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The Strategic Vision of Indian Navy

MarkTheTruth

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Indian Maritime Doctrine was formally announced in April-2004. However, the year-2006 ‘Navy Day’ is considered to be as the day, once Indian Navy actually started, “transforming itself from a ‘brown water’ coastal defense force to a formidable ‘blue water’ fleet.” Blue water navy has indeed two connotations: the technical and the political. Technically, a naval force having the capability to operate 200 nautical miles (320 km) from its sea shore into the deep sea on the longer ranges can be graded as the blue water navy. However, politically, it is the long range extension of the state’s presence, as the former Indian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Jayant Nadkarni once said that, “legitimate use…of a Blue Water navy is power projection which is necessary” for a “power like India.”

Indeed, India started expanding its naval fleet in early 1990s after conceiving the concept of blue water navy. Since 1998, India is regularly improving its naval doctrine. In 1998, Indian Navy issued; “The Maritime Dimension-A Naval Vision.” This document set the mission for Indian Navy as, a force capable to operate in the open seas. In April 2004, a formal Indian Maritime Doctrine of 148 pages was proclaimed. The doctrine clearly lay dawn the future strategic vision of the Indian Navy with the subtitle as; The Maritime Dimension-A Naval Vision. Through the Vision Statement, Indian Navy gave a Roadmap to Transformation in October 2006. In 2007, with the mission to ‘Freedom to Use the Seas’: India’s Maritime Military Strategy (IMMS) was issued. Since 1998, an Indian maritime vision has the dedicated support including the enhanced budget allocation from the successive governments; initially the NDA Government under BJP and later the Congress lead UPA Government.

Indeed, the Indian Maritime Doctrine-2004 has been formulated on the basis of strategic concept given by US Navy Admiral Mahan, to the United States President Roosevelt for the domination of oceans especially the Pacific Ocean to gain the status of a major power. Admiral Mahan had a vision that domination of Pacific would give US an edge over the other states geopolitically as well as geo-economically. According to Mahan, “the convergence there of so many ships…will constitute a centre of commerce, inter-oceanic encounters between states. It was one whose approaches will be watched jealously, and whose relations to the other centres of the Pacific by the (maritime) lines joining it to them must be examined carefully.”

In the historical perspective, what Admiral Mahan had visualized for US Navy in the Pacific towards the end of 19th century, Indian Navy desires to achieve through the domination of Indian Ocean and surrounding waters by the end of first quarter of 21st century. India in fact desires the Indian Ocean to become ‘India Ocean’ and the way US entered the club of global powers in the beginning of the 20th century; India does the same in 21st century. Otherwise India considered the Indian Ocean as the part of its extended neighbourhood, where Indian Navy will safeguard its “diplomatic, security and economic interests”.

Salient features of the Indian Maritime Doctrine-2004 include, controlling the choke points, significant islands and trade routes in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and in the Bay of Bengal. The doctrine further lays down limits of the vision for the Indian Navy for the first quarter of 21st century as to; “look at the arc from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca as a legitimate area of interest.” The doctrine also highlighted the Indian Navy as the “three-dimensional blue water force”, having the potential to undertake significant assignments and roles “on the surface, underwater, and in the air.” During the peace time, Indian navy will have to undertake the naval diplomatic assignments for the promotion of its cause. However, the proactive role of the Indian Navy would be the projection of its power beyond the limits of Indian shores. It has to counter the “distant emerging threats and protect extended ‘Sea Lines of Communication’ through and from the Indian Ocean.”

In the regional perspective, as perceived Indian Navy has to operate against the navies of Pakistan and China. The doctrine however, “calls for a stronger deterrent capability against foreign intervention by non-littoral navies, not limited to China and Pakistan only. This strategic reach indeed call for procurement of more sophisticated diesel and nuclear capable submarines, establishing aircraft carrier and developing new cruise missiles. Indian Navy, currently operating in area of over 3.5 million square kilometres (extending from the Arabian Sea through Indian Ocean to the Bay of Bengal) is being modernized through the procurement of modern submarines, frigates and other naval vessels in collaboration with its Western allies, US, Israel and Russia.

With respect to the strategic designs of the Indian Navy, as ‘Oceanic Navy’, it has assumed for itself, “the primary responsibility lying on the Indian Navy to guard the steel ring created by Singapore, Ceylon, Mauritius and Socotra…the Indian Ocean must therefore remain truly Indian.” With this strategic thought, the Indian Navy Vision Statement (2006), clearly laid down the role for Indian Navy as, “of safeguarding our maritime interests on the high seas and projecting combat power across (and around) the (Indian Ocean) littoral.” Covering these wide ranging naval interests of India, Indian Premier Dr. Manmohan Singh said that, “our strategic footprint covers…to the far reaches of the Indian Ocean. Awareness of this reality should inform and animate our strategic thinking and defence planning.”

In order to meet its energy needs and for its burgeoning economic drive as a great power status, securing the extended sea lines of communication from the Gulf to Southeast Asia is essential for the Indian Navy. In the wording of former Indian Naval Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta; “we are not only looking at countering threats but to protect the country's economic and energy interests. This task has extended our area of operations. This might necessitate our operating in distant waters. As the Indian economy grows, the country is making increasing investments in distant places to ensure the availability of energy flow to maintain this growth. This is gradually defining what may be called our secondary area of maritime interest.”

Through yet another revised Maritime Doctrine of 2009, Indian Navy has made major changes in its 2004 doctrine. Indian Navy has revamped its existing policies to factor in maritime terrorism, piracy and coastal security as the matter of great strategic significance. The strategic designs of India as the blue water navy, capable to operate in the open seas, to pursue and safeguard Indian oceanic interests raise the question of “how far India has got the naval capability, the capacity, to match such strategic intentions”.

The writer is a South Asian analyst.

MTT%20-%20India%20-%20China%20String%20of%20Pearls%20-%20Ports-Navy%20Bases%20Under%20Construction.jpg

MTT - India - China String of Pearls - Ports-Navy Bases Under Construction

http://www.markthetruth.com/defence-a-military/512-the-strategic-vision-of-indian-navy.html
 
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Only way India can be recognized as Regional Super Power is thru enforcing her hegemony thru projection of Naval Power far beyond her shores. All the more reason that if Pakistan wants to keep her sea lanes clear in case of any future war with India; PN must have sufficient anti submarine capability as well as at least half a dozen state of the art hunter killer submarines as deterrent so that we can prevent hostile vessels from venturing within 200 miles of Pakistani shores with impunity; as IN did during 1971.

Don’t really know how we are going to achieve this. Going for a large number of corvettes and frigates and MR aircraft could be one way. Wish we had some ex PN officers as members who could theorize on ways and means to achieve our objectives with the limited resources that are available to the Pakistan Navy.
 
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Indian navy will only achieve status of blue water navy by 2017
let me explain how
Currently indian navy operates 140 ships and 16 diesel electric subs
ships include
12 frigates
08 destroyers
24 corvettes
20 Amphibious warfare ships
27 patrol boats
08 mine counter vessels
01 aircraft carrier
38 Fleet auxiliary(Tankers , Survey ships , Diving tenders , training ships Harbour tugs , search and rescue ships)
This number will go upto
15 frigates
09 destroyers
26 corvettes
35 patrol boats
22 amphibious warfare ships
08 Mine counter vessel
02 Aircraft carrier
40 fleet auxiliary
16 submarines( 4-5 nuclear power<Akula , Arihant class> , 11-12 diesel electric
< kilo , Type 209 , scorpene)
Now thats 157 ships and 16 submarines
THIS NUMBER IS NOT ENOUGH TO PROJECT POWER FAR AND WIDE , HOWEVER ENOUGH TO MENTAIN HEDGEMONY OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
As per indian navy doctrine ,it wants to operate 138 combat ships, 24 subs and 40 fleet auxiliary by 2022
The major increase in size will come thanks to the 14 destroers and frigates on order in addition to 8 currently under construction or under going sea trials
The no of destroyers and frigates will increase to 32 by 2022 from 20 now and 24 in 2014 -2017. however for full control and preventing chinese navy the no required is 36-40 how ever thanks to govt only interested in mentainig credible deterence , it is unlike to go above the sanctioned 32 while the minimum requirement for for navy is 27 destroyer and frigates
The number of amphibious warfare ships will go upto 24-26 by 2022 from 20 now and 22 in 2017 , corvettes , patrol boats , mine counter vessels will remain more or less the same as 2017 level
I am however suspicious regarding the quoted submarine level level since as per my calculations submarine level will not be more than 18-20 subs in 2022, depending upon the phasing out of kilo and type 209 subs
THE number of aircraft carrier should be arround 3 with atleast one more under construction since navy has requested for aleast 4 carriers so that atleast one carrier is operational at all time with both the Eastern and Western fleet of the Indian Navy
 
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This is a Pakistani navy section please post indian stories and threads there.
 
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can u get the mods to move it to indian navy section
 
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Wrong thread buddy .... if I was the mod we would have another titanic under the sea ;):bunny:
 
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Hi,

It is only the subs that will make the difference---not the chinese ones but the german---submarines are the force multiplier of the time now and that of the future.

The navy that has a better submarine fleet will dominate under the normal circumstances---but in the pak india scenario---anti submarine aircraft will play a very crucial role as well.
 
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Hi,

Or a message to someone---hein---.

Actually it makes it easy for the eye to read---reduces the strain a tad bit. It also acts as a bundle---you look at one bundle of information---then you go to the next one.

Bottomlime is that it makes for comparatively easy reading.
 
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Indian navy will only achieve status of blue water navy by 2017
let me explain how

Let's see...
16 diesel electric subs
There are three classes of submarines currently in service with IN. Of these the Kalvari Class (NATO : Foxtrot) are ancient and on the verge of being retired. The ATV is yet to be commissioned.
1 ATV 'Arihant' (to commission 2011, launched for sea-trials on 26 July 2009)
10 Sindhugosh (Kilo) Class (commissioned 4/1986 - 7/2000) [2 not refitted, 6 refitted since 1999, 1 undergoing 2 year mid-life refit, 1 slated for refit in 2010. The refit program is troubled]
4 Shishumar (HDW 209) Class (commissioned 9/1986 - 5/1994) [2 refitted]
2 Foxtrot 'Vela' (1 to decommission in 2010, 1 in 2011)

12 frigates
Actually 14 operational ships. Of these 4 are 29-34 years old with ASW/Gun armament only and not recently modernized (2 sisterships already decommissioned). Only 10 can be considered modern enough to be effective in today's environment:
1 P17 'Shivalik' (commissioned 4/2010)
3 Russia Project 1135.6 'Talwar' (commissioned 6/2003 - 4/2004)
3 P16A 'Brahmaputra' (commissioned 4/2000 - 7/2005)
3 P16 'Godavari' (commissioned 12/1983 - 4/1988, 2 modernized with Barak SAM 2002-2003)
4 UK Improved Type 12 'Nilgiri' (commissioned 2/1976 - 7/1981, no SAM & AShM)

08 destroyers
Indeed 8 destroyers, but 5 of these are of a 1960s design and 3 of these 5 are already 27-30 years old and essentially unmodernized.

3 P15 'Delhi' (commissioned 11/1997 - 1/2001, 2 modernized with Barak SAM 2003-2005)
5 Russia Project 61ME (Kashin II) 'Rajput' (commissioned 9/1980 - 1/1988, first of class has 2x1 Styx AShM replaced by 2x2 inclined Brahmos for trial purposes, 2 youngest of class modernized with Barak SAM and 1 subsequently received an 8-cell VLU for Brahmos in place of aft SA-3 launcher for tiral purposes).

24 corvettes
Actually, 8 missile corvettes, 12 missile boats and 4 ASW torpedo boats. Secondary weaponry in all cases comprises 1x 76mm and 1x or 2x 30mm gatling cannon and pedestal launched MANPADs (Strela 2M).
4 P25A 'Kora' (commissioned 8/1998 - 2/2004, 1350 tons with 4x4 Uran AShM and helicopter pad, no ASW)
4 P25 'Khukri' (commissioned 8/1989 - 10/1991, 1350 tons with 2x2 Styx AShM and helicopter pad, no ASW)
2 Russia Project Mod 1241.8/1241RE 'Prabal' (commisioned 4/2002 - 12/2002, 500 tons with 2x4 Uran AShM and no ASW)
10 Russia Project 1241.1 'Veer' (commissioned 3/1987 - 12/1996, 500 tons with 2x2 Styx AShM and no ASW)
4 Russia Project 1241.2/1241PE 'Abhay' (commissioned 3/1989 - 1/1991, 500 tons with 2x2 533mm tubes for SET-65E ASW torpedos, RBU but no AShM)

20 Amphibious warfare ships
16-18 at best (not counting on-board LCM-8 and LCVP) of which only 10 of substantial tonnage. These ships are also aging: 2-4 approaching 30 years, 1 approaching 35 years and 1 approaching 40 years of age.
2 LST(L) 'Shardul' (commissioned 1/2007 - 4/2008), 5600 tons with 4 LCVP, helipad for medium lift heli and bow doors
2 LST(L) 'Magar' (commissioned 7/1987 and 2/1997, 5650 tons with 4 LCVP, helipad for medium lift heli and bow doors)
5 LST(M) Russia/Poland Project 773/773U Polnochny C/D (commissioned 1/1976, 2/1985-11/1986, 1150-1200 tons with bow doors, some with small landing pad for light heli)
2-4 LCM Mk2 (commissioned 1/1980 - 12/1983, 500 tons)
4 LCM Mk3 (commissioned 7/1986 - 3/1987, 500 tons)
1 LPD 'Jalashwa' (first commissioned 3/1971 as USS Trenton LPD-14, 16500 tons with dock carrying 4 LCM-8, helideck with 2 spots and single telescopic hangar for medium lift heli's)

27 patrol boats
Actually only 23 IMHO:
2 Carr Nicobar
4 Bangaram
2 Trinkat
7 Super Dvora II
6 Sukanya
2 Seaward defence boats (at best)

08 mine counter vessels
Of the originally 12 vessel, 8 are reportedly to be decommissioned while the remaining 4 would undergo a mid-life refit. India PR Wire reported on 08 January 2008, that Thales of France signed a $50 million deal, involving refit of 4 to 6 Pondicherry Class minesweepers into advanced mine hunters.
4-8 Mod Russia Project 266M 'Pondicherry' (commissioned 6/1980 - 10/1988, 800 ton a-magnetic steel oceangoing minesweeper with TEM-3, AT-2 and MT-1 sweeps streamed from the quarter-deck against electro-magnetic influenced mines, acoustically influenced mines, moored mines)

01 aircraft carrier
Yes, although modernized with Barak SAM, it is running out of SHARs (for which there is no suitable replacement) and totally due a replacement because of its age (originally commissioned in 1959 as HMS Hermes)

On the way (building):
1 Russian Project 1143 Carrier (ex-Gorshkov)
3 P15A 'Kolkata' destroyers
3 batch II Talwar frigates
2 more P17 frigates
4 P28 corvettes (2500 tons)
1 Scorpene SSK
2 ATV
1 NERPA SSN

On the way (planned)
1 Project 71 aircraft carrier
4 P15B destroyers
7 P17A frigates
5 Scorpene SSK
3 ATV
6 SSK

Lets look at the destroyers/frigates situation:
a) To get from your 12 to 15 frigates: from 14 frigates today, retire 4 Nilgiri, commission 3 batch 2 Talwar and 2 more P17.
b) To get from your 8 destroyers to 9 destroyers: from 3 P15 and 5 Kashin II, retire oldest 3 Kashin, continue with modernize 2 youngest Kashin and add 3 P15A, then retired remaing Kashin and add 4 P15B.

For expansion beyond 15+9=24 ships, this leaves only the 7 projected P17A. However, by the time these become available, 3 may well serve as replacements for the Godavari's. Hence, I would expect the long term number to not be 32 but rather 28 ships.

As for going from 24 to 26 corvettes, let's be clear about this, the Veer and Abhay classes are 500 ton boats, not true corvettes. They are intended for coastal defence only. Really there currently are 8 corvettes, to which will be added 4 P28s.

These 12 real corvettes will serve to support and complement the 28 ships mentioned above (note foreign port visits often comprise a replenishment ship, a frigate or destroyer plus a corvette).

I'm expecting the IN to go to 3 carriers, so that they can have 1 on station someplace at all times with 1 on the way and 1 undergoing maintenance. With 40 oceangoing escorts, that works.

As for subs, the 209s will go as will any 'bad' Kilo's. Scorpenes will fill the gap. Remaining Kilos to be replaced by follow on class of SSKs. Expansion by introduction of SSNs and possibly SSBNs/SSGNs.

Amphibious capabilities: will be maintained at present level, with fewer but larger ships. Polnochny's will go as will oldest LST(L)s. Replacement will be a couple of new LPDs. When they arrive, the ex-USN LPD will also go.

MCMV: to 4-6 minehunters.
 
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indian nacy's vision to create havoc and unstability in the region and make them owner's of ocean with just 200 ships i dont think soo it will ever because USA will keep special powers to itself for ocean and china is another giant who want to rule this ocean to connect with africa and china never accept indian navy power in the ocean u will see soon they will come up with 400 ships soon
 
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