Indian Naval News & Discussion - 12 Oct 2013

[srin]

What are these Israeli CIWS ? Sa'ar 5 has Phalanx as CIWS gun. Or maybe they just mean Barak 1 and not a Gatling gun.

[chackojoseph]

Barak I was told.

[Philip]

Barak 1 will be easier to install as B-8 has yet to materialize.She also needs a series of AGDs as well.This is the minimum requirement,sme as on our FFGs and DDGs and Viraat.

The TOI carried a report ,"ready to tackle threat of jihadis steering Pak warships" today.In the report the future acquisition plans were mentioned.
Impending projects: 6 diesel-electric "stealth" subs (must be P-75I) ,6 Nuclear attack subs (SSNs),first news of this,1 indigenous carrier IAC-2,7 stealth warships (should be follow on Shivaliks) 4 more LRMP P-8!s. 100 utility and 140 multi-role helos.

Being built:1 carrier,IAC-1,2 Kol DDGs,6 Scorpene subs,3 ASW corvettes (P-28s),5 survey vessels,4 water-jet attack craft.

No mention about the amphibs and shallow water ASW corvettes,or minesweepers.But there is another 'Plus",3 nuclear powered SSBNs,"funded by the PMO".

The last is v. good news as it would be part of the strat. forces triad and under the nuclear command,sparing the IN the cost of the same.The IN can concentrate upon acquisition of the attack subs/SSGNs.

More news about the Lakshadweep upgrades.

Lakshadweep being developed as strategic outpost for Navy

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - 17:19

Kochi: Navy is planning to develop infrastructure at Lakshadweep Islands which is being made a strategic outpost, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral SPS Cheema said on Wednesday.

"The Navy envisions to develop infrastructure at the Lakshadweep islands for a forward operating base. Towards this, Bitra Island has recently been approved by the Union Government to be developed as the fourth Naval detachment," Vice Admiral Cheema told reporters on board INS Tir, the training ship of the navy.
Minicoy, Kavaratti, Androth are the three islands in Lakshadweep which already have naval detachments.

Six radars have been set up in Lakshadweep and four in Kerala as part of phase one development of coastal radar chains, the Vice Admiral, who is also the Commander-In-Chief Coastal Defence for this area, said.

"India's economic interest are centred on maritime region and their protection is the responsibility of the Navy.Ninety per cent of trade by volume and 70 per cent by value goes by sea and if such sea lanes are not protected, prosperity of the people will be hindered," he said.

On Maritime Infrastructure Development Front, he said a proposal for 500 metres of berth and 25 acres of land at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram and a draft cabinet note for development of 650 acres of reclaimed land along with 2000 metres of berthing space as part of Cochin port's outer harbour expansion plans was under the Defence Ministry's consideration.

Post 26/11, coastal security has become a 'huge responsibility'. "..On one hand we are preparing for larger wars, but we have day-to-day responsibility of combating terrorists and piracy," he said.

The fishing community, in the form of 'Kadalora Jagratha Samithis' has been proactive in prompt reporting of any unidentified boats in the area thus proving to be the first and the best line of defence against any coastal security threat, he said.

A combined coastal security exercises, encompassing coastal areas of Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep islands was conducted on November 18-19 and an apex level coastal review meeting, co-chaired by the Vice Admiral and Chief Secretary is scheduled on December 17 at Thiruvananthapuram.
PTI

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/lak ... 08835.html

[member_20453]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oerlikon_M ... Gun_System

This one would be the best CIWS we could get. Pipavav I believe has an understanding to co-produce these in India.

It's a modern system and the same can be used as part of the skyshield ground based AA guns

Tata will offer it based on their trucks. I think its the ideal gun for our ground & naval needs. The ammo is of a large enough caliber, the system is precise and few rounds are needed to tackle sophisticated manuevering sea or ground skimming targets.

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4120 ... iclebg.jpg

[John]

Navy is mainly looking towards a cheap option the Original Russian plans called for 6 Kashtan to be mounted around the vessel which was rejected due to cost concerns.

[Singha]

imo the kind of AA guns Oto 76mm super rapid on the italian version of the horizon ship + Barak1 would be a ok choice for self defence.
4 x 76mm guns, 4 x ak630 and 32 barak1 cells perhaps.

if they want Barak8 to handle serious threats for unescorted missions...

[Austin]

Excerpts from CNS Admiral R.K. Dhowan to FORCE

http://www.forceindia.net/Interview_Adm ... howan.aspx

The navy’s imbalanced inventory seems alarming when juxtaposed with Chinese submarine prowess. How do you propose putting things in order both regarding the long delayed RFP for Project 75(I) and life-extension for existing submarines?

There have been some delays, as you are aware, in procurements and acquisitions, for a variety of reasons, which have affected our submarine force. However, let me assure you that the Indian Navy’s submarine force remains potent and capable. It has undergone modernisation programmes, to retain their technological and tactical edge, and the submarine fleet is fully prepared to meet the challenges that may come our way. It has also been boosted by the nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra, on lease from Russia, which will be supplemented shortly by the indigenously constructed INS Arihant.

The navy has a long term, comprehensive and ambitious submarine building programme, with a predominant indigenous orientation. There is good news on this front, with all major impediments to progress of construction of six P-75 submarines at Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai, being recently overcome. The pace of construction has been stepped up, and the project is picking up speed. I expect the first Scorpene submarine to be delivered by end 2016, and the entire Scorpene fleet by 2020.

There has also been significant progress made on the P-75(I) programme. You would be aware that the defence minister recently gave a ‘go ahead’ for the construction of all six submarines in India. This will be a substantial boost to indigenisation in this critical sector. P-75(I) envisages acquisition of six state-of-the art conventional submarines with high stealth features, air independent propulsion (AIP), and advanced weapons and sensors. Considering the enormity of the project, in both technological and financial terms, it will be handled expeditiously in accordance with comprehensive guidelines.

We have also taken measures to meet the interim operational needs, by processing a proposal for Medium Refit-cum-Life Certification programme for a few of the older submarines, which will take us through till the newer submarines are inducted.

On surface platforms, how many ships of what categories are on order at the moment and in what time-frame will these be inducted into service? Also, how many platforms will be decommissioned by the end of the present defence plan?

There are presently several programmes being pursued concurrently to enhance our surface fleet. These include the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier for which the delivery is being planned in end 2018. Delivery of the destroyers under Project 15A, Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes under Project 28 and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) have already begun with the recent inductions of INS Kolkata, INS Kamorta and INS Sumitra in August and September this year.

Construction of other ships of Project 15A, Project 28 and OPVs is progressing satisfactorily. Destroyers under Project 15B and Frigates under P17A are planned to be inducted in the XIII and XIV Plans. In addition, Water Jet FACs, Catamaran Hull Survey Vessels, Cadet Training Ships, Landing Craft Utility are other ships under various stages of construction, with delivery planned in the XII and XIII Plans. As regards de-commissioning, some of the older platforms would be de-inducted in keeping with their material state and replacement schedule, a final decision on which would be taken closer to the planned dates.

What other acquisitions have been planned in the LTIPP ending 2017?

The Indian Navy is looking to develop and consolidate its capabilities as a multi-dimensional, networked force, capable of undertaking operations across the entire spectrum of conflict, in our areas of maritime interest. In addition to the ships and submarines I mentioned earlier, the navy would be inducting a number of air platforms.

This includes 12 P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The first aircraft was delivered in May 2013 and the last aircraft is scheduled for delivery by end 2015. We have also initiated the process to acquire 12 Dornier SRMR and nine MRMR aircraft. The induction of these aircraft will provide the Indian Navy with the required surveillance capability in support of our operational roles.

The navy’s carrier borne fighter aviation has also seen an added impetus with the induction of MiG-29K aircraft. The LCA (N) would be progressively inducted for carrier borne operations, on successful completion of initial and full operational clearance.

To enhance surveillance and attack capabilities of ships at sea, we are in the process of procuring 16 Multi Role Helicopters. The existing fleet of Sea King and Kamov helicopters is planned for mid-life upgrade in order to provide them with a sophisticated sensor suite. The Indian Navy is also seeking to replace the ageing Chetak fleet with the Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

[sankum]

16 Sea Hawk MRH and 16 ALH by 2018 should boost the IN Helo ASW assets.

140 MRH of 10-12T are required for which sea hawk/S 92 combination will be the best. S 92 indigenous production can be taken up if it wins and is likely to win 124nos make in India Helo RFP.

NLUH requirement of 100nos RFI can be very well be filled by HAL LUH naval wheeled version 40nos of which can be single engine and rest twin engine which will have to be developed by HAL.

Naval Dhruv has won the competition for CG 16 Helo requirement beating 4.3T Naval panther squarely and IN has also accepted it. 50nos can be acquired and NLUH requirement can pruned to 50 nos to be filled by HAL LUH naval wheeled version.

[Philip]

Great pics of the Vik-A! The report on the IN to reactivate the Badangi airstrip.

Navy gets AP nod for Badangi airstrip

TNN | Dec 4, 2014, 09.23 AM IST
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian Navy has finally got a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the AP government to set up a diversionary airfield at Badangi near Bobbili in Vizianagaram that houses a World War II airstrip, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) chief vice Admiral Satish Soni said here on Wednesday.

The historic Badangi airstrip, which was used by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War to move its troops across the region, will now house the Indian Navy's fighter aircraft fleet and will also be used for training pilots on the new aircraft being acquired by the Navy. Sources said the cost of developing a naval fighter plane base at Badangi might cost around Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore.

Speaking to media persons onboard INS Shivalik on Wednesday on the eve of Navy Day, the ENC chief said that following the state government's approval, the proposal for acquisition of Badangi airstrip has now been sent to the Naval Headquarters at New Delhi.

Pointing out that the Navy wants the project to be put on fast track, he said the Navy would forward the proposal to the defence ministry and from there it would go to the ministry of finance. "With the induction of advanced aircraft like P8I and MIG 29K, pilots need more intensive training, which is why Badangi has been identified as the base for fighter aircraft and pilot training," he said.

The airstrip, constructed during World War II by Mackenzie Company over 221 acres, was one of the biggest RAF bases in British India and had a control tower, separate underground armament depot and many underground bunkers, besides staff quarters and a natural pond for fire fighting. All those structures were demolished except the runway. In those days, the RAF squadron at Badangi housed supermarine Spitfire fighters, Hawker Hurricane fighters, Avro Lancaster Bombers, B-57 Canberra reconnaissance and transport aircraft. After it was shut down in 1946 after the war, Food Corporation of India used it for some time to store paddy and wheat.

Today a chunk of the 221 acres is encroached by farmers, the Indian Navy needs a total of around 1,000 acres to set up its base, Soni said, pointing out that they may go for a 4,000-4,500 ft runway to cater to their needs. He said some kind of compensation would be worked out for the farmers currently cultivating nuts, paddy, and sugarcane at the airstrip site.

On the Naval Alternate Operations Base (NAOB) at Rambilli in Visakhapatnam district, the ENC chief said it would be completed in 2018 with some works already having started and others in progress. Talking about losses suffered by ENC due to Cyclone Hudhud, Soni said Rs 200 crore had been sanctioned for restoration works, which would be taken up one by one.

The ENC chief said the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be conducted from February 3 to 9, 2016, in Vizag would see 100 ships and delegates of 79 navies of various countries participate and would be reviewed by the Indian President.

From the BRF news items.

[chackojoseph]

WRT CIWS, I discussed with a naval official on Vik. He wanted to to know which cruise missile can be targeted on Vik. My reply on RA'AD failed to impress him. He said that to target Vik, the opponent will require a satellite or an air based asset. No air based asset is going to come anywhere near Vik as the surveillance is too good and MiG-29's will not allow them. Regarding satellite, only US has that capability and they are not the enemies. With a complement of a nuclear sub and couple of destroyers/frigates (and other support vessels), no ship or submarine is going to come close.

Then I asked him about submarine threat. He wanted to know which. I pointed out reports that Chinese subs have been tailing US carriers. He said that the carriers can be tailed in peace time. In wartime, they may attempt to come close. I asked him if they planned to install a sonar. He said that his ship does not do Submarines, it is an aircraft carrier.

[koti]

S-70 it is.
http://www.firstpost.com/india/american ... 36473.html

[Indranil]

Writetake reports on the continuing build. Superstructure added:

[titash]

That's cochin shipyard? looks like a maidan right next to the dry dock

[Indranil]

Looks right. See here It is the small piece of land south of Mercy hotel and Idea Cellular regional office. Even the trees match up with the picture.

[Suraj]

Why does it look like the bow has been painted in primer again ? It was fully painted at launch time last year.

[shaun]

where are s-70's so costly ?? 16 helos for 6000 cr .

[deejay]

Looks right. See here It is the small piece of land south of Mercy hotel and Idea Cellular regional office. Even the trees match up with the picture.

Amazing eye indranil sa'ab.

[deejay]

where are s-70's so costly ?? 16 helos for 6000 cr .

Must be coming with a whole lot of sensors and payload packages. 16 birds for 6000 cr, makes it 375 Cr INR or 62.5 million USD. Not too expensive by today's standards.

[shaun]

yess indeed its not that costly , only the rupee have gone down . About indranil saab , he might have played guli-danda over there ..

[Aditya G]

I think we ought to invite idea and mercy smokers to BR for regular updates and picture feed

[Indranil]

About indranil saab , he might have played guli-danda over there ..

Now I play kanche there But what's with the saab? Indranil is fine. Kanche khelne ke din hai yaar mere.

[shaun]

About indranil saab , he might have played guli-danda over there ..

Now I play kanche there But what's with the saab? Indranil is fine. Kanche khelne ke din hai yaar mere.

"Saab" is the Indian version of Knight Hood bestowed upon you by the mango public of BRF with utmost love and respect. keep playing Kanche and keep enlighting us with your wisdom .

[arshyam]

Is it just my (paranoid) mind, or do others think that the carrier's dock is not secure? Shouldn't there at least be a high compound wall blocking line of sight from the main road? I understand CSL is a civilian agency, but when building Naval assets, they should have and use a more secure dock.

[VijayN]

The wall is high enough. I wouldn't underlay our ability to secure assets in any manner. CSL itself has been around forever so folks there do understand such matters. Let's focus on when the build out will be completed.

OT - I am reminded of Mysuru (Mysore) city where the RMP - rare materials plant and centrifuge facility is located. People always knew this location as just RMP, you could hardly distinguish the buildings from others and no visible high security. You can ride or walk by w/o even giving it a second thought. It happens even now, for the common man/locals it hardly matters how important a facility it is. I guess the ones who will be interested are taken care of.

[arshyam]

^^ Thanks Marten saar, hope it stays that way. In mind, I was contrasting this pic with INS Rajali in Arakkonam, which was surrounded by a high concrete wall with watch towers placed periodically, and a menacing message on the wall - "trespassers will be shot". I was on a train that goes along the base, and nothing was visible as to what was inside.

Meanwhile, from BR home page:

Navy plans to position new P8I recon aircraft in Andaman - Deccan Herald

The Indian Navy plans to position its latest P8I long-range reconnaissance aircraft in the Andaman and Nicobar islands to intensify its surveillance measures in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

India purchased eight P8I aircraft from the USA in a $2.1-billion deal and negotiations are on to buy four more. Six of these aircraft have already arrived at the naval base INS Rajali at Arakonam on the Tamil Nadu coast. The remaining two would come next year.

In 2012, the Navy commissioned INS Baaz – India’s eastern-most air station in the Campbell Bay. Dornier and islander aircraft now take off from its 3,500 ft runway. The Navy plans to extend the runway length to 6,000 ft so that P8Is can be flown from that station.

“After the runway extension, we would like to position some of the P8Is in the Andaman. It will be advantageous for us. However, it would not be a full-fledged base for the aircraft,” Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan told Deccan Herald on Wednesday. The US-origin aircraft has a range of 8,600 km and an endurance of 10 hours. {Is Port Blair under the IN or IAF? This airport has a long enough runway to support P-8I ops - 10000ft, per Wiki}

The planned move dovetails into the Navy’s future vision of expanding its reach beyond its traditional eastern limit at the Malacca Strait to protect national maritime interest. “We have the necessary assets,” he said.

He echoed the same line as his predecessor Admiral D K Joshi, who had stated that the Navy was prepared to protect the ONGC oil exploration vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

But Dhowan’s assertion assumes significance because it comes in the wake of a joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, in which they “expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes and affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.”

Dhowan said Navy’s operational readiness was at the highest as the time of patrolling at sea has increased by 50-75 per cent, when India’s naval presence was felt from Vladivostok to Australia to Hawaii and Persian Gulf. The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya sailed non-stop from Russia to Mumbai.

[JTull]

I wonder with P-8I, proposed MQ-4C purchase, Sea Hawks, and INS Jalashwa we could enhance our cooperation with US by negotiating refuelling and landing rights at Diego Garcia. With Chinese presence increasing in the Indian Ocean, it will increase our surveillance capability. US is not immune to budgetary pressures and this cooperation could be mutually beneficial.

[Cosmo_R]

I wonder with P-8I, proposed MQ-4C purchase, Sea Hawks, and INS Jalashwa we could enhance our cooperation with US by negotiating refuelling and landing rights at Diego Garcia. With Chinese presence increasing in the Indian Ocean, it will increase our surveillance capability. US is not immune to budgetary pressures and this cooperation could be mutually beneficial.

Wouldn't Mauritius with Indian population and a more southerly position be a better bet? We're already talking to them about IN visitation/berthing

[Austin]

The sea is no longer a benign medium: Admiral Dhowan on jihadi threats

"We have to prepare for the jihadi threat"

Admiral R.K. Dhowan took over as the navy chief at a difficult time when a series of accidents led to the premature departure of Admiral D.K. Joshi. Dhowan talks to Associate Editor Manu Pubby about the tough tasks at hand, from reviving the image of the Navy to taking on the challenge of increasingly assertive neighbours as the importance of the seas increases for an India working to reignite its economy.

Q. There are several indications that the new Government recognises the Navy's growing strategic importance- the Prime Minister chose the Navy for his first military visit as did the defence minister. How do you see the Navy shaping up with this renewed focus?

A. It has been an honour to have the Prime Minister dedicate the new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, to the nation and commission INS Kolkata, the largest warship to be built in India. This reflects not only the significance of these two platforms to the Navy and the nation, but also the growing recognition of the Navy's significant role in protecting India's vast maritime interests. The Navy is at the threshold of transformation. I see the coming five years as a period of consolidation, both operationally and organisationally. The large number of inductions planned in the near future includes the first indigenous aircraft carrier, several surface and sub-surface combatants and a variety of aviation platforms.

Q. There have been increasing reports of radicalisation in the Pakistani Navy, including an attempt by a terror group to take over a frigate to attack Indian assets. How much of a concern is a terrorists-controlled warship?

A. We have been prepared for this kind of threat. In the 21st century, threats range from maritime piracy to asymmetric threats that have changed the very complexion of warfare. The sea is no longer a benign medium. This incident in Pakistan is a cause of concern and we have had to upgrade our preparedness for such threats. Now when our warships operate in international waters where the Pakistani Navy is present, we will also have to consider the jihadi threat.

Q. India's talks on security with many nations, including the US and Japan, emphasise on maintaining peace and order in the region as well as maintaining the freedom of the seas. How is the Navy looking to participate in this venture?

A. Good order at sea is a strategic imperative for India as we grow. Protecting and promoting our interests require an environment that is secure and stable. This needs a collective and collaborative approach in the Indian Ocean Region, given the nature of threats and challenges it faces. The Indian Navy, therefore, engages actively with other maritime forces in protecting what we see as the 'global commons' in the maritime domain. The navies of the US and Japan, and other like-minded navies of the Indian Ocean littorals, are important and enabling partners. These nations also recognise the Indian Navy's stabilising role in the region.

Q. The world has noticed the rapid expansion of the Chinese Navy-from nuclear submarines to a rapid succession of surface ships. Considering that we operate in waters that are close, what concerns do you have about the PLA navy-both in terms of capabilities and intention?

A. The PLA (navy) has seen rapid expansion in recent times. Indeed, its growth trajectory and ship/submarine production capacity in the past years have been significant. We, however, concern ourselves with our own national interests. We believe in ensuring freedom of navigation on the high seas and deploy our ships to ensure the security of our sea lanes of communication. We continuously evaluate the changing dynamics in our neighbourhood to apply course corrections where necessary.

Q. It is believed that plans are afoot to further develop the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a major strategic asset for a dominating presence in the Indian Ocean region?

A. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands provide India tremendous strategic strength. However, to harness the advantage of their geographic location, we need significant infrastructure development in the coming years. The Navy's vision is to ensure that the islands have the required capacity and capability to effectively safeguard India's security interests.

Q. How close are we to completing the nuclear triad with the operationalisation of the Arihant nuclear missile submarine? It has already missed several deadlines and was supposed to be at sea two years ago.

A. We should see the Arihant going for its first sea sortie shortly. Outfitting and checking of various systems on board is complete. Being a pioneering venture this is a different project.

[Austin]

The sinking fleet: Why the Indian Navy looks to change course

The Navy's blues

[shaun]

from Saurav jha's blog , it can be safely assumed that all six Scorpene hulls have been fabricated. May be it will result in timely induction with all subs in service by 2020 .

[srai]

The sinking fleet: Why the Indian Navy looks to change course

The Navy's blues

[Philip]

The imperialists and neo-colonialists are at it again! The (evil) empire is returning East of Suez back into IOR/Gulf waters. Another development for India to factor in. The move is clearly aimed at encircling Iran and imposing a stranglehold upon energy supplies transiting the Gulf.It makes India's strat. energy supplies from the Gulf more at risk should conflict "engulf" the world's most volatile region,(pun intended) and diversification of supplies just as China has done cutting a massive $400B deal with Russia.The GOI would do well to follow China's example and diversify its energy supplies.

Britain is going to establish a permanenet base in the Gulf at Bahrein,where the locals mostly Shiites are being suppressed under the Saudi jackboot.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... -Gulf.html
Britain returns 'East of Suez' with permanent Royal Navy base in Gulf
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announces military return to region abandoned with the end of the British empire

By Richard Spencer, Manama

06 Dec 2014

Britain is to open a permanent Royal Navy base in the Gulf as it seeks a return "East of Suez" in a major strategic reversal of course, Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, said on Saturday.

Mr Hammond said that Britain and France were intending to take up a greater security role in the Middle East as the United States "pivoted" towards Asia.

The base, which will host the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers as well as the two new aircraft carriers it is building, will mark a return to the Gulf 40 years after Britain pulled out in the early 1970s and wound down its overseas Empire.

"As the United States focuses more of its effort on the Asia-Pacific region, we and our European partners will be expected to take a greater share of the burden in the Gulf, the Near East and North Africa," Mr Hammond said.

David Cameron's new government four years ago made reviving Britain's old alliance with the Gulf states the key priority of its foreign policy, with high-level visits arranged immediately for Liam Fox, then defence secretary.

Britain to open new military base in Bahrain in fight against Isil

That was called into question almost immediately as the Arab Spring drew renewed attention to the Gulf's record on human rights, including in Bahrain, and was also set back by Mr Fox's resignation over the role played by his adviser Adam Werritty on his trips to the region.

However, Mr Hammond said that stability in the Gulf was a vital British interest, and rejected calls to "leave the Middle East to sort out their own affairs".

He also said that talks were under way for a greater army role in the region, saying that Britain was exploring the possibility of using joint training facilities in one or other Gulf state.

There has been concern in the armed forces that following the withdrawal from first Iraq and this year Afghanistan the army would lose experience in Middle East conditions, even though the region remains the most likely focus of British future military involvement.

"We are looking at how we can maintain the readiness of our land forces for 'hot and dry conditions' warfare," Mr Hammond told The Telegraph.

The new base, at a cost of £15 million, will upgrade the facilities used by four British minehunters currently working out of the Gulf.

It will enable sailors to be based permanently in Bahrain, along with their families, and massively expand the capabilities of the Mina Salman port, where the minehunters are based.

"This will guarantee the presence of the Royal Navy in Bahrain well into the future," Mr Hammond said, as he signed an agreement with the Bahraini foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa.

"The expansion of Britain's footprint builds upon our 30-year track record of Gulf patrols and is just one example of our growing partnership with Gulf partners to tackle shared strategic and regional threats."

Philip Hammond, speaks during the 10th Manama Dialogue Regional Security Summit organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in the Bahraini capital Manama
The then defence secretary Dennis Healey announced in 1968 that British troops would be withdrawn from all major military bases "East of Aden". The decision, often described as the East of Suez declaration in reference to a poem by Rudyard Kipling, came amid economic crisis following the Harold Wilson government's devaluation of the pound and was seen as marking a formal end of the British Empire.

The Gulf states were awarded independence in 1971, and frequently bemoan the loss of British interest in the region. By contrast, the French have been investing heavily in recent years, opening a joint air, naval and land base in Abu Dhabi with the United Arab Emirates in 2009.

That base, however, cannot take the French flagship and aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle.

Mr Hammond said that the security of the "homeland" began abroad.
Philip Hammond with Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

"Your security is our security," he told the Manama Dialogue, a conference on Middle East affairs held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain's capital.

Britain's determination to strengthen relations with the Gulf will be criticised by human rights and anti-arms trade campaigners. Bahrain, supported by troops from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, put down an uprising led by the country's Shia majority at the start of the Arab Spring in 2011, and continues to jail activists.

On Thursday, one prominent activist, Zainab al-Khawaja, was jailed for three years for tearing up a picture of Bahrain's King Hamad al-Khalifa.

Her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, is currently serving a life term for his involvement in the 2011 protests, while her sister, Maryam, who is currently in exile in Denmark was sentenced to a year in jail in absentia on charges of assaulting police.

[Akshay Kapoor]

Britian is an irrelevant non power now. They have no capabilities and even lesser appetite for action than they Indian govt and elite. However if this is a proxy for the west encircling shias then I do agree with you. Britian has a large and very vocal Sunni muslim population and are one of the largest manpower for ISIS.

[Philip]

On the contrary,there are a dozen new stealth Type 45 DDGs /FFGs being built,the huge QE carrier in the works with a second also planned,which will operate F-35Bs when available,far superior to the Harriers used on the small Illustrious light carriers.New Astute attack SSNs are entering service ( QinetiQ to support acceptance trials of UK Navy’s third Astute-class submarine ,http://www.naval-technology.com/news/ne ... ne-4460738) and Britain is retaining its Trident SSBN capability. It will have a superior navy to that of the French will is somewhat similar in size. The CDG carrier has been plagued with N-propulsion problems and is a medium sized carrier not 65,000t like the QE. Despite budget cuts,Britain has kept the capability of its naval forces very high,always remembering that it was through the Royal navy that it created an empire upon which the "sun never set". Naval power is the yardstick of a global power,why the Chinese are spending the max. amt. of money on their navy building 4 new 65,000t carriers and about 70-80 new subs.

As the Empire sets to return to the Gulf,protests have erupted in Bahrein,see the strat. page,W.Asia td. More on the same.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-says-signs ... ml#wW1noZQ

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday it had sealed a deal to expand and reinforce its naval presence in Bahrain that would allow it to operate more and bigger ships in the Gulf on a long-term basis.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said onshore facilities at the Mina Salman Port in Bahrain, where Britain bases four mine-hunter warships on a permanent basis, would be improved.

The base, which will now be expanded to include a new forward operating base and a place to plan, store equipment for naval operations and accommodate Royal Navy personnel, is used to support British Destroyers and Frigates in the Gulf.

"This new base is a permanent expansion of the Royal Navy's footprint and will enable Britain to send more and larger ships to reinforce stability in the Gulf," said British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.

"We will now be based again in the Gulf for the long term."

The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is also based in Bahrain.

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn)

The future is here already!
http://www.stripes.com/news/navy-encour ... e-1.317775

Navy encouraged by performance of laser system on USS Ponce
By Hendrick Simoes
Stars and Stripes

Published: December 6, 2014
View Photo Gallery »

The Laser Weapon System installed aboard the afloat forward staging base USS Ponce, Nov. 21 2014. The Ponce is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes

MANAMA, Bahrain — The U.S. Navy is one step closer to outfitting ships with lasers that officials say can hit air and surface targets with precision.

Although it’s still in the testing phase, Navy personnel and officials — from the operator directing the laser beam to the chief of naval operations — are excited about what the laser weapon system can do.

The laser weapon system, known as LaWS, was installed during the summer on the 43-year-old USS Ponce — an afloat forward staging base deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet — to evaluate how the system handles a rugged maritime environment.

The laser is a directed-energy weapon that can target both air and surface targets — either with lethal or nonlethal force, depending on the power setting. Over the years, researchers have made significant improvements to the weapon’s ruggedness, power and beam quality, and range.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert said the weapon could be a game changer.

“Imagine you take this... you double or triple the power on this, you’re going from a close-in weapon system, to cruise-missile-like weapons system, to ballistic-defense-type weapon system,” Greenert told Stars and Stripes after visiting the Ponce and seeing the laser firsthand.

The Ponce provided a test platform to see how well the laser could hit targets from a moving platform subject to unstable conditions at sea.

Officials were pleased with the initial testing of the system.

“For the most part, each event went as planned or better than planned,” said Capt. Dale Maxey, who was the commanding officer of the Ponce during the installation and testing. The crew fired at mock-up surface and air targets. “It proved to be very effective against UAVs,” Maxey said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles.

The laser can blind sensors, target electronics, or destroy a target with precision. For example, officials said, to destroy a target, the laser can be fired at its fuel tank.

But officials say one of most useful features doesn’t involve firing the laser at all. The system can track targets at a greater distance than other shipboard equipment — including at night.

“It’s great as far as determining what a contact is doing,” said Lt. j.g. Katie Woodard, the officer in charge of the laser weapon system aboard the Ponce. “We have a great optic system on there.”

“It gives us more time to deal with contacts,” she said, referring to any object that may be approaching the ship from the air or water.

Lt. Kristofer Kalstad supervised the initial use of the weapon aboard the ship.

“This brings so much more to the table than just a weapon system, defensive or otherwise,” he said.

The laser is operated by a single person from a station inside the ship’s combat information center.


“The operator requires skill. It’s not as automated as some systems, because it’s early on,” Maxey said. An operator can move and fire the laser using a hand controller similar to ones used with popular gaming consoles. “There is an art to the operator,” Maxey said.

While the laser was briefly tested two years ago on the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey in San Diego, the Ponce is the first deployed ship to include it in its arsenal. The sailors who work with the laser aboard the Ponce are charged with developing procedures for its use and maintenance at sea.

“We put it out here specifically to learn additional things, to test tactics, to find out how the environment affects it.” Maxey said.

Kalstad said the system has “exceeded expectations.” Its ability to perform in a harsh maritime environment of sea spray, dust and sand has diminished some of the “very serious concerns” that existed before the installation.

Maxey said the laser gives the ship a “superb defensive depth” that allowed him to sleep better at night. The Ponce’s defensive arsenal includes Phalanx close-in weapon system gun mounts and the 25-mm machine gun system. Maxey said that the laser doesn’t replace those weapons but that it’s an “excellent addition.”

Officials said a single laser shot costs about $1 in energy costs — compared to the high expense of using projectile weapons. The laser isn’t cheap, though: It cost about $40 million to develop.

The U.S. Navy won’t be installing its new laser weapon system on ships throughout the fleet any time soon, despite the initial success aboard the Ponce. The system is still in the experimental phase, and testing on the Ponce will continue for an undetermined period.

In addition, the laser and its components — generators, coolers and various other components —require quite a bit of space.

“I would put a LaWS on every ship,” Greenert said, “if I could miniaturize it and fit it.”

simoes.hendrick@stripes.com
Twitter: @hendricksimoes

[chetak]

A look at the Indian Navy's Project 75I tender to #MakeinIndia six diesel-electric submarines

IBNLive
In late October 2014, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the long pending Project 75I, a proposal by the Indian Navy (IN) to acquire six diesel-electric submarines (SSK) presumably different in design from the present generation of Scorpenes currently under construction at Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL), Mumbai. The proposal is tentatively valued at Rs 50000-80000 crores and involves the manufacture of all six units domestically with foreign technology input. The decision comes nearly four years after the IN first released a request for information (RFI) for this line of submarines and is harmonized with the Modi government's 'Make in India' program in that all six units are to be built in India. This actually represents a departure from the IN's earlier plan which sought to import the first two units from a foreign yard and have four more units of the same design built at Indian yards under collaboration.

The fact that all six units will have to be built in India means that there might be some changes in the way this project is executed. In the earlier scheme of things the IN was expected to select a foreign 'collaborator' yard based on the capabilities that were on offer, cost and the kind of technology transfer and work outsourcing the same could offer to the two Indian shipyards which would build the remaining units after the first two were imported directly from the overseas yard. The home built units would have seen a three-one breakup between MDL and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL). Now however, industrial partnerships between foreign collaborators and domestic shipyards may have to be put in place first following which a global RFP could be sent out to foreign OEMs who have put in place credible collaboration to indigenize their proprietary design.

In any case, it seems that all major shipyards in India have been sounded out to see whether they are keen to participate in this program. Three shipyards of the seven who are being evaluated i.e Goa Shipyard Limited, Cochin Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited are unlikely candidates given that they have never worked on submarines and specialize in surface combatants of different types for which they will keep getting steady orders. A fourth yard that has never built a submarine before or serviced one is Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering. Now Pipavav is an interesting candidate in some ways because it has sewed up some agreements with overseas majors to specifically to enter the submarine market and also has the capacity to build many boats simultaneously. However it remains to be seen whether the IN will see it as a strong candidate for the submarine program.

Of the remaining three, MDL is known to have made a case before the government for continuing their submarine building line, so that the capabilities it has built up as a result of Project 75 ( i.e the Scorpene project) 'do not go waste'. Since all six Scorpene hulls have been fabricated, the hull fabrication unit at MDL is currently lying unused even as it is being oiled in anticipation of new orders.

However the idea behind Project 75I was always to get a second submarine building facility in India for strategic reasons. If that still be the case, it is unlikely that MDL will be selected for the Project 75I line. Of course there is a chance that it will get an order to build 3 more Scorpenes sometime in the near future. In fact that may be what MDL needs to be i peace with a Project 75I decision that does not involve it. Although this is mere conjecture.

That brings us to the two remaining yards in contention for Project 75I namely Larsen & Toubro's (L&T's) Katupalli yard and HSL given their specific experiences in submarine projects. L&T's Hazira facility after all fabricated the hull of the INS Arihant and the other three boats in its class. And HSL has now completed INS Sindhukriti's refit after years of delay (owing in some measure to the Russians demanding their pound of flesh) which has included completely rebuilding parts of the submarine like the conning tower. It has also been involved in the Arihant class build program and was specifically moved to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from the Ministry of Shipping to build submarines.

In the earlier scheme of things, two strong contenders would not have been a problem since the IN planned to split the domestic build anyway. Now however proponents of economies of scale are suggesting that all six submarines be built in one shipyard given the investment costs involved. In this a lot of people's eyes are probably on L&T which previously has had supporters in the Navy and whose Katupalli shipyard has very modern facilities that allows ships to be constructed quite quickly.

Moreover L&T's UG NX5 & PLM Software Team Centre has the capability for design and development of structural and engineering parts. With design inputs from DRDO and the IN's DND, L&T's Submarine Design Centre (SDC) created detailed engineering for INS Arihant, using the latest 3D modeling and product data management software. Moreover L&T builds both torpedo and missile launch systems.

Be that as it may, according to the Krishnamurthy Committee report no private shipyard in India has the complete capability to design and fabricate a modern quiet relatively deep diving SSK, although L&T may have the 'potential' to do so. Indeed given the features that the IN seeks for Project 75I, it is clear that foreign collaboration will be required for Project 75I to be built quickly. The IN in its RFI states that it wants a submarine that should be capable of operating in both open ocean and littoral waters in a dense ASW and EW environment. Endurance extension through an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system is also desired.

Project 75I submarines must have torpedo tubes that can launch heavy long range wire guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. They must have an externally launched torpedo decoy system. A state of the art integrated combat system featured on a platform with contemporary low noise propulsion and power generation including auxiliary motors with take home capability. An AC system customised for operation in tropical waters characterized by high temperature and humidity conditions is also expected. The submarines will obviously sport a modern integrated platform management system, an automatic power management system and a submarine command system.

While indigenous sources can provide most sub-systems, packing all this together in a hull form that achieves contemporary quietening standards will require foreign collaboration for the selected yards. As such there are four key foreign collaborators possibly in the fray.

DCNS is offering follow-ons to the Scorpene, indicative models of which it has been putting on display in various trade shows, with MESMA AIP and is also trying to stress commonality with the existing project 75 line. Meanwhile Spain's publicly owned Navantia which broke its partnership with DCNS a while ago has been offering the S-80 design with an ethanol based AIP supplied by Abengoa. Navantia also has a tie-up with Lockheed Martin for combat management systems. In India it is known to have been working closely with L&T albeit on surface ship projects.

Elsewhere in Europe, ThyssenKrupp Marine has offered the HDW Type 214 which is ultimately a descendant of the Type 209, four of which are operated by the IN as the Shishumar class. The Germans will seek to emphasize the stealthiness, AIP capability (PEMFC based) and weapon versatility of their design. Now Russia's Rubin has offered the Amur design on its own and possibly an upgraded S-1000 design in partnership with Ficantieri. There was a time when the aim was to build one line of submarines with Western Bloc philosophy and the other with Eastern Bloc philosophy. If that sentiment still prevails then Rubin may actually end up being the front-runner for Project 75I. This would be especially so if the IN desires a vertical launch system (VLS) plug for these submarines that can fire the Brahmos. Amur models with an eight Brahmos VLS plug configuration have often been featured in trade shows.

Incidentally besides the Russians, the Germans and Spanish have also approached Brahmos Aerospace (BA) for installing Brahmos VLS plugs on their respective designs were it to win the Project 75I contract. All three seem to be assuring the IN that Brahmos VLS will not affect the stealthiness and motility of their designs.

The prospect of an AIP equipped Brahmos is of course very attractive for an IN that wants Project 75I submarines to feature land attack and serious standoff anti-ship capability. According to BA, which demonstrated the submerged launch of the Brahmos a while ago, in salvo mode all eight missiles could be fired from the VLS at 3.5 second intervals to attack different targets over a 360 degree azimuth. While that is certainly impressive, the IN also wants Project 75I submarines to perform stock ASW, ISR and special forces support roles. Moreover AIP itself will need room is these modest sized SSKs. So it remains to be seen if the VLS plug option ends up being exercised. There is also the question of cost.

Fortunately cost concerns related to the AIP system itself have eased somewhat now that DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) has readied an indigenous phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) based AIP which has been selected for the last two of the six Scorpenes under construction at MDL. This AIP system will extend submerged endurance to 14 days and generates hydrogen on-board using standard hydrogen rich chemicals like methanol. The ability to produce need based Hydrogen in situ and the exclusion of any combustion process in the system add to the safety of this design since hydrogen need not be stored and nor is there a need for any heavy rotating machinery. This also recommends the stealthiness of the system. If this AIP proves a success on the last two Scorpenes there is every chance of Project 75I fielding this system.

Project 75I is expected to give India the ability to construct many state of the art submarines simultaneously by seeding another submarine construction line in India. As such L&T at the moment seems a strong candidate for this on account of a variety of reasons. However L&T may have to arrive at a work share agreement with HSL in the interest of sustaining that yard's submarine build capability. Of course if the ongoing move to build at least half a dozen nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) indigenously fructifies quicker, securing work for HSL may not be an issue.

For updates follow Saurav Jha on twitter @SJha1618. Send your feedback to geekatlarge1618@gmail.com

[chetak]

Those unsung real heroes of the ocean

Those unsung real heroes of the ocean

It was in December 2007, over a casual dinner with a naval officer, that I
first heard of the “Killer Squadron”. It was a tale I would have traded for
a three-hour movie any day, a tale that showed me how little we know about
our legends, even on those available in the public domain.

Every year the Indian Navy commemorates the success of Operation Trident on
December 4 as Navy Day, paying homage to the “Killer Squadron” which bombed
the Karachi harbour and the Pakistan Navy in the 1971 war. The attack
paralysed it operationally and helped India gain a strategic upper hand in
a battle that would be won miles away on the eastern coast. Operation
Trident has often been described by experts as one of the most audacious
and brilliantly planned and executed operations in the history of naval
warfare.

*Motley group*

The killer squadron that was entrusted with the task of sealing the fate of
the Karachi harbour consisted of INS Nipat, INS Nirghat, INS Veer and INS
Vidyut — a motley group of Osa-I missile boats that was selected over
regular vessels considering their speed, which made them fast-moving
targets, ideal for a stealth operation. Accompanying these killers were two
Petya class vessels, INS Kiltan and INS Katchall, as they possessed better
communication skills and possible anti-submarine warfare cover. The crew
were trained in Russian, to make communication between attacking vessels
difficult to intercept for enemy ears.

The killers were towed south of Karachi harbour, from where they proceeded
in an arrowhead formation, changing course frequently with radar inputs
from INS Kiltan to avoid enemy detection. The Pakistanis were sitting
ducks. The Killer Squadron launched SS-NB-2S Styx AsHm missiles hitting the
Pakistani destroyer PNS Khaibar, merchant vessel Venus Challenger (which
was allegedly carrying ammunition for the Pakistan Army) and PNS Shahjahan.

The Pakistan Navy never realised what hit it, and assuming it was aircraft
fire tried in vain to engage the Styx missiles with their Bofors guns.
Supported by the Indian Air Force, the Killer Squadron launched the final
missiles on oil tankers on shore and left the harbour a burning heap. As
audacious was the attack, equally audacious was the retreat, the aftermath
of which saw the Pakistan Air Force scoring a self-goal by hitting its
anchored frigate Zulfiqar assuming it to be an enemy boat. By December 7,
1971, the Killer Squadron sailed into Bombay to a heroes’ welcome.

Forty-three years later, the Indian Navy is still considered a force to
reckon with in the Indian Ocean. Under the darkest clouds since its
inception, under attack from a media which do not always bother to get even
the ranks correct in reporting, under the shock of losing men they trained
with, the men in white still stand tall.

Expert accounts of the 1971 war tell us of how the ships which bombed
Karachi developed snags on their way back home. The accounts also tell us
that the ships used for Operation Trident were not meant for it; yet our
Navy delivered.

What makes us think otherwise now? Yes, the Navy has indeed had a
disastrous year. But to the layman sitting in his living room and lamenting
about his tax money sinking into the deep blue, the difference between
professional and material failure must be made clear.

*Ageing fleet*

That a potential blue water navy still works with 30-year-old ships; that
day in and day out our fleet goes on these ageing time bombs and doesn’t
complain, speaks volumes of a professional force that has hardly ever
received any credit from a nation that believes wars are won on foot and
not by cutting critical enemy supplies. Yes, lives have been lost and
safety has been compromised.

The Navy was probably one of the first institutions in India to put in
place a quality management system. But when the system breaks down, the
solutions should come from professionals within it and not from
self-proclaimed experts who have never given credit to this mighty force
for anything. Be it the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami or the threat of Somalian
pirates, the Indian Navy represents India’s unsung heroes.

While the Navy sets its house in order, the least we can do is refrain from
playing judgmental prudes from our plush couches.

[JTull]

Here's how Indian Navy is helping water crisis-hit Maldives

[chackojoseph]

Britian is an irrelevant non power now. They have no capabilities and even lesser appetite for action than they Indian govt and elite. However if this is a proxy for the west encircling shias then I do agree with you. Britian has a large and very vocal Sunni muslim population and are one of the largest manpower for ISIS.

UK is very influential in most of Middle East. It makes sense not to let it go. O/T.

[NRao]

The imperialists and neo-colonialists are at it again! The (evil) empire is returning East of Suez back into IOR/Gulf waters. Another development for India to factor in. The move is clearly aimed at encircling Iran and imposing a stranglehold upon energy supplies transiting the Gulf.It makes India's strat. energy supplies from the Gulf more at risk should conflict "engulf" the world's most volatile region,(pun intended) and diversification of supplies just as China has done cutting a massive $400B deal with Russia.The GOI would do well to follow China's example and diversify its energy supplies.

Britain is going to establish a permanenet base in the Gulf at Bahrein,where the locals mostly Shiites are being suppressed under the Saudi jackboot

I expect India to be very comfortable with RN returning to the region. There is a bigger fish to fry than Iran.

I would expect this move to help the IN.

[abhik]

^^^
How does it help the IN?