India’s Kolkata Class Destoyer- Specifications and Analysis

[Rockstar]

Kolkata Class Destroyers
The Kolkata-class share similar designs to the previous Delhi-class destroyers. The hull of the destroyer is extensively modified version of the Delhi class. It has a displacement of 6,800 t (6,700 long tons; 7,500 short tons) and a full-load displacement of 7,500 t (7,400 long tons; 8,300 short tons). Its range is more than 8000+ nautical miles. These are the first stealth destroyers being built in India and marks a significant development for India's shipbuilding technology.

The ships would feature modern weapons and sensors, advanced information warfare suite, auxiliary control system with a sophisticated power distribution architecture, and modular crew quarters for better crew comfort. These ships also mark the progress in the Indian Navy has made in its quest for indegenization. It is commonly told that the ship is lightly armed but a point to be noted here is that the ship still has a lot of deck space for further upgrades and increased missile layout.

Propulsion
The ship's power and propulsion features a standard Combined gas and gas system utilizing twin Zorya M36E gas turbine plants and four DT-59 reversible gas turbines. The class also features two KVM diesel engines. On-board Wartsila WCM-1000 generators and Kirloskar AC generators supply the ship's electricity. The two propellers are run via two RG-54 gearboxes. This configuration allows the ship to reach speeds in excess of 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph).

Radar
The Kolkata class contain the best radar platform in the Indian Navy.The primary radar sensor of the class is the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multi-mission AESA. This multifunction radar is mounted on top of the mast which allows for replacement of many other radars. It is said to be capable of guiding 24 missiles at the same time to hit 12 targets. This provides excellent air defence from high intensity missile attack. The MF-STAR is able to detect aerial objects >250 km and sea skimming subsonic cruise missiles at >25 km.

It is also equipped with Thales LW-08 long range volume search radar which operates in the D-band and the EL/M-2238 S-band STAR surveillance radar from IAI.

Anti submarine warfare
It ship has a large flight deck and 2 hangars to accommodate 2 large helicopters the size of Sikorsky S70B. The Kolkata-class is equipped with a torpedo launching system via four torpedo tubes and two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers. The main ASW weapon will be its 2 twin 533 mm torpedo tubes which can fire torpedoes up to the range of 40 km. The ship carries the indigenously developed HUMSA-NG (hull-mounted sonar array) for sub-surface surveillance. BEL's Electronic Modular Command & Control Applications (EMCCA) Mk4 is the system for combat management.

The ship also carries the Deseaver MK-II decoy control and launching system, to protect against anti-ship missiles coming from multiple directions.

Weapon Armament
Surface Warfare systems
The Kolkata class is superb in surface warfare. The Supersonic Brahmos, is the primary offensive weapon in the Kolkata class destroyers. It is fitted into a 16 cell Universal Vertical Launcher Module (UVLM), which can be fired in salvo. The armament is pretty low and this restricts the capability of the Kolkata Class destroyers as a world class platform in the field of surface warfare. But we should expect the 1000 km Nirbhay Cruise missile to be also fitted into the ships along with the Brahmos once its ready, giving it a powerful combination of cruise missiles. It is also fitted with the Oto Melara 76 mm naval gun that has a range of 15 km against surface targets. The range is not very effective when it comes to littoral and surface warfare but it has good ability to engage on low flying aircrafts and cruise missiles.


Anti-Defence Systems
The ship's main air-defence missile system has two 32-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) which allows for up to a combination of 64 Barak 8 (medium-range) air-defence missiles and Barak 1 (short range) air-defence missiles. These missile range is between 0.5 km to 70 km. This is unique as it can provide air defence near to the ship helping to augment the 4 AK-639 CIWS that is installed for close in defence. The current load of 32 Barak missile is low compared to 48-96 SAMs in other ships. Overall, It is less defended against air missile attacks, and especially during saturation attacks.

Analysis
The lack of air defence systems and the inherent strengths of the Kolkata class destroyer as a platform for surface and anti submarine warfare suggests that the destroyer was made for a purely offensive role instead of being a multi role destroyer. This also suggests that the destroyer would be capable of being a perfect addition to a formidable Indian Carrier Battle Group (CBG), that could launch an unrelenting attack on the enemy, while being able to defend itself. This also makes sense because India plans to have 3 Aircraft carriers by the middle of 2020's which would help India gain greater dominance in the Indian Ocean.

Sources- Defencyclopedia and Aegis Ships of the World- Kolkata Class destroyers.
Pics of Kolkata Class Destroyer

 

[RISING SUN]

In my opinion propulsion system is really good in Kolkata class destroyers. Radar is also good. In anti sub area it really needs towed arrey sonars which have longer and better detection capabilities compared to hull mounted sonars. Kolkata class should really get long range cruise missiles. It should be like 8 Nirbhay class land attack cruise missiles with 4-4 Bramhos anti ship and land attack missiles for optimum attack profile. Main gun and Ciws should be dedicated for anti air role only as it will give limited no of BARAKs to engage more space. So in over all scenarios Kolkata class boats have immediate req strength for anti surface role. Weak in land attack role, except towed sonar anti sub capability is on per with best. Anti air role average only. In 1st major upgrade it should include atleast 100 MM gun, atleast 48 anti air missiles with 32 barak 8 and 16 barak 1, towed array sonar, 8 Nirbhay, 8 Bramhos missiles. Then it will be really formidable. Thank you.

 

[Rockstar]

In my opinion propulsion system is really good in Kolkata class destroyers. Radar is also good. In anti sub area it really needs towed arrey sonars which have longer and better detection capabilities compared to hull mounted sonars. Kolkata class should really get long range cruise missiles. It should be like 8 Nirbhay class land attack cruise missiles with 4-4 Bramhos anti ship and land attack missiles for optimum attack profile. Main gun and Ciws should be dedicated for anti air role only as it will give limited no of BARAKs to engage more space. So in over all scenarios Kolkata class boats have immediate req strength for anti surface role. Weak in land attack role, except towed sonar anti sub capability is on per with best. Anti air role average only. In 1st major upgrade it should include atleast 100 MM gun, atleast 48 anti air missiles with 32 barak 8 and 16 barak 1, towed array sonar, 8 Nirbhay, 8 Bramhos missiles. Then it will be really formidable. Thank you.

India has not procured towed array sonars but it will pretty soon, Initially an indigenous version was developed but it failed to like up to the mark, so the navy is looking to procure from outside. 8 Nirbhay and 8 Brahmos is way too less for a destroyer of that size. To be formidable it should have about 24 Brahmos at minimum and 12 Nirbhay missiles.

 

[RISING SUN]

India has not procured towed array sonars but it will pretty soon, Initially an indigenous version was developed but it failed to like up to the mark, so the navy is looking to procure from outside. 8 Nirbhay and 8 Brahmos is way too less for a destroyer of that size. To be formidable it should have about 24 Brahmos at minimum and 12 Nirbhay missiles.

Kolkata class destroyer is not meant to be dedicated land attack cruiser. It's role is to support battle group, provide minimum anti air and anti sub capabilities with limited anti ship and land attack capabilities. There will be 2 Kolkata class destroyer in one group with two decent frigates. If you know that indian frigates have Bramhos missiles on them too. So in total we could bring atleast 16 Nirbhay cruise missiles of 1000 km range with at least 42 Bramhos anti ship and land attack version. Just take how many targets are there which can be covered under 1200 km range in adversaries. Its more than enough in my opinion considering only one battle group with top cover provided by supersonic air superiority jets. Thank you.

 

[SrNair]

Kolkata class destroyer is not meant to be dedicated land attack cruiser. It's role is to support battle group, provide minimum anti air and anti sub capabilities with limited anti ship and land attack capabilities. There will be 2 Kolkata class destroyer in one group with two decent frigates. If you know that indian frigates have Bramhos missiles on them too. So in total we could bring atleast 16 Nirbhay cruise missiles of 1000 km range with at least 42 Bramhos anti ship and land attack version. Just take how many targets are there which can be covered under 1200 km range in adversaries. Its more than enough in my opinion considering only one battle group with top cover provided by supersonic air superiority jets. Thank you.

Well if major uprades are like you mentioned one CBG would be more than enough to take on the entire surface fleet from our western neighbour .Am I right?

 

[RISING SUN]

Well if major uprades are like you mentioned one CBG would be more than enough to take on the entire surface fleet from our western neighbour .Am I right?

It can be debatable. If India is deploying only one CBG against whole Pakistan navy, it will have upper hand in anti surface, anti air in theatre but if Pakistan deployes its submarines in effective way, they will inflict heavy casualties on Indian side with the same devastating casualties on their submarines as well as. Our battle group will be broken but its major combatants will still be in blockade action on Pakistan's shoreline.

 

[SrNair]

It can be debatable. If India is deploying only one CBG against whole Pakistan navy, it will have upper hand in anti surface, anti air in theatre but if Pakistan deployes its submarines in effective way, they will inflict heavy casualties on Indian side with the same devastating casualties on their submarines as well as. Our battle group will be broken but its major combatants will still be in blockade action on Pakistan's shoreline.

That five AIP subs in PN is current only worthy headche for us.So with these CBG we should complete our Scorpene projects and remaining nuke sub construction.
Then it will become formidable like you mentioned.

Poseidon and ASW is good for now.

 

[Rockstar]

That five AIP subs in PN is current only worthy headche for us.So with these CBG we should complete our Scorpene projects and remaining nuke sub construction.
Then it will become formidable like you mentioned.

Poseidon and ASW is good for now.

Yeah, our Kamorta class ASW Frigates along with Poseidon-8I would do a fairly good job hunting for our western neighbour's submarines but the Kamorta class is more suited for littoral warfare judging by its specifications (not saying it would not perform well in high seas).

It seems like the IN is trying to make up for the depleting submarine force, by deploying assets with better ASW capabilities.

 

[RISING SUN]

Well if major uprades are like you mentioned one CBG would be more than enough to take on the entire surface fleet from our western neighbour .Am I right?

It can be debatable. If India is deploying only one CBG against whole Pakistan navy, it will have upper hand in anti surface, anti air in theatre but if Pakistan deployes its submarines in effective way, they will inflict heavy casualties on Indian side with the same devastating casualties on their submarines as well as. Our battle group will be broken but its major combatants will still be in blockade action on Pakistan's shoreline.

That five AIP subs in PN is current only worthy headche for us.So with these CBG we should complete our Scorpene projects and remaining nuke sub construction.
Then it will become formidable like you mentioned.

Poseidon and ASW is good for now.

Would like to correct you here that they have only three AIP subs while rest of the two are older 70s. In case they field all three AIPs in a grid system, that's where they will have upper hand otherwise our Kilos are good for single boat to single boat against Agustas. Nuke submarines and P 8 will not be deployed so close to Pakistan's coast that they may come on their targeting capability threshold. These two Indian systems are always deployed on high seas only. IL38 may have some role their but it will be unarmed against arial threats just like Pakistan's P3s. So onboard helicopters will have major role there and that only in defensive perimeter guarding. So our ASW assets will be against Agusta 90s majorly. Thank you.

Yeah, our Kamorta class ASW Frigates along with Poseidon-8I would do a fairly good job hunting for our western neighbour's submarines but the Kamorta class is more suited for littoral warfare judging by its specifications (not saying it would not perform well in high seas).

It seems like the IN is trying to make up for the depleting submarine force, by deploying assets with better ASW capabilities.

Kamorta class boats have been inherently designed to takeover the ASW job of frigates in Indian naval doctrine which allows frigates to perform multirole activities. Kamorta class boats have the capability to stay on station for significant period of time and engage hostile boats in sub surface scenario. so yes kamorta class boats will be deployed as part of strike groups. one thing is noteworthy that indian navy has shifted its doctrine from defensive posture to offensive posture. if you take a look at Vikrant class, kolkata, shivalik, kamorta, they all have one distinctive offensive capability with other overlapping capabilities to form a perfect strike group. thank you.