Indian Navy News & Discussions

[RISING SUN]

Terma to supply SCANTER 6002 radars for Indian Navy’s SSR project

Danish aerospace, defence and security company Terma has secured a new contract to deliver 31 units of its SCANTER 6002 radar for the Indian Navy’s surface surveillance radar (SSR) project.

Terma is expected to carry out the delivery in collaboration with India-based firm Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), which is currently serving as the prime contractor for the SSR project.

The navy’s SSR programme represents the first procurement to be made by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category of its defence procurement procedure (DPP).

Terma will be responsible for the delivery, deployment and commissioning of the SCANTER 6002 radar systems on-board the Indian Navy vessels as part of the deal.

"Terma will be responsible for the delivery, deployment and commissioning of the SCANTER 6002 radar systems on-board the Indian Navy vessels as part of the deal."
The arrangement will also see the company supply simulation systems and ensure the establishment of depot-level facilities, as well as provide integrated logistics support for the deliveries, which are to be spread over a ten-year period.

The radar is currently being manufactured indigenously via transfer of technology (ToT) from Terma.

SCANTER 6002 is a latest and advanced high-performance solid state radar system, which is capable of carrying out round-the-clock operations.

Terma previously collaborated with Canadian firm Nanowave Technologies in October to supply the SCANTER 6002 radar to Lockheed Martin Canada, which was chosen by Irving Shipbuilding to provide its combat management system (CMS 330) to the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new fleet of arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPSs).

The AOPSs are currently under construction at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard.

Terma’s SCANTER radar systems are specifically designed to enter service in scenarios when the commercial marine radar fails in order to meet requirements for noise and interference rejection, signal processing, electronic interfacing, signal distribution and resistance to extreme environments.
https://www.naval-technology.com/news/terma-supply-scanter-6002-radars-indian-navys-ssr-project/

Indian Navy Ship Kadmatt on overseas sojourn to Cambodia
INS Kadmatt, an anti-submarine warfare corvette is docked at Sihanoukville port of Cambodia for a duration of three days and the aim of this overseas sojourn is to commemorate the 25th anniversary of India–ASEAN dialogue and in consonance with India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It also aims at showcasing India’s ship building capability, long sustenance and global reach of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy ship has been deployed in the region since early Sept 2017 and is visiting Cambodia on completion of the ASEAN IFR held at Pataya, Thailand last week.

During the course of the three days, the Commanding Officer will call on several high ranking officers of Royal Cambodian Navy. A training capsule for the for Cambodia Naval personnel will be conducted on board the ship as well as sports activities between the navies. The sojourn is to cement friendly ties and aid mutual growth and development. The ship will also take part in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with ships of the Royal Cambodian Navy on her departure from Sihanoukville.

India and Cambodia share historical ties and India has supported the development of Cambodia through various initiatives starting with the establishment of a embassy in 1981. The current overseas visit is expected to enhance and strengthen the mutual relationship between the two nations and promotes closer cooperation, building trust and confidence between both navies to promote peace and stability in the maritime region.
https://www.yovizag.com/indian-navy-ship-kadmatt-overseas-sojourn-cambodia/

Indian Navy ship helps vessel from Cyprus in Gulf of Oman
An Indian Navy ship has helped a vessel from Cyprus with 27 Indian crew members after it was chased by three skiffs 70 nautical miles off Muscat.

Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma said Indian Navy ship Trikand rescued MV Kamlesh after it was chased by the skiffs at around 0230 hours yesterday.

INS Trikand, deployed as part of the mission-based deployment in the Gulf of Oman, also rendered assistance to an Iranian trawler.

Captain Sharma said the trawler had 20 crew onboard and seven was adrift for last five days due engine failure.

He said INS Trikand on receipt of a distress call from the trawler in the Gulf of Oman sent technical team by boat and repaired the trawler after which it resumed its passage.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...el-from-cyprus-in-gulf-of-oman/1/1096771.html

Navy Chief heads to Bangladesh for multilateral naval exercise
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will embark on a three-day visit to Bangladesh tomorrow for a multilateral naval exercise being held under a regional maritime forum set up by India’s initiative. His visit was also aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations and to explore new avenues for maritime cooperation, the defence ministry said.

It said Indian naval ships Ranvir, Sahyadri, Gharial and Sukanya along with one maritime patrol aircraft P-8I will take part in the International Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) which will be inaugurated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday in the port city of Cox’s Bazar. The exercise is taking place under the aegis of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) — an initiative of the Indian Navy that was launched in 2008 to bring together littoral states in the region.

The IONS has now grown into a formidable organisation comprising 23 member nations and nine observer countries. The ministry said apart from the exercise, an ‘Extraordinary Conclave of Chiefs (ECoC)’ meeting of IONS was scheduled on November 28 which will also be attended by Admiral Lanba.

The meeting was expected to review the progress made by three IONS Working Groups on maritime security information exchange, interoperability and humanitarian assistance. Lanba will also hold bilateral discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy on Monday and several other navy chiefs of other participating countries.

The defence ministry said Lanba would also be gifting ‘War Memorabilia’ for the ‘Liberation War Museum’ of Bangladesh.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...desh-for-multilateral-naval-exercise-4954202/

 

[RISING SUN]

Indian Navy Ready to Receive Multiple Maneuverable Warhead Tracking Vessel
The vessel’s X-band precision tracking radar can track the inbound flight trajectories of multiple maneuverable warheads apart from monitoring the trajectories of intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The Indian Navy is expecting to receive its first missile-range instrumentation ship (MRIS), the country's most advanced and largest ocean surveillance vessel, in the first quarter of 2018. The rigorous trial of the 1000-ton ship named VC-11184 is currently underway on the eastern coast of the country. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a Vizag-based shipbuilder, is hopeful that it will be able to meet the delivery deadline of the twin 9,000 kW diesel engine ship.

"The ship is almost ready and once the trials get over, it will be officially handed to the Navy in 2018," an HSL official was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

© AP Photo/ Bikas Das
Indian Navy Gets More Stealth Power With Anti-Submarine Warship INS Kiltan
This 175-meter-long vessel, designed by Vik Sandvik Design India, has a specialized deck to house a 12-ton multirole helicopter. The MRIS can cruise at a speed of 21 knots with 300 crew members.
A second MRIS, smaller in size and meant to monitor the flight trajectories of subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles, is also under construction at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard Ltd and is expected to enter into service in 2020.

The Indian government had asked its two state-owned shipbuilders to manufacture a specially designed ship that can monitor the flight trajectory of Indian intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles during test launches. However, the final product is an upgraded version that can also track the inbound flight trajectories of multiple maneuverable warheads.
https://sputniknews.com/military/201711231059360410-indian-navy-warhead-tracking-vessel/

 

[RISING SUN]

India's first indigenous submarine INS Kalvari to join Navy fleet in December

INS Kalvari, a diesel electric conventional submarine will be joining the Indian Navy fleet on the 2nd week of December, top Ministry of Defence sources have told India Today. Kalvari means 'a deep sea tiger shark'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be in Mumbai for the commissioning of the submarine.

Submarines are key to "sea- denial". Lurking underwater they deny the enemy space to operate in the seas. And, therefore are critical to dominating vast waters of the oceans and seas.The last time the India Navy got a submarine was seventeen years ago.

INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene class submarines. These are being built in India by Mazagon Docks Limited - a Ministry of Defence-owned shipyard - in collaboration with France's Naval Group ( earlier called the DCNS).

The INS Kalvari will have anti-ship missiles and long-range guided torpedoes and modern sensor suite that will enable it seek out the enemy from long ranges.

The Scorpene Project was signed in October 2005 and was to cost the exchequer Rs 23, 652 crore. The project has seen delays and cost overruns. INS Kalvari was to role out by 2012

While India has one of finest submarine arm, acquisition of these critical platforms suffered a jolt after allegations of corruption in the late-80s.

It was alleged that kick-backs were paid when India bought submarines from Germany. Investigations that spanned over decades remained inconclusive and successive governments shied away from acquiring submarines

The Indian fleet of submarine has been declining steadily. It now has just 13 conventional submarines - nine Russian made Kilo-class (EKMs) and four German-designed HDWs (SSKs) - most of which are over three decades old.

As against India's dozen-odd conventional submarines, China has fleet of about 60 odd conventional and nuclear submarines. Increasingly, these are being spotted in Indian Ocean Region ( IOR). And according to estimates of the Pentagon the Chinese People's Liberation Army( Navy) will have about 70- 80 conventional and nuclear submarines.

In the late 1990s, New Delhi cleared the 30-year submarine building plan. It was envisaged that Indian Navy would buy six submarines each from the Western and Russian Bloc and subsequently come- up with its own submarine design.

While the project failed to take-off, the 30-year submarine plan was tweaked subsequently. India went for mix and match of conventional and nuclear - or strategic submarines - were included at a later stage.

India is now building a fleet of nuclear powered submarines that are capable of firing nuclear missiles from under the sea.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...to-join-navy-fleet-in-december/1/1093766.html

 

[RISING SUN]

Indian Navy gets logistics base east of Malacca in Singapore
In what could be a key strategic development that could raise the eyebrows in Beijing, India now has an arrangement to have its naval warships refuelled and restocked at Singapore, located at gateway to the contested waters of the South China Sea through which passes some 35 per cent of Indian trade. India and Singapore on Wednesday signed a Navy-to-Navy agreement. Defence Minister of Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hens at a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman said: “We encourage Indian Navy to visit Changi base (Singapore) more often. The bilateral Navy agreement has the mutual logistics support.” He went on to say that both countries would increase more participation and activity in the Malacca Straits and the Andaman Sea. Singapore sits at the eastern edge of this crucial water channel that is the shortest route between Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The Navy will have a full-fledged logistics facility that is 2,177 km east from its nearest base at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. This is the first such military logistics agreement with a country east of Malacca indicating a shift eastwards for the Indian Navy. In the past decade, India has laid down its primary area of interest as the sea between the Gulf of Hormuz (Persian Gulf) and the Straits of Malacca. The waters east of Mallaca have been an area of secondary interest and with this move will buttress Indian engagement with the 10-member Asean bloc. Indian Navy has started its Mallaca patrol in June this year to protect the sea lanes of communication (SLOCs). The US Department of Defence, in its Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China 2017 highlighted why the Malacca Straits were crucial for China. It said, “Malacca Straits are critical to the transport of natural gas and oil…China is particularly reliant on unimpeded sea lane of communications like the South China Sea and Malacca Straits.” “In 2016, approximately 80 per cent of China’s oil imports and 11 per cent of natural gas imports transited the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca. Despite China’s efforts, the sheer volume of oil and liquefied natural gas that is imported to China from the Middle East and Africa will continue to make strategic sea lane of communications important to China,” the report noted. In 2016, China imported oil to meet approximately 64 per cent of its needs. This figure is projected to grow to approximately 80 per cent by 2035, according to the International Energy Agency. China continues to look primarily to the Persian Gulf, Africa to satisfy its growing oil and gas demands, making the Malacca Straits even more important.
https://idrw.org/indian-navy-gets-logistics-base-east-of-malacca-in-singapore/

 

[RISING SUN]

All-women crew sailboat of Indian Navy reaches New Zealand

An Indian Navy sailboat, which is on an expedition of circumnavigating the globe with an all- women crew, today reached New Zealands Lyttelton port, the Navy said.

The six crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, started their maiden voyage on September 10 from Goa and are expected to complete it in about eight months.

The expedition is being covered in five legs, with stop- overs at four ports -- Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa).

Presently, Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) has covered two of the five legs of the voyage, with the first port halt at Fremantle (Australia) in October.

Reacting to the tweet of the Indian Navy which posted the update of INSV Tarini reaching Lyttelton, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Delighted to know. The team of #INSVTarini continues their mission with unmatched determination."

This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew.

The vessel is skippered by Joshi, and the crew comprises Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had flagged-off INSV Tarini from Goa.

The vessel has so far covered 7,800 nautical miles from Goa, crossing the Equator on September 25 and Cape Leeuwin on November 9.

INSV Tarini would return to Goa in April 2018, on completion of the voyage.

"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," an official statement said.

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.

The vessel is likely to depart Lyttelton on December 12.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...ndian-navy-reaches-new-zealand/1/1099569.html

ENC will be a potent force in the Indian Ocean Region, says ENC Chief
ENC to host aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and forward base for MIG 29K fighters
From possessing a couple of Foxtrot class Russian submarines, a few Petya Class frigates and old destroyers, the Eastern Naval Command over the last five decades has grown to be a force to reckon with in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

Headquartered at Visakhapatnam, today the command boasts a strong blue water force with state-of-the-art Shivalik class multi-role frigates, indigenously built Kiltan-class anti-submarine corvettes, Rajput-class guided-missile destroyers, Sindhughosh (Kilo-class) submarines and Akula-class nuclear submarine.

Talking to The Hindu on the occasion of ‘Swarna Varsha’ (golden jubilee) celebrations, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh said the command is poised for a higher trajectory, and by 2027, it is going to be the biggest naval force in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), dominating a vast region from the Gulf of Mannar to the east of Malacca Strait and beyond the Sunda Strait.

“Though our main base is in Visakhapatnam, we have facilities across the eastern coast from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, and in the next decade we intend expand our surface ships from about 30 at present to close to 60, he said. As per the vision of the Indian Navy, the plan is to have close to 198 to 200 floating assets, including surface ships, and we expect the ENC to have anything between 60 and 70 ships, which is a huge force going by global standards,” he pointed out.

INS Vikrant

Going by the navy’s blue print of three-carrier fleet, the stage is set to assign the new air defence ship INS Vikrant, that is being built in Kochi, to Visakhapatnam.

“Vikrant will be assigned to ENC and Visakhaptnam will be its base and it will operate across the region. The aim is to have a three-carrier fleet by 2027 and as per the plan, INS Vikramaditya will be based in the western command and Vikrant will be in ENC,” he said.

Major air base

The Naval Airbase in Visakhapatnam INS Dega will also house the MiG 29K squadron. “The plans are through, the funds have been sanctioned, we are awaiting the arrival INS Vikrant,” he said.

According to the ENC chief, the air arm of ENC has also grown from being ‘a few helicopter’ force to a powerful force with fighter aircraft like MiG 29K and the sophisticated Boeing P-8I Neptune surveillance and anti-submarine anti-surface aircraft.

Nuclear base

It is a known fact that Visakhapatnam is going to be base for the country’s most effective strategic weapon, but the Vice-Admiral was non-committal about it.

INS Varsha, which is also known as the Naval Alternate Operating Base (NAOB), will be the base for country’s nuclear submarines such as INS Arihant and INS Aridhaman.

“These are strategic projects and come under the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office), and all I can say is that the construction of the base is in full swing,” he said.

But according to him, the third dimension of the navy — the submarine arm — has grown leaps and bounds from a humble beginning in December 1967. The submarine arm is also celebrating its golden jubilee along with the ENC.

Bigger role

According to Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh, the navy, and ENC in particular, is not only to be viewed as fighting force, but also for its role in diplomacy.

“The ENC sits astride the world’s busiest shipping lane that converge Malacca and Sunda straits. The ENC, therefore, has an important role in ensuring India’s global commitment towards safe and secure seas in this region. Being a major stakeholder in the region, we play the role of net security provider to being the first responder in times of calamity,” said the ENC Chief.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ean-region-says-enc-chief/article21134374.ece

 

[RISING SUN]

After 2 decades, Indian Navy to commission submarine Kalvari on Dec 14
After nearly two decades, the first Indian submarine Kalvari is to be commissioned in the Navy on December 14.

The first of the six Scorpene class submarines – to be named INS Kalvari is scheduled to be commissioned at Mazgaon dock, Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would most probably be present at the commissioning, sources said.

The last conventional submarine commissioned in the Indian Navy was the Russian origin (EKM class) INS Sindhurashtra that was inducted in July 2000. Indian Navy currently operates 13 old diesel-electric submarines and one nuclear-powered boat.

In the 1980s and 1990s, there was regular induction of Russian and German submarines, but a two-decade-long hiatus crippled Indian Navy's underwater fighting abilities.

Way back in 1999, the Indian Navy planned to acquire 24 diesel electric submarines over the next 30 years.

The plan was modified twice later to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines and the deadlines were modified.

The targets set up in the 2008-22 indigenisation plan is way off the mark as Indian Navy currently operates 13 diesel electric and two nuclear-powered boats. Because of the delay, Navy has undertaken costly refit programmes to extend the life of the existing fleet.

To make up for the missing numbers, the government approved the Rs 18,798 crore Scorpene project to construct six conventional submarines in collaboration with France. The project is running four years behind schedule.
In September 2017, Mazgaon dock handed over the first Scorpene class submarine Kalvari (meaning tiger shark) to the Navy after successfully completing sea trial. The second one, Khanderi, was released in the sea for trial in January 2017 and is likely to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2018, while the third, Karanj, would be launched in water in December 2017, sources said.

Second tender

All the six submarines are to be inducted by 2019-20.

The defence ministry has floated a second tender proposal to construct another six submarines with foreign collaboration. Four vendors are known to have responded to the Indian proposal, but the government is yet to take a decision.

Meanwhile, China's submarine fleet has swollen to 63 and is likely to grow to 69-78 underwater boats by 2020, according to a report prepared by the US Department of Defence.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/645587/after-2-decades-indian-navy.html

India starts process to build 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines
India kick-started the process to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines which will significantly boost the Navy’s overall strike capabilities in the face of China’s growing military manoeuvring in the Indo- Pacific region.

“It has kicked off and I will leave it at that. It is a classified project. The process has started,” Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said on Friday.

He said the Navy will play its role in the Indo-Pacific region when the much talked about quadrilateral coalition among India, Australia, Japan and the US takes shape, reflecting the Navy’s readiness to play a much assertive role in the critical sea lanes.

In a major move, officials of the four countries earlier this month had set the ball rolling to pursue their common interests in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region where China has been aggressively expanding its military presence.

“We are all aware of the prevailing security scenario in our maritime domain. The continued presence of both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain demand constant attention and robust mitigating measures,” he told a press conference.

On Chinese presence in the strategically-important Gwadar port in Pakistan, he said it may be a security challenge for India in future.

“It will be a security challenge. We will have to look at it and mitigate,” he said.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...k-submarine/story-ofjYX6PGK2Ip1M5zhoCvIM.html

First indigenous aircraft carrier by 2020: Navy Chief
The first indigenous aircraft carrier will be ready by the end of 2020, and the the "form and fit" for the second indigenous carrier, which will have conventional propulsion, has been finalised, Navy Chief Sunil Lanba said on Friday.

At the annual press conference of Indian Navy ahead ofthe Navy Day, Admiral Lanba said: "Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is progressing well and the ship will join the Navy by end of 2020."

Asked about the second aircraft carrier that the Navy plans, the Navy chief said it will be an around 65,000 tonnes vessel.

"We have analysed it, and fixed the form and fit. It is going to be about 65,000 tonnes. It will have catapult assisted take off and arrestor recovery.

"It will be conventionally powered and we are going through the process of taking it to the (Defence) Ministry," he added.
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/i...us-aircraft-carrier-by-2020-Navy-Chief/342426

 

[sathya]

Wow, it took really a long time for induction ..

 

[RISING SUN]

Navy to allow women on board warships sooner rather than
The Navy is going to allow woman officers on board its warships and suitable facilities are being made available in the newly-constructed ships for them, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said today.

He said the Navy is examining rules and regulations for allowing woman officers on board the warships.

"As far as serving on board ships is concerned, we had an issue of availability of facilities on board our ships. All our new ships are being constructed with suitable facilities to embark lady officers on board," he said addressing a press conference.

At present, the Navy allows women in eight branches including in legal, logistics, naval architecture and engineering departments.

"Sooner (rather) than later we will also have lady officers serving on ships," the Navy chief said.

He said all the new ships are being constructed with "suitable facilities" to include woman officers on board them.

"As far as combat roles are concerned, lady naval officers are already in combat role. We have over 70 of them (woman officers) as observers or tactical operators on the maritime patrol aircraft which are armed that are the Boeing (P8I) and the IL 38," he said.

He further said it is the woman officers who are manning the console and even press the button that fires the missile or drop the torpedo from the P8 I aircraft.

In September, the Army announced finalising a plan to induct women in the military police, seen as a major move towards inducting them for combat roles.

Creating history, the Indian Air Force last year inducted three women as fighter pilots, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/9284997_Navy-to-allow-women-on-board-warships-sooner-rather-than.html

Kalvari to be commissioned this month
Kalvari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines handed over to the Indian Navy by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock limited, will be commissioned this month, a top Navy official said today.

"Kalvari is likely to be commissioned this month after extensive sea trials," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, told reporters.

"Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment," he said.

The vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess, the senior Navy official said.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

"The state-of-the-art technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an MDL official said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996, after nearly three decades of service.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/9284970_Kalvari-to-be-commissioned-this-month.html

Cyclone Ockhi: Navy, Coast Guard, IAF rescue 134 persons

A Navy ship on search and rescue mission

Kanyakumari: A Red warning has been issued for the Lakshadweep Islands as Cyclone Ockhi continued to move towards the archipelago on Friday. As of 11.30 am, the cyclone lay over southeast Arabian Sea, about 80 km north-northeast of Minicoy and 240 km south-southeast of Amini Divi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a release. The IMD said the cyclonic system is very likely to intensify further during next 24 hours and make a landfall on Lakshadweep Islands tomorrow.

A satellite picture shows cyconic storm Ockhi moving towards Lakshadweep Islands. Source: IMD

Cyclone Ockhi: Four people killed in Tamil Nadu as heavy rains lash southern coast of India

LIVE UPDATES:

- Total 134 persons have been rescued so far by Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard using ships and aircraft. This includes rescue of 37 people by Navy helicopter flying between Trivandrum and sea area where personnel are stranded. Navy ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak are in the area.











- 130 families from Chellanam, 17 families from Kumbalangi and 18 families from Edavanakad in Kerala rehabilitated from the coastal areas.

- Search and rescue effort progressing off Vizhinjam where approximately 40 people were stranded at sea. Navy ships Sharda and Shardul sailed out to augment search effort, in final stages of embarking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief items for assistance at Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands.











- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red warning for the Lakshadweep Islands and said that Cyclone Ockhi, moving towards the archipelago, is likely to intensify further.

- Coast Guard has rescued 16 sailors from 02 sailing vessels - TTK-15 and 221 - at sea off Vizhinjam. The vessels had sent SOS to Coast Guard.

- Status report from Tamil Nadu: 5 people dead, 22 fishermen missing, 62 houses fully damaged, 240 houses partly damaged due to heavy rains, in Kanyakumari district. 16 rehabilitation centres established by government in which 1044 people are being given shelter. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announces ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to kin of five people who died in rain related incidents in Kanyakumari district.






- Navy and Coast Guard personnel have rescued 59 people stranded due to heavy rains in Trivandrum






- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said there were serious lapses from the side of state disaster management department. The alert from Hyderabad was not sent to the government on time.











- Coast Guard ships have rescued 05 fishermen from the sea off Quilon (Kerala) coast and coordinated rescue of another 02 fishermen with passing merchant vessel 26 nautical miles off Vizhinjam

- P8I reports sighting of additional 15 personnel in water. Units in vicinity being directed. Total count of survivors at sea approximated to 39. An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has taken 5 survivors to Trivandrum, getting hot refuelled and will head back for search and rescue (SAR). ALH has dropped Suraksha liferaft for personnel - tweets Navy spokesperson

- 24 people stranded at sea sighted by Indian Navy. Efforts underway to rescue all 24: 07 of them have been picked up by MV ENERGY ORPHEUS, 04 being rescued by INS JAMUNA, 03 rescued by trawler in area, 02 rescued by ALH (progressing further rescue of 06 more), 02 under rescue by MV KUN LUN SHAN

- India Coast Guard ships have also rescued 3 fishermen off Vizhinjam (Kerala coast) this morning. Efforts are on to rescue another 5 fishermen sighted off Quilon (Kerala).






- Eight fishermen floating in water have been rescued by Navy's Advanced Light Helicopter off Trivandrum (40 km into sea).






- Boeing P8I Aircraft deployed at first light from INS Rajali this morning sights 7 survivors hanging on to a capsized boat, 25 miles west of Trivandrum. Aircraft drops life raft in the vicinity and reported the exact position. Ships in area are being diverted to render assistance: Navy

- Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Director General, NDRF, and reviews the situation in areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi. NDRF teams have already been moved to the affected areas. More teams are on standby to respond to any further emergencies. MHA is also closely monitoring the situation

- Schools in Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Madurai, Theni, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur are closed today.






- Latest on rescue operations: Five Navy ships have been deployed from Kochi. Two ships are on standby in Lakshadweep. Two Coast Guard ships each have been deployed from Kochi and Tuticorin. P8I aircraft, Navy Dornier and Coast Guard Dornier are also airborne for search and rescue operations. Helicopter are on standby with divers






- At least seven people have died and five fishermen are missing in SriLanka as a tropical storm hit the country.






- At 22:00 hrs, ICGS Samarth sailed from Kochi for rescue. All 7 units are directed to work on rescue along and off Kerala coast. Ship C-427 around Vilinjam also on rescue operation. In addition, the Eastern Naval Command will launch P8I Maritime Patrol aircraft, says Defence Minister N Sitharaman.

- Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector.

- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies.

- The state reported four rain related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram.






- In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress.

Cyclone Ockhi: Navy deploys ships for search and rescue off Kerala coast

- Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains.

- Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.

- Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management RB Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places. He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply. Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district.

- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Chennai state ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work. Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles.

- The Tamil Nadu government has already deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.

Extreme weather events: India 6th most vulnerable country

- The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.

- A report said Navy has deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam.

- Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since Wednesday, were yet to return. 29traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said.

- Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states have been advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours.

- The IMD has said that gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off south Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours.

- Meanwhile, torrential rains caused by Cyclone Ockhi continued to pound southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming at least eight lives -- four each in the two states. Both the states are on high alert as the cyclone was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the next few hours.

- Cyclone Ockhi has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is moving westnorthwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph. It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep Islands during the next 24 hours and then move north/northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours, the IMD said.
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/a...l-department-arabian-sea-bay-of-bengal/136993

 

[spectribution]

Navy to allow women on board warships sooner rather than
The Navy is going to allow woman officers on board its warships and suitable facilities are being made available in the newly-constructed ships for them, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said today.

He said the Navy is examining rules and regulations for allowing woman officers on board the warships.

"As far as serving on board ships is concerned, we had an issue of availability of facilities on board our ships. All our new ships are being constructed with suitable facilities to embark lady officers on board," he said addressing a press conference.

At present, the Navy allows women in eight branches including in legal, logistics, naval architecture and engineering departments.

"Sooner (rather) than later we will also have lady officers serving on ships," the Navy chief said.

He said all the new ships are being constructed with "suitable facilities" to include woman officers on board them.

"As far as combat roles are concerned, lady naval officers are already in combat role. We have over 70 of them (woman officers) as observers or tactical operators on the maritime patrol aircraft which are armed that are the Boeing (P8I) and the IL 38," he said.

He further said it is the woman officers who are manning the console and even press the button that fires the missile or drop the torpedo from the P8 I aircraft.

In September, the Army announced finalising a plan to induct women in the military police, seen as a major move towards inducting them for combat roles.

Creating history, the Indian Air Force last year inducted three women as fighter pilots, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/9284997_Navy-to-allow-women-on-board-warships-sooner-rather-than.html

Kalvari to be commissioned this month
Kalvari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines handed over to the Indian Navy by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock limited, will be commissioned this month, a top Navy official said today.

"Kalvari is likely to be commissioned this month after extensive sea trials," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Naval Command, told reporters.

"Kalvari underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment," he said.

The vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess, the senior Navy official said.

The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.

"The state-of-the-art technology utilised in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons," an MDL official said.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on May 31, 1996, after nearly three decades of service.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/9284970_Kalvari-to-be-commissioned-this-month.html

Cyclone Ockhi: Navy, Coast Guard, IAF rescue 134 persons

A Navy ship on search and rescue mission

Kanyakumari: A Red warning has been issued for the Lakshadweep Islands as Cyclone Ockhi continued to move towards the archipelago on Friday. As of 11.30 am, the cyclone lay over southeast Arabian Sea, about 80 km north-northeast of Minicoy and 240 km south-southeast of Amini Divi, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a release. The IMD said the cyclonic system is very likely to intensify further during next 24 hours and make a landfall on Lakshadweep Islands tomorrow.

A satellite picture shows cyconic storm Ockhi moving towards Lakshadweep Islands. Source: IMD

Cyclone Ockhi: Four people killed in Tamil Nadu as heavy rains lash southern coast of India

LIVE UPDATES:

- Total 134 persons have been rescued so far by Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard using ships and aircraft. This includes rescue of 37 people by Navy helicopter flying between Trivandrum and sea area where personnel are stranded. Navy ships Sagardhwani, Jamuna, Nireekshak are in the area.











- 130 families from Chellanam, 17 families from Kumbalangi and 18 families from Edavanakad in Kerala rehabilitated from the coastal areas.

- Search and rescue effort progressing off Vizhinjam where approximately 40 people were stranded at sea. Navy ships Sharda and Shardul sailed out to augment search effort, in final stages of embarking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief items for assistance at Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands.











- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red warning for the Lakshadweep Islands and said that Cyclone Ockhi, moving towards the archipelago, is likely to intensify further.

- Coast Guard has rescued 16 sailors from 02 sailing vessels - TTK-15 and 221 - at sea off Vizhinjam. The vessels had sent SOS to Coast Guard.

- Status report from Tamil Nadu: 5 people dead, 22 fishermen missing, 62 houses fully damaged, 240 houses partly damaged due to heavy rains, in Kanyakumari district. 16 rehabilitation centres established by government in which 1044 people are being given shelter. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announces ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to kin of five people who died in rain related incidents in Kanyakumari district.






- Navy and Coast Guard personnel have rescued 59 people stranded due to heavy rains in Trivandrum






- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said there were serious lapses from the side of state disaster management department. The alert from Hyderabad was not sent to the government on time.











- Coast Guard ships have rescued 05 fishermen from the sea off Quilon (Kerala) coast and coordinated rescue of another 02 fishermen with passing merchant vessel 26 nautical miles off Vizhinjam

- P8I reports sighting of additional 15 personnel in water. Units in vicinity being directed. Total count of survivors at sea approximated to 39. An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has taken 5 survivors to Trivandrum, getting hot refuelled and will head back for search and rescue (SAR). ALH has dropped Suraksha liferaft for personnel - tweets Navy spokesperson

- 24 people stranded at sea sighted by Indian Navy. Efforts underway to rescue all 24: 07 of them have been picked up by MV ENERGY ORPHEUS, 04 being rescued by INS JAMUNA, 03 rescued by trawler in area, 02 rescued by ALH (progressing further rescue of 06 more), 02 under rescue by MV KUN LUN SHAN

- India Coast Guard ships have also rescued 3 fishermen off Vizhinjam (Kerala coast) this morning. Efforts are on to rescue another 5 fishermen sighted off Quilon (Kerala).






- Eight fishermen floating in water have been rescued by Navy's Advanced Light Helicopter off Trivandrum (40 km into sea).






- Boeing P8I Aircraft deployed at first light from INS Rajali this morning sights 7 survivors hanging on to a capsized boat, 25 miles west of Trivandrum. Aircraft drops life raft in the vicinity and reported the exact position. Ships in area are being diverted to render assistance: Navy

- Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaks to Director General, NDRF, and reviews the situation in areas affected by Cyclone Ockhi. NDRF teams have already been moved to the affected areas. More teams are on standby to respond to any further emergencies. MHA is also closely monitoring the situation

- Schools in Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Madurai, Theni, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur are closed today.






- Latest on rescue operations: Five Navy ships have been deployed from Kochi. Two ships are on standby in Lakshadweep. Two Coast Guard ships each have been deployed from Kochi and Tuticorin. P8I aircraft, Navy Dornier and Coast Guard Dornier are also airborne for search and rescue operations. Helicopter are on standby with divers






- At least seven people have died and five fishermen are missing in SriLanka as a tropical storm hit the country.






- At 22:00 hrs, ICGS Samarth sailed from Kochi for rescue. All 7 units are directed to work on rescue along and off Kerala coast. Ship C-427 around Vilinjam also on rescue operation. In addition, the Eastern Naval Command will launch P8I Maritime Patrol aircraft, says Defence Minister N Sitharaman.

- Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector.

- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies.

- The state reported four rain related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram.






- In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress.

Cyclone Ockhi: Navy deploys ships for search and rescue off Kerala coast

- Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains.

- Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.

- Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management RB Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places. He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply. Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district.

- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said in Chennai state ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work. Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles.

- The Tamil Nadu government has already deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.

Extreme weather events: India 6th most vulnerable country

- The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.

- A report said Navy has deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam.

- Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since Wednesday, were yet to return. 29traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said.

- Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states have been advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours.

- The IMD has said that gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off south Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours.

- Meanwhile, torrential rains caused by Cyclone Ockhi continued to pound southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming at least eight lives -- four each in the two states. Both the states are on high alert as the cyclone was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the next few hours.

- Cyclone Ockhi has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and is moving westnorthwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph. It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards across Lakshadweep Islands during the next 24 hours and then move north/northeastwards during the subsequent 48 hours, the IMD said.
http://www.timesnownews.com/india/a...l-department-arabian-sea-bay-of-bengal/136993

Inducting women on board Indian Navy ships will be the greatest disaster the GoI will ever have made with reference to Defence Policy. Modi do this and you will lose my vote in 2019.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
03-December, 2017 15:52 IST
Innovation Pavilion at Navy House

“Innovation Is a Way of Life in The Navy” –The Navy’s Saga for self-Reliance through Indigenisation and Innovation

The Indian Navy’s foray into indigenisation began over five decades ago with the construction of small patrol boats in the country. The Navy’s saga of self-reliance inched up by a notch in the late-60s with the construction of Leander Class frigates at Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Ltd. The indigenous shipbuilding programme that began with building Frigate size ships to foreign design has gradually matured into building Destroyers and Aircraft carriers to the Navy’s own design. Today, with over 40 ships and submarines under construction in Indian shipyards, both public and private, the Navy takes pride in building all its ships and submarines in India.

Each ship is a self-contained war fighting platform with a large number of systems and equipment performing different functions ranging from simple accommodation and living services to civic services like power and water generation and distribution and high-end weapons and sensors for warfare in all three dimensions, i.e, air, surface and sub-surface.

Unlike any other military platform, the number of equipment/ systems/ sub-systems/ fittings fitted on a ship/ submarine is very large and runs into a few hundreds. The Navy acquired ships from diverse sources during the initial decades and a few special purpose platforms in the recent past. Over the years, by nurturing the art of designing and integrating systems, the Navy could select the most advanced systems, and integrate them to get the best combat potential. While this gave a distinct edge in the combat potential, the Navy’s inventory became a complex mix of systems from different manufacturers. As many such systems are operated well beyond their usual service life, maintaining these systems at their best has always been a challenge. Obsolescence and lack of support from their Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) makes things even more difficult.

A warship going out on deployment to high seas on a long mission also poses multiple challenges to the crew where a variety of situations throw unique challenges, which have to be managed at sea. Such situations groom naval personnel to think beyond the normal and innovate, to make Innovation a way of life in the Navy. Although many such innovations that make the ships systems to tick, engines to roar and weapons to fire with precision go unreported as a part and parcel of day-to-day activities, the Navy makes an effort to recognize them and appreciate.

Navy presents ‘CNS Rolling Trophy for Innovation’ to the selected innovations. The innovative methods adopted by units to overcome constraints and to improve efficiency at their work areas, are evaluated centrally at the Naval Headquarters in two categories namely “Operational Units” and “Shore Establishments”. As a mark of recognition, the shortlisted initiatives will be showcased to the invited dignitaries, on the Navy Day.

As a run up to the Navy Day 2017, twenty innovations have been shortlisted from those submitted by units and establishments across the Navy for central evaluation. The innovations range from innovative repairs to complex system modules to development of new techniques that would save money, time and manpower. The innovations by Indian Naval Ships Kuthar and Vikramaditya have been selected as Winner and Runner-up respectively in Operational Units category and Weapons Electronic Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE) and Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi as Winner and Runner-up respectively in Shore Establishments category.

These innovations along with a few more selected innovations will be displayed at the ‘Innovation Pavilion’, on 04-05 December 2017, at Navy House, New Delhi.

*****

The First Frigate Nilgiri


Nilgiri's keel was laid on 15 October 1966. She was commissioned on 3 June 1972. The problems encountered and overcome, and the delays experienced, have been recounted in the previous volume of this series �Transition to Triumph - The History of the Indian Navy 1965-1975


In November 1960, soon after Mazagon Docks was taken over, Government approved the construction of three Leander class frigates.the Government had ordered only one frigate. There was delay in placing the order for the second and third frigates because India was going through a foreign exchange crisis. Eventually in 1967, an order was placed on MDL to build two more frigates. Naval Headquarters took advantage of this delay to upgrade the radars, fire control systems and the Action Information Organisation (AIO) of the Operations Room.


The Second Frigate Himgiri


Himgiri's keel was laid on 4 November 1968. She was launched on 6 May 1970. MDL had been able to reduce the time between keel laying and launch from 25 months to 18 months. The fitting‑out, however, was considerably delayed due to the late arrival of major items, both from abroad and within India.



The Third Frigate Udaygiri


Since orders for the second and third frigates had been received together, MDL was able to build them faster than the first frigate. The fabrication work on the third frigate, scheduled to commence in January 1970, started in April 1970 due to late receipt of steel from Hindustan Steel Ltd.

In 1969‑70, there had been an acute shortage of steel. MDL had been able to carry on production without serious dislocation because its earlier orders for steel had materialised. By 1970‑71, however, the fall in steel production adversely affected MDL's work. The interval between keel laying and launching increased to 25 months. The main machinery that should have arrived at the time for the ship's launching in October 1972 was actually received in May 1974, thereby further delaying the ship's commissioning till 18 February 1976.


The Fourth Frigate Dunagiri


Orders for the next three frigates were placed in July 1970. The fourth Leander was launched on 9 March 1974. She was on the slipway for only 14 months as compared to 18 to 25 months for the second and third frigates respectively. Fitting out was affected by delays in receipt of indigenous as well as imported equipment. The main engines and gearboxes were received in May 1975. Basin trials were carried out in October 1976 and sea trials completed satisfactorily in November / December 1976. The final inspection of hull, weapons, radio compartments and systems was completed in early 1977. Dunagiri commissioned on 5 May 1977.

The time between keel laying and launching had been reduced to 14 months. The time from launching to delivery had been reduced to 38 months - the shortest period yet achieved.



Improvements in Anti Submarine Capability in the Fifth and Sixth Leanders


In 1972 and 1973, operating experience started building up on the newly commissioned first Leander, the Nilgiri, and the recently acquired Seaking anti submarine, dunking sonar helicopters. In view of the continuing acquisition by Pakistan of modern submarines from France, it was clear that future Leanders would require greater anti submarine capability.

In early 1973, Naval Headquarters initiated studies to improve the anti submarine capability of the 5th and 6th Leanders. These changes crystallised in mid 1973. The major changes envisaged embarking the heavy Seaking helicopter (instead of the smaller MATCH role helicopter) and improving the anti submarine sonars and weapons.

 

[Hindustani78]

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Minister of State for External Affairs, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh, during the ‘At Home’ reception, organised by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, on the occasion of Navy Day, in New Delhi on December 04, 2017.

Naval drummers perform during rehearsal for the beating the retreat ceremony during a rehearsal for the forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. PTI photo

Naval officers march during rehearsal for the beating the retreat ceremony during rehearsal for the forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. PTI photo

Navy commandos take part in a rescue demonstration above The Gateway of India during a rehearsal for the forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. AFP photo

A naval band performs during a rehearsal for the forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in front of The Gateway of India in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. AFP photo

A naval band performs during a rehearsal for the forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in front of The Gateway of India in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. AFP photo

Navy sailors take part in a rehearsal for forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in front of The Gateway of India in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. AFP photo

Navy soldiers demonstrate their skills as they play drums in front of the Gateway of India during a rehearsal ahead of Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. The Indian Navy will celebrate Navy Day on December 4, as a tribute to the maritime operations of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Reuters photo

Navy soldiers demonstrate their skills as they play drums during a rehearsal ahead of Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. Reuters

Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy take part in a simulated hostage rescue operation at The Gateway of India during a rehearsal for forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. AFP photo

Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy take part in a simulated hostage rescue operation at The Gateway of India during a rehearsal for forthcoming Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai on December 2, 2017. AFP photo

 

[sudhir007]

https://twitter.com/x/status/937889448905269248

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman reviews the rescue operations in Cyclone Ockhi affected areas of Thiruvanantapuram, on December 04, 2017.

Ministry of Defence
05-December, 2017 11:34 IST
Indian Navy’s Search and Rescue Operations

Even as Indian Navy's search and rescue(SAR) operations are in full swing for the fifth day on 04 Dec 17, the Navy Day, over Southeast Arabian Sea and L& M islands in the aftermath of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 'OCKHI'. Eight naval ships, including frontline ships from Western Naval Command INS Chennai, Kolkata and Trikand, were deployed for rendering assistance to the affected islands. In addition, all aircraft at the disposal of Southern Naval Command, including long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I of Eastern Naval Command, were deployed throughout the day.


Disaster Relief material was disembarked at Minicoy on 03 Dec and at Kavaratti and Kalpeni on 04 Dec by Indian Naval Ships Sharda and Chennai. A total of 4 tonnes of disaster relief material including dry provisions(rice, dal, salt, dehydrated potato and onion), water, blankets, raincoats, disposable clothes, mosquito nets and dhurries has been handed over to the local administration by INS Dweeprakshak and Naval Detachment Minicoy. Disaster relief material of dry provisions and ready to eat meals are also being dispatched to Bitra lsland by Indian Naval Helicopter from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The naval personnel of Naval Detachment Minicoy are assisting the local populace and administration in clearing the road and distributing food and rations to the local populace.


INS Kolkata rescued nine persons from FV(Fishing Vessel) Island Queen 70 miles off Bitra Island. The boat was reported missing since 15 days. The crew were found to be in satisfactory condition and their request for food, water and seamanship items was immediately met by the ship. Based on their request, the boat was escorted for 2 hours into fair weather. All the fishermen were found to be hailing from Thoppampadi, Kochi.


A naval Sea King helicopter from Kochi was deployed at Kavaratti island. The helicopter is being extensively used to transfer men, material between the islands. In the meantime INS Kalpeni brought back eleven Kerala fishermen rescued by INS Jamuna and INS Nireekshak to Kochi.


INS Shardul has disembarked all HADR material at Minicoy. The ship is equipped with Diving team and naval helicopter for carrying out additional SAR operations. The relief material would last for 2000 people for seven days.


INS Trikand on completion of search and rescue efforts in the assigned area is proceeding to Bitra Island with HADR material. The ship is expected to reach the island by morning of 05 Dec. The relief material carried would meet the necessities of islanders till situation improves.


All LAM islands are under the cover of Indian Naval ships and aircraft with rescue and relief operations in full swing. The lndian Navy is determined to bring back normalcy to the L&M islands most expeditiously. The swift and timely actions of Indian Navy has saved 148 lives at sea, which includes the 11 fishermen picked up by the Indian Naval ships Jamuna, Nireekshak and Sagardhwani earlier send brought ashore by INS Kalpenion 04 Dec, besides providing material support to more than 5000 citizens affected by the unique Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over Southeast Arabian sea and L&M Islands.


All other ships at the disposal of Indian Navy would continue the Search and Rescue operations and provide relief till normalcy is restored. All the SAR activities are being carried out in coordination with central agencies.

 

[Hindustani78]

Dec 05, 2017 13:04 IST

8/9
The Beating Retreat ceremony held at Mumbai’s Gateway of India. (Kunal Patil/HT)

8/9
India celebrated the 46th Navy Day in Mumbai on Monday, December 4. (Kunal Patil/HT)

8/9
Here, Navy personnel perform a simulated attack and hostage rescue operation at Gateway of India. (Kunal Patil/HT)

8/9
Navy Day is celebrated to commemorate the Navy’s courage during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

8/9
The Navy presented spectacular performances for the crowd gathered at Gateway of India. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

8/9
Navy personnel display their skills during the celebrations in Mumbai. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

8/9
Indian Navy personnel performing operations over the Arabian sea. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

8/9
The performances by the sailors were spectacular. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

8/9
People thronged at Gateway of India to watch the celebrations. (Kunal Patil/HT PHOTO)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
06-December, 2017 17:51 IST
Enhancement of Monetary Allowance for The Gallantry award Winners

The Government has enhanced the monetary allowances for the Gallantry Award winners vide notification dated 04 December 2017. This will come into effect from the 01 August 2017. The enhancement is for the recipients of post-independence Gallantry Award, pre-independence Gallantry Award and the monetary allowance attached to ‘Jangi Inam’ (a pre-independence Gallantry Award).

The details of the three notifications may be seen in the links detailed below:-

· https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/gallantry2.pdf

· https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/postgallantry.pdf

· https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gallantryawards1.pdf

The expenditure in this regard will be debitable to the relevant heads of Defence Services Estimates.