Indian Naval Discussion

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 24 Nov 2011 01:07

'Warship delays not linked to Mazagon Docks upgrade'.

There is a delay in the modernisation of Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) and the construction of warships there but the two issues are not linked, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Wednesday."There have been initial delays in modernisation programme of MDL. However, the delay in modernisation programme has not contributed directly to the delay in ongoing warship construction projects," Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The MDL modernisation was launched in 2009 at a cost of Rs.826 crore and was scheduled to be completed in 2011.

The ship-builder is constructing three Shivalik class frigates under Project 17 at a cost of Rs.7,800 crore and three Kolkata class destroyers under Project 15A at a cost of Rs.8,459 crore, apart from six Scorpene submarines under Project 75 at a cost of Rs.23,562 crore.

Antony said the main reasons for the delay in MDL's modernisation programme included the ship-builder's not being able to create a modular shop, a cradle shop, a wet basin and stores primarily because of non-availability of land, want of permission from the Mumbai Port Trust and lack of adequate funds in the initial stage.

He said a Goliath Crane, which was tendered in June 2005 and August 2006, had to be re-tendered for the third time in January 2007 due to non-availability of contractors who could meet the pre-qualification requirements. The contract was finally signed on Aug 6, 2009.The tender for the wet basin was issued in August 2006. However, the single qualified bid could not be accepted due to its high price. It was re-tendered in June 2007 and the contract was placed only in August 2008. Building and ancillary works were tendered in December 2006, but the single bid received did not meet the qualification criteria. Subsequently, it was re-tendered and the letter of acceptance was issued in June 2009, Antony added.

"Stealth frigate (Project 17) and destroyers (Project 15A) projects are running behind schedule due to delays in supply of high quality steel for warships and delay in finalisation and delivery of major weapons, sensors and propulsion system through indigenous and foreign sources," he said.

Two out of three stealth frigates -- INS Shivalik and INS Satpura -- have been delivered and the third -- INS Sahyadri -- is scheduled to be delivered in the current fiscal that ends March 31, 2012.

"All efforts and remedial measures have been taken to expedite early delivery of systems and equipment in respect of Destroyers Project 15A (Kolkata class)," he said."There are no cost overruns due to the delay in completion of projects and hence no loss to government," Antony added.

He also noted that warship construction projects at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and the newly-acquired Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vishakapatnam too were behind schedule.

"Construction of 53,000 deadweight tonne bulk carrier, inshore patrol vessel, bollard pull tug are behind schedule due to design issues, receipt of material and productivity on account of aging infrastructure" at the HSL, the minister said.

"There is a delay in construction of naval offshore patrol vessels (NOPV) primarily due to failure on the part of the nominated indigenous supplier to deliver the gearboxes," at GSL.The gearboxes have been ordered from an original equipment manufacturer and the firs gearbox is scheduled to be delivered by early next month, which will enable delivery of the first NOPV by November 2012, followed by the remaining three NOPVs at an interval of six months each.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 24 Nov 2011 10:43

Indian Navy launches Request For Proposal for 4 amphibious vessels (LHD type)

The Indian Navy has launched a request for proposal to build four large projection vessels with dual helicopter carrier and amphibious role. Indian shipyards were consulted but they had no design to propose. Indian Navy is therefore contacting foreign partners to for proposals.

Several international groups should answer the request for proposal. French shipbuilder DCNS with its Mistral class (BPC) already serving with the French Navy and soon with the Russian Navy, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with its Multifunctional Ship (MS), Spain's Navantia will likely offer the Buque of Proyecciones Estratégica (BPE) and South Koreans shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries could offer their amphibious assault ship from Dokdo class.

At first glance, DCNS and Fincantieri should have some advantage over their competition as both shipbuilders already work with the Indian Navy:

DCNS is working on the Scorpene submarines and P75 engines for corvettes while the Ficantieri is involved in the Vikrant aircraft carrier (derived from the Cavour) and Deepak class replenishment ship. DCNS is even the most established foreign manufacturer in India, where it has a subsidiary and is making significant technology transfer.

The French shipbuilder can also highlight the recent choice of Russia, a leading provider of the Indian armed forces, for its Mistral class LHD.

The competition should remain very tense however, as all parties involved are experienced.
From: Mer et Marine

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 24 Nov 2011 17:31

Quick note.Japan too is considering converting its new amphib ship designs into "carriers" to counter PLAN threats.These are similar in some respects to the SoKo Dodkos.The Spanish Juan Carlos multi-purpose amphibs are the most capable,which Oz is also building at home.These vessels can operate JSF type aircraft too and would be perfect for the IN as "swing" warships,which could switch roles from amphib ops,ASW,anti-ship strike or fleet air defence,depndiong upon which aircraft/helos were carried.Onehas been advoicating this acquisition for a decade at least,finally the squeak was heard,or need realised.

aniket · Post by **aniket** » 24 Nov 2011 21:13

Even if we decide to get some of these ships(no offense,the idea is very good)I think that the main problem will lie with the aircraft that we intend to operate from these.The only JSF type plane that I see coming in the recent years is the JSF and frankly I don't trust Uncle Sam to provide us with top of the line planes.Another option that we can look at is buying a good helicopter and modifying it our needs,maybe setting up a production line to replace all Sea Kings.The modifications that I suggest besides the usual ASW helicopter is arming a helicopter with anti-ship missiles for anti-ship roles,something like the Rudra for insertion of troops and CAS with longer legs.I also think something like a converted trainer like arming the IJT and stretching its legs is a good idea.I think this can be easily made in India.I think that these type of aircraft would be able to operate from a ship like the amphibious ships that IN is planning to operate.Maybe putting a ski jump on it will help.
Just my thoughts.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 25 Nov 2011 17:47

We need a STOVL version of the FGFA too.

Anyway,how come we are so lax at building subs,way behind schedule when Russia is now going to build 6 new diesel Kilo 636.3 subs by 2016? I had mentioned this development in the Intl. thread earlier.GIven that we too operate 10 Kilos,why can't we also order a few,say about 4+ to replace older Kilos until we have finalised our requirements for the second line? IF we do so in 2012,we can hope to have at least two of them in service before 2015,the same time when the very first indigenously built Scorpene will hit the water!

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/23/60895732.html

The keel of a new diesel submarine has been laid at the “Admiral" shipyard in St. Petersburg. The sub, which is named Rostov on Don is part of the modernization of the Russian navy.

The Russian navy is getting modernized fast. In addition to powerful nuclear submarines, the navy is acquiring the Rostov on Don diesel sub, which is an upgraded version of the third generation of large diesel-electrical missile submarines now under construction at the Admiral shipyard. Rostov on Don will have a deadweight of 2,300 tons, a length of 76 meters and a width of ten meters, and will have a complement of 52 ratings and officers. It will be equipped with 6 forehead torpedo sections with 18 missiles. Rostov on Don will also be fitted with modern navigation and communication systems and powerful rockets. Rostov on Don is a modified version of the submarine 877 project, which has distinguished itself in emergencies and has been christened “Improved Kilo” by foreign military experts. The “Admiral” shipyard is a leading Russian submarine builder, and has produced more than 300 subs, 41 of which are nuclear, discloses Dmitry Kozak, deputy prime minister of Russia.

“Five such ships are to be built, and we must deliver 6 ships to the Black Sea Fleet by 2016. It is a difficult but implementable task. Today is significant in that our company is the first in the country to complete the construction of the flagship and a number of other vessels for the Defense Ministry. I congratulate the sailors of the Black Sea Fleet, who are to man this ship”, said Tyukov.

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 25 Nov 2011 20:00

Philip saar! All well and good....
Before we order the 4-6 Kilos.....do we know where is the Nerpa?

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 25 Nov 2011 21:26

^^^

The Nerpa, needs one billion $$s to arrange for the toilet paper and get a new paint job. The problem for the IN is that the tender issued for the said items resulted in a single vendor situation. Resulting in a cancellation of the tender. No other vendors are ready to supply the items. The IN has asked the MOD to relax the stringent conditions. But the saint is not budging, stating that it is preferable for the navy to go without the Nerpa. But the standards will not be relaxed.

Vashishtha · Post by **Vashishtha** » 26 Nov 2011 00:30

^^ROFL

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 26 Nov 2011 09:31

TOI:

CCS is considering for approval a IN plan to get 75 x 10t naval helis initially and more later to replace the sea kings and build up inventory. first lot would be made abroad, rest under license in india. these would be multi role - AsuW, ASW, commando and weigh 9-11t.

this is mentioned as separate from the 16 ASW heli deal for which NH90 and SH60 are in running. some would be going on vikramaditya and ADS1 for sure.

there is also talk of a 56 navalized utility heli order and retire all the chetaks.

saptarishi · Post by **saptarishi** » 26 Nov 2011 12:42

Navy gets ready to add more muscle

NEW DELHI: India is all set to formally launch the hunt for over 75 heavy-duty "stealthy'' naval helicopters with potent anti-submarine and anti-warship warfare capabilities, as also customized for amphibious assaults and commando operations against conventional, terror, piracy and other threats.

The Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by defence minister A K Antony, on Friday discussed the mega naval multi-role helicopter (NMRH) project, which is likely to cost well over $2 billion.

"The global tender for NMRH will be issued soon. The project is likely to get even bigger at a later stage, with more such helicopters being ordered after the first 75. An initial lot will be obtained off-the-shelf from abroad, while the rest will be manufactured in India with the foreign collaborator's help,'' an MoD source said.

The NMRH acquisition will be in addition to the ongoing Rs 2,000 crore procurement of 16 multi-role helicopters, wherein the field trial evaluation report of European NH-90 and American Sikorsky-70B is now being examined by MoD to select the final winner.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 876589.cms

stage set for another helicopter battle over indian sky,USA has a huge change here with s-70b

saptarishi · Post by **saptarishi** » 26 Nov 2011 12:49

nh-90 helo

nh-90 cockpit

s-70b helo

s-70b cockpit

s-70b with harpoon missiles will be really good

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 26 Nov 2011 13:35

to me they all look about the same airframe , range, speed, and payload wise. NH90, S70B, EC725 with the Merlin EH101 being a tad too big for most of our ships. all are in service with decent navies so

focus should be on reliable track record, lifecycle cost, uptime, sensors and weapons pkg .... in terms of weapon we already have the LWT, and just need a light ASM....

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 26 Nov 2011 13:40

Why cant they fund HAL 10 - 12 T Medium Lift Helicopter and Navalise it instead of again importing yet another product. Thumbs down here for importing such a big number of choppers but not funding local development.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 26 Nov 2011 13:45

NH-90 with the latest Exocet or even Klub/BMos even better!

An excellent realisation of the enormity of the challenge that faces the IN in the immediate and future decades.The PLAN,which is to add at least "30" new subs (say some sources) to its already burgeoning inventory by 2020,which will amount to 80+,will outnumber the combined assets under acquisition of almost the entire ASAN/Asian navies put together.Well knowing that they will take a least a decade before they can operate carrier task forces with impunity in any ocean,the PLAN has resorted to the mass production of several classes of subs,both nuclear and conventional.Equippoed with such numbers,the PLAN plans to operate these subs in the IOR/GUlf,operating out of Gwadar and other spots in the IOR where it has secured logistic facilities for its navy,the Indo-China Sea from where it can attempt to maintain control over the islands it has seized by force from ASEAN nations,and challenge the US in the Pacific waters,especially in the waters around Taiwan,where it is tightening the noose especially from the sea.

The new emphasis by the IN of ASW warfare,with the earlier statement about the IN requiring an unspecified number of dedicated smaller ASW corvettes ,which one expects to be larger than the Pauks and about the size or slightly smaller than the Koras,has now been elaborated by the announcement of this very large naval MR/ASW helo acquisition.Some time ago I did a rough calculation of the number of naval helos that would be required given the various platforms being built and the number was massive.Apart from the 10t+ helos ,we would also need larger MR/ASW helos for use on the carriers,as they would require helos with a greater range and endurance.The ideal helo for this role would be the Merlin,which we are acquiring a large number for VVIP usage (see where the politicos priorities lie!) .This acquisition and that of the utility versions needed too,means that the failure of the Dhruv naval variant will be redressed as well.The acquisition of these helos asap would gvie the IN a quantum leap in helo ASW capability,as well as strike capabilities against smaller patrol craft,missile craft and intruding craft as happened three years ago to the date.

As for HAL,we know what happened with the naval Dhruv variant.We should've started a programme a decade ago,by which time the helo could've finished its trials and been in initial production.ASW wafare is highly complicated.The Dhruv is fine for utilitarian roles and an armed version assists in ground warfare.The NH-90s and Sikorskys are far more complex birds.Local production on such a large scale though ,with another 100+ on the anvil later on,should demand TOT too.That will give us the knowledge to develop future helos of the class ourselves.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 26 Nov 2011 15:45

Doesn;t Sikorsy have some deal with Tatas???

so only way I would go for these is if they build most of it in india with TOT and large scale sourcing

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 26 Nov 2011 17:44

saptarishi wrote: s-70b with harpoon missiles will be really good

Its not a harpoon, its a Penguin

saptarishi · Post by **saptarishi** » 26 Nov 2011 18:09

Lisa wrote:
saptarishi wrote: s-70b with harpoon missiles will be really good
Its not a harpoon, its a Penguin

i was not talking about the missile in the picture,i just said harpoon will be good on s-70b...because nh-90 will either get 70 km exocet or 100km range marte-er.harpoon at 130km is better than both..well there is less possibility of brahmos on a 10 tonne helicopter.latest version of uran missile the kh-35ue can be a good bet because it has a range if 245km,but its integration may be costly,,so s-70b is better bet...but nh-90 is not bad either,its cockpit is more advanced. ec 725 and merlin are not in cmpetition....s-70b and nh-90 are the only two birds in competition.....tot,cost (lowest bidder),low operating costs,operational experience will influence selection

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 26 Nov 2011 19:37

saptarishi wrote:
i was not talking about the missile in the picture,i just said harpoon will be good on s-70b...because nh-90 will either get 70 km exocet or 100km range marte-er.harpoon at 130km is better than both..well there is less possibility of brahmos on a 10 tonne helicopter.latest version of uran missile the kh-35ue can be a good bet because it has a range if 245km,but its integration may be costly,,so s-70b is better bet...but nh-90 is not bad either,its cockpit is more advanced. ec 725 and merlin are not in cmpetition....s-70b and nh-90 are the only two birds in competition.....tot,cost (lowest bidder),low operating costs,operational experience will influence selection

Apologies for the misunderstanding.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 26 Nov 2011 22:21

Do not know what to make of this (dated) article:

Germany not happy with NH90 helicopter

srai · Post by **srai** » 27 Nov 2011 00:08

Austin wrote:Why cant they fund HAL 10 - 12 T Medium Lift Helicopter and Navalise it instead of again importing yet another product. Thumbs down here for importing such a big number of choppers but not funding local development.

Looking over the next 20-30 years, there is quite a huge demand for 10-12T Medium Lift Helicopter for the Indian Armed Forces (IAF, IA and IN).

250 x Mi-8/17 replacements for the IAF
75 x ASW/Naval Utility Helicopters replacements/augments for the IN
100+ x additional Medium Lift Helicopters will be required for the IA's Strike Corps and Mountain Divisions

Total (potential): 425+ Medium Lift Helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces

Since it will take at least 10-15 years (i.e. 2025) to R&D a new 10-12T Medium Lift Helicopter, part of the current fleet like the Mi-8/17 will be ready for retirement by then. This means an indigenous MLH will come at the right time to replace old fleet and at the same time, augment for growth in services' need.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 27 Nov 2011 12:57

Kailash wrote:Indian Navy launches Request For Proposal for 4 amphibious vessels (LHD type)

The Indian Navy has launched a request for proposal to build four large projection vessels with dual helicopter carrier and amphibious role. Indian shipyards were consulted but they had no design to propose. Indian Navy is therefore contacting foreign partners to for proposals.

Several international groups should answer the request for proposal. French shipbuilder DCNS with its Mistral class (BPC) already serving with the French Navy and soon with the Russian Navy, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri with its Multifunctional Ship (MS), Spain's Navantia will likely offer the Buque of Proyecciones Estratégica (BPE) and South Koreans shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries could offer their amphibious assault ship from Dokdo class.

At first glance, DCNS and Fincantieri should have some advantage over their competition as both shipbuilders already work with the Indian Navy:

DCNS is working on the Scorpene submarines and P75 engines for corvettes while the Ficantieri is involved in the Vikrant aircraft carrier (derived from the Cavour) and Deepak class replenishment ship. DCNS is even the most established foreign manufacturer in India, where it has a subsidiary and is making significant technology transfer.

The French shipbuilder can also highlight the recent choice of Russia, a leading provider of the Indian armed forces, for its Mistral class LHD.

The competition should remain very tense however, as all parties involved are experienced.
From: Mer et Marine

Was anyone able to see this tender/RFP? I searched the tenders site but with no success.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 27 Nov 2011 13:03

to be ready in 2025, the desi medium heli project needs to start today. HAL production is busy with Dhruv, Rudra and LCH and soon LOH and maintaining the full fleet. their design div needs to choose perhaps between desi LAH or medium heli.

imo medium heli is the more important project and needs to prioritized and funded asap. special features like ceiling and need for long ranges to operate deep over the sea and tibet will pose their own challenges.

saptarishi · Post by **saptarishi** » 27 Nov 2011 14:30

Singha wrote:to be ready in 2025, the desi medium heli project needs to start today. HAL production is busy with Dhruv, Rudra and LCH and soon LOH and maintaining the full fleet. their design div needs to choose perhaps between desi LAH or medium heli.

imo medium heli is the more important project and needs to prioritized and funded asap. special features like ceiling and need for long ranges to operate deep over the sea and tibet will pose their own challenges.

how many projects will the HAL handle. su-30mki,fgfa,lca mk1,lca mk2,amca,loh,rudra,lch,ijt,mta.....

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 27 Nov 2011 16:06

only other option is giving it to tata or m&m who will find some partner and do domestic production.at this stage in their lifecycle they are far from being able to design and test a brand new 12t heli so it will be a design from a foreign co with them being the junior partner.

member_19648 · Post by **member_19648** » 27 Nov 2011 20:24

Singha,

Isnt there news already that HAL is planning a medium sized Multi-Role Helicopter. I don't follow livefist that much but this news snippet had caught my eye.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/08/ex ... irole.html

The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), which should hopefully soon begin development with the selection of an international technology partner, finally has a set of final specs (they underwent a change last year). The image you see above is the first diagrammatic representation of the helicopter from official material being prepared for documents that will follow up the invitations for Expressions of Interest (EoI) sent out last year.

HAL has proposed that the platform needs to have an all-up weight of 13 metric tons, a maximum speed of 275-km/h and a service ceiling of 22,000 ft. The Indian military wants the helicopter to have a payload capacity of 3,500-kg and range of 500-km at sea level. The IMRH platform is to sport a five-blade composite main rotor with a four-bladed composite tail rotor, twin turboshaft engines with dual full authority digital engine controls. The powerplants would be required to have a 30-minute dry-run capable transmission system. All IMRHs will have glass cockpits -- using equipment from Halbit Systems, DARE and Samtel.

The bid is stuck, however, at the EoI stage, with four companies wondering what is happening. Companies that have responded to HAL’s invitation include Eurocopter (EC725 Caracal), Sikorsky (S-92A), Agusta-Westland (AW101) and Mil (Mi-17-IV).

Officially the IMRH mission spectrum includes troop movement, high-altitude air maintenance, offshore operations, heliborne and amphibious assault operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare. An armed gunship version is also expected to be concurrently developed. Other proposed variants include civil transport, VVIP transport, and air-ambulance.

Don't know if there is any update on this! No other news except Livefist.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 27 Nov 2011 20:31

Southern Naval Command demonstrates operational capabilities at Kochi

Leo.Davidson · Post by **Leo.Davidson** » 27 Nov 2011 20:47

NRao wrote:Do not know what to make of this (dated) article:

Germany not happy with NH90 helicopter

The Mil-8/17 is primarily an Army helicopter. A stable helicopter that can be used by the Army & Navy is the Eurocopter EC725. This helicopter meets or exceeds most of the specifications or parameters of the Mi-8/17.

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ec725/

We should license & build this bird for our tri-forces.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 27 Nov 2011 21:05

indeed - people reflexively quote the NH90 because perhaps its newer and more next-gen in the media, but the EC725 is probably just as good.

but NH90 seems to have 10X the orders of EC725 so chances are spares, upgrades and feature developments on NH90 are a more solid bet given the diversity of users.

RKumar · Post by **RKumar** » 28 Nov 2011 16:25

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=77674

It seems there is some progress ...

Vulnerability of Submarines
The DRDO proposes to develop a technology to reduce vulnerability of the Submarines available with the Indian Navy. Naval Material Research Laboratory (NMRL), Ambernath, under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is progressing a technology demonstration project "Development of Land-based Prototype for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)" for submarine propulsion. Vulnerability of a submarine can be reduced by increasing its underwater endurance (dived conditions). Normally diesel electric generators are used to charge the batteries that provide propulsion power when the submarine is in dived conditions. To run the generators the submarine has to surface for taking in air and throwing out the exhaust. Using AIP system, submarine can charge the batteries without surfacing.

The full scale operations of such System is likely to be demonstrated by 2015.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in written reply to Shri Dhruva Narayana in Lok Sabha today

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 28 Nov 2011 17:33

And it progress well the FUel cell type AIP with be used in Project 75 and even the last 2 scorpenes.

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 28 Nov 2011 17:53

Will the Scorpean, TOT, allow the boat to be fitted with Indian AIP? Or like the Russians, will the French say that this is not covered under the TOT and then force us to use MESMA.

SNaik · Post by **SNaik** » 29 Nov 2011 02:35

Some recent pics of Vik, in and out. And a bit more.
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/119411.html

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 29 Nov 2011 04:39

^

VinayG · Post by **VinayG** » 29 Nov 2011 05:37

L&T has the infrastructure to build hulls for submarines why dont we try to build a desi sub prototype am i missing something here

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 29 Nov 2011 09:35

VinayG wrote:L&T has the infrastructure to build hulls for submarines why dont we try to build a desi sub prototype am i missing something here

Building a hull from drawings and a new design + prototype are different ball games.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 Nov 2011 18:52

It's the most advanced naval tech that one can acquire.We had such difficulty assembling 2 German U-boats in the '80s,way behind schedule,just like our Scorpenes today,and the ATV also came in at itsown pace generously helped by the Russians,that it would be foolish of us to imagine that we have mastered sub-tech.In fact,Iran has made large strides with its own indigenous Ghadir class small subs ,meant to play havoc with Gulf shipping should Iran be attacked by a conglomeration of Sunni monarchies and western powers and their allies.

Sonar development today has taken such strieds that some say that soem of the new flank sonars make towed arrays which stretch out a km behind a sub,redundant.Sub communications,the "holy grail" of underwater tech,has also made huge leaps with laser tech being used to communicate with subs,that could deliver real time messages and data by sats.

Our roadmap towards sub self-sufficincy in both design and construction should be collaboration on N-subs with Russia,conventional AIP subs with both east and west and develop smaller mini-subs and UUVs ourselves where the technology is within our grasp.Allied to this is that of underwater sensors and weaponry,decoys,ballistic missiles like ICBMs for our SSBNs-in fact a whole host of tech has to be developed which we can do steadily and pardon the pun,"stealthily"!

rajanb · Post by **rajanb** » 30 Nov 2011 08:53

Japan to respond to RFI by IN for Amphibious A/C requirement:

Japan could export US-2 amphibian to India
The Japanese government has given ShinMaywa Industries permission to respond to the Indian Navy's request for information (RfI) for an amphibious fixed-wing search-and-rescue (SAR) aircraft, Jane's understands. India released the RfI in early 2011; it is believed that Canada's Bombardier is offering its CL-415 and Russia the Beriev Be-200 platform (although Bombardier refused to comment on the programme and Beriev did not return calls)

[first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 18 November 2011]

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 01 Dec 2011 09:43

India to Develop AIP Technology for Subs

India to Develop AIP Technology for Subs
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
Published : 28 Nov 2011

NEW DELHI - Even as the Indian Navy has announced that it is floating a global tender to procure six air independent propulsion (AIP) submarines for $11 billion, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the parliament Nov. 28 that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing such technology itself.

"The DRDO proposes to develop a technology to reduce vulnerability of the submarines available with the Indian Navy. The Naval Material Research Laboratory (NMRL), Ambernath, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is progressing a technology demonstration project, 'Development of Land-based Prototype for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP),' for submarine propulsion," Antony told the parliament in a written reply, according to an Indian Defence Ministry statement.

The system is likely to be demonstrated by 2015, adds the release.

Last year, the Defence Ministry cleared the plan to procure six conventional submarines with AIP technology, and the request for proposals is likely to be floated by the end of the year or early 2012.

In 2004, India contracted the licensed production of six Scorpene conventional submarines for about $3.9 billion, but the production has been delayed by almost two years.

Under the proposal, six submarines are to be procured, of which three are likely to be built at the state-owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai; one built at the state-owned Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam, with the help of a foreign collaborator; and two purchased directly from the overseas vendor.

The six submarines are being procured under the Navy's Project-75, and the subs will be equipped with stealth, land-attack capability and the ability to incorporate future technologies, such as AIP systems, to boost their operational capabilities.

The RfP is likely to be issued to French company DCNS, Germany's HDW and Russia's Amur Design Bureau.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 01 Dec 2011 11:56

!!!! More than $1B for each sub!

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 01 Dec 2011 12:22

6 subs for 4 billion..how does it make more than 1B for each?