The Indian Navy’s future power: Kolkata-Class and Visakhapatnam-Class Destroyers

[SeaEagle]

INS Kolkata steams in the North Arabian Sea during Malabar 2020. (US Navy photo)

The Kolkata-class and Visakhapatnam-class destroyers are the Indian Navy’s most proficient surface combatants today. Therefore, they will retain these designations until the Project 18-class destroyers are launched in 2028.

History and Background
In 1980, India began an indigenous destroyer design and construction program. The first vessel in this series, INS Delhi, was put down in 1987 and launched in 1991. However, due to the Soviet Union’s disintegration, the armament systems for the Delhi-class, also known as the Project 15-class, we’re unable to be delivered on time. As a result, the program was delayed by three years. Finally, the Indian Navy could commission INS Delhi in 1997.

In 1986, India launched the Kolkata-class destroyer program as a replacement for the Delhi-class destroyers. Initially, the program’s objective was to design and build a surface combatant capable of superior air defense, ground attack, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-ship warfare to its predecessor. However, the Indian Navy later requested a new destroyer based on the Delhi class with advanced technology subsystems and a stealth design. Thus, in 2000, India authorized the construction of a new kind of warship dubbed the Kolkata-class.


Ins Kolkata Steams During Malabar 2020. Malabar 2020 (U.S. Navy Photo)

The Kolkata-Class
The Kolkata class, also known as the Project 15A-class, has similar dimensions to the Delhi class. But, there are nearly 2,500 modifications to its design than its predecessor’s. Similar to previous naval shipbuilding programs, India also experienced unfortunate problems and delays in the Kolkata class. Russia could not deliver naval-grade steel on time. While the design works continued, the Indian Navy decided to change the ship’s surface-to-air missile system and gun. Also, it demanded the inclusion of a sonar dome and modification of the helicopter hangar. Naturally, these changes caused delays.

In 2003, Mazagon Dock Limited lay down INS Kolkata, the first ship of this type. However, the difficulties were not resolved. The Ukrainian supplier was unable to supply the ship’s propellers and shafts. As a result, India had to place a new order with Russia for propellers and shafts in 2006. In the same year, INS Kolkata was launched. However, some issues arose during the sea trials. For instance, working the engine, gearbox, and shaft concurrently resulted in increased noise. Additionally, a malfunctioning carbon dioxide valve resulted in a tragic accident in 2014. Each issue is addressed individually, and the Indian Navy commissioned the INS Kolkata in 2014.

Three ships of this class are among the region’s most capable surface combatants, and they represent a watershed moment in India’s shipbuilding technology.

The Visakhapatnam-Class
Visakhapatnam-class aircraft, also known as Project 15B-class aircraft, is a more capable variant of the Kolkata class. In 2011, India authorized the construction of the Visakhapatnam-class. Its hull is identical to that of the Kolkata class. However, significant alterations have occurred in the superstructure. For instance, the Visakhapatnam-class is more stealthy than its forerunner. The bridge and tower have been rebuilt to lower the radar cross-section. Additionally, it features a flush deck and enhanced acoustic and infrared signature reduction technologies. The Visakhapatnam-class helicopter is secured through a rail-less helicopter traversing system.


Launching Of The Future Ins Visakhapatnam

It is network-centric in design and includes a ship data network, an autonomous power management system, and a combat management system. This feature enables the complement to be reduced while enhancing fighting efficiency. In 2013, India lay down the first of four ships in its class, the INS Visakhapatnam. Two years later, she was launched. This year, the Indian Navy intends to commission the destroyer.

General Features of Kolkata-Class

The Kolkata class has a total enrollment of 390 crew. It has a 7,400-ton displacement. The destroyer measures 163.2 meters in length, 17.4 meters in beam, and 6.5 meters in draught. Four Zorya-Mashproekt DT-59 reversible gas turbines with a combined output of 20,705 horsepower offer a top speed of 30 knots. The ship’s range is 15,000 kilometres at an economical speed of 18 knots. The frigate is armed with two eight-cell vertical launchers for BrahMos anti-ship missiles, four eight-cell vertical launchers for Barak 8 air defence missiles, a 76mm Super Rapido gun, four AK-630 close-in weapon systems, four 533mm torpedo tubes, and two RBU-6000 anti-submarine warfare rocket launchers.

The Kolkata class is equipped with a spacious hangar and flight deck to accommodate two Sea King or Dhruv helicopters. Visakhapatnam-class aircraft is slightly lighter than its predecessors. These ships are capable of network-centric warfare. Due to its cooperative engagement capability, a destroyer of these classes may execute an operation using sensor data from other boats and armament systems. The Indian Navy is the second Navy in the world, after the US Navy, to have achieved the capacity and the first in Asia.


Ins Chennai (D65) With JMSDF JS Kaga During JIMEX 2020.

These classes’ S-band EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radars are capable of surveillance and fire control operations. It can detect, identify, and track fighter jets at a range of 250 kilometres and missiles at a range of 25 kilometres. The radar is capable of monitoring more than 100 targets concurrently. The D-band LW 08 radar can detect a target with a radar cross-section of 2 square meters at a range of 260 kilometres. It is capable of tracking 64 targets concurrently.

General Features of The Visakhapatnam-class
The Visakhapatnam-class ships are armed with the 127mm Mk 45 Mod 5 gun, which ranges 37,000 meters. The EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar controls the destroyers’ AK-630 close-in weapon systems. Five thousand rounds per minute are the rate of firing of the AK-630. It has an effective range of around 5,000 meters. The anti-submarine warfare rocket launcher RBU-6000 has an effective range of 5,230 meters and a depth capability of 1,000 meters. Typically, salvos of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 rockets are launched. Automatic reloading occurs. These ships are armed with 53-65 KE active homing torpedoes with a range of 18,000 meters or SET-65 active-passive homing torpedoes with 20,000 meters. These destroyers are equipped with aviation facilities to accommodate two Sea King or Dhruv helicopters.

Conclusion
China’s ambition today is to control the whole Indian Ocean, beginning with the Malacca Strait. It works to forge alliances with many countries in the region, most notably Pakistan, to accomplish this purpose. As a result, the already tricky Sino-Indian relations have deteriorated further in recent years. A powerful navy is critical for India now more than ever. That increases the value of destroyers of the Kolkata and Visakhapatnam classes. The Kolkata-class destroyers are assigned to the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command and India’s shipbuilding industry’s pride and joy.

Check out Naval Library App to find out the specifications of the Kolkata-class destroyers.

 

[Bilal9]

These ships are capable of network-centric warfare. Due to its cooperative engagement capability, a destroyer of these classes may execute an operation using sensor data from other boats and armament systems. The Indian Navy is the second Navy in the world, after the US Navy, to have achieved the capacity and the first in Asia.

A crock-load of lies. Comparing sandal-wearing Indian Navy people with the US Navy. Network-centric my foot. Gimme a friggin' break!

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Yanna ask the posterr-a something in Turrrkish since-a he claim-a Turrrkish flag-enna, Mind itttt? Aaa ??

Sanghis and their false-flagging habits...14 yr. olds...

These hulls are basically derived from earlier Russian Delhi class hulls as well as scaled up from Talwar/Krivak class (designed by Severnoye Design Bureau) with different setup above board. Still they will jump up and down about "in-dee-jee-nus" all day. To each his own I guess.

Effendim abi? Soyle..?

 

[serenity]

Chinese navy is second navy to achieve real CEC. At the moment Indian navy still doesn't have this full capability. Israeli phased array radar is pretty good but there is no way India is second navy to achieve this lol.

Maybe fourth after Russia. Pajeets will always think they are second best to USA always.

At most Barak 8 has some CEC with other same class ships. PLAN has been directing submarine launched anti-ship missiles and using aircraft and other ships of different classes to coordinate swarm cruise missile attacks and directing anti-ship ballistic missile attacks since at least 2010.

 

[MilSpec]

Yanna ask the posterr-a something in Turrrkish since-a he claim-a Turrrkish flag-enna, Mind itttt? Aaa ??

Sanghis and their false-flagging habits...14 yr. olds...

These hulls are basically derived from earlier Russian Delhi class hulls as well as scaled up from Talwar/Krivak class (designed by Severnoye Design Bureau) with different setup above board. Still they will jump up and down about "in-dee-jee-nus" all day. To each his own I guess.

Kolkatta class derived from Delhi class.... Thats some tier 1 BS... Good going.

Not to forget Delhi Class is is about 135 feet longer than Krivak, to put it in perspective that even you would understand, a Whole Type 053H1 BNS Abu Bakar Longer and Given its about 3200 ton heavier, a close to another Krivak Heavy than the Krivak itself.

 

[MH.Yang]

The Calcutta class destroyer is the latest anti-aircraft missile destroyer under the Indian Navy.
Calcutta class warship is a model of scientific and technological cooperation all over the world. It is equipped with naval guns from Italy, phased array radar from Israel, main engine from Ukraine, auxiliary engine from Norway, generators from Denmark, anti-ship missiles from Russia, air defense missiles from Israel, early warning radar from the Netherlands, bow sonar from the USA, towed sonar from Germany and combat management system from Canada, Navigation management system in Sweden and project supervision in France, etc.
On the Calcutta class warship, we saw the hope of human cooperation in the future.
The Calcutta class is an excellent warship. In addition to the long construction time (14 years), the speed of air defense missiles is slower than that of aircraft (the max-speed is Mach 2), lack sufficient ability to defend against electronic warfare aircraft, has two power systems (European standard and Russian standard), uses smaller power gas turbines (16550kw), the phased array radar looks like Sikh's headscarf, which affects the overall center of gravity of warships. Calcutta has no shortcomings.

Wow, we're so scared.

 

[SMX 3.0]

These hulls are basically derived from earlier Russian Delhi class hulls as well as scaled up from Talwar/Krivak class (designed by Severnoye Design Bureau) with different setup above board. Still they will jump up and down about "in-dee-jee-nus" all day. To each his own I guess.

Delhi had a Russian hull? ''Derived from earlier Delhi class hulls as well as scaled up from Talwar/Krivak class''? What is that even supposed to mean?

Talwars have nothing to do with Delhis. Both have very different hulls.

I understand that you have a severe case of inferiority complex, but you are taking this too far.

A crock-load of lies. Comparing sandal-wearing Indian Navy people with the US Navy. Network-centric my foot. Gimme a friggin' break!

We are talking about the navy of a country that has dedicated military comm sats as well as ASAT capabilities. Not some BNS ''whatever old Chinese hull'' Navy.

India's Navy Successfully Tests Cooperative Engagement

Chinese navy is second navy to achieve real CEC. At the moment Indian navy still doesn't have this full capability. Israeli phased array radar is pretty good but there is no way India is second navy to achieve this lol.

Can you explain what is meant by ''full capability''?

India's Navy Successfully Tests Cooperative Engagement

Please do provide data about Chinese CEC.

Maybe fourth after Russia. Pajeets will always think they are second best to USA always.

If you want to start with slurs, you have Wumaos thinking their reverse-engineered military can take on the US.

 

[serenity]

Can you explain what is meant by ''full capability''?

India's Navy Successfully Tests Cooperative Engagement



If you want to start with slurs, you have Wumaos thinking their reverse-engineered military can take on the US.

The other Indian IT cell troll said India is second country to have CEC after US. China and Russia had naval CEC well before 2019.

With full capability I mean all your ships are fitted with this ability to share targeting information with your weapons. With India it is only Brahmos and Barak-8 weapons for navy. Brahmos is incapable of CEC with most systems since the equipment is ranging from European to Israeli to Russian suppliers and developers. Barak-8 is CEC capable with the modern Indian navy ships that use EL/M2248.

By full capabilities I mean the entire range of weapons used not just one missile type.

Anyway whatever man India best as always ... number 2 after USA.

 

[SMX 3.0]

By full capabilities I mean the entire range of weapons used not just one missile type.

And exactly which missiles have the Chinese demonstrated CEC capability with?

With full capability I mean all your ships are fitted with this ability to share targeting information with your weapons.

Kolkata (and upcoming Vishakhapatanam & Nilgiri) are vessels capable of area air defence, and these have CEC capability. In the case of USN, Aegis-equipped Cruisers & destroyers have this capability. It is not necessary for a General Purpose Frigate with short-range SAMs to have CEC capabilities.

With India it is only Brahmos and Barak-8 weapons for navy. Brahmos is incapable of CEC with most systems since the equipment is ranging from European to Israeli to Russian suppliers and developers.

The Combat management system is Indian, So are the avionics & datalinks onboard the Brahmos. Read up more on that, please.

 

[serenity]

And exactly which missiles have the Chinese demonstrated CEC capability with?

HHQ-9, HHQ-16 as SAM missiles.

YJ-12, YJ-18, even old YJ-83 and YJ-62 as anti-ship missiles.

DF-100, DF-ZF, DF-21, DF-26 types of hypersonic cruise missiles, HGVs, and anti-ship ballistic missiles which are CECed by WZ-7, WZ-8, and Yaogan satellites while also using other sensor nodes.

Just because wikipedia edited by Indians don't mention something doesn't mean they don't exist. India editors often skip Chinese ones on many aspects.

For example, the anti-ship ballistic missiles that were tested on moving small target at sea were fired from two locations in China thousand kilometers apart and hit the small ship at the same time. Direction through ionized cloud was fed through satellites and or WZ-7 or WZ-8 extreme high altitude drones. This is much more difficult CEC than typical 2000s (US/ China/ Russia) high speed datalinks.

The guy claimed India is second country to achieve CEC. Well the Indian navy CEC is between Israeli Barak-8 missile and Israeli S band EL/M 2248 radar along with I'm sure is Israeli high speed data link arrays that can communicate with Israeli EL/M 2248. Barak-8 is as Israeli as JF-17 is Chinese rather than Indian and Pakistani. The inputs and everything are of course there but this still means Indian CEC on Israeli equipment means Israel had CEC before India since they also use Barak-8 and these electronic equipment.

So how can India be second to have CEC if it is getting CEC on one weapon type based totally of Israeli missile and electronic equipment?

Some Chinese high speed datalink types on now ancient Type 051 ship.

and on Type 054A which is 15 years old and more now.

Since Type 055, the circular arrays have changed to flat phased arrays for CEC datalinking.

On the Type 075 its form is also flat phased array as is on Type 002 which is similar in layout and position to Type 055s but most photos are not of the tower mast.

Kolkata (and upcoming Vishakhapatanam & Nilgiri) are vessels capable of area air defence, and these have CEC capability. In the case of USN, Aegis-equipped Cruisers & destroyers have this capability. It is not necessary for a General Purpose Frigate with short-range SAMs to have CEC capabilities.

This depends on how important they believe this to be and how modular the missiles will become since cells are smaller type compared to Destroyers 052D and 055. But HHQ-16 is a fat missile and can be constantly upgraded in range and if they bother to improve seeker into a much more expensive version. At the moment the range is 70km against aircraft and in future, even frigates may use some new missile so having CEC is still important enough. Also frigates can be used serving as a sensor node with positions traveling some distance ahead. There are many reason to carry CEC even if it is only armed with 70km range missiles.

The Combat management system is Indian, So are the avionics & datalinks onboard the Brahmos. Read up more on that, please.

It is but I do not think the Brahmos would easily communicate with the rest of the systems since the only CEC at the moment in Indian Navy is Barak-8 weapon. Not Brahmos.

 

[serenity]

CEC technologies move through generation based on the technology of the day and needs.

For example with guiding and communicating with anti-ship ballistic missiles, the front of MaRV is surrounded with ionized cloud so the way China achieved anti-ship ballistic missile technology is by guiding them from space or using extreme high altitude drones like WZ-7 Soar Dragon, WZ-8, or the Divine Eagle drones. Similar with guiding HGVs either boost or scramjet cruise missile types or more exotic propulsion hypersonic weapons or indeed even reusable aircraft.

China has had MaRV anti-ship ballistic missiles since around 2010 in service. Nowadays the DF-21D and DF-26C are designated as third generation anti-ship ballistic missiles while first gen are mostly the trial vehicles. Shooter node is in central China and sensor node is near space flying at more than Mach 3 like WZ-8. Some yaogan satellite constellations are part of sensor node or can serve as. Since 1990s China has been launching secretive military remote sensing, SAR, and other highly classified satellites to form this network as well as part of some other sensors networks for purposes of assisting in countering stealth, tracking carriers, tracking any flying vehicle as it has recently proven it has capability of even following planes flying above cities.

These represent a different type of CEC that does not rely on large arrays. Ships use them for greater power and redundancy but if J-16 is shooter node of PL-xx long range missiles and J-20 and Dark Sword UCAV are sensor nodes along with AWACS, special mission aircraft and AEWC types or EW and EA aircraft, then it appears CEC for air combat does not require large and heavy arrays. Another example is the GJ-11 being shooter node and various platforms serving as sensor nodes. GJ-11 itself lacks the onboard sensors for guided weapons. Only enough for datalinking. Yet PLA's review of GJ-11 is highly positive to insist stealth really is exceptionally useful. Replacement in development according to leaks.

Just like 3G communication technology is very different in hardware and software to 5G and 6G (being tested and developed already) or morse code telegram communication uses different principles to quantum communication equipment, clearly CEC has multiple generation and types depending on sensor and shooter nodes and what the purpose is.

Otherwise we will not see anti-ship ballistic missiles, HGV guidance, J-16s firing long range missiles beyond 200km with sensor node being J-20 or Type 039A firing YJ-83.

I'm saying even the older Type 051 and Type 054A CEC equipment is far outdated by today's measure and while phased array similar to those on Type 055 are part of newer CEC navy equipment, there are even better performing but maybe much more expensive and complex types of technologies around.

 

[MH.Yang]

And exactly which missiles have the Chinese demonstrated CEC capability with?



Kolkata (and upcoming Vishakhapatanam & Nilgiri) are vessels capable of area air defence, and these have CEC capability. In the case of USN, Aegis-equipped Cruisers & destroyers have this capability. It is not necessary for a General Purpose Frigate with short-range SAMs to have CEC capabilities.



The Combat management system is Indian, So are the avionics & datalinks onboard the Brahmos. Read up more on that, please.

India's so-called CEC is only the relay guidance of Barak 8 air defense missile between two P15A destroyers.
This level of CEC can only be equivalent to HQ7 used in 053H3 made in China in the 1990s. China recorded using 053H3 and HQ7 for relay guidance in 2007.
CEC standard of 055 refers to all situation awareness and fire control radar data sharing in the whole fleet. Please don't lower the CEC index without permission.
Also, please don't compare Indian warships with Chinese warships at will.

BTW: HQ7 used in 053H3 of Bangladesh has relay guidance capability, and SS-N-22 manufactured in 1970s of Russia also has relay guidance capability.

无人机在反舰导弹中继制导中的关键问题研究 - 百度学术

xueshu.baidu.com

https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1635472046807703226&wfr=spider&for=pc

 

[IblinI]

I am gonna give credits to you guys for actually spent so much time on him.

 

[serenity]

India's so-called CEC is only the relay guidance of Barak 8 air defense missile between two P15A destroyers.
This level of CEC can only be equivalent to HQ7 used in 053H3 made in China in the 1990s. China recorded using 053H3 and HQ7 for relay guidance in 2007.
CEC standard of 055 refers to all situation awareness and fire control radar data sharing in the whole fleet. Please don't lower the CEC index without permission.
Also, please don't compare Indian warships with Chinese warships at will.

BTW: HQ7 used in 053H3 of Bangladesh has relay guidance capability, and SS-N-22 manufactured in 1970s of Russia also has relay guidance capability.

无人机在反舰导弹中继制导中的关键问题研究 - 百度学术

xueshu.baidu.com

https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1635472046807703226&wfr=spider&for=pc

It is still CEC but yes saying Indian Navy number 2 in CEC is not even close to correct.

India navy is first to declare it has a very rudimentary form of CEC. But I mean Chinese leaders and military guys have mentioned CEC basically but China never officially declared hey look everyone we have CEC. Well that is obvious to all military intel officers around the world. Just by looking at some sensors is enough and by knowing certain platforms fire certain weapons that they have no ability to provide any guidance for at all. That's the old and low level stuff. The new and interesting is satellite based guidance. The signal delay is many, many seconds long. So clearly satellite guidance is a mystery but there are ways to calculate probabilities to create worthwhile solutions for "blind" guidance with maybe a few seconds lag.

Israel had that long ago and the Indian navy one is basically the Israeli naval CEC. Russia and China even longer ago had that form of CEC but full CEC I'm talking about refers to the new network warfare shooter sensor systems and incorporating into this many layers of EW and EA offensive and resistance capabilities. Russia and Israel also never declared they have CEC officially but maybe their publications have mentioned it. Just like Chinese ones have mentioned it. But Diplomat makes one article of Indian using Israel CEC technology and weapons means India is second country to have CEC? Extremely inaccurate and why Wikipedia is not academic. But for villagers it is proud moment.

Using only automated integrated management to optimize all networks. Like for example, in war, the situation and learning curve keeps changing for example an opponent's offensive is maybe weaker or stronger than expected and certain hardware or abilities unexpected. This would rely only on automatic management to constantly modulate how the orbat is managed and commanded.

Most of China's military is machine learning integrated and semi managed. This is really the only way to conduct modern war. Just like China's covid handling was automated with automatic tracing and outbreak pattern behavior that cosntantly is learning about trends in different city types densities and concentration of things like shops for example. Because it is impossible for 100 decision makers for example to crunch the data and calculate optimal decisions and course of action and react while information and situation is constantly changing. Covid management "software" systems I think have revealed a lot about how modern warfare is conducted by China and revealed capabilities maybe without wanting to. Military domain is even greater since it involves weapon hardware and digital military domain for example EW/EA and cyberwarfare.

All the offensive and defensive moves in merged domains constitute highest kind of "CEC". In the surface it appears as multiple platforms providing information, guidance, targeting, firing and that kind of stuff. But the invisible iceberg is far deeper.

 

[MH.Yang]

It is still CEC but yes saying Indian Navy number 2 in CEC is not even close to correct.

India navy is first to declare it has a very rudimentary form of CEC. But I mean Chinese leaders and military guys have mentioned CEC basically but China never officially declared hey look everyone we have CEC. Well that is obvious to all military intel officers around the world. Just by looking at some sensors is enough and by knowing certain platforms fire certain weapons that they have no ability to provide any guidance for at all. That's the old and low level stuff. The new and interesting is satellite based guidance. The signal delay is many, many seconds long. So clearly satellite guidance is a mystery but there are ways to calculate probabilities to create worthwhile solutions for "blind" guidance with maybe a few seconds lag.

Israel had that long ago and the Indian navy one is basically the Israeli naval CEC. Russia and China even longer ago had that form of CEC but full CEC I'm talking about refers to the new network warfare shooter sensor systems and incorporating into this many layers of EW and EA offensive and resistance capabilities. Russia and Israel also never declared they have CEC officially but maybe their publications have mentioned it. Just like Chinese ones have mentioned it. But Diplomat makes one article of Indian using Israel CEC technology and weapons means India is second country to have CEC? Extremely inaccurate and why Wikipedia is not academic. But for villagers it is proud moment.

Using only automated integrated management to optimize all networks. Like for example, in war, the situation and learning curve keeps changing for example an opponent's offensive is maybe weaker or stronger than expected and certain hardware or abilities unexpected. This would rely only on automatic management to constantly modulate how the orbat is managed and commanded.

Most of China's military is machine learning integrated and semi managed. This is really the only way to conduct modern war. Just like China's covid handling is automated because it is impossible for 100 decision makers for example to crunch the data and calculate optimal decisions and course of action and react while information and situation is constantly changing. Covid management "software" systems I think have revealed a lot about how modern warfare is conducted by China and revealed capabilities maybe without wanting to. Military domain is even greater since it involves weapon hardware and digital military domain for example EW/EA and cyberwarfare.

All the offensive and defensive moves in merged domains constitute highest kind of "CEC". In the surface it appears as multiple platforms providing information, guidance, targeting, firing and that kind of stuff. But the invisible iceberg is far deeper.

I have just carefully read the detailed report on the test firing of the Indian Navy's "Kochin" and "Chennai" on May 15, 2019. I'm sure it's just relay guidance, not CEC at all. Not even a junior CEC.