Why does India need large Amphibious ships?
Why large?
Because the challenge is not landing forces, its sustaining them, that a large ship can do better than smaller ships.
Why build Amphibious capability?
1. For better warfare capabilities.
All three services practice Amphibious Assault during TROPEX exercises annually at Karnataka/Goa, Gujarat & Andamans. PA deployment on Pakistani coast is thin, with relatively no armour, artillery or SAM support. The density of forces is highest north, followed by Central and least South. It is actually feasible to land & sustain forces in Pakistan. It can also relieve pressure on the North if required. Today, IN Air Arm with MiG29K & Tejas can provide 100 aircraft to sustain air operations. P-8I+Il38+Tu142 can provide significant strike force and all are capable of carrying huge conventional bomb loads.
2. For plucking pearls from the string.
Check out the location of Coco Islands. here
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpg0d4cWGlo/U ... sBurma.gif
More closely here
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE5-6/coco.jpg
Coco Island is 18 km from the Northernmost Andaman Group Landfall Island and Narcondum Island. The Chinese base of Hianggyi Island is also within threatening distance. Panditji in his infinite wisdom gave it to Burma. Despite Burma being friendly with India in recent times, the Chinese are increasing their presence
http://www.livefistdefence.com/2011/11/ ... sland.html
Old but relevant article here
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/I ... ahroo.html
We need large amphibious forces to take out Coco.
3. India's energy security
India needs energy. More precisely petroleum. Unfortunately, the only places India can drill oil internationally are the world's most troubled places since easier places are already taken by others.
http://www.ongcindia.com/wps/wcm/connec ... h+Limited/
ONGC Videsh has 13 producing assets, namely, Russia (Sakhalin-I and Imperial Energy), Syria (Al-Furat Petroleum Co.), Vietnam (Block 06.1), Colombia (MECL), Sudan (Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company), South Sudan (Greater Pioneer Operating Company and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company), Venezuela (San Cristobal), Brazil (BC-10), Myanmar (Block A1 & Block A3) and Azerbaijan (ACG). 4 Assets where hydrocarbons have been discovered are at various stages of development, 14 assets are under various stages of exploration phase and 2 pipeline projects are under operation for transportation of oil and gas.
From today's news
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141025/n ... -sea-offer
Ahead of the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to India next week, India on Friday indicated that it is open to accepting Vietnam’s offer, if found commercially viable, of participation in additional oil blocks in the South China Sea, despite Chinese concerns.
What kind of conflicts happen at offshore rigs?
http://theweek.com/article/index/270307 ... -for-china
One morning last June, the people of Vietnam woke up to someone else's oil rig in their backyard. The 30,000-ton Haiyang Shiyou-981, owned by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, was parked 70 miles inside waters controlled by Vietnam......In June of this year, Vietnam's fears were realized when the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig was towed to a location in the South China Sea claimed by both sides. The incident sparked angry protests across Vietnam and a confrontation at sea until the rig was pulled out two months later.
A large amphibious ship can support via Apache/LCH/Rudra/Dhruv, Super Dvora & other FAC & Landing Craft launched from well deck and troops with support weapons supported for significant durations.
Remember INS Airavat in the same area?
4. Civilian evacuation from conflict zones under combat situation
Indians work all over the world, including dangerous locations listed above. For evacuation of Indians from conflict zones like Lebanon & Libya under combat conditions, large Amphibious Ships are required that can accommodate large number of troops, medical staff & evacuees.
5. Anti Piracy
Sustained Anti Piracy operations using equipment & forces listed above.
6. Disaster Relief
When a cyclone or Tsunami strikes, a large Amphibious Ship can provide fast response and a floating sustainable base for disaster relief forces and heavy engineering equipment like earthmovers, cranes etc.
Its onboard power generation can power small cities, and could provide emergency power to shore facilities.
Any more reasons required for building strong amphibious forces and large amphibious ships?