Penguin
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@Penguin
it is possible that It lacks Dedicated Torpedo Launcher.But Every site except BR reported 2 × 2 DTA-53-956 torpedo launchers.
But what BR suggested is that Shivalik Class possibly going to use Klub N- 91RTE2 which is an Anti Submarine Surface Ship Launched Missile.But I doubt Shivalik lacks Torpedo Launchers,as every single link is suggesting otherwise.
anyway,I've found another one...
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=64&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC4QFjADODxqFQoTCITwl9nvqsgCFYNRjgod3zsKXg&url=http://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2005/files/SIPRIYB0510B.pdf&usg=AFQjCNG1_a8kzRdSKc0V8k_kHJQhicn6Ow&bvm=bv.104317490,d.c2E
this source is from SIPRI..
it shows A244/S NST58 torpedo was purchased for Shivalik Class Frigate.
A244-S - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This Lightweight torpedo can be launched either from Ship or Aircraft.but no mention of Klub Anti Sub Missile.
Regards the 91RTE2 member of the Club family of missiles that Shivalik class can in principal launch, keep in mind:
1) There are only 8 cells in that VLU. Any 91RTE2 in there takes away a space for an antiship weapon. If the ASW missile is used because the ship lacks torpedoes, then heavyweight torpedoes also can't be used in an antishipping role, leaving the ship with little to no antiship capability. (it would be different if there were 2-3 of these 8-cell VLUs.)
2) The gap in range between RBU-6000 (5230m) and 91RTE2 (37km for the missile, plus the range of the homing torpedo carried i.e. 8km) is verly large. Russian ligth torpedoes (350 to 450mm) are used exclusive by air units (aircraft, heli's, missiles) and their range does not exceed 8km. Russian dual use heavy's have a range of 20-25km, making it a much more likely complement to RBU-6000. Western light ASW torp would have typically a range of approx 11km (UK: Stingray) or 12km (US Mark 46) to 15km (US Mark 50), some even 23km (German MU-90) at slower speed setting.
3) Are there reports/records (e.g. Sipri, Janes etc) of this particular missile having been sold to India, or RPK-2 or RPK-6? I don't think there are.
4) If the ship has 533mm torpedo tubes and - as some claim - uses 35–45 km RPK-2 and/or 35–45 km RPK-6 ASW missiles, why also use 40-50km 91RTE2? Why use 2 different missiles, both of which deliver a 400mm lightweight accoustic homing ASW torpedo to approx. the same range? Just because there is a VLS and torpedo tubes? I would expect either/or'', if any such missiles were to be expected at all.
Russia / USSR Post-World War II Torpedoes
Cold War Submarines: The Design and Construction of U.S. and Soviet Submarines - Google Boeken
The Whithead A244S is a lightweight (324mm) , fire-and-forget ASW torpedo also provided by Italy to many navies, including e.g. China. The A244/s are developed and manufactured by the Italian WASS (Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei) firm. It is used in IN by P16 (Godavari class) and P16A (Brahmaputra class) ships, combined with 2 × triple ILAS 3 324 mm torpedo tubes. In the case of P17 (Shivalik class), this torpedo could be used by the ships helicopters. However, for on board use, the question remains: where are the launch tubes?
It is quite possible that in fact only BR is correct: folks may simply have assumed a weapons fit similar to 1135.6 (Talwar). Because it seems unthinkable that it hasn't got tube launchers for torpedoes and because not everyone reporting is equally knowledgeable, this may then have gone on and started leading its own life.
Again: where are the tubes located? I don't see any tubes or possible firing port covers above water. I can't rule out underwater tubes, but that would be rather unique among navies (and there is no information / evidence to support this conclusion)
do we have similar system??
FREMM uses 2 x double WASS B-515 launcher with Mu-90
A244 would be more consistent with this kind of built in fixed launcher.
A small aperture may be hard to spot (but not impossible)
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