Indian Navy News & Discussions

[marcos98]

India to pay around $2.2 billion for Gorshkov's refit to end wrangling
The protracted bitter wrangling over huge cost escalation in aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which caused a distinct chill in theexpansive Indo-Russian defence ties, is virtually over now.

After three Indian delegations visited Russia one after the other last month, the two sides came together in New Delhi on Tuesday-Wednesday for the `firm and final' price negotiations to break the festering deadlock.

"We are confident the total cost for Gorshkov's refit will be pegged somewhere around $2.2 billion,'' said a top Indian official.

India has already managed to `reduce' the $600 million figure being asked by Russia for the 44,570-tonne Gorshkov's year-long sea trials in the Barents Sea slated for 2011-2012.

While most of the trials will still be held in Russia, apart from training of Indian pilots for MiG-29K take-offs and landings from Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, some will now be conducted in Indian waters to cut costs.

Defence minister A K Antony, on his part, told Parliament on Wednesday that "acceptance trials'' for delivery of Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, to India are `expected to be completed' in December 2012.

India, of course, is banking upon Gorshkov for its long-standing aim to have two operational `carrier battle-groups' by 2015 or so, with the other carrier, a 40,000-tonne indigenous warship, being built at Cochin Shipyard.

Incidentally, during a recent visit to Sevmash Shipyard in north Russia where Gorshkov is berthed, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the delay in the carrier's upgradation was `the sole irritant' in Indo-Russian relations.

As first reported by TOI, the new contract for repair and re-equipping of Gorshkov -- for which India has already paid $602 million till now -- will be one of the first big defence procurements to be cleared by UPA-2 towards end-July or early-August.

That will finally bring closure to Gorshkov's controversy-ridden saga, which began in the mid-1990s with Russia offering the second-hand, partly-burnt carrier as "a free gift''. The condition was that India would pay for its refit as well as the MiG-29K fighters to operate from its deck.

The $1.5-billion contract was finally inked in January 2004, with the carrier refit costing $974 million and the rest for 16 MiG-29Ks. Under it, Gorshkov was to be delivered by August 2008.

But then came the shocker. Russia in mid-2007 demanded another $1.2 billion for Gorshkov's refit in addition to the initial $974 million, apart from pushing back its delivery to December 2012, holding that work on it had been "grossly under-estimated'' earlier.

Though after much heart-burn, India eventually agreed, more was to follow. Russia last year said it now wanted $2 billion more for refit, taking the total cost to around $2.9 billion. India, of course, wants the figure down to the $2.2-billion mark.

 

[RPK]

The Hindu : Young World / Newscan : Celebrating the Indian Navy

Warships cruising at breakneck speed, guns firing and shells sizzling into the aquamarine water - the scene seemed straight out of a war film as the Indian Navy conducted an exercise in the Bay of Bengal off the port city of Paradip. Seven ships of the Eastern Fleet - Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa, guided missile destroyer INS Ranjit and five missile corvettes - participated in the exercise recently during the Navy Week celebrations.

During the operation, the warships displayed their manoeuvring skills, including intra-ship coordination, transfer of men and materials from one ship to another and rescue operations during war. There were also high-speed missile shows, underwater replenishment (from INS Jalashwa to two other ships simultaneously), close-range antiaircraft firing exercises and flag-past by naval aircraft and helicopters. The exercise, which showcased the navy's prowess, began with a flag past by combat ships with INS Jalashwa at the centre and the other ships flanking her. This was followed by the landing of Chetak helicopters on the ships and rescue operations.

Not only the men and the machines, communication between warships through the flags waving atop each ship was also demonstrated. A crew of flag hoisters are responsible for getting the message across apart from the wireless phones that ring every now and then. "Every flag has a meaning. There are 69 types of flags to communicate messages. Whether it is fuelling or firing or any type of message we want to communicate to the other ships, we get it across through flags," said Amar Singh, a crewman in the Signal wing of the INS Jalashwa.

---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

India's sole aircraft carrier turns 50 Wednesday

The Indian Navy's lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat will complete 50 years in service Wednesday, a defence official said Monday.

'The navy chief (Admiral Nirmal Verma) will be going to Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday) and he will also be on board the vessel, on the day she turns 50,' said a senior navy official, requesting anonymity.


INS Viraat, which has a crew of 1,500 personnel, has just been given a life-extending re-fit at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, where it was docked for the past year.


The refit has increased the aircraft carrier's sea life with the Indian Navy till 2015.


The 28,000-tonne INS Viraat, the Centaur class aircraft carrier, was originally commissioned in the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes Nov 18, 1959.


The Indian Navy acquired it in 1987 after it had served the Royal Navy for nearly 28 years.


'An extensive refit - with brand new fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved nuclear, biological and chemical protection and deck landing aids - has increased the life of the vessel into the next decade,' the official said.


The aircraft carrier gives the Indian Navy an edge over the Chinese navy, which does not have one.


The Indian Navy's second aircraft carrier - Russian-built Admiral Gorshkov - is expected to be inducted by 2012.


INS Viraat is pivotal to the navy's aim to project India's naval and air power well beyond its shores. It provides operation ground for Sea Harrier combat jets. It can carry up to 18 combat aircraft and is suited for supporting amphibious operations and conducting anti-submarine warfare.

 

[RPK]

Ports to keep Indian Navy updated on ship traffic - Rajkot - City - The Times of India

GANDHINAGAR: As part of the strategy chalked out in collaboration with the Indian Navy, Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is to introduce a Vessels'

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Transportation Monitoring System (VTMS) to make the sea route impenetrable to terrorists or infiltrators.

According to GMB, in a recently held meeting with Maritime States' Development Council in New Delhi, the maritime boards of several coastal states, Coast Guards, state police departments, Customs and shipping ministry officials were asked to work in tandem with the Navy.

After the implementation of VTMS, all ports in the state including the Alang ship-breaking yard will have to maintain records of all incoming and outgoing ships and intimate the Indian Navy of the same.

"As a part of VTMS, a committee with representatives of maritime boards, Coast Guards, police, Customs and shipping officials will soon be set up as a watchdog at ports. In Gujarat, GMB has proposed a Rs 80-crore VTMS project to be accomplished by 2010, which will keep a hawk's eye on movements of any ship in coastal Gujarat, especially near the international maritime border with Pakistan," said a GMB official.

"Apart from ensuring iron curtain security, this system will also be useful in providing data on the development of ports in terms of inflow of international ships," the official explained.

 

[sudhir007]

India’s sole aircraft carrier turns 50 Wednesday IDRW.ORG

India’s sole aircraft carrier turns 50 Wednesday


The Indian Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Viraat will complete 50 years in service Wednesday, a defence official said Monday.

‘The navy chief (Admiral Nirmal Verma) will be going to Mumbai tomorrow (Tuesday) and he will also be on board the vessel, on the day she turns 50,’ said a senior navy official, requesting anonymity.

INS Viraat, which has a crew of 1,500 personnel, has just been given a life-extending re-fit at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd, where it was docked for the past year.

The refit has increased the aircraft carrier’s sea life with the Indian Navy till 2015.

The 28,000-tonne INS Viraat, the Centaur class aircraft carrier, was originally commissioned in the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes Nov 18, 1959.

The Indian Navy acquired it in 1987 after it had served the Royal Navy for nearly 28 years.

‘An extensive refit – with brand new fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved nuclear, biological and chemical protection and deck landing aids – has increased the life of the vessel into the next decade,’ the official said.

The aircraft carrier gives the Indian Navy an edge over the Chinese navy, which does not have one.

The Indian Navy’s second aircraft carrier – Russian-built Admiral Gorshkov – is expected to be inducted by 2012.

INS Viraat is pivotal to the navy’s aim to project India’s naval and air power well beyond its shores. It provides operation ground for Sea Harrier combat jets. It can carry up to 18 combat aircraft and is suited for supporting amphibious operations and conducting anti-submarine warfare.

 

[sudhir007]

India’s N-submarine to be commissioned by Russians IDRW.ORG

India’s N-submarine to be commissioned by Russians

In spite of the delay in acceptance trials due to stormy sea conditions, Russian Navy is going ahead to commission the Indian Navy’s Akula-II class nuclear submarine Nerpa by the year end, a top official said today.

The Nerpa, built by the Amur Shipyard will be delivered on time in December this year,” Governor of Khabarovsk Territory Vyacheslav Shport announced today.

The submarine is due to be handed over to India by March next year on lease.

After its commissioning, the Russian Navy will train Indian Navy personnel on operationalising the submarine which would join the Indian Navy fleet after undergoing user trials.

Earlier, the Director General of Amur Shipyard, located in Komsomolsk-on-Amur city of the Khabarovsk Territory, had said the acceptance trials were postponed for about a week due to rough weather on Pacific Coast.

“December 2009 is the delivery deadline. There are no serious grounds for the delay in state acceptance trials, the normal process of preparations for them is underway. Didn’t left (docks) on November 15, would set sails in coming days,” Governor Shport was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

According to earlier reports after its formal commissioning by the Russian Navy the Nerpa would be rechristened INS Chakra and handed over to India in March next on 10-year lease under the $650 million deal.

 

[brahmastra]

Women ready for war

A long-preserved male bastion in the Indian armed forces is about to fall. On Friday, the Naval Aviation, 56 years after its inception, will for the first time induct women combatant officers in its aviation cadre.

It was more than just a routine flight this Dornier 228 over the Southern Peninsula and back to the naval base in Kochi. Manning it were two lady officers who will be Indian Navy's first ever women Observers of maritime patrol aircraft.

This means Sub Lieutenant Seema Rani Sharma and Ambica Hooda would plan tactics, execute them, fire weapons and could even be in action in the harms way, which so far only the men have been doing.

"I am ready for this. I am well trained and ready to perform out there," Seema said.

Twenty two-year-old Sub Lieutenant Ambica Hooda's father, a retired Army officer in Haryana, wanted her to join the Army. But on Friday, when she would be inducted as Observer in the aviation cadre in the Navy she says her father would be the proudest man.

"My uncle was in the Navy and he had briefed me about this although, I didn't fully know what I would be doing when I pass out. All I knew was that it would be very thrilling and adventurous," she said.

As part of a pilot project, the Navy will induct Observers in its flying branch every six months after a 27-week-long rigorous training. Apart from Seema and Ambica, two male officers will wear the 'wings of gold'.

"Even if there are administrative difficulties, we will hope to keep this alive. The will is there, open-mindedness is there, so I think the path will follow," said Sridhar Warrior, Chief Instructor, Training.

The women may be raring to go, but a lot needs to change for them even in terms of infrastructure. The design of Indian warships at the moment are not women friendly. In fact even at the training camp, renovation work is still going on to ensure that the ladies have facilities like a separate changing rooms.

Some Asian countries like China may have overtaken India even in women power in its defence but India has finally taken the first step.

 

[RPK]

Russia to float out frigate for Indian Navy Nov 27
2009-11-18 08:30:00


, Nov 18 (RIA Novosti) A Russian shipyard will float out the first of three frigates for the Indian Navy Nov 27, a company spokesman said.

The Yantar shipyard in Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad is building three modified Krivak III class (also known as Talwar class) guided missile frigates for the Indian Navy under a $1.6 billion contract signed in July 2006.


'The frigate is due to be floated out Nov 27,' Sergei Mikhailov said Tuesday.


He said sea trials would not start right away because 'post-construction work' was still to be carried out. The trials should start in 2010, he added.


The shipyard is to deliver the last warship to India in 2011-2012.


He did not indicate exactly when the first frigate would be complete and handed over to India.


In an interview with RIA Novosti, Yantar's director Igor Orlov said the shipyard was currently in talks with Russia's Vnesheconombank on 'a $60 million loan to complete the construction of the three frigates for the Indian Navy'.


The Talwar-class frigate has deadweight capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes and a speed of 30 knots, and is capable of accomplishing a wide range of naval missions, primarily hunting down and destroying large surface ships and submarines.


Russia has previously built three Talwar class frigates for India - the INS Talwar, the INS Trishul, and the INS Tabar.


Indian President Pratibha Patil has named the new ships the Teg, the Tarkash, and the Trikand.


All the new frigates will be armed with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles rather than 3M-54E Klub-N anti-ship missiles that were installed on previous frigates.


They will be also equipped with a 100-mm gun, a Shtil surface-to-air missile system, two Kashtan air-defence gun/missile systems, two twin 533-mm torpedo launchers, and an anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

 

[RPK]

Indian Navy to commission its first women navigators

Another male bastion in the Indian Navy will fall Friday when two women will be inducted as navigators in the flying branch, in a way also becoming the first women combatants in the armed forces.



That honour goes to Sub Lieutenants Ambica Hooda of Haryana and Seema Rani Sharma of Uttar Pradesh who will henceforth fly as navigators on the Indian Navy's multi-role Dornier aircraft that are used for transportation and aerial surveillance.

"In the navy the job of a navigator is also that of a combatant as, unlike in the air force, all our fixed wing aircraft can be used for combat purposes. Our Dornier aircraft are also capable of firing," a navy spokesperson said, requesting anonymity.
"This is for the first time that women are being commissioned as navigators in the Indian Navy.
It is a proud moment as both of them have completed their training with flying colours," the spokesperson added.

The navigator’s job is challenging. Apart from keeping track of the aircraft’s position at all times, the navigator's responsibilities include planning the journey, advising the pilot of the estimated timing to destinations while en route and ensuring that weather hazards are avoided.
Hooda and Sharma, both 22-years old, completed a 16 month course at the Naval Academy at Mandovi in Goa and other professional schools of the Indian Navy before landing up at the Observer School at INS Garuda here. The navy terms its navigators as observers.
Speaking to a TV channel, Hooda said the training was difficult initially but she managed.
Sharma said the training was totally professional and she is happy that she will be performing tasks that were hitherto a male preserve.

Earlier this year, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had commissioned Flying Officer Kavita Barala as its first woman navigator. However, she will be flying on non-combatant transport aircraft.
The issue of inducting women into the combatant arms of the military has been generating considerable heat of late. The IAF vice chief, Air Marshal P.K. Barbora had created a storm earlier this week when he said, perhaps in jest, that the force could in the foreseeable future take in women as fighter pilots if they committed not to have children.
Two years ago, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had asked the three service chiefs to examine the question of inducting women in the combat arms. They said it was not feasible at the moment for a variety of reasons.

Women currently can hold permanent commissions only in the Armed Forces Medical Services, where they can serve up to a maximum age of 58 years if they rise to three-star rank. Otherwise, women can only hold short service commissions that enables them to serve a maximum of 14 years in the support arms of the three services.

 

[RPK]

First Indian Navy women aviators take charge


Kochi (Kerala), Nov.20 - ANI: The Indian Navy created history on Friday by inducting two women aviators or combatants into its combat arm, which is happening for the first time in the Indian Armed Forces. Sub-lieutenants Ambica Hooda of Haryana and Seema Rani Sharma of Uttar Pradesh will now serve the nation as naval observers are airborne tacticians on the Indian Navy's multi-role Dornier aircraft, which are used for transportation and aerial surveillance and work at the front line during war situations.

Today, they were awarded wings by Indian Navy in a ceremonial passing out parade at the Naval base in Kochi.

Both are part of the four member officers of the First short service commission observer course out of the total ten officers passing out of 70th Ab-initio Observer Course in Kochi base.

This would be a special occasion as this is the first time that the Navy is inducting ladies into a combat arm. Observers are airborne tacticians who conduct operations, in a military aircraft.

According to Indian Navy Captain Vijesh Kumar Garg, the Commanding Officer of the INS Garuda, it was a proud moment for the Indian navy and specially for the two women who were inducted today as combatants.

The officers qualified for this onerous responsibility after intensive ground and flight training at the Observers School and said that they felt proud on taking the charge.

The Passing Out Parade and award was presented by Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Aviation.

Hooda and Sharma, both 22-years old, completed a 16 month course at the Naval Academy at Mandovi in Goa and in other professional schools of the Indian Navy before landing up at the Observer School at INS Garuda in Kochi. - ANI

 

[marcos98]

Sub Lieutenant Seema Rani Sharma and Sub Lieutenant Ambica Hooda, the Indian Navy's first female aviators, with their Dornier-228, and receiving their wings from Rear Adm Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Naval Aviation.

 

[SU-57E]

NEW Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) The Indian Navy has floated a Request for Information (RFI) for a newer generation of aircraft which can operate from the two indigenous aircraft carriers it will commission over the next 10 years.

The Ministry of Defence and industry sources indicate that the RFI, issued recently, is of a “generic” nature, looking for newer platforms and airborne technologies and what is on offer from some of the well-known manufacturers. The US Boeing and French Dassault have confirmed receipt of the RFI for their respective F18 Super Hornet and Rafale.

The number of newer generation aircraft is yet to be decided.

According to the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, the new generation aircraft will be in addition to the 45 Mig-29Ks the navy is buying from Russia, 16 of which were ordered in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov. The Mig-29K is a modernized naval variant of the Mig-29 operational with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The order for an additional 29 Mig-29Ks is being processed, and is likely to be placed shortly after price negotiations and delivery schedule are worked out.

There should be no delay from Russia on the supply of the Mig-29Ks although it has delayed the delivery of Gorshkov by four years and is also demanding an extra $1.2 billion over and above the contract price of $974 million. The old carrier was given free and the price was for repairing and refurbishing the vessel which was damaged in an onboard fire accident.

The Super Hornet, a successor of the earlier Hornet, was introduced in 1998 for the US Navy while Rafale, a successor of the old Mirage 2005, has both air force and naval versions already operational. Both these aircraft are also competing for the nearly 200 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement of the Indian Air Force.

Eurofighter Vice President and Head of India Campaign Directorate Dr Matthias Schmidlin told India Strategic that while he could not confirm receipt of the RFI for the naval variant of Eurofighter, his company would bid for the Indian Navy’s requirement if invited.

In fact, he pointed out, Eurofighter is the only aircraft among the six contenders for the IAF order which would have thrust vectoring capability in the coming years. Thrust vectoring capability allows an aircraft to stand still in the air, and takeoff and land even in vertical mode like a helicopter.

Some 200 Eurofighters have been produced so far, predominantly to meet the requirements of participating nations which include Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Thrust vectoring is being developed and would be operational on Eurofighters within the first half of the next decade, Dr Schmidlin said.

Harrier, which India bought in the late 1970s from Britain, was the first aircraft with thrust vectoring. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), being developed by Lockheed Martin for US Air Force and Navy for the coming years, will have this capability.

Besides Boeing, Dassault and Eurofighter, the other contenders in the IAF competition are Mig-35 (a newer version of Mig-29), Gripen from Sweden and F 16 Viper IN (US Lockheed Martin).

The Indian naval brass is reportedly only doing a bit of loud thinking on its new requirement, but if it formally opens the competition in the coming years, it would add a new dimension to the IAF’s ongoing contest.

IAF’s Request for Proposals (or tenders), is for a firm order for 126 aircraft and for 63 more as an option at the same price. Given the continuing fall in the number of IAF squadrons due to the obsolescence of its largely Soviet-vintage aircraft, a repeat order for at least 100 more MRCAs is likely.

If the Indian Navy chooses the same aircraft, then it would be a bonus for the supplier, and also for HAL, which would be the lead integrator for Transfer of Technology (ToT) and 50 percent offset mandatory in the RfP.

Procedurally, the Navy would also find it easier to buy the same aircraft without opening an international competition, as it would be a follow-on order requiring no multi-vendor bid.

The Indian Navy has one small aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, which has recently been refitted and modernized for life-extension. There are a dozen old Harriers to operate from its deck, while Gorshkov will be available in 2012 or 2013.

Notably, Gorshkov is a 44,000-tonne carrier while India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, being built at Kochi, will only have about 37,000-tonne displacement. The second carrier, already sanctioned by the government, could be modified to be a little bigger.

Both these carriers are being designed by Italy’s Fincantieri.

It may also be noted that both Eurofighter and Rafale are smaller in size than the F 18 Super Hornet, which operate from very large US aircraft carriers floating in all the oceans.

But Boeing IDS’ Head for India, Dr Vivek Lall, told India Strategic that Boeing had done a computer simulation to verify that the Super Hornet could operate from Gorshkov and Indian carriers as and when they are commissioned.



Indian Navy keen to buy newer generation aircraft

 

[sancho]

NEW Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) The Indian Navy has floated a Request for Information (RFI) for a newer generation of aircraft which can operate from the two indigenous aircraft carriers it will commission over the next 10 years.

The Ministry of Defence and industry sources indicate that the RFI, issued recently, is of a “generic” nature, looking for newer platforms and airborne technologies and what is on offer from some of the well-known manufacturers. The US Boeing and French Dassault have confirmed receipt of the RFI for their respective F18 Super Hornet and Rafale.

The number of newer generation aircraft is yet to be decided.

According to the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, the new generation aircraft will be in addition to the 45 Mig-29Ks the navy is buying from Russia, 16 of which were ordered in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov. The Mig-29K is a modernized naval variant of the Mig-29 operational with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The order for an additional 29 Mig-29Ks is being processed, and is likely to be placed shortly after price negotiations and delivery schedule are worked out.

There should be no delay from Russia on the supply of the Mig-29Ks although it has delayed the delivery of Gorshkov by four years and is also demanding an extra $1.2 billion over and above the contract price of $974 million. The old carrier was given free and the price was for repairing and refurbishing the vessel which was damaged in an onboard fire accident.

The Super Hornet, a successor of the earlier Hornet, was introduced in 1998 for the US Navy while Rafale, a successor of the old Mirage 2005, has both air force and naval versions already operational. Both these aircraft are also competing for the nearly 200 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement of the Indian Air Force.

Eurofighter Vice President and Head of India Campaign Directorate Dr Matthias Schmidlin told India Strategic that while he could not confirm receipt of the RFI for the naval variant of Eurofighter, his company would bid for the Indian Navy’s requirement if invited.

In fact, he pointed out, Eurofighter is the only aircraft among the six contenders for the IAF order which would have thrust vectoring capability in the coming years. Thrust vectoring capability allows an aircraft to stand still in the air, and takeoff and land even in vertical mode like a helicopter.

Some 200 Eurofighters have been produced so far, predominantly to meet the requirements of participating nations which include Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Thrust vectoring is being developed and would be operational on Eurofighters within the first half of the next decade, Dr Schmidlin said.

Harrier, which India bought in the late 1970s from Britain, was the first aircraft with thrust vectoring. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), being developed by Lockheed Martin for US Air Force and Navy for the coming years, will have this capability.

Besides Boeing, Dassault and Eurofighter, the other contenders in the IAF competition are Mig-35 (a newer version of Mig-29), Gripen from Sweden and F 16 Viper IN (US Lockheed Martin).

The Indian naval brass is reportedly only doing a bit of loud thinking on its new requirement, but if it formally opens the competition in the coming years, it would add a new dimension to the IAF’s ongoing contest.

IAF’s Request for Proposals (or tenders), is for a firm order for 126 aircraft and for 63 more as an option at the same price. Given the continuing fall in the number of IAF squadrons due to the obsolescence of its largely Soviet-vintage aircraft, a repeat order for at least 100 more MRCAs is likely.

If the Indian Navy chooses the same aircraft, then it would be a bonus for the supplier, and also for HAL, which would be the lead integrator for Transfer of Technology (ToT) and 50 percent offset mandatory in the RfP.

Procedurally, the Navy would also find it easier to buy the same aircraft without opening an international competition, as it would be a follow-on order requiring no multi-vendor bid.

The Indian Navy has one small aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, which has recently been refitted and modernized for life-extension. There are a dozen old Harriers to operate from its deck, while Gorshkov will be available in 2012 or 2013.

Notably, Gorshkov is a 44,000-tonne carrier while India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, being built at Kochi, will only have about 37,000-tonne displacement. The second carrier, already sanctioned by the government, could be modified to be a little bigger.

Both these carriers are being designed by Italy’s Fincantieri.

It may also be noted that both Eurofighter and Rafale are smaller in size than the F 18 Super Hornet, which operate from very large US aircraft carriers floating in all the oceans.

But Boeing IDS’ Head for India, Dr Vivek Lall, told India Strategic that Boeing had done a computer simulation to verify that the Super Hornet could operate from Gorshkov and Indian carriers as and when they are commissioned.



Indian Navy keen to buy newer generation aircraft

I'm sorry but the whole article is BS! Take off and landing vertically with TVC? If IN orders a full set of Mig 29K for both carriers (30 - 45 fighters), where is the sense of order more newer fighters? EF the only fighter with TVC, what about Mig 35?
Whoever made this article had no idea what he is talking about, that is clear!

 

[gogbot]

NEW Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) The Indian Navy has floated a Request for Information (RFI) for a newer generation of aircraft which can operate from the two indigenous aircraft carriers it will commission over the next 10 years.

The Ministry of Defence and industry sources indicate that the RFI, issued recently, is of a “generic” nature, looking for newer platforms and airborne technologies and what is on offer from some of the well-known manufacturers. The US Boeing and French Dassault have confirmed receipt of the RFI for their respective F18 Super Hornet and Rafale.

The number of newer generation aircraft is yet to be decided.

According to the coming issue of India Strategic defence magazine, the new generation aircraft will be in addition to the 45 Mig-29Ks the navy is buying from Russia, 16 of which were ordered in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov. The Mig-29K is a modernized naval variant of the Mig-29 operational with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The order for an additional 29 Mig-29Ks is being processed, and is likely to be placed shortly after price negotiations and delivery schedule are worked out.

There should be no delay from Russia on the supply of the Mig-29Ks although it has delayed the delivery of Gorshkov by four years and is also demanding an extra $1.2 billion over and above the contract price of $974 million. The old carrier was given free and the price was for repairing and refurbishing the vessel which was damaged in an onboard fire accident.

The Super Hornet, a successor of the earlier Hornet, was introduced in 1998 for the US Navy while Rafale, a successor of the old Mirage 2005, has both air force and naval versions already operational. Both these aircraft are also competing for the nearly 200 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) requirement of the Indian Air Force.

Eurofighter Vice President and Head of India Campaign Directorate Dr Matthias Schmidlin told India Strategic that while he could not confirm receipt of the RFI for the naval variant of Eurofighter, his company would bid for the Indian Navy’s requirement if invited.

In fact, he pointed out, Eurofighter is the only aircraft among the six contenders for the IAF order which would have thrust vectoring capability in the coming years. Thrust vectoring capability allows an aircraft to stand still in the air, and takeoff and land even in vertical mode like a helicopter.

Some 200 Eurofighters have been produced so far, predominantly to meet the requirements of participating nations which include Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy.

Thrust vectoring is being developed and would be operational on Eurofighters within the first half of the next decade, Dr Schmidlin said.

Harrier, which India bought in the late 1970s from Britain, was the first aircraft with thrust vectoring. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), being developed by Lockheed Martin for US Air Force and Navy for the coming years, will have this capability.

Besides Boeing, Dassault and Eurofighter, the other contenders in the IAF competition are Mig-35 (a newer version of Mig-29), Gripen from Sweden and F 16 Viper IN (US Lockheed Martin).

The Indian naval brass is reportedly only doing a bit of loud thinking on its new requirement, but if it formally opens the competition in the coming years, it would add a new dimension to the IAF’s ongoing contest.

IAF’s Request for Proposals (or tenders), is for a firm order for 126 aircraft and for 63 more as an option at the same price. Given the continuing fall in the number of IAF squadrons due to the obsolescence of its largely Soviet-vintage aircraft, a repeat order for at least 100 more MRCAs is likely.

If the Indian Navy chooses the same aircraft, then it would be a bonus for the supplier, and also for HAL, which would be the lead integrator for Transfer of Technology (ToT) and 50 percent offset mandatory in the RfP.

Procedurally, the Navy would also find it easier to buy the same aircraft without opening an international competition, as it would be a follow-on order requiring no multi-vendor bid.

The Indian Navy has one small aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, which has recently been refitted and modernized for life-extension. There are a dozen old Harriers to operate from its deck, while Gorshkov will be available in 2012 or 2013.

Notably, Gorshkov is a 44,000-tonne carrier while India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, being built at Kochi, will only have about 37,000-tonne displacement. The second carrier, already sanctioned by the government, could be modified to be a little bigger.

Both these carriers are being designed by Italy’s Fincantieri.

It may also be noted that both Eurofighter and Rafale are smaller in size than the F 18 Super Hornet, which operate from very large US aircraft carriers floating in all the oceans.

But Boeing IDS’ Head for India, Dr Vivek Lall, told India Strategic that Boeing had done a computer simulation to verify that the Super Hornet could operate from Gorshkov and Indian carriers as and when they are commissioned.



Indian Navy keen to buy newer generation aircraft

I agree with Sancho, who ever wrote this article has very little idea on whats going on.

The Indian Navy announced long back its interest in the F-35-B for its carriers.

The only reason i could see for the IN to pay for new fighters.
Is due to the MMRCA deal, and the cost effective benefits it would have if the IN and IAF choose the Same plane.

But between the Mig and Tejas there realy isnt any room on our carrier for a third aircraft. with clear benefit.

The only reason i can see is that IN is just testing the waters so to speak for options on what planed to get IF the British sell their brand new carrier (CFV).

 

[SU-57E]

or maybe IN is serious about the british carrier.
feel free to disagree..............

 

[RPK]

Navy augments anti piracy efforts deploys one more ship to patrol off Seychelles and Mauritius

The Indian Navy has deployed INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel with a Chetak helicopter and Marine Commandos, for the surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone of Seychelles and Mauritius from end Nov till early Jan 2010. Savitri will be deployed in close coordination with the ships and aircraft of Seychelles Coast Guard and the Mauritian National Coast Guard. The presence of this ship will help in deterring piracy in these areas.

Over the past few years, incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Aden have increased considerably. More than 174 piracy attempts, involving ships of various nationalities have taken place in the last one year in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. To deter, dissuade and prevent hijackings in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy has deployed one warship continuously in the Gulf of Aden since 23rd Oct 2008. Indian Navy ships have established an enviable reputation in the area and have deterred pirates from hijacking merchant ships on numerous occasions.

As a result of the effectiveness of warship patrols and escorts in the Gulf of Aden, pirates have shifted their attention to the area East of Somalia, also referred to as the Somalia Basin and to the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Seychelles and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Some of these attacks have taken place nearly 1900 kms from the Somali Coast, making these waters dangerous for all sea farers, thereby seriously affecting the safety of International trade and commerce transiting through these waters.