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Since Project 17 has been completed successfully (after induction of INS Sahayadri), i thought it will be good if we can discuss about our next generation stealth frigates i.e. P-17A:
Project 17-Alpha Stealth Frigates
This is just an artist impression not the final design of the P-17A’s, but the actual ship will be very close to this impression
A nice report on what to expect with P-17A's
Introduction
In June 2009, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a Rs 45,000 crore project to build seven stealth frigates using advanced manufacturing process like modular shipbuilding. The P17A warships will be India’s most advanced and stealthy frigates, the ships will be manufactured in India, 4 at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai (MDL) and 3 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Project Status
Defense Minister AK Antony told journalists at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) complex in Mumbai on July 21, "Cost negotiations are on into the P-17 A project and once that is done, the proposal will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval."
In July 2012, a source told the TOI, "The CNC (contract negotiation committee) is currently underway for P-17A, which has already been approved by the defence ministry. The contract will be awarded after the final nod from the Cabinet Committee on Security. While MDL will build four, GRSE will construct the other three.''
Capabilities
The Project 17A frigates will be more advanced and stealthier than the P17 Shivalik class warships currently being inducted into the Navy.
The stealth features will include:
1. Missile silos flush with the deck
2. Torpedo launchers blending along the sides of the vessel.
3. Concealed hangar for a Kamov helicopter.
P 17 ships are based on the Project 11356 (Talwar / Krivak IV class) ships being acquired from Russia, and were designed jointly by the Naval Design Bureau (NDB) and Russia's Severnoye Project Design Bureau (Severnoye Proyektno-Konstruktorskoye Bjuro - SPKB), the designers of the N11356 frigate.
Project 17 class ships were manufactured exclusively by MDL. By involving GRSE in the construction of P 17A ships, the DAC hopes to speed up construction of the seven warships as well as create the infrastructure at both the dockyard for modular building of large warships.
The new frigates will be 'longer, broader, faster and stealthier'' than the three 6,100-ton Shivalik-class frigates.
"The new frigates will also have the BrahMos -2 Hypersonic cruise missiles, apart from other advanced weapons and sensors, for a greater offensive punch in all the three dimensions (air, surface and underwater),'' a source told the TOI in July 2012.
Modular Construction
Modular construction involves assembling a ship using 300-ton 'lego' like blocks, constructed to exacting standards. The blocks are constructed elsewhere complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that go into the section of the ship. During assembly, the piping and wiring neatly comes together end to end.
Both MDL and GRSE have no prior experience in modular ship building and the Navy had reservations about their ability to deliver the ships on time. However, the DAC appears to have brushed aside a Navy request to have two of the warships built at a foreign dockyard to enable the two Indian dockyards to imbibe the new technology and process.
The first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant is also being constructed using modular technology at Kochi.
Security concerns are reported to have ruled out the use of a foreign shipyard since it would have entailed sharing the detailed design of the ship.
The project was expected to start by 2011, giving GRSE and MDL enough time to upgrade their infrastructure, with the first ship expected to be delivered within 3-4 years. All the seven frigates are expected to be delivered by 2021.
A fully equipped modular yard with a 250-ton Goliath crane being built at the Mazagaon docks will be ready by mid-2011.
First IN insisted on building two ships abroad
India has never done modular shipbuilding. This involves constructing a several-thousand-ton warship in 300-ton blocks, which are then brought together and assembled, like a Lego game, into a complete warship. Each 300-ton block is built separately, complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that would be a part of the ship. These must precisely connect with their counterpart in the neighbouring block, coming together in perfect alignment.
Admiral Mahli explains, “We have to ensure that the navy gets all these seven warships by 2021. That means GRSE and MDL might both work concurrently on Project 17 A; you might have four built in MDL and three in GRSE. There is enough work for both shipyards.
The facilities include a covered workshop large enough for constructing 300-ton modules inside; a sliding roof for lifting out the completed modules; a 300-ton Goliath crane, on rails that extend across two or three slipways, for conveying the completed module to whichever frigate it is meant for.
Conventional shipbuilding was relatively simple: first weld together a steel hull, and then put in the engines, piping, electrical wiring, fitments, weaponry and electronics that make it a fighting platform.
B'coz of these reasons of complexity associated with modular construction, navy insisted on making 2 ships abroad & until than making the facilities available for modular construction available at both MDL & GRSE. But now all 7 will be built in India only.
Foreign Collaborator
MDL and GRSE plan to seek the help of a foreign collaborator to get them started with modular shipbuilding.
One of the companies likely to bid for the project is a joint venture (JV) between France’s DCNS, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), and Indian IT engineers Infotech Enterprises. The JV was setup to design ships for global clients and do back office work for DCNS, one of the world’s biggest warship builder.
DCNS already has a relationship with Mazagaon Docks Limited with whom it is jointly building Scorpene submarines under Project 75.
“We already have a relationship with DCNS; we are building the Scorpene together. They have the same infrastructure as we have, which means that the drawings they make can be easily translated into warships in our yard. But we will keep our options open by asking (Italian shipyard) Fincantieri to bid as well,” says Admiral HS Malhi, Chairman of MDL.
Costs:
The anticipated cost for each vessel is above Rs 4,000 crore (approximately US $900 million) and the total deal is expected to be worth more than Rs 45,000 crore (US $10+ billion).
Weapon systems:
Project 17 FFG’s design being modified to accommodate new-generation weapon systems like the Barak-2 MR-SAM/EL/M-2248 MF-STAR combination
Instead of the Cashmere area air defence system comprising the 24 rounds of 40km-range 9M317M Shtil-1 MR-SAMs, 3S-90 missile launcher, four MR-90 Orekh target illuminators, and the Salyut FSUE-built E-band MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar; plus BrahMos vertically-launched supersonic multi-role cruise missiles instead of the the eight Novator-built 3M54E Klub-N supersonic 220km-range anti-ship cruise missiles. The crew complement will likely be reduced from the existing 257 (including 35 officers) to about 110 by introducing high levels of automation, which will translate into a savings of around 20% in operational costs and higher operational availability of the warships. The Project 17A FFG’s superstructure will also make extensive use of composites similar to what’s now being done on board the latter two of the four Project 28 Kamorta-class ASW corvettes now under fabrication by GRSE.
Lockheed Martin and Hyundai Heavy Industries have jointly responded to the Project 17A combat systems Request for Information (RFI) issued by Indian Navy. They are offering the Aegis Combat System to be included in its Project 17A frigate proposal.
Timeline:
Brahmaputra Class Frigates were approved by GOI in 1986 & all 3 commissioned by 2005 (19 years).
Shivalik Class Frigates were approved by GOI in 1997 & all 3 commissioned by 2012 (15 years).
P-17A's approved by GOI in 2011 & all 7 to be commissioned by 2022
(since two shipyards will be building these ships simueltaneously) that means in just 11 (record) years.
Important points to remember:
1. MDL + GRSE will simultaneously construct the ships.
2. Construction shall start in MDL by end 2012 & at GRSE in 2013.
3. MDL will construct 4 ships of the class whereas GRSE will construct 3 ships of the class.
4. It will be consisting of Barak-8 & Brahmos-2 hypersonic missile systems.
Sources:
Broadsword: Project 17-A: French shipyard, DCNS, leads in race to be design consultant
Broadsword: Project 17-A: All seven new stealth frigates to be built in India
Project 17A Stealth Frigates - IDP Sentinel
Project 17A class frigate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TRISHUL: CCNS Approves & Fast-Tracks ‘Modified’ Project 17A FFG Programme
Project 17-Alpha Stealth Frigates
This is just an artist impression not the final design of the P-17A’s, but the actual ship will be very close to this impression
Introduction
In June 2009, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a Rs 45,000 crore project to build seven stealth frigates using advanced manufacturing process like modular shipbuilding. The P17A warships will be India’s most advanced and stealthy frigates, the ships will be manufactured in India, 4 at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai (MDL) and 3 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Project Status
Defense Minister AK Antony told journalists at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) complex in Mumbai on July 21, "Cost negotiations are on into the P-17 A project and once that is done, the proposal will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval."
In July 2012, a source told the TOI, "The CNC (contract negotiation committee) is currently underway for P-17A, which has already been approved by the defence ministry. The contract will be awarded after the final nod from the Cabinet Committee on Security. While MDL will build four, GRSE will construct the other three.''
Capabilities
The Project 17A frigates will be more advanced and stealthier than the P17 Shivalik class warships currently being inducted into the Navy.
The stealth features will include:
1. Missile silos flush with the deck
2. Torpedo launchers blending along the sides of the vessel.
3. Concealed hangar for a Kamov helicopter.
P 17 ships are based on the Project 11356 (Talwar / Krivak IV class) ships being acquired from Russia, and were designed jointly by the Naval Design Bureau (NDB) and Russia's Severnoye Project Design Bureau (Severnoye Proyektno-Konstruktorskoye Bjuro - SPKB), the designers of the N11356 frigate.
Project 17 class ships were manufactured exclusively by MDL. By involving GRSE in the construction of P 17A ships, the DAC hopes to speed up construction of the seven warships as well as create the infrastructure at both the dockyard for modular building of large warships.
The new frigates will be 'longer, broader, faster and stealthier'' than the three 6,100-ton Shivalik-class frigates.
"The new frigates will also have the BrahMos -2 Hypersonic cruise missiles, apart from other advanced weapons and sensors, for a greater offensive punch in all the three dimensions (air, surface and underwater),'' a source told the TOI in July 2012.
Modular Construction
Modular construction involves assembling a ship using 300-ton 'lego' like blocks, constructed to exacting standards. The blocks are constructed elsewhere complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that go into the section of the ship. During assembly, the piping and wiring neatly comes together end to end.
Both MDL and GRSE have no prior experience in modular ship building and the Navy had reservations about their ability to deliver the ships on time. However, the DAC appears to have brushed aside a Navy request to have two of the warships built at a foreign dockyard to enable the two Indian dockyards to imbibe the new technology and process.
The first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant is also being constructed using modular technology at Kochi.
Security concerns are reported to have ruled out the use of a foreign shipyard since it would have entailed sharing the detailed design of the ship.
The project was expected to start by 2011, giving GRSE and MDL enough time to upgrade their infrastructure, with the first ship expected to be delivered within 3-4 years. All the seven frigates are expected to be delivered by 2021.
A fully equipped modular yard with a 250-ton Goliath crane being built at the Mazagaon docks will be ready by mid-2011.
First IN insisted on building two ships abroad
India has never done modular shipbuilding. This involves constructing a several-thousand-ton warship in 300-ton blocks, which are then brought together and assembled, like a Lego game, into a complete warship. Each 300-ton block is built separately, complete with all the piping, electrical wiring and fitments that would be a part of the ship. These must precisely connect with their counterpart in the neighbouring block, coming together in perfect alignment.
Admiral Mahli explains, “We have to ensure that the navy gets all these seven warships by 2021. That means GRSE and MDL might both work concurrently on Project 17 A; you might have four built in MDL and three in GRSE. There is enough work for both shipyards.
The facilities include a covered workshop large enough for constructing 300-ton modules inside; a sliding roof for lifting out the completed modules; a 300-ton Goliath crane, on rails that extend across two or three slipways, for conveying the completed module to whichever frigate it is meant for.
Conventional shipbuilding was relatively simple: first weld together a steel hull, and then put in the engines, piping, electrical wiring, fitments, weaponry and electronics that make it a fighting platform.
B'coz of these reasons of complexity associated with modular construction, navy insisted on making 2 ships abroad & until than making the facilities available for modular construction available at both MDL & GRSE. But now all 7 will be built in India only.
Foreign Collaborator
MDL and GRSE plan to seek the help of a foreign collaborator to get them started with modular shipbuilding.
One of the companies likely to bid for the project is a joint venture (JV) between France’s DCNS, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), and Indian IT engineers Infotech Enterprises. The JV was setup to design ships for global clients and do back office work for DCNS, one of the world’s biggest warship builder.
DCNS already has a relationship with Mazagaon Docks Limited with whom it is jointly building Scorpene submarines under Project 75.
“We already have a relationship with DCNS; we are building the Scorpene together. They have the same infrastructure as we have, which means that the drawings they make can be easily translated into warships in our yard. But we will keep our options open by asking (Italian shipyard) Fincantieri to bid as well,” says Admiral HS Malhi, Chairman of MDL.
Costs:
The anticipated cost for each vessel is above Rs 4,000 crore (approximately US $900 million) and the total deal is expected to be worth more than Rs 45,000 crore (US $10+ billion).
Weapon systems:
Project 17 FFG’s design being modified to accommodate new-generation weapon systems like the Barak-2 MR-SAM/EL/M-2248 MF-STAR combination
Instead of the Cashmere area air defence system comprising the 24 rounds of 40km-range 9M317M Shtil-1 MR-SAMs, 3S-90 missile launcher, four MR-90 Orekh target illuminators, and the Salyut FSUE-built E-band MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar; plus BrahMos vertically-launched supersonic multi-role cruise missiles instead of the the eight Novator-built 3M54E Klub-N supersonic 220km-range anti-ship cruise missiles. The crew complement will likely be reduced from the existing 257 (including 35 officers) to about 110 by introducing high levels of automation, which will translate into a savings of around 20% in operational costs and higher operational availability of the warships. The Project 17A FFG’s superstructure will also make extensive use of composites similar to what’s now being done on board the latter two of the four Project 28 Kamorta-class ASW corvettes now under fabrication by GRSE.
Lockheed Martin and Hyundai Heavy Industries have jointly responded to the Project 17A combat systems Request for Information (RFI) issued by Indian Navy. They are offering the Aegis Combat System to be included in its Project 17A frigate proposal.
Timeline:
Brahmaputra Class Frigates were approved by GOI in 1986 & all 3 commissioned by 2005 (19 years).
Shivalik Class Frigates were approved by GOI in 1997 & all 3 commissioned by 2012 (15 years).
P-17A's approved by GOI in 2011 & all 7 to be commissioned by 2022
(since two shipyards will be building these ships simueltaneously) that means in just 11 (record) years.Important points to remember:
1. MDL + GRSE will simultaneously construct the ships.
2. Construction shall start in MDL by end 2012 & at GRSE in 2013.
3. MDL will construct 4 ships of the class whereas GRSE will construct 3 ships of the class.
4. It will be consisting of Barak-8 & Brahmos-2 hypersonic missile systems.
Sources:
Broadsword: Project 17-A: French shipyard, DCNS, leads in race to be design consultant
Broadsword: Project 17-A: All seven new stealth frigates to be built in India
Project 17A Stealth Frigates - IDP Sentinel
Project 17A class frigate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TRISHUL: CCNS Approves & Fast-Tracks ‘Modified’ Project 17A FFG Programme
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