M7L1 Defense - Navy

We always question ourselves that why does a country need defense? You might answer, to protect our Homeland…

or

Is it beyond that?

Strategic priorities for India include ·         Enhanced internal security and consolidation of peripheral states (based on societal and political developments) ·         Sustained economic development (that would need sustained energy and food security)

Sometimes, countries resort to showcasing their hard power in areas lying in far seas to project their caliber beyond the borders. Such missions are called as ‘over the horizon ops’. These military capabilities can manifest itself in various missions that are aimed at securing SLOCs, halting the illegal trafficking of drugs/ narcotics, wildlife, smuggling of weapons etc. or other combat missions aimed at restricting piracy.

These assets can also be used in missions wherein the use of overseas military force is harmless like Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, Port calls and Naval diplomacy, evacuation of citizens in areas witnessing natural disasters, transnational organized crime, armed conflicts, social unrest, religious extremism and political instability, protecting assets that are vital for economic interests far away from the shore etc. And these require training for special forces with amphibious and airlift capabilities to conduct long expeditionary missions.

Now what do we need for that? An all time, all weather, high accuracy intelligence and surveillance system that can help to build battlefield landscape and scenarios. And that would include an infrastructure comprising satellites and platforms for troop dispatch with additional support equipment/s.

To do this, a country needs an incredible navy (that has adopted advanced design concepts like stealth) with inshore and offshore infrastructure to support the same.

Inshore infrastructure includes

·         C4ISR and aerospace capabilities for reconnaissance and/or surveillance,

·         command and communication infrastructure,

·         stationing and berthing facilities,

·         facilities for technical training of manpower for vessel traffic management, ship control, fire control, sensors, radars and other surveillance systems, combat experience etc.

·         support measures for electronic warfare,

·         technological support vital for their survival like offensive missile systems, naval air defense and well-equipped aircraft for force protection,

·         and material support like cultural entertainment for the same.

Finding a continuously mobile target in the sea is no mean task. Therefore what you need is not a mere training center, you actually need a city !!!

India has showed interest in acquiring more numbers of P8I Poseidon aircrafts from USA to keep an eye on submarines entering in and out of Indian Ocean Region. They are also known as submarine hunters

Offshore infrastructure includes

·         survey & research vessel for systematic mapping of seabed to produce high-resolution bathymetry for improved familiarization and awareness of threats, improved situational awareness in maritime domain environment to reduce unexpected surprises, assessment of risks etc.

·         vessels for underwater and deep-sea operations, surveillance, reconnaissance and decision support,

·         warfare capabilities to ensure ship/submarine survivability (surface, sub-surface, aerial, anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-mine/s),

·         Stationing and berthing facilities for maintenance,

·         observation satellites and aerial platforms for search, rescue, tracking and guidance,

·         Long range combat aircrafts

·         and refueling platforms along navigation route for munitions and fuel.

India has launched deep sea research vessel ‘R. V. Samudra Manthan” and twin coastal survey vessels, ‘R. V. Samudra Kaustubh’ and ‘R. V. Samudra Saudhikama’ within the Indian EEZ, Territorial Waters (TW) and adjoining International waters.

Amphibious operations are amongst the most complex military operations. It involves the surface fleet, naval carrier aviation, the army (or marines), attack helicopters direct air support and depending on range, the Air Force. Before a beach assault the beach needs to be covered by a reconnaissance mission on depth, slope, underwater obstacles not to enemy mention defenses and all this needs to be done discreetly. In today's age of satellite reconnaissance, a beach assault would find it difficult to be done with surprise, so the attacking forces need to be equipped for a over whelming attack. In terms of complexity of large naval operations amphibious assault comes on top of the list. It is heartening to see the Indian Navy developing its capability in this sphere. The Amphibious warfare vessels of the Indian Navy have the following 4 subcategories viz.

1.    Austin-class amphibious transport docks of the Indian Navy

2.    Kumbhir-class tank landing ships‎ (Polnocny-class landing ship)

3.    Magar-class amphibious warfare vessels‎

4.    Shardul-class tank landing ships‎

These include

1.    INS Jalashwa

2.    INS Airavat

3.    INS Gharial

4.    INS Kesari

5.    INS Magar

6.    INS Shardul

In 2003, the Indian Navy put out a tender for 4 multi-purpose amphibious assault ships that can carry helicopters and landing craft and a military payload of 6 tanks, 20 armoured vehicles, 40 heavy trucks and operate upto 10 heavy choppers for transport and attack roles. It should have requisite command & communications facility, on-board hospital, repair workshop and other support infrastructure. Then in 2018, the Defence Ministry gave an in-principle approval for construction of four amphibious assault ships, also called the Landing Platform Docks (LPD), in the private sector at a cost of over Rs 20,000 crore. However, the Indian Navy has recently asked the Defense Ministry to hold this project on hold on the grounds that its more than 16 years since the request was made. (16 years…!!! That too, even when the government has formed the Defense Acquisition Council in the year 2001 to tackle corruption and accelerate decision making in military procurement.)

India and Mauritius have very close and cordial political and diplomatic relations with a sizeable settlement of people of Indian origin settled in Mauritius. Since 2009, the Indian Navy has been deploying ships to Mauritius bi-annually to assist in patrolling the vast EEZ of the country based on request by the Government of Mauritius, which is a demonstration of India’s commitment to its ties with Mauritius and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ vision of SAGAR doctrine - Security and Growth for All in the Region. INS Shardul is an amphibious ship of the Indian Navy.

Surface combatants includes destroyers, frigates and minesweepers that form a battle group and protect aircraft carrier. These are called battlefield support platforms. Other platforms include patrol and supply ships while sub-surface platforms include submarines. Just like a navy needs telemetry, tracking and command system for offshore missions to communicate with ground station, a satellite also needs telemetry, tracking and command for deep space missions. Meaning that… such missions are supposed to act as technology demonstrators. Does that mean that with increasing deep space missions that China is undertaking, it is trying to break the network hegemony of the United States? For deep offensive operations in other country’ hinterland through navy, a country would then need amphibious ships and other amphibious landing platforms that can penetrate the coastal waters into the soil of the enemy country. Are we witnessing an uptick in these platforms now currently owned and/or developed by China? Try comparing this together with recent port building activities under China’ B&RI.

Of the 14 conventional submarines India currently possesses, including the Scorpene, only half are operational at any given point of time. India also has two nuclear-powered submarines — INS Arihant (SSBN, a ballistic missile submarine) and INS Chakra (SSN, a nuclear-powered one) leased from Russia. India’s 30-year plan The P75I project is part of a 30-year submarine building plan that ends in 2030. As part of this plan, India was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) — as an effective deterrent against China and Pakistan. The P75I Scorpene class diesel-electric / air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines are based on the Scorpene class submarines, which were designed by French naval shipbuilding firm DCNS in partnership with Spanish shipbuilding firm Navantia. The new submarines are being built by Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, India, using the technology and training provided by DCNS. The Indian Navy intends to use the submarines for missions such as area surveillance, intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and minelaying operations. Named INS Kalvari, the first submarine in the class was undocked at Mazagon Dock in April 2015 and was launched in Mumbai, India, in October that year. Sea trials of the INS Kalvari began in May 2016 and the submarine underwent weapon, surface, noise and diving trials prior to her commissioning in December 2017. INS Khanderi is the second submarine in the class and was launched in January 2017. It is currently undergoing sea trials, with its commissioning scheduled for the end of 2019. The third Scorpene class submarine is INS Karanj, which was launched in January 2018 and is currently undergoing sea trials. The launching ceremony of the fourth submarine INS Vela was held in May 2019. The Scorpene class submarines have also been acquired by the naval forces of Chile, Malaysia and Brazil. P75I Scorpene Class design and features The P75I Scorpene class features pressure hull and superior stealth capabilities. It accommodates between 25 and 31 crew members as well as 14 combat divers. The submarine has a width of 6.2m, a length of 67m and a submerged displacement of 1,550t. DCNS’ SUBTICS integrated combat system enables operation and control of all on-board sensors, weaponry and radars from multifunction common consoles. The motion of the submarine is controlled by a steering system using rudder and hydroplanes. P751 Scorpene Class Weaponry The P75I Scorpene class submarines are armed with six torpedo launching tubes, 18 heavy weapons, tube-launched MBDA SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles and precision-guided weapons. The weapons are carried in weapon launching tubes and can be easily reloaded at sea. The submarine can launch crippling attacks on surface and underwater enemy targets. Sensors onboard the P75I Scorpene Class The Thales-developed on-board S-CUBE integrated, and modular submarine sonar suite offers increased safety against a wide variety of threats in deep or coastal waters. It comprises sonar arrays, including bow, stern, planar flank, intercept, distributed, towed and active, mine and obstacle avoidance sonar, as well as self-noise-monitoring hydrophones. The submarine is also equipped with Sagem surveillance and radars. P75I Scorpene Class propulsion and performance The submarines in the P75I Scorpene class are powered by conventional diesel-electric propulsion systems. The last two submarines are expected to be equipped with AIP technology, which is developed by DRDO to provide long-range and extended endurance capabilities. The submarines are also installed with batteries. The propulsion, electricity, auxiliary and safety systems on board the submarine are controlled using a platform management system. The attack submarines can travel at a maximum submerged speed of approximately 20kt and have the ability to remain submerged for 21 days. The P75I Scorpene class has a diving depth of more than 350m. Contractors involved with the P75I Scorpene submarines programme Flash Forge India received a contract from DCNS India in June 2011 for the supply of equipment. SEC Industries secured a contract from DCNS India, a subsidiary of DCNS, to supply highly technological equipment for the P75I Scorpene submarines programme in September 2011. In March 2012, DCNS awarded a €50m ($65.9m) contract to SEC Industries to supply equipment such as hull hatches, ballast vent valves, weapons handling, storage systems and high-pressure air cylinders. The command consoles are manufactured by HBL Power Systems.

Project 15 Delhi Class Guided-missile destroyer Crew : 340 Builder : Mazagon Dock Ltd Length : 63m Maximum Beam : 17m Draught At Full Load : 5.6m Displacement : 6,700t Speed : 28kt Range : 8,000km Weapons Surface-To-Surface : 16 x KH-35 (four quad launchers) Surface-To-Air : 2 x SA-N-7 launchers Guns : 100mm gun and 4 x 30mm AK650 guns Torpedoes : Quintuple 533m launcher A-S Mortars : 2 x RBU-6000, 12 tubes Equipment : Bel Ajanta radar interceptor, Elettronica TQN-2 jammer, 4 x chaff launchers Navigation : Bel Rashmi I-band Fire Control : Kite screen and bass tilt, Garfun B, Front Dome Air Search : RALW/LW08 Surface Search : RAWS/DA05 Sonar : TSM2633 or Apsoh hull-mounted, model 15-750 variable depth sonar Turbines : 2 x AM-50 gas turbines developing 54,000hp Engines : 2 x Bergen and Garden reach KVM-diesel engines rated and 9,900hp Shafts : 2 Naval Helicopters : 2 x AgustaWestland Sea King 42B helicopters or HAL light attack helicopters Three Delhi Class destroyers were built for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock based in Mumbai, under the Project 15 programme. The Delhi destroyer was designed by the Indian Navy with the detailed and production design phase carried out by Mazagon Dock. INS Delhi was commissioned in 1997, INS Mysore in June 1999 and INS Mumbai (formerly Bombay) in January 2001. With a displacement of 6,700t, overall length of 163m and beam of 17m, the Delhi Class is the largest warship built in India. The ship is fitted with sophisticated anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine sensor and weapon systems. Weapons The ship’s integrated combat data system is supplied by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) of Hyderabad. The main gun at the bow of the ship is a 100mm gun supplied by Russia. The ship is also fitted with four six-barrel AK 650 gatling guns. The ship is equipped with four quad launchers for the Uran anti-ship missile system. The Uran system launches the Kh-35 (Nato designation SS-N-25) antiship cruise missile, which uses an inertial guidance system to steer the missile towards the target area and an active radar homing head for terminal guidance. The minimum and maximum ranges of the missile are 5km and 130km. The surface-to-air missile system is the Russian Shtil (SA-N-7), known by the Nato reporting name Gadfly. The missile’s maximum range is 25km. It was envisaged that this would be replaced with the Trishul surface-to-air missile system, which had a range of 500m to 9km and a 15kg warhead. In December 2006, the Indian MoD stopped the research and development of Trishul and focused on developing the Barak defence missile system. Despite a successful series of firing trials in June 2003, technical problems have put the future of the missile system in doubt. INS Delhi, INS Mysore and INS Mumbai are fitted with the Rafael Barak point air defence missile system. Barak has an eight-cell vertical launch system and the missile command-to-line-of-sight (CLOS) radar guidance with a range from 500m to 10km. INS Mumbai is being fitted with the missile system. The Type 15 destroyers will be modified to equip with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. BrahMos is developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM) of Russia. The ship has a quintuple 533mm torpedo launcher which can also be used to launch SS-N-15 Starfish or possibly SS-N-16 Stallion ASW missiles. SS-N-15 has a maximum range of 50km, SS-N-16 of 120km. The ship also has two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers with 12 tubes. Range is 6km and the maximum engagement depth is 500m. Helicopters The 500m² helicopter deck is located at the stern of the ship. The ship can support two helicopters, the new Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) or Chetak helicopter, by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the AgustaWestland Sea King helicopters, primarily equipped for the air surveillance role. The Sea Kings carry the Super Searcher radar from MEL, the H/S-12 dipping sonar from Thales Underwater Systems with an AQS-902B acoustic processor, and the Hermes electronic support measures system supplied by BAE Systems. The Sea King is also armed with mines and Sea Eagle missiles. Countermeasures The ship is equipped with four chaff launch systems and the Ajanta radar interceptor developed by BEL of Bangalore. The TQN-2 jamming system is supplied by the Italian company, Elettronica. Sensors The ship’s radar suite includes Rashmi I-band navigation radar by Bharat Electronics, Russian Kite Screech and Bass Tilt H,I and J band fire control radars for the guns, Garfun B fire control radar for the Kh-35 Uran SSM, Front Dome fire control radar for the SA-N-17 SAM, RALW – LW08 air search radar operating in D-band and supplied by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Thales Nederland (formerly Signaal) and the Bharat / Thales RAWS – DA05 E-band surface search radar. The ship’s hull mounted active search sonar capability is based on the TSM2633 by Thales Underwater Systems or the APSOH by Bharat. The Delhi Class also has a variable depth sonar, Model 15-750 developed and manufactured in India by Indal and Garden Reach. Propulsion The ship’s propulsion is based on a combined diesel and gas CODAG system. The Russian gas turbine system is the AM-50. The KVM-18 diesel motors are supplied by Bergen and Garden Reach. The propulsion system drives two shafts and provides a maximum speed of 28kt.

Project 15A Kolkata Class Guided Missile Destroyers Builder : Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) Operator : Indian Navy Service Entry : 2014 Length : 163m Beam : 17.4m Anti-Ship Missiles : 16 x BrahMos The Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers are the new stealth destroyers built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) for the Indian Navy, under Project 15A. The destroyers are preceded by Type 15 Delhi-class destroyers and succeeded by the Project 15B destroyers. The Indian Government approved the construction of three Kolkata-class destroyers in May 2000. The first steel was cut for the lead ship in class, INS Kolkata, in March 2003. Her keel was laid in September 2003. The ship was launched in March 2006 at Mazagon Dock, Mumbai, and delivered to the Indian Navy in July 2014. The vessel was commissioned in August 2014. The Navy successfully test-fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the INS Kolkata destroyer using the UVLM launcher in February 2015. The keel of INS Kochi was laid in October 2005. It was launched in September 2009 and commissioned in September 2015. The last vessel in the class, INS Chennai, was laid in February 2006. It was launched in April 2010 and commissioned in November 2016. The project was delayed due to the complex warship building process. In January 2011, the MDL was awarded a follow-on order for the construction of four P-15B destroyers. The P-15B ship retains the hull form of Kolkata-class and features a stealthier flush deck and advanced weapon systems. Design and features of the Kolkata-class Conceptualised by the Indian Navy, the detailed design phase for the class was completed by MDL. Kolkata-class is a follow-on model of the Delhi-class and is fitted with modern weapons and sensor systems. The propulsion system of the Delhi-class was also retained with minor upgrades. Most of the systems integrated in the ships are designed and built in India. The destroyers are also equipped with an action information system and an atmospheric control system. The modern stealth destroyers demonstrate superior anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. The vessel has an overall length of 163m, a beam of 17.4m and a draft of 6.5m. The full load displacement of the ship is 6,800t. Kolkata-class missile systems The 16-cell universal vertical launcher module (UVLM) fitted on the ship can launch BrahMos missiles. There are two vertical launching systems (VLS) for Barak SAM (surface-to-air missile). BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia-based NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM). BrahMos missile has a top speed of Mach 2.5 to Mach 2.8 and a maximum range of 290km. Naval gun systems onboard the Indian destroyers The main gun fitted forward is a 130mm gun. Four AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS) are provided for close-in air defence. The AK-630 CIWS can defend the ship from incoming anti-ship missiles and other guided weapons. It has a rate of fire of 5,000 rounds a minute. Anti-submarine warfare The anti-submarine warfare is provided by twin-tube torpedo launchers and RBU-6000 smerch-2 ASW rocket launchers. The rockets can be launched against submarines within a range of 6km. Sensors / radar systems on the Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers Kolkata-class is equipped with Thales LW-08 long range volume search radar, EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multi-mission radar and EL/M-2238 L-band STAR surveillance radar from Israel Aerospace Industries. Sonar systems include HUMSA-NG (hull-mounted sonar array – new generation) and Nagin active towed array sonar. The Kolkata-class has a flight deck and enclosed hangar to embark up to two medium-lift helicopters such as HAL Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and AgustaWestland Sea King helicopter. The ship is equipped with Elbit Systems Deseaver MK II decoy control and launching system. Deseaver can launch decoys against anti-ship missiles coming from different directions. Kolkata-class propulsion, power and speed The combined gas and gas (COGAG) propulsion system integrates twin Zorya M36E gas turbine plant. Four DT-59 reversible gas turbines drive the two propellers via two RG-54 gearboxes. The two KVM diesel motors are provided by Bergen and Garden Reach. Four Wartsila WCM-1000 generators and Kirloskar AC generators supply onboard electricity. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt.

Project 15B Guided Missile Destroyers Builder : Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) Crew : 300 Length : 163m Beam : 17.4m Speed : 30kt Range : 4,000nmi The Project 15B class of guided missile destroyers, an improved variant of the Kolkata-class destroyers, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), for the Indian Navy. The contract for the construction of four Project 15B destroyers was signed in January 2011. The keel for the first Project 15B ship, named INS Visakhapatnam (D 66), was laid in October 2013 and the vessel was launched in April 2015. The keel laying ceremony of second destroyer in class, INS Mormugao (D 67), was held in June 2015 and the vessel was launched at MDL shipyard in Mumbai, during September 2016. Project 15B destroyers design and features The Project 15B ships retain the hull design of Kolkata-class destroyers but will incorporate advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation. Designed indigenously by the Directorate of Naval Design, the vessels will offer improved survivability, sea keeping and high manoeuvrability. The sleek hull design in combination with radar transparent deck fittings will make the vessels difficult to detect. With state-of-the-art weapons and sensor package, the destroyers will be one of the world’s most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers. The significant indigenous content reflects the nation’s self-reliance in warship design and shipbuilding. Each vessel will measure 163m-long and 17.4m-wide and will have a displacement of 7,300t. The ships will be operated with the help of 350 crew including 50 officers and 250 sailors. The accommodation and working areas will offer superior ergonomics and habitability. The destroyers will feature multiple fire zones, battle damage control systems (BDCS) and distributional power systems for improved survivability and reliability in emergent conditions. The total atmospheric control system (TACS) aboard the vessel will protect the crew from chemical, biological and nuclear threats. Combat management system The ship will integrate a modern combat management system (CMS), which will conduct threat evaluation and allocate the resources based on the tactical picture compiled and weapons package available onboard. The ship data network (SDN) will carry the data from all the sensors and weapons aboard. Project 15B weapon systems The ship’s primary fire power will constitute vertically launched Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles (SAM), and BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles (SSM) for long-range engagement of shore and sea-based targets. Two 16-cell vertical launchers aboard the vessel will be capable of launching a total of 32 Barak 8 missiles, while two eight-cell universal vertical launcher modules will allow the launch of 16 BrahMos SAMs. The forward bow deck will be fitted with a 127mm main gun, while the vessel will be installed with four AK-630 30mm guns for close-point defence capability. The destroyer will also be armed with indigenously developed 533mm torpedo launchers and RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers to provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability. Helicopter handling system The aft heli-deck of the P 15B ships will support the operations of two multi-role rotorcraft including Sea King or HAL Dhruv helicopters. The state-of-the-art rail-less helicopter traversing system aboard the vessel will ensure efficient helicopter handling on the deck and the vessels will also feature a hangar facility to accommodate two helicopters onboard. Propulsion system The ships will be equipped with a combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration integrating four gas turbines. The power-plant will also integrate two diesel engines and four generator sets. The propulsion system will allow the ships to achieve speeds of more than 30kt and a maximum range of 4,000nmi.