Indian Navy News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
12-October, 2017 17:38 IST
Dilli Seminar 2017 Edition Commences at Indian Naval Academy

1. The 2017 edition of the annual Dilli seminar on ‘India and Southeast Asia – Maritime Trade, Expedition and Civilisation Linkages’ commenced this morning at the Indian Naval Academy (INA). Vice Admiral Anup Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd), Advisor Naval History Project to Integrated Headquarter Ministry of Defence (Navy) and former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command delivered the keynote address in the inaugural session. The two day seminar is being attended by a large delegation of serving senior Naval and Coast Guard officers, eminent academicians, distinguished luminaries, representatives from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and cadets of INA.

2. The seminar proceedings commenced with an introductory movie on the theme of the seminar followed by an opening address by Vice Admiral SV Bhokare, AVSM, YSM, NM, Commandant, INA. Vice Admiral Anup Singh (Retd) in his inaugural session deliberated that the peninsular geography of our country facilitated links of commerce, culture, and comity with our extended neighbourhood. Prof (Dr) Ruby Maloni, Head of History Department, University of Mumbai, deliberated on how Gujarati mercantile and maritime activity played a significant role in the formation of intricate patterns of trade practices, traditions and routes operating in the Indian Ocean in her paper ‘Maritime Commercial Connections between Gujrat and Southeast Asia in the early modern period’.

3. The cadets and distinguished audience present during the seminar were visibly influenced by the papers that were presented during the first day. The five papers that were presented on the inaugural day largely elucidated and provided a detailed insight on the impact of historic maritime trade that existed between India and Southeast Asian countries on their society, religion, spirituality, art, architecture, language, literature, administration and other areas of civilization.

4. On the concluding day of the two day seminar tomorrow, Friday, 13 October 2017, Prof Ajay Pratap Singh, Head of Department, History and Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, would deliberate on the ‘Economic background to India’s early maritime trade, Mr Kailash Negi, Deputy Inspector General, Indian Coast Guard will deliver a paper on the topic ‘Look East to Act East policy of India – Vision and Prospectus’ and a syndicate of cadets of INA would present a paper on ‘The Chola Naval Fleet – Shipbuilding, Navigation and Maritime Campaigns’

5. The Dilli seminar 2017 edition, continues to serve its purpose of apprising the Indian Naval Academy cadets about the rich maritime history and heritage of the nation and promises to remain prominent in the calendar of maritime history studies / seminars of the country.

***********

Ministry of Defence
12-October, 2017 14:40 IST
Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt visit Sasebo, Japan

In pursuance of India’s Act East Policy and demonstration of India’s commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region, Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmatt are visiting Sasebo, Japan from 12th to 15th October 2017. The visit of these ships is part the Indian Government’s initiatives to strengthen the long standing, mutually supportive and strong relationship between Japan and India. This historic relationship spans across the entire spectrum of engagement between both countries – cultural, spiritual, economic and security.

The visiting Indian Naval ships will engage with the JMSDF in formal calls, as also professional, social and sporting interactions. After completion of the harbour phase, the ships will take part in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Murusame Class destroyer, JS Kirisame.

Since the first ‘Navy to Navy Staff Talks’ between the two nations in November 2008, naval ties have reached new heights with bilateral and multilateral exercises and enhanced cooperation in information sharing, meteorology and oceanography, disaster management and military training. The defence and security interaction between both countries has since expanded to encompass a Defence Policy Dialogue and a Maritime Affairs Dialogue.

Regular bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises have been the foundation for strong naval relations. The erstwhile Japan – India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) led to Japan participating in the ‘MALABAR’ exercise (a tripartite naval exercise between India, the US and Japan) since 2014. JMSDF Ships Izumo and Sazanami participated in the recently concluded edition of ExMALABAR off Chennai. Both navies have participated in each other’s International Fleet Reviews (IFR) by deputing ships and high level delegations – while INS Sahyadri participated in the IFR at Yokosuka in October 2015, JS Matsuyuki participated in the IFR at Visakhapatnam in February 2016.

The Indian Navy and JMSDF also have strong bilateral defence training cooperation, including at very senior levels. Further, in order to enhance interoperability and understanding, seminars and short term exchange programs are conducted regularly in both countries with participation from both navies. This exchange has expanded to sporting interaction in the form of JMSDF participation in the annual international Admiral’s Cup Regatta at the Indian Naval Academy for the first time in 2016. India looks forward to continued participation from the JMSDF and an invitation has been extended for the 2017 edition as well.

Both navies look forward to enhanced cooperation in the fields of military technology, white shipping, training, intelligence sharing, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and exchange of subject matter experts in various fields. With relations between both countries at an all time high and more avenues under consideration, the future looks promising with safer sea lanes and highly modernised navies helping in fulfilling each other’s obligations.

Indian Ships Visit Singapore. INS Satpura and INS Kamorta

Indian Navy commissions INS Satpura, its 2nd stealth warship

Indian Navy's world-class warship INS Satpura (F48

'Indigenously' produced warship INS Kadmatt

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
13-October, 2017 17:35 IST
Fourth Edition of Dilli Seminar Concludes at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

1. The fourth edition of the Dill’ Seminar on “India and Southeast Asia – Maritime Trade, Expedition and Civilisation Linkages” concluded today, Friday, 13 October 2017 at the Indian Naval Academy (INA). Ten papers were presented during the seminar, covering various topics like 'India and Southeast Asia: Echoes of Memories’, ‘Indian Shipping and maritime trade in 16thand 17th century Southeast Asia’ and ‘Tectonic shifts in Geopolitics of Asia-Pacific’ and ‘The economic background to India’s early maritime trade’ on the first day.

2. Today’s sessions largely dwelt with the Socio-Cultural Exchanges between India and Southeast Asian countries, Look and Act East policy of India in the developing Geo-political context and Maritime military campaigns to and from Southeast Asia. The seminar proceedings had kick started with a mesmerizing and insightful keynote address by Vice Admiral Anup Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retd), Advisor Naval History Project to Integrated Headquarter Ministry of Defence (Navy) and former Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.


3. The two day seminar was attended by large delegation of serving senior Naval and Coast Guard officers, eminent academicians from the field of Maritime History like Prof (Dr) Srikanth Kondapalli, Prof (Dr) La Na Swamy, Prof Priyadarsi Mukherji, Prof Ajay Pratap Singh, Prof Binda Paranjape and Prof (Dr) Ruby Maloni, representatives from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and cadets of the INA.

4. Rear Admiral MD Suresh, NM, Deputy Commandant and Chief instructor, INA delivered the closing address and thanked all paper presenters, chairpersons, and eminent academicians and luminaries present, for the intellectually enriching experience provided to the audience and especially to INA cadets through high quality deliberations on the subject. He also advised cadets present to consider the inputs as nuggets which need to be built upon with future research and study on these important region.

5. The Indian Naval Academy christened the Annual Seminar as the ‘Dilli’ series after MountDilli located at Ezhimala, which has been a witness to the developments of the maritime history of the region. The lighthouse insignia reflects the need to ‘look back to see forward’. The initiative taken by the INA, as the center for “Shaping Future Naval Leadership”, has been an enriching experience and the ‘Dilli’ series promises to become an important event in the calendar of maritime history studies of the country.

DKS/ RGA

 

[Hindustani78]

Blue power: The nuclear-powered INS Arihant is seen off Visakhapatnam in this file photo.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-bigger-nuclear-submarine-is-coming/article19862549.ece

NEW DELHI, October 14, 2017 20:55 IST
Updated: October 15, 2017 07:14 IST

After INS Aridhaman, focus will be on more potent version.

India’s second strategic nuclear submarine Aridhaman is just a few weeks from sea launch. But raising ambitions for the Navy’s capability, there are plans to build a bigger and more potent version of the indigenous nuclear submarine in the immediate future, say sources.

That leap for India’s ballistic nuclear submarine capabilities would come with the fourth submarine planned in the same class, named S4-Star. It would have a stronger weapons configuration integrated into an extra compartment that would be added to Arihant’s original design.

On the Aridhaman, sources said the “final checks are under way. All the three modules have been integrated. It is likely to be launched in late November,” an official source told The Hindu. Another source said a November launch may be difficult, but “in December, it will definitely be in the sea.”

Fuel loading in the nuclear reactor for Aridhaman was completed in January, but it would go critical only much later after initial sea trials. Once launched, the submarine will be put to extensive harbour and sea trials, before being formally commissioned in the next couple of years.

The indigenously built second nuclear submarine will add to India’s growing nuclear capabilities, in the face of the new strategic realities of the region, including the assertive Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean.

Last October, India commissioned its first Ballistic Nuclear Submarine, INS Arihant. The vessel, weighing 6,000 tonnes, is powered by an 83 MW pressurised light water nuclear reactor.

Aridhaman, of the Arihant class, will carry several new pieces of equipment including new-generation sensors and periscope, compared to the first ship.

Construction of the third submarine of the same class is under way in four different parts, and could be completed approximately in a year. This would also be of the same size as Arihant and Aridhaman, but possess more advanced weapons and sensors. The third submarine is planned for launch in late 2018.

As soon as Aridhaman is launched, the final integration of the third submarine will begin in Visakhapatnam, it is learnt.

Indigenous capability

The project to build a strategic nuclear submarine to carry nuclear missiles began as the Advanced Technology Vessel project in the 1980s, and the vessel project was launched in 2009 by Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Arihant, which can carry nuclear tipped ballistic missiles, is of the ship submersible ballistic nuclear class.

 

[GuardianRED]

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
16-October, 2017 14:41 IST
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Commissions INS kiltan ASW stealth corvette

INS Kiltan (P30), third Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam today, 16 October 2017. Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral VK Saxena (Retd), CMD, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Kolkata (GRSE), Kolkata, Commodore MB Kunte (Retd) first Commanding Officer of erstwhile Kiltan and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony. The event marked the formal commissioning into the Navy of the third of the four ASW Corvettes, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Kolkata.

On arrival at the Naval Jetty, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman was received by Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri was presented with a Guard of Honour and was introduced to the dignitaries’ present prior commencement of commissioning ceremony.

Welcoming the gathering, Admiral Sunil Lanba stated that this commissioning marks yet another milestone in our journey of indigenous warship building. The Indian Navy is deeply committed to the principle of indigenisation and the Government’s thrust on ‘Make in India’. Commissioning of four ships in the last year, all built in Indian shipyards, is a testimony of our resolve. Our commitment to indigenisation also assumes special significance as we have steadily broadened our indigenisation efforts beyond ship building. We have achieved considerable success with indigenous sonars such as Abhay and HUMSA-NG as well as weapons such as Varunastra and BrahMos. These achievements are a result of the Indian Navy’s proactive and integrated approach to achieve self-reliance said the Admiral.

.This was followed by reading out the Commissioning Warrant of the Ship by the Commanding Officer, Commander Naushad Ali Khan. Subsequently, hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and ‘Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant’ with the National Anthem being played marked the completion of the Commissioning Ceremony.

During her address post commissioning of INS Kiltan, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the Indian Navy, M/s. GRSE, other Indian PSUs and a host of small and medium scale industries, which have contributed towards building this fine ship. She emphasised that the Navy’s relentless pursuit of self-reliance through indigenisation is highly appreciable and this has helped the Indian Navy to seamlessly transform from a Buyer’s to a Builder’s Navy. She highlighted that the addition of INS Kiltan to the naval fleet is a reaffirmation of this transformation. She further exhorted that we need to benchmark our shipbuilding practices to international best practices and produce quality ships in a shorter time frame and at competitive costs. She further stated that the Government fully appreciates the nation’s defence requirements and requisite finances for the Armed Forces and Defence industry would be made available for the modernisation and development plans of the Navy. The Raksha Mantri later unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and dedicated the ship to the nation.

Regarded as a very prestigious acquisition, INS Kiltan is one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India. The ship’s keel of was laid on 10 August 2010 and launched on 26 March 2013. Her maiden sea trials commenced on 06 May 2017 and finally was handed over to the Indian Navy by GRSE on 14 October 2017. The sleek and magnificent ship is propelled by ‘Combination of Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)’ propulsion system of four diesel engines to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots and has an endurance of around 3,500 Nautical Miles.

The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved by X-form of hull and superstructure along with optimally sloped surfaces. The very low under water acoustic signature makes it a ‘silent killer on the prowl’. This has been achieved by using advanced techniques for propeller design and mountings of main machinery. The ship’s advanced stealth features make her less susceptible to detection by the enemy and help in effective employment of soft kill measure like the Chaff.

More than 80 % of the ship is indigenous with state of the art equipment & systems to fight in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. Also, P-28 weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation’s growing capability in this niche area. INS Kiltan is the first major warship with superstructure entirely of composite material.

Weapons and Sensors have been installed/ interfaced on this composite superstructure for the first time on a major warship. Composite superstructure fitted on INS Kiltan ushers the usage of advanced engineering materials on Indian Naval warships with significant improvement in weight and stability parameters.

Apart from her integral ASW capable helicopter, the formidable array of weapons include heavy weight torpedoes, ASW rockets, 76 mm caliber Medium Range gun and two multi-barrel 30 mm guns as Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems. She is also fitted with indigenous missile decoy rockets (Chaff) and advanced ESM (Electronic Support Measure) system to detect and map enemy transmissions and direction finder equipment. The ship boasts of a highly advanced Combat Management System and a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System.

The ship gets her name from old INS Kiltan (P79), a Petya class ASW ship that served the nation for 18 years before being decommissioned in June 1987. Named after the coral island belonging to the Lakshadweep group of islands in India, the ship has a total complement of 15 officers and 180 sailors. The sleek and magnificent ship spans 109 meters in length, 14 meters in breadth with a displacement of 3,300 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent Anti Submarine Warships to have been constructed in India.

With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kiltan will augment the Indian Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility whilst proudly flying the Indian Flag. The ship is manned by a team comprising 13 officers and 178 sailors with Commander Naushad Ali Khan at the helm as her first Commanding Officer. The commissioning of Kiltan will add a new dimension to the ASW capability of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Fleet in particular. The multifarious missions that can be undertaken by the ship truly reflect the enhanced multi-dimensional capability of the Indian Navy.

DKS/ CGR
(Release ID :171743)

Ministry of Steel
16-October, 2017 17:42 IST
SAIL supplieds special grade steel for INS Kiltan

Partnering nation’s ‘Make in India’ drive, Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) has supplied defence grade DMR 249A steel plates for the indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette INS – Kiltan which was commissioned today into Indian Navy. It is the third of the four indigenously built AWS stealth corvettes under project 28 (Kamorta class) to join Indian Navy after sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt. SAIL’s integrated functioning across all its Plants has again successfully supplied the required quantity of steel for this significant project. Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has congratulated SAIL for this feat.

DMR 249A is a low carbon micro-alloyed grade of steel with stringent toughness requirement at sub-zero temperature. SAIL developed this warship grade steel Plates for Indian Navy in collaboration with Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad. SAIL has been supplying steel for Defence sector for a long time and its steel has been used in various other prestigious ship building projects. So far SAIL has supplied more than 50000 Metric Tonnes of DMR 249A defence grade steel for Naval Ships against various requirements.

******

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman unveiling the Ship’s Plaque, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman walking around the ship, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman walking around the ship, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

 

[nang2]

Ministry of Defence
16-October, 2017 14:41 IST
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Commissions INS kiltan ASW stealth corvette

INS Kiltan (P30), third Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam today, 16 October 2017. Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral VK Saxena (Retd), CMD, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Kolkata (GRSE), Kolkata, Commodore MB Kunte (Retd) first Commanding Officer of erstwhile Kiltan and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony. The event marked the formal commissioning into the Navy of the third of the four ASW Corvettes, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Kolkata.

On arrival at the Naval Jetty, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman was received by Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri was presented with a Guard of Honour and was introduced to the dignitaries’ present prior commencement of commissioning ceremony.

Welcoming the gathering, Admiral Sunil Lanba stated that this commissioning marks yet another milestone in our journey of indigenous warship building. The Indian Navy is deeply committed to the principle of indigenisation and the Government’s thrust on ‘Make in India’. Commissioning of four ships in the last year, all built in Indian shipyards, is a testimony of our resolve. Our commitment to indigenisation also assumes special significance as we have steadily broadened our indigenisation efforts beyond ship building. We have achieved considerable success with indigenous sonars such as Abhay and HUMSA-NG as well as weapons such as Varunastra and BrahMos. These achievements are a result of the Indian Navy’s proactive and integrated approach to achieve self-reliance said the Admiral.

.This was followed by reading out the Commissioning Warrant of the Ship by the Commanding Officer, Commander Naushad Ali Khan. Subsequently, hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and ‘Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant’ with the National Anthem being played marked the completion of the Commissioning Ceremony.

During her address post commissioning of INS Kiltan, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the Indian Navy, M/s. GRSE, other Indian PSUs and a host of small and medium scale industries, which have contributed towards building this fine ship. She emphasised that the Navy’s relentless pursuit of self-reliance through indigenisation is highly appreciable and this has helped the Indian Navy to seamlessly transform from a Buyer’s to a Builder’s Navy. She highlighted that the addition of INS Kiltan to the naval fleet is a reaffirmation of this transformation. She further exhorted that we need to benchmark our shipbuilding practices to international best practices and produce quality ships in a shorter time frame and at competitive costs. She further stated that the Government fully appreciates the nation’s defence requirements and requisite finances for the Armed Forces and Defence industry would be made available for the modernisation and development plans of the Navy. The Raksha Mantri later unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and dedicated the ship to the nation.

Regarded as a very prestigious acquisition, INS Kiltan is one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India. The ship’s keel of was laid on 10 August 2010 and launched on 26 March 2013. Her maiden sea trials commenced on 06 May 2017 and finally was handed over to the Indian Navy by GRSE on 14 October 2017. The sleek and magnificent ship is propelled by ‘Combination of Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)’ propulsion system of four diesel engines to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots and has an endurance of around 3,500 Nautical Miles.

The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved by X-form of hull and superstructure along with optimally sloped surfaces. The very low under water acoustic signature makes it a ‘silent killer on the prowl’. This has been achieved by using advanced techniques for propeller design and mountings of main machinery. The ship’s advanced stealth features make her less susceptible to detection by the enemy and help in effective employment of soft kill measure like the Chaff.

More than 80 % of the ship is indigenous with state of the art equipment & systems to fight in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. Also, P-28 weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation’s growing capability in this niche area. INS Kiltan is the first major warship with superstructure entirely of composite material.

Weapons and Sensors have been installed/ interfaced on this composite superstructure for the first time on a major warship. Composite superstructure fitted on INS Kiltan ushers the usage of advanced engineering materials on Indian Naval warships with significant improvement in weight and stability parameters.

Apart from her integral ASW capable helicopter, the formidable array of weapons include heavy weight torpedoes, ASW rockets, 76 mm caliber Medium Range gun and two multi-barrel 30 mm guns as Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems. She is also fitted with indigenous missile decoy rockets (Chaff) and advanced ESM (Electronic Support Measure) system to detect and map enemy transmissions and direction finder equipment. The ship boasts of a highly advanced Combat Management System and a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System.

The ship gets her name from old INS Kiltan (P79), a Petya class ASW ship that served the nation for 18 years before being decommissioned in June 1987. Named after the coral island belonging to the Lakshadweep group of islands in India, the ship has a total complement of 15 officers and 180 sailors. The sleek and magnificent ship spans 109 meters in length, 14 meters in breadth with a displacement of 3,300 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent Anti Submarine Warships to have been constructed in India.

With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kiltan will augment the Indian Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility whilst proudly flying the Indian Flag. The ship is manned by a team comprising 13 officers and 178 sailors with Commander Naushad Ali Khan at the helm as her first Commanding Officer. The commissioning of Kiltan will add a new dimension to the ASW capability of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Fleet in particular. The multifarious missions that can be undertaken by the ship truly reflect the enhanced multi-dimensional capability of the Indian Navy.

DKS/ CGR
(Release ID :171743)

Ministry of Steel
16-October, 2017 17:42 IST
SAIL supplieds special grade steel for INS Kiltan

Partnering nation’s ‘Make in India’ drive, Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) has supplied defence grade DMR 249A steel plates for the indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette INS – Kiltan which was commissioned today into Indian Navy. It is the third of the four indigenously built AWS stealth corvettes under project 28 (Kamorta class) to join Indian Navy after sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt. SAIL’s integrated functioning across all its Plants has again successfully supplied the required quantity of steel for this significant project. Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh has congratulated SAIL for this feat.

DMR 249A is a low carbon micro-alloyed grade of steel with stringent toughness requirement at sub-zero temperature. SAIL developed this warship grade steel Plates for Indian Navy in collaboration with Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad. SAIL has been supplying steel for Defence sector for a long time and its steel has been used in various other prestigious ship building projects. So far SAIL has supplied more than 50000 Metric Tonnes of DMR 249A defence grade steel for Naval Ships against various requirements.

******

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman unveiling the Ship’s Plaque, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman walking around the ship, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman walking around the ship, at the commissioning ceremony of INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 16, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

That is one BIG corvette. About the same size as F22p frigate.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-ins-kiltan/article19870295.ece?homepage=true

Indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes INS Kiltan under Project 28 (Kamorta-class) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in Visakhapatnam on Monday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday commissioned the indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) stealth corvette INS Kiltan at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

INS Kiltan is the latest indigenous warship after the Shivalik class, Kolkata class and sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt to have joined the Indian Navy’s arsenal wherein a plethora of weapons and sensors have been integrated to provide a Common Operational Picture (COP), an official release said.

It is India’s first major warship to have a superstructure made of carbon-fibre composite material, resulting in improved stealth features, lower top weight and reduced maintenance costs, it said.

“INS Kiltan strengthens our defence system and will be a shining armour in our ‘Make in India’ programme as it is totally built here,” Ms. Sitharaman said on the occasion.

The stealth corvette has been designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house body, the Directorate of Naval Design, under Project 28 (Kamorta-class).

INS Kiltan is also the first major warship to have undertaken sea trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project and is ready to be operationally deployed on the day of joining the Indian Navy.

It will, in the future, also be equipped with a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and carry an integral ASW helicopter.

According to a Navy statement released previously, this is the third of the four Kamorta-class corvettes being built under Project 28.

The ship hosts predominantly indigenous cutting-edge weapons and a sensors suite, which includes heavyweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, 76-mm-calibre Medium-Range guns, and two multi-barrel 30-mm guns as a close-in-weapon system (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems, missile decoy rockets (chaff), an advanced Electronic Support Measure system, a most advanced bow-mounted sonar, and an air surveillance radar called Revathi, it said.

The ship derives its name from one of the islands in the Aminidivi group of the strategically located Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands.

***********
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...earch-for-missing-indians/article19869827.ece

Cargo Ship MV Emerald Star sank in the Pacific off Japan on October 13
The Indian Navy has dispatched a P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Manila to undertake a Search and Rescue (SAR) for missing sailors of a merchant vessel that sank off the coast of Philippines.

“One P-8I took off at 23:45hrs on October 15 for Manila to search for missing sailors of MV Emerald Star which sank North East of Philippines. The aircraft will land by 09:00 local time (0100 UTC) and will start Search and Rescue straightaway,” a Navy officer said on Monday.

The aircraft is carrying two SAR kits that contain a 10-men inflatable dinghy, emergency food and water supply onboard which can be dropped near the survivors.

India has been positioning itself as the primary responder to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions in the region.

**********

INS Kiltan was commissioned into the Navy by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, on Monday. Special arrangement

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/all-you-need-to-know-about-ins-kiltan/article19870323.ece

INS Kiltan is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation.
INS Kiltan is an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette that will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday.

This is the third of the four Kamorta-class corvettes being built under Project 28. The Kamorta-class corvettes are a class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy.

With a displacement of 3,500 tonnes, the ship spans 109 metres in length and 14 metres at the beam and is propelled by four diesel engines to achieve a speed of over 25 knots.

It is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design, and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.

INS Kiltan is the latest indigenous warship after Shivalik Class, Kolkata Class and sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt.

It is the first major warship to have undertaken sea trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project.

The ship derives its name from one of the islands in Aminidivi group of the Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands.

(With inputs from PTI)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
17-October, 2017 14:57 IST
Bangladesh Navy Ship Somudra Avijan on a goodwill visit to Vishakhapatnam

Bangladesh Naval Ship Somudra Avijan arrived Vishakhapatnam on a four-day goodwill visit to the Eastern Naval Command on 16 October 17. Prior to the arrival, the ship carried out Passage Exercise which included naval manoeuvres in the Bay of Bengal prior to entering into the port. The Bangladesh Navy ship was accorded a warm reception by officials from the ENC and Eastern Fleet with the Indian Naval Band in attendance on arrival.

BNS Somudra Avijan, commanded by Commander M Moniruzzaman (TAS), Psc, BN is a part of Cadet Training Squadron with 60 cadets embarked onboard sea training. During the stay in Vizag, a variety of activities including professional, cross deck visit, sports fixture and social interactions have been scheduled for the crew. The commanding officer will also call-on Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, PVSM AVSM ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
19-October, 2017 18:21 IST
PM conveys Diwali greetings to the crew of INSV Tarini



The Prime Minister made a video call today to the crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, currently on a mission to circumnavigate the globe.

The Prime Minister wished the crew of INSV Tarini a ‘Happy Diwali’, on behalf of the nation. He also wished them success in their mission.

The Prime Minister had earlier met the crew of INSV Tarini on 16 August 2017 before they embarked on the 22,100 nautical mile circumnavigation journey. INSV Tarini is currently approaching their first stop in Fremantle, Australia and is expected to reach there on 22 October 2017 after covering 4770 nautical miles.

The Prime Minister also conveyed birthday greetings in advance to two of the crew – Lt. Cdr. Vartika Joshi, and Lt. Payal Gupta - whose birthdays are coming up shortly.



****
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi wishing the crew of INSV Tarini HappyDiwali on behalf of the nation and also success in their mission via video call, in New Delhi on October 19, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
20-October, 2017 12:00 IST
1TS Ship Visit JAKARTA, INDONESIA

IN Ships Tir, Sujata, Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi are visiting Jakarta, Indonesia from 18 to 22 Oct 17. The visit is aimed to expose the trainees to the conduct of IN warship in foreign waters, port familiarisation and foster bridges of friendship between the two countries. The ships belong to the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy functioning under the Southern Naval Command, headquartered at Kochi and comprises six indigenously built ships, namely, Indian Naval Ships Tir, Sujata, Shardul, Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi and two Sail Training Ships, viz. INS Sudarshini and INS Tarangini.


The visit of the ships coincides with the visit of Vice Admiral AR Karve, AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command, which is the Training Command of the Indian Navy. On 18 Oct, The Admiral called on Vice Admiral ADE Taufiq R, Vice Chief of Staff, Indonesian Navy and discussed matters of mutual interest to both the countries. The Commanding officers of the Indian ships called on the Naval area commander, Jakarta.


Executive Branch trainee officers, after completing ab-initio training at the Indian Naval Academy, where they earn a B Tech degree, join the First Training Squadron for intensive Practical Sea Training of 24 weeks designed to enable them get their ‘Sea Legs’. The Sea Trainees are taught seamanship, basic navigation, ship handling, boat work, engineering aspects besides exposure to the rigours of life at sea. The curriculum also includes sail training onboard the Sail Training Ship, where the trainees are exposed to the elements and get to grip with the art of sailing and rope work. On successful completion of this phase, the trainees are appointed to various ships of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for the Afloat Training Phase and Seamanship Board. At the First Training Squadron, the IN also trains officers from friendly foreign countries.




The Indian Navy has imparted training to international trainees for more than four decades, wherein approximately 13500 personnel from over 40 countries have been trained. Presently seven officers from Indonesia are undergoing various Ab-initio to advanced courses at SNC. The Command has gained the reputation of being the finest training destination by maintaining focussed approach to provide high quality training and by constant adaptation to evolving tactics and technologies.


The Training Squadron is helmed by Captain DJ Revar, Senior Officer First Training Squadron, who is also Commanding Officer INS Tir. He has under him, a team of highly motivated officers and sailors to assist him in conduct of the sea training.

 

[Hindustani78]

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
22-October, 2017 11:05 IST
Bi-Annual Naval Commanders’ Conference to be held at New Delhi from - 24-27 oct 17



A four day Naval Commanders’ Conference is scheduled at New Delhi from 24-27 Oct 17. The Conference serves as a platform for institutionalised interaction between the Naval Commanders and senior government officials, as also, with the Chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The Hon’ble RM will address and interact with the Commanders’ during the bi-annual conference. The Chief of the Naval Staff, with the Commanders’-in-Chief, will review major Operational, Materiel, Human Resource, Training and Administrative activities undertaken in the last six months and deliberate the way-ahead on important activities and initiatives. An interaction is also planned with Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog to provide the Commanders’ a perspective on broader national interests.


The Navy’s combat readiness would be reviewed with focus on operational effectiveness of combat platforms, logistics and development of shore support infrastructure for sustaining distant operations. Efforts towards ‘indigenisation and standardisation’ so as to make the Navy self-reliant and modernise its warfare capability by means of unmanned systems would also be examined. Aspects complementary to combat effectiveness, such as Training, Human Resource Management, Fleet Maintenance and pan-Navy measures for enhancing safety will be reviewed. With reference to safety, IN Safety Organisation including rescue support during submarine accidents in the IOR will be discussed. The Commanders’ will also review the security of establishments in the backdrop of terrorist threats and the prevailing security scenario.


The Commanders will also discuss plans for ‘enhancing and sustaining IN’s operational footprint in the IOR’ in keeping with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR). In this regard, initiatives to further maritime cooperation with other navies in the IOR as also the IN’s ability to proactively respond to maritime security challenges, including natural calamities, in the IOR will be reviewed.

***

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
23-October, 2017 17:30 IST
Navika Sagar Parikrama - Tarini Enters Fremantle

INSV Tarini entered Fremantle (Australia) port today during it’s maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe. This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew. The vessel is skippered by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, and the crew comprises Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.

Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri had flagged-off INSV Tarini from Goa on 10 Sep 17. The vessel has covered 4800 Nautical miles from Goa, crossing the Equator on 25 Sep 17 and the Tropic of Capricorn on 06 Oct 17.

The indigenously-built INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted in the Indian Navy earlier this year, and showcases the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the International forum.

The expedition titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’, is in consonance with the National policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aims to showcase ‘Nari Shakti’ on the world platform and help revolutionise societal attitudes and mindset towards women in India by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environs.

The vessel would return to Goa in April 2018, on completion of the voyage. The expedition is being covered in five legs, with stop-overs at 4 ports: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa).

The crew has also been collating and updating meteorological, ocean and wave data on a regular basis for accurate weather forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD), as also monitoring marine pollution on the high seas. They would interact extensively with the local populace, especially children, during the port halt to promote Ocean sailing and the spirit of adventure.

The vessel is likely to depart Fremantle on 05 Nov 17.

 

[Hindustani78]

//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/61177631.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

In the backdrop of China’s increasing military presence in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy at a high-level meeting in Delhi starting from Tuesday will discuss plans to enhance its footprint in the region with a review of its operational effectiveness for sustaining distant operations, indigenisation efforts for self-reliance and modernisation of its warfare capabilities by unmanned systems.

These issues will be discussed at the Naval Commanders’ Conference, which will be held from October 24 to 27. The biannual conference serves as a platform for thorough interactions between the naval commanders, chiefs of the Army and Indian Air Force, besides senior government officials. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will interact with the commanders during the conference. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba with his commanders will review major operational, human resource, training and administrative activities undertaken in the past six months.

“The Commanders will also discuss plans for enhancing and sustaining the Indian Navy’s operational footprint in the IOR in keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR),” says the Indian Navy.

In relation, initiatives to progress maritime cooperation with other navies in the IOR will be reviewed. The Indian Navy already conducts the Malabar naval exercise with the navies of US and Japan in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the navy’s ability to proactively respond to maritime security challenges, including natural calamities, in the IOR will also be discussed. The Navy adds that its, "combat readiness would be reviewed with focus on operational effectiveness of combat platforms,logistics and development of shore support infrastructure for sustaining distant operations."

A 2015 Indian Navy document titled Ensuring Secure Seas: Indian Maritime Security Strategy mentions that the Indian Navy’s interest areas cover the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, IOR island nations and East Coast of Africa among other nations. The South China Sea, East China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean are also its priority areas.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
24-October, 2017 16:39 IST
INS Sukanya at Indonesia for Coordinated Patrol of IMBL

In pursuance with India’s ‘Act East Policy’, Indian Naval Ship Sukanya under the command of Commander SA Deodhar, NM arrived at Belawan Indonesia this morning to participate in the 30th edition of CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) and 3rd Bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy. The exercise is aimed to foster closer maritime ties with countries located on the rim of the Indian Ocean.

The upcoming bi-lateral exercise CORPAT scheduled from 24 Oct – 05 Nov 17 is a demonstration of India’s commitment to its ties with Indonesia and to the maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. The two navies have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT) on respective sides of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002. The aim of the CORPAT is to enhance mutual understanding and inter-operability between the navies, prosecute vessels involved in unlawful activities, conduct SAR and take measures against Sea Pollution.

Defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular joint activities and interactions between the armed forces of the two countries. These interactions would also provide opportunities for extensive operational and training engagements and contribute substantively to the maintenance of good order at sea. The exercise seeks to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between India and Indonesia, and underscore India’s partnership and solidarity with friendly countries of the region. As part of the Indian Government’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has also been involved in assisting countries in the Indian Ocean Region with EEZ surveillance, Search and Rescue and other capability enhancement activities.

During the stay at Port Belawan, various activities such as official calls, formal reception on board ship, ship open to visitors, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations have been planned.

CGR/VZ/126-17
(Release ID :171888)