Indian Navy
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INS Kadamba ( Project Seabird) commissioned
Strategic depth of defence in the Arabian Sea; new base to help decongest Mumbai
On June 1,2005 Tuesday the Navy's long-awaited, futuristic, state-of-the-art operational base on the western seaboard at Karwar (Karnataka)was commissioned. Christened INS Kadamba (after the famous fourth century dynasty) the base will provide the Navy with its first exclusive harbour (all others are essentially enclaves within a commercial port), a strategic depth of defence at sea, especially in the Arabian Sea, and its third operational base after Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
Ships to be relocated
It will also help decongest Mumbai, the Navy's premier base, with at least 10 ships that are now based at Mumbai being relocated at Kadamba. But the decision on which ships are to be located at Kadamba will only be based on a policy that is being formulated by the Navy. Sources told The Hindu that it was likely that the Navy's more modern surface ships such as the Mumbai class of destroyers would be based at Kadamba. Facilities, especially at the base's fledgling Naval Ship Repair Yard, will also need to be built up before ships are relocated at Karwar. At present 43 officers and 200 sailors will be stationed at Kadamba.
The emotional high point of the commissioning ceremony was the "breaking of the commissioning pennant" and the unfurling of the naval ensign. As per naval traditions the pennant will never be lowered until the base is decommissioned.
Berthed in the base's ample anchorage during the impressive commissioning ceremony were six of India's frontline ships: the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the stealth frigate INS Talwar, two Delhi class destroyers INS Mumbai and INS Mysore, and two Godavari class guided missile frigates INS Godavari and INS Gomati.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony the Defence Minister said that Kadamba would help the nation defend its maritime and strategic interests at sea and help the Navy discharge its responsibilities. Terming the commissioning (the first phase of the project should be completed early next year) an important milestone towards the operationalisation of the naval base and a tribute to the vision of Rajiv Gandhi who had laid the foundation stone for the project in October 1986.
To spur development
Mr. Mukherjee admitted that the project (known as Project Seabird) had to overcome many impediments since it was sanctioned by the government in 1985. But he added that its commissioning would spark the all round economic development of Karwar. "Hopefully Karwar and the surrounding areas would become part of the mainstream of the national economy."
In his speech the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Arun Prakash said that the first phase of the naval base would support and coordinate all the activities that take place at Kadamba. He added that the warships and submarines based at Kadamba would help the country extend its hand to friends, safeguard the country's vast maritime interests and strike a lethal blow to the country's enemies at or from the sea. Terming the base a bastion of national security, the CNS said it would also prove beneficial to the people of the region and the general development of Karwar. According to the CNS, Project Seabird was the most ambitious infrastructure project of the Indian Navy.
Sandwiched between the craggy Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, deep bays which offer natural protection and a depth of water hardly half a mile into sea, Kadamba is an ideal location for a naval port.
Set to be prime naval port
Over the next two decades the base which is spread over 11,200 acres of land along a 26-km sea front from Karwar Head in the North through Baitkol, Kamath, Binaga, Kwada and Balekeri Bays, Kadamaba will not only overtake Mumbai as India's prime naval port but also turn out to be the biggest in Asia. Kadamba is also be the first port in India to have a shiplift and transfer system, thereby allowing ships (both military and merchant) to be berthed, lifted on to land, repaired and re-sailed in relatively short spans... crucial elements if the Navy is to keep its assets sea worthy. The 10,000 tonne 175 by 28 metre shiplift can lift all of the Navy's ships excluding tankers and the Viraat.
Speaking to reporters after the commissioning Commodore K.P. Ramachandran, INS Kadamba's first Commanding Officer (CO) said that 11 ships could be berthed at Kadamba once the first phase of construction was complete, with the figure going up to 22 after the second phase of construction, which should take two years, was completed. Kadamba's harbour is designed to ultimately berth 42 ships. He said submarines could operate from Kadamaba if need be.
The CO said the second phase would include a naval air station, naval research institute and a naval armament yard.
The chairperson of the National Advisory Council Sonia Gandhi unveiled a plaque naming the base as INS Kadamba. In a break from tradition the invocation was read out in Sanskrit.
Strategic depth of defence in the Arabian Sea; new base to help decongest Mumbai
On June 1,2005 Tuesday the Navy's long-awaited, futuristic, state-of-the-art operational base on the western seaboard at Karwar (Karnataka)was commissioned. Christened INS Kadamba (after the famous fourth century dynasty) the base will provide the Navy with its first exclusive harbour (all others are essentially enclaves within a commercial port), a strategic depth of defence at sea, especially in the Arabian Sea, and its third operational base after Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
Ships to be relocated
It will also help decongest Mumbai, the Navy's premier base, with at least 10 ships that are now based at Mumbai being relocated at Kadamba. But the decision on which ships are to be located at Kadamba will only be based on a policy that is being formulated by the Navy. Sources told The Hindu that it was likely that the Navy's more modern surface ships such as the Mumbai class of destroyers would be based at Kadamba. Facilities, especially at the base's fledgling Naval Ship Repair Yard, will also need to be built up before ships are relocated at Karwar. At present 43 officers and 200 sailors will be stationed at Kadamba.
The emotional high point of the commissioning ceremony was the "breaking of the commissioning pennant" and the unfurling of the naval ensign. As per naval traditions the pennant will never be lowered until the base is decommissioned.
Berthed in the base's ample anchorage during the impressive commissioning ceremony were six of India's frontline ships: the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, the stealth frigate INS Talwar, two Delhi class destroyers INS Mumbai and INS Mysore, and two Godavari class guided missile frigates INS Godavari and INS Gomati.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony the Defence Minister said that Kadamba would help the nation defend its maritime and strategic interests at sea and help the Navy discharge its responsibilities. Terming the commissioning (the first phase of the project should be completed early next year) an important milestone towards the operationalisation of the naval base and a tribute to the vision of Rajiv Gandhi who had laid the foundation stone for the project in October 1986.
To spur development
Mr. Mukherjee admitted that the project (known as Project Seabird) had to overcome many impediments since it was sanctioned by the government in 1985. But he added that its commissioning would spark the all round economic development of Karwar. "Hopefully Karwar and the surrounding areas would become part of the mainstream of the national economy."
In his speech the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Arun Prakash said that the first phase of the naval base would support and coordinate all the activities that take place at Kadamba. He added that the warships and submarines based at Kadamba would help the country extend its hand to friends, safeguard the country's vast maritime interests and strike a lethal blow to the country's enemies at or from the sea. Terming the base a bastion of national security, the CNS said it would also prove beneficial to the people of the region and the general development of Karwar. According to the CNS, Project Seabird was the most ambitious infrastructure project of the Indian Navy.
Sandwiched between the craggy Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, deep bays which offer natural protection and a depth of water hardly half a mile into sea, Kadamba is an ideal location for a naval port.
Set to be prime naval port
Over the next two decades the base which is spread over 11,200 acres of land along a 26-km sea front from Karwar Head in the North through Baitkol, Kamath, Binaga, Kwada and Balekeri Bays, Kadamaba will not only overtake Mumbai as India's prime naval port but also turn out to be the biggest in Asia. Kadamba is also be the first port in India to have a shiplift and transfer system, thereby allowing ships (both military and merchant) to be berthed, lifted on to land, repaired and re-sailed in relatively short spans... crucial elements if the Navy is to keep its assets sea worthy. The 10,000 tonne 175 by 28 metre shiplift can lift all of the Navy's ships excluding tankers and the Viraat.
Speaking to reporters after the commissioning Commodore K.P. Ramachandran, INS Kadamba's first Commanding Officer (CO) said that 11 ships could be berthed at Kadamba once the first phase of construction was complete, with the figure going up to 22 after the second phase of construction, which should take two years, was completed. Kadamba's harbour is designed to ultimately berth 42 ships. He said submarines could operate from Kadamaba if need be.
The CO said the second phase would include a naval air station, naval research institute and a naval armament yard.
The chairperson of the National Advisory Council Sonia Gandhi unveiled a plaque naming the base as INS Kadamba. In a break from tradition the invocation was read out in Sanskrit.
Bull
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BARAK SAM
The Barak SAM is an integrated system intended to destroy incoming anti-ship missiles. The system comprises of the 10 km-range interceptor missile, an eight-tube IAI/Rafael-developed vertical-launch system, an EL/M-2221 STGR [Search, Track & Guidance/Gunnery Radar] and an Elbit fire-control system capable of automatic operation, with the ability to engage two targets simultaneously. It features very low level flight capability, high fire power and a large kill radius. The system is fully operational day & night, and even in adverse weather conditions. The missile is launched vertically with a full 360ú azimuth coverage and features a Command to Line-Of-Sight (CLOS) narrow, pencil beam radar guidance system that assures extended ECCM [Electronic Counter Counter Measures] immunity to enemy EW [Electronic Warfare] countermeasures. The guidance system enables accurate interception of both high and low flying threats, even in severely unfavourable, cluttered or multi-path conditions. The missile's performance is further enhanced by the EL/M-2221 STGR, which has an extremely powerful signal and data processing capability that has been optimized for defence against all anti-ship threats, particularly sea-skimming missiles.
This missile system was short listed by the Indian Navy in 1994 [1] and the first batch of seven systems, approved by the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) in 1996, was followed by another approval in 2000 to install all seven systems onboard their respective platforms, initially announced as the P16/16A frigates and the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat. The acquisition was an evolution of an urgent Indian Navy requirement for a missile defence system, originally projected in 1988 to be DRDO's Trishul SAM. INS Brahmaputra was being built to accommodate the Trishul system, but even as the ship was being readied for launch, the latter had still not completed development. The ship eventually commissioned and was forced into a period which saw the vessel being equipped with no SAM system at all, until finally equipped with the Barak system a while later. At least 10 new Barak systems were to be purchased in follow-on batches.
The Barak incorporates a Rafael-developed advanced 22 kg blast fragmentation warhead that is optimized for penetration and detonation of enemy missiles. The warhead weight exceeds 22% of the 98 kg total missile weight - an unprecedented ratio in missile technology - giving it an effective large kill envelope, and the highest lethality against both soft and hard skin targets. The missile features a unique adaptive proximity fuse with a smart altimeter. This unprecedented sub-system allows unusually effective low level engagements. It incorporates a very short automatic engagement cycle that facilitates engagement of multiple threats, 'wave' and 'stream' attacks. It also has an alternative semi-auto mode that enables effective 'man-in-the-loop' operation. The missile's modular architecture facilitates integration with any existing or desired configuration of modern combat systems, including guns, leaving options for future growth and upgrading of the system. System configuration options include multiple Lines-of-Sight and a variable number of missiles. The missile is significantly more compact and lighter in weight than any other comparable existing system. Its space-saving design allows a wide range of installation options, suitable for existing and new vessels, from small strike craft to large ships. The Barak incorporates a maintenance-free, simple self-contained launcher with canisterized missiles based on the 'Wooden Round' concept. An extensive system BIT (Built-in-Test) assures high operational availability.
Initial test firings were carried out on 08 May 2003 and by 23 November 2003, press reports [2] indicated that two recent test firings of the Barak missile, off the coast of Mumbai, had resulted in failure of the first launch followed by a successful intercept. Nevertheless, a decision [3] to purchase the third batch of Barak systems for $100 million, was announced on 27 November 2003. Follow on press reports claimed on 17 December 2003, that a retrial would be conducted as the earlier tests had proven unsatisfactory. By 2005, final series of test firings had confirmed 100% hits on every type of anti-ship missile in the Indian Navy's inventory. INS Viraat was incorrectly assumed to be the first vessel to receive the system and misleading press reports would indicate that the ship received the Barak SAM as early as 1997. In reality, deck cutting for the VLS was completed only in early 2004 at CSL (Cochin Shipyard Ltd) while the ship was in refit. Final integration of the missile system among other weapon systems, commenced from August 2004 onwards. As of July 2005, confirmed recipients of the Barak system include two Type 15 Delhi Class destroyers, one (probably more) Type 16 Godavari Class frigate, three Type 16A Brahmaputra Class frigates, at least one Rajput (Kashin II) Class destroyer and the solitary aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.
On the Delhi Class, the two new EL/M-2221 STGRs replace the two MR-123-02 illuminators and perform as the fire control system for both the Barak SAM and the 30mm AK-630 CIWS, as does the single STGR on INS Viraat which replaces one Plessey Type 904 director. Aboard the latter, the two-screen console has been installed in the operations room. The entire Barak system is autonomous, automatically building an overall picture of the threat situation with automatic control of the engagement from detection to target destruction. Unlike other vessels, INS Viraat carries additional Barak rounds for reloads during operational deployment. One or more of the Rajput Class similarly have two of their aft MR-123-02s replaced by the STGR and their forward AK-630s replaced with the Barak, where the platform is elevated up to the height of the base of the STGR. On the P-16/16A frigates, the single EL/M-2221 STGR is installed directly above the bridge. This type has completely replaced the SA-N-4 Gecko with the Barak as the primary SAM system but carries only 24 missiles in 3 clusters of 8 VLS modules. IAI/Rafael have repeatedly offered to jointly develop a follow on Barak-2 [4] system, with a missile range of 70 km with Indian agencies but the actual status of the program is unknown. Live firings of the Barak-1 have been recorded on the Delhi Class destroyers, in particular, INS Mysore.
The Barak SAM is an integrated system intended to destroy incoming anti-ship missiles. The system comprises of the 10 km-range interceptor missile, an eight-tube IAI/Rafael-developed vertical-launch system, an EL/M-2221 STGR [Search, Track & Guidance/Gunnery Radar] and an Elbit fire-control system capable of automatic operation, with the ability to engage two targets simultaneously. It features very low level flight capability, high fire power and a large kill radius. The system is fully operational day & night, and even in adverse weather conditions. The missile is launched vertically with a full 360ú azimuth coverage and features a Command to Line-Of-Sight (CLOS) narrow, pencil beam radar guidance system that assures extended ECCM [Electronic Counter Counter Measures] immunity to enemy EW [Electronic Warfare] countermeasures. The guidance system enables accurate interception of both high and low flying threats, even in severely unfavourable, cluttered or multi-path conditions. The missile's performance is further enhanced by the EL/M-2221 STGR, which has an extremely powerful signal and data processing capability that has been optimized for defence against all anti-ship threats, particularly sea-skimming missiles.
This missile system was short listed by the Indian Navy in 1994 [1] and the first batch of seven systems, approved by the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) in 1996, was followed by another approval in 2000 to install all seven systems onboard their respective platforms, initially announced as the P16/16A frigates and the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat. The acquisition was an evolution of an urgent Indian Navy requirement for a missile defence system, originally projected in 1988 to be DRDO's Trishul SAM. INS Brahmaputra was being built to accommodate the Trishul system, but even as the ship was being readied for launch, the latter had still not completed development. The ship eventually commissioned and was forced into a period which saw the vessel being equipped with no SAM system at all, until finally equipped with the Barak system a while later. At least 10 new Barak systems were to be purchased in follow-on batches.
The Barak incorporates a Rafael-developed advanced 22 kg blast fragmentation warhead that is optimized for penetration and detonation of enemy missiles. The warhead weight exceeds 22% of the 98 kg total missile weight - an unprecedented ratio in missile technology - giving it an effective large kill envelope, and the highest lethality against both soft and hard skin targets. The missile features a unique adaptive proximity fuse with a smart altimeter. This unprecedented sub-system allows unusually effective low level engagements. It incorporates a very short automatic engagement cycle that facilitates engagement of multiple threats, 'wave' and 'stream' attacks. It also has an alternative semi-auto mode that enables effective 'man-in-the-loop' operation. The missile's modular architecture facilitates integration with any existing or desired configuration of modern combat systems, including guns, leaving options for future growth and upgrading of the system. System configuration options include multiple Lines-of-Sight and a variable number of missiles. The missile is significantly more compact and lighter in weight than any other comparable existing system. Its space-saving design allows a wide range of installation options, suitable for existing and new vessels, from small strike craft to large ships. The Barak incorporates a maintenance-free, simple self-contained launcher with canisterized missiles based on the 'Wooden Round' concept. An extensive system BIT (Built-in-Test) assures high operational availability.
Initial test firings were carried out on 08 May 2003 and by 23 November 2003, press reports [2] indicated that two recent test firings of the Barak missile, off the coast of Mumbai, had resulted in failure of the first launch followed by a successful intercept. Nevertheless, a decision [3] to purchase the third batch of Barak systems for $100 million, was announced on 27 November 2003. Follow on press reports claimed on 17 December 2003, that a retrial would be conducted as the earlier tests had proven unsatisfactory. By 2005, final series of test firings had confirmed 100% hits on every type of anti-ship missile in the Indian Navy's inventory. INS Viraat was incorrectly assumed to be the first vessel to receive the system and misleading press reports would indicate that the ship received the Barak SAM as early as 1997. In reality, deck cutting for the VLS was completed only in early 2004 at CSL (Cochin Shipyard Ltd) while the ship was in refit. Final integration of the missile system among other weapon systems, commenced from August 2004 onwards. As of July 2005, confirmed recipients of the Barak system include two Type 15 Delhi Class destroyers, one (probably more) Type 16 Godavari Class frigate, three Type 16A Brahmaputra Class frigates, at least one Rajput (Kashin II) Class destroyer and the solitary aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.
On the Delhi Class, the two new EL/M-2221 STGRs replace the two MR-123-02 illuminators and perform as the fire control system for both the Barak SAM and the 30mm AK-630 CIWS, as does the single STGR on INS Viraat which replaces one Plessey Type 904 director. Aboard the latter, the two-screen console has been installed in the operations room. The entire Barak system is autonomous, automatically building an overall picture of the threat situation with automatic control of the engagement from detection to target destruction. Unlike other vessels, INS Viraat carries additional Barak rounds for reloads during operational deployment. One or more of the Rajput Class similarly have two of their aft MR-123-02s replaced by the STGR and their forward AK-630s replaced with the Barak, where the platform is elevated up to the height of the base of the STGR. On the P-16/16A frigates, the single EL/M-2221 STGR is installed directly above the bridge. This type has completely replaced the SA-N-4 Gecko with the Barak as the primary SAM system but carries only 24 missiles in 3 clusters of 8 VLS modules. IAI/Rafael have repeatedly offered to jointly develop a follow on Barak-2 [4] system, with a missile range of 70 km with Indian agencies but the actual status of the program is unknown. Live firings of the Barak-1 have been recorded on the Delhi Class destroyers, in particular, INS Mysore.
Sid
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I have no clue as to which stage does debate stand in this thread. A couple of messages are posted more than once and no clear direction seems to be in place.
Anyways, I tihnk the Indian Navy is doing great with its modernization plans and is on the right course of its ambitions to become a true Blue Water Navy. But it will not be an easy task in the face of staunch opposition from the PLAAN which is on its course to become a true Blue Water Navy, however it is still behind the IN as of now.
Pakistan Navy needs to do more to ensure the safety of its waters by rapidly modernizing its force structure to meet the new threat that is being posed by the IN.
Anyways, I tihnk the Indian Navy is doing great with its modernization plans and is on the right course of its ambitions to become a true Blue Water Navy. But it will not be an easy task in the face of staunch opposition from the PLAAN which is on its course to become a true Blue Water Navy, however it is still behind the IN as of now.
Pakistan Navy needs to do more to ensure the safety of its waters by rapidly modernizing its force structure to meet the new threat that is being posed by the IN.
Zeeshan S.
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I am actually wondering how could Pakistan Navy really modernize, cheaply, with possible transfer of technology aiming at future.
Sid
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Basic effort would be to get ToT for everything that is purchased just like what India is doing in most of its defense purchases. No ToT, no purchase from that vendor.
Just like we obtained ToT for Agosta 90Bs and would be getting for F-22P frigates; we should be able to do what with almost everything. At the same time, we need to invest heavily in to R & D to come up with genuine reasearch and breakthroughs which would help further in self-reliance.
A major 'cheap' way of modernizing is, get US excessive defence articles; meaning buying of those things which are required by our forces (in this case, the PN) which are lying in US warehouses without being used (are 'excessive'
. This option could well be used easily since we have the 'major non-Nato ally' status currently.
Just like we obtained ToT for Agosta 90Bs and would be getting for F-22P frigates; we should be able to do what with almost everything. At the same time, we need to invest heavily in to R & D to come up with genuine reasearch and breakthroughs which would help further in self-reliance.
A major 'cheap' way of modernizing is, get US excessive defence articles; meaning buying of those things which are required by our forces (in this case, the PN) which are lying in US warehouses without being used (are 'excessive'
. This option could well be used easily since we have the 'major non-Nato ally' status currently.- Status
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