence missile system, apart from Oto Melara and AK-630 guns. It is also armed with indigenous sonars and anti-submarine warfare systems and two on-board helicopters.

Shivalik is also equipped with state-of-the-art defence against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. The Atmospheric Control System filters and controls the temperature and humidity of the air coming into the ship at all times, including the air being used by the engines. It removes any radioactive, chemical or biological impurities, thereby protecting the crew and the systems even during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.

The ship is powered by Combined Diesel or Gas Turbine (CODOG) propulsion system consisting of one each of General Electric LM 2500 IEC (Integrated Engine Controls) Marine Gas Turbines and SEMT Pielstick diesel engine on each shaft driving a large diameter controllable pitch propeller.

It will be manned by a 250-member crew including 35 officers.

INS Shivalik is thus supremely well-equipped for the new network-centric warfare of today's battlefield. The frontline naval warship will add teeth to the Indian Navy's growing warfare capabilities.

Two more of the Shivalik class, named INS Sayahdri and INS Satpura, would be ready for commissioning by November this year and middle of next year.

INS Shivalik: Strength of Indian Navy :: Brahmand.com

 

[nakodo]

Short supply of fleet haunts Navy
New Delhi, April 21, DHNS

Just after the 1962 war with China, the centre zeroed in on the optimal level of naval fleet strength for securing India. Nearly half a century down the line, the navy still has not been able to achieve that level.

The emergency committee of the Union Cabinet had accepted a force level of 138 ships for navy in 1964. The current strength level is 129 ships including vintage submarines, which in any case are being phased out. The navy currently has 37 major war vessels (carrier, destroyers, frigates), 16 submarines, 59 minor war vessels and 17 auxiliary ships. Another minor vessel – an anti-submarine warfare corvette – was launched in the water from Kolkata on Monday. The vessel will be inducted after sea trials.

The submarine fleet is the worst lot among all warships. It is not only down in numbers but the serviceability of these is down to half. Navy officials admit that induction of submarines has not kept pace with the de-induction schedule.

Senior officers have told a Parliamentary panel that the Centre approved a 30 year long term submarine plan in 1999, which entails construction of 24 modern conventional diesel-electric submarines by 2030. Following the 1999 plan, the navy signed a Rs 15000 crore ($ 3 billion) deal in 2005 with French company DCNS to build six submarines at Mazgaon dock in Mumbai. The first submarine was to delivered by 2012.

This programme is lagging behind schedule due to protracted delay in supply. The delivery is now expected to commence in 2015 and the entire fleet should be available by 2018, a navy official told the committee. The Navy, meanwhile, is looking for a shipyard to start building the second line of six conventional submarines with foreign collaboration. The remaining 12 are likely to be completely indigenous.

The much awaited naval satellite is set to be launched between December 2010 and March 2011. The Rs 950 crore satellite, being developed by ISRO, will not only enhance connectivity between various ships and shore-based command units, but also improve navy’s surveillance capability.

Short supply of fleet haunts Navy