I find this thread discussion very educational because it is based on some scenarios that might happen in future. So I am going to take the role of the aggressor i.e. the CBG commander, with a mission to strike a military target located 200km inland. Just to see what will be your counter action.
Before departing my home port, I will have an area sweep to ensure that there is no enemy submarine or enemy surveillance in 50 to 100KM radius. This is to ensure no enemy submarine can "ambush" my fleet.
During sailing to my target area, I will have a submarine 50Km to 100KM ahead of me, its mission is to detect enemy submarine.
On the surface, One long range air defence destroyer 5-10KM ahead, at both flanks, 5-10KM away, one frigate each for anti-submarine role as well as mid-range air defence role. And behind me, another long range air defence destroyer.
In the sky I will have air force AWACS co-ordinating with me, checking air spaces ahead of me as well as above the target area.
Upon reaching my designated operation point, which is 500-700km away from my target. I will send up MIG-29K (combat radius 850KM) with either 100KM range glide bomb or 300KM range cruise missiles.
The MIG-29K will release their cruise missiles 50-70KM away from the coastline. another option is in the absence of enemy air defence, they will use the 100KM range glide bomb.
The strike group will be equipped with anti-radiation air to ground missiles, BVR and WVR air to air missiles. And depending on final assessment of enemy air defence capability, 30% to 50% of the aircraft send out will be fitted out with weapons for air-superiority role.
So, now think for a while before responding how and why your counter actions will be. Remember, this is for positive learning purpose.
very detailed analysis.... very impressive..... let me put it as i think of it....
with Indian Navy prospective,
CGB will definitely have elaborate arrangement for safety of the group. will most probably contain 2 subs, 3 frigates and a destroyer as a complement. Subs for under water protection and will lead the group by at least 75 to 100km. main role is to sweep the sea floor for any ambush by enemy subs. Primary role of Frigates will be medium air defense and supporting sub surface defense. will surround to the carrier with a distance of 10 to 12km. Destroyer will be behind the carrier with a primary role of long to ultra long range air defense with limited surface & land attack.
Carrier has a complement of 34 air assets. which will be split to 24 fixed wing & 10 rotary wing. Rotary wing will have 7 anti sub helis for hunting the sub & perimeter petrol up to 150 km. 3 will be AWACS for air space surveillance & at least 1 will be in air at any given moment. they will search up to 200 Km air space for any hostile unit. The 24 fixed wing will be MiG29K. looking at the operational availability, expect only 15 will be available at any given moment....
primary role of MiG29 will be air defense & combat air patrolling. 12 will be deployed for this role 3 will be in air at any given moment & 2 will be fully ready to take off with pilots in their seat.... only 3 will be used for surface & lad attack with stand off weapons or long range air to ground ammunition...
The entire purpose of CGB is to project power & pressurize the adversary. it will be parked well out side the range of the coastal batteries, may be 700km from the shore. it will also help in blockade of the sea lanes & supplies....
from Pakistany prospective,
countering Indian CGB & neutralizing it will boost the moral of all Pakistany with tremendous moral blow to Indians. no surface ship can counter the CGB & will be a suicidal mission. the ways to counter CGB can be a combined & sustained raids from Sub surface & aerial attacks. with API tech, the submarines are black hole in the sea & very difficult to detect.....
engage the CGB with sustained air raids with stand off weapons, keep them engaged in the air while try to slip in couple of subs as close as possible & engage with full force at once. no second chance. as subs once detected will be dead in just matter of time..... the cost will be high. sustained air raids may need to sacrifice couple of squadrons of jets and also the subs will be on one way trip....
so the cost will be high for both the nations....