Indian MoD signs for ACTAS low-frequency towed array

[AMDR]

Indian MoD signs up for ACTAS towed array - IHS Jane's 360

ACTAS is in German service as the low-frequency towed-array sonar (LFTAS) and equips Brandenburg (F123)-class frigates. Source: Atlas Electronik

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed an INR3.06 billion (USD51million) deal with Germany's Atlas Elektronik for six low frequency Active Towed Array Sonar (ACTAS) systems to be fitted to Indian Navy (IN) warships.

The urgency of the requirement to safeguard its assets, continually emphasised by the IN since the late 1990s, has prompted the MoD to waive the 30% offset mandated for all military contracts worth over INR3 billion (USD50 million).

IN officials confirmed to IHS Jane's that the six ACTAS systems would equip three Talwar-class frigates and three Delhi-class destroyers, providing them with the capability to detect enemy submarines. They added that the sonars would be delivered soon and would be installed in empty compartments that have been built into the rear of all six warships.

The MoD issued a tender for the requirement in 2008 and the IN selected Atlas' ACTAS sonars over models offered by France's Thales and US' L3 Communications following field trials in 2010. This followed failed attempts by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation to indigenously develop an active towed array sonar (ATAS) system.

However, progress on signing a contract - which was finalised on 12 November - was delayed by recurring complaints to the MoD of wrongdoing in the selection process. All were rejected earlier in 2014, but the signing of the deal was left by the previous administration to the incoming BJP government.

The deal also includes Atlas transferring technology to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore to build 10 additional ATAS/ACTAS systems for other IN warships, many of which are under construction.

These would be supplemented by another 20 sonar systems to equip other IN platforms, including the aircraft carrier Vikrant, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2018. Industry sources said other than BEL, Atlas is also considering joint ventures with local private sector manufacturers to build the sonars.

About 25 IN warships are currently equipped with locally developed passive towed array sonars and hull mounted sonars that the IN has declared "operationally deficient".

ANALYSIS
Success in India marks a key business capture for Atlas Elektronik in the surface ship sonar market, and represents a second known export success for its ACTAS line (a single system having been purchased by DSME in 2013 for a new frigate on order for the Royal Thai Navy), writes Richard Scott .

ACTAS is a low frequency variable depth sonar transmitting at a centre frequency of around 2 kHz. Atlas Elektronik claims detection and tracking of submarine targets at ranges above 60 km depending on target characteristics and propagation conditions.

 

[RISING SUN]

Welcome news considering we really need to step up our ASW punch.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Indian MoD signs up for ACTAS towed array - IHS Jane's 360

View attachment 160109
ACTAS is in German service as the low-frequency towed-array sonar (LFTAS) and equips Brandenburg (F123)-class frigates. Source: Atlas Electronik

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed an INR3.06 billion (USD51million) deal with Germany's Atlas Elektronik for six low frequency Active Towed Array Sonar (ACTAS) systems to be fitted to Indian Navy (IN) warships.

The urgency of the requirement to safeguard its assets, continually emphasised by the IN since the late 1990s, has prompted the MoD to waive the 30% offset mandated for all military contracts worth over INR3 billion (USD50 million).

IN officials confirmed to IHS Jane's that the six ACTAS systems would equip three Talwar-class frigates and three Delhi-class destroyers, providing them with the capability to detect enemy submarines. They added that the sonars would be delivered soon and would be installed in empty compartments that have been built into the rear of all six warships.

The MoD issued a tender for the requirement in 2008 and the IN selected Atlas' ACTAS sonars over models offered by France's Thales and US' L3 Communications following field trials in 2010. This followed failed attempts by the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation to indigenously develop an active towed array sonar (ATAS) system.

However, progress on signing a contract - which was finalised on 12 November - was delayed by recurring complaints to the MoD of wrongdoing in the selection process. All were rejected earlier in 2014, but the signing of the deal was left by the previous administration to the incoming BJP government.

The deal also includes Atlas transferring technology to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bangalore to build 10 additional ATAS/ACTAS systems for other IN warships, many of which are under construction.

These would be supplemented by another 20 sonar systems to equip other IN platforms, including the aircraft carrier Vikrant, which is scheduled for commissioning in 2018. Industry sources said other than BEL, Atlas is also considering joint ventures with local private sector manufacturers to build the sonars.

About 25 IN warships are currently equipped with locally developed passive towed array sonars and hull mounted sonars that the IN has declared "operationally deficient".

ANALYSIS
Success in India marks a key business capture for Atlas Elektronik in the surface ship sonar market, and represents a second known export success for its ACTAS line (a single system having been purchased by DSME in 2013 for a new frigate on order for the Royal Thai Navy), writes Richard Scott .

ACTAS is a low frequency variable depth sonar transmitting at a centre frequency of around 2 kHz. Atlas Elektronik claims detection and tracking of submarine targets at ranges above 60 km depending on target characteristics and propagation conditions.

MoD has procured six low frequency Active Towed Array Sonar (ACTAS) systems from Germany's Atlas Elektronik. Now they will be soon fitted onto three Talwar-class frigates and three Delhi-class destroyers. There is hope though. Under the deal, the German company will transfer technology to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). The public sector undertaking will build 10 Actas under licence from Atlas. These will be fitted to other ships.

Navy gets array sonars but ships yet to get fitted

An Indian navy personnel speaks to the media onboard their anti-submarine Kamorta-class stealth corvette, INS Kamorta, during a display of warships. (Reuters photo)​

KOLKATA: On Tuesday, after the INS Kavaratti, fourth and last of the Kamorta-class of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata in the presence of minister of state for defence Rao Inderjit Singh and chief of naval staff Admiral RK Dhowan, the question doing the rounds was whether it will be fully equipped when commissioned. The first ship of this class, INS Kamorta has already joined the eastern fleet of the Navy but has not yet got sufficient teeth for its primary role.

The Kamorta-class of stealth corvettes are designed to track down and destroy enemy submarines. However, one of its crucial components is missing. The capabilities of normal sensors in ships are greatly reduced due to the noise their engines make. To track enemy submarines, ASW corvettes need to have something known as Active Towed Array Sonar or Actas. This is a system of hydrophones towed behind a vessel on a cable that can be kilometers long.

This keeps the array's sensors away from the noise sources of the ship towing it, thereby improving its signal-to-noise ratio. This increases the possibility of detecting and tracking faint contacts such as the soft, muffled noise made by submarines. Actas offers superior resolution and range compared to hull-mounted sonar. It also covers the baffles, the blind spot of hull-mounted sonar. Unfortunately, the INS Kamorta doesn't have Actas, reducing its capability to locate submarines. This also puts the ship at risk from enemy submarines that can pass close without being detected.

When asked about this, Singh said: "This is a fine class of ships. All ships have sonar. In the Kamorta-class, the engines are mounted on rubber-rafts and this reduces sound significantly. So the chance of detection is low."

A source in the Navy said that six Actas have already been procured from Germany's Atlas Elektronik by the Ministry of Defence as part of a $51 million deal. However, INS Kamorta may not get one of these. The six Actas will be fitted to three Talwar-class frigates and three Delhi-class destroyers. There is hope though. Under the deal, the German company will transfer technology to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). The public sector undertaking will build 10 Actas under licence from Atlas. These will be fitted to other ships. INS Kamorta and other ships of its class may get their turn then.

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"Apart from these 16, the Navy plans to get 20 more by 2018 when the INS Vikrant and other ships are commissioned. Ships of the Kamorta-class will get their Actas as and when they go in for refits," the source in the Navy said.

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Singh said that his government is committed to improve defence infrastructure. "We will build better infrastructure that will include border roads, advanced landing grounds and advanced air bases. Infrastructure for the Navy will also receive a boost by 2018," he said.

Source:- Navy gets array sonars but ships yet to get fitted - The Times of India

 

[HariPrasad]

It is the time to fit naval warship with better and better system . It should become state of art with best in the class system so that it can work as force multiplier and give our enemies slip less nights.