Indian Navy -- News Folder -- April 2003

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 01 Apr 2003 06:06

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Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 01 Apr 2003 23:18

India, Russia to hold naval wargames

maz · Post by **maz** » 03 Apr 2003 04:56

India's first stealth warship to be launched shortly
(UNI, 02 April 2003)

Mumbai: The first stealth warship being built by the government-owned defence shipyard Mazagon Dock Ltd will be launched later this month. Three such ships are being built at the shipyard in Mumbai, MDL Chairman and Managing Director Commodore (Retd) H S Kang told UNI here today. The first of these ships being built under the Project-17 will be launched. It is expected to be commissioned in the next couple of years, he added. Defence Minister George Fernandes is likely to be present at the launching ceremony which is expected to be held on April 18. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Madhvandra Singh had earlier said that these ships are the future of the Indian Navy as they are equipped with stealth features, advanced weaponry and communication systems. According to Indian Navy officials, the first of these ships will be commissioned in 2005-06 and the remaining in the next two years.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 05 Apr 2003 00:12

Naval Chief visiting Kerala
[www.zeenews.com, 04 April 2003]

Kochi: Naval Chief of Staff, Admiral Madhvendra Singh, will visit the naval academy project site at Ezhimala in Kannur district on April 6 to review the progress of the construction work, a naval release said here today. Singh would also lay the foundation stone for the officers married accommodation there before leaving for Kochi. At Kochi, the admiral will visit some of the training schools in the naval base here on April 7.

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 05 Apr 2003 23:48

It Is Time India Exploited Her Maritime Power

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=31598

Rangudu · Post by **Rangudu** » 07 Apr 2003 00:22

Russian navy ships leave for exercises with India

maz · Post by **maz** » 07 Apr 2003 01:23

Indian Navy Frigate Built in St. Petersburg Almost Ready to Be Delivered
(Rosbalt, 05 April 2003)

SAINT PETERSBURG, April 5: The Russia state commission for quality control has completed tests on the Trishul frigate, which has been built at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg for the Indian Navy. The company's press office told Rosbalt that the commission has confirmed that all of the frigate's systems meet the technical requirements and that the ship is ready for final tests to be conducted before it is delivered to India. Indian representatives will participate in the final tests, which are scheduled to begin on 07 April 2003. A contract to build three frigates for the Indian Navy was signed on 17 November 1997 by the Indian Defence Ministry and state defence company Rosvooruzhenie.

The deal was estimated at USD 1 billion. On 10 March 1998 the Baltic Shipyard was named as the chief contractor for the deal. Work on the first of the frigates (the Talwar) began on 10 March 1999 and it was launched on 12 May 2000. Work on the second frigate (the Trishul) began on 22 September 1999 and it was launched on 24 November 2000. Work on the final frigate (the Tabar) was begun on 26 May 2000 and it was launched on 25 May 2001. Final tests on the Talwar and sea trials of the Tabar will begin as soon as ice in the Gulf of Finland clears enough for tests to go ahead. The tests will be carried out in the Baltic Sea in the Baltic Fleet's operation zone.

Muns · Post by **Muns** » 07 Apr 2003 03:09

India needs 3 more aircraft carriers: Navy chief

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=42580750

Nandai · Post by **Nandai** » 07 Apr 2003 16:28

India, Russia Joint Naval Exercise

Prateek · Post by **Prateek** » 09 Apr 2003 03:59

India needs 3 more aircraft carriers: Navy chief

Prateek · Post by **Prateek** » 09 Apr 2003 04:05

Mighty aircraft carriers remain key to naval warfare

Prateek · Post by **Prateek** » 09 Apr 2003 04:13

Russian Navy off to Indian Ocean

maz · Post by **maz** » 09 Apr 2003 05:06

Naval Commanders begin meet
(UNI, 07 April 2003)

Mumbai: Union Minister for Defence George Fernandes today inaugurated the Naval Command Officers' Conference at the Western Naval Command Officers' mess here. The Commanders' Conference is the highest operational decision-making forum, which reviews all the operational activities of the Indian Navy during the previous year. It also identifies core areas needing attention and charts the way for the future. The four-day conference is being chaired by Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Madhvendra Singh.

Those attending include Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral John C D'Silva, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Raman Puri, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command Vic e Admiral M J Singh, Vice Admiral O P Bansal, Commander-in-Chief of the Integrated Command, Andaman & Nicobar, along with other Principal Staff Officers and Senior Flag Officers of the Indian Navy.

member_5221 · Post by **member_5221** » 09 Apr 2003 09:13

Indian Navy Frigate Built in St. Petersburg Almost Ready to Be Delivered
(Rosbalt, 05 April 2003)

SAINT PETERSBURG: The Russia state commission for quality control has completed tests on the Trishul frigate, which has been built at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg for the Indian Navy. The company's press office told Rosbalt that the commission has confirmed that all of the frigate's systems meet the technical requirements and that the ship is ready for final tests to be conducted before it is delivered to India. Indian representatives will participate in the final tests, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, April 7.

A contract to build three frigates for the Indian Navy was signed on November 17, 1997 by the Indian Defence Ministry and state defence company Rosvooruzhenie. The deal was estimated at USD 1 billion. On March 10, 1998 the Baltic Shipyard was named as the chief contractor for the deal. Work on the first of the frigates (the Talwar) began on March 10, 1999 and it was launched on May 12, 2000. Work on the second frigate (the Trishul) began on September 22, 1999 and it was launched on November 24, 2000. Work on the final frigate (the Tabar) was begun on May 26, 2000 and it was launched on May 25, 2001. Final tests on the Talwar and sea trials of the Tabar will begin as soon as ice in the Gulf of Finland clears enough for tests to go ahead. The tests will be carried out in the Baltic Sea in the Baltic Fleet's operation zone.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 09 Apr 2003 19:13

India still negotiating Scorpene submarine deal: defence minister

Div · Post by **Div** » 09 Apr 2003 22:49

India to build, not buy Scorpene subs
(The Hindu, 09 April 2003

India proposes to construct French designed Scorpene submarines for its navy and is negotiating with a French company, Defence Minister George Fernandes, said today. However, the Government does not propose to purchase six Scorpene subamarines, he said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. "The Government proposes to construct French-designed Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai and is negotiating with M/s Armaris, a French company, in this regard. There is no proposal to purchase submarines from France," Fernandes said. He said it was known if the French company has collaborated with Pakistan for supply of submarines but there was no concrete knowledge of its record in dealing with Pakistan or being involved in kickbacks. The French collaborator has been chosen on the basis of design of the submarine and its ability and competence in supplying associated equipment, he said. Fernandes said "adequate safeguards including standard clauses, having their aim at preventing corrupt practices, will be included in the contract when signed."

member_5221 · Post by **member_5221** » 11 Apr 2003 11:58

Indo-Russian naval exercise next month
(Times of India, 10 April 2003)

New Delhi: The Indian and Russian navies are gearing up to hold a major exercise, which will include submarines and destroyers, in the Indian Ocean region next month. A Russian armada of 10 frontline ships from its Pacific and Black Sea fleets has already set sail for the Indian Ocean for a duration of four to six months. "We will participate with warships of matching capabilities...We are planning the wargames at present," said an Indian Navy officer on Wednesday. Russia, after a long time, apparently wants to flex its muscles in the heavily-militarised Indian Ocean region. The Russian armada will include two destroyers, a nuclear submarine and a missile cruiser, among others. "The forthcoming exercise will play a significant role in strengthening the co-operation, trust and mutual understanding between the two naval powers and heighten the level of stability in the Indian Ocean zone," said a Russian statement.

Prateek · Post by **Prateek** » 12 Apr 2003 00:53

India should be aware of challenges: Fernandes

http://www.ptinews.com/nextstory.asp?main=Indian&ID=1281&rec=none

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 12 Apr 2003 04:24

Cochin Shipyard To Build Three Air Defence Ships

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 12 Apr 2003 04:25

MiG-29K Chosen For Gorshkov

Nandai · Post by **Nandai** » 13 Apr 2003 16:54

Indian navy to hold exercises with Oman, US, Russia

Kapil · Post by **Kapil** » 16 Apr 2003 14:19

New P17 unit to be named INS Shivalik
(Kapil Chandni, BR Correspondent @ Mumbai)

MDL sources in Mumbai have said that the first of the Project-17 frigates,due to be launched on April 18th will be called as the INS Shivalik, named after the hill range in Uttar Pradesh. A disappointing name for a stealthy frigate as it conveys the impression of a static, looming mountain rather than anything nimble & stealthy. Indeed, one long time IN watcher commented that the name sounds more suitable for a Base Repair Depot! Naval historians will attest that the Navy has a fascination for hills and mountains. It may be recalled that the names originally considered for the INS Vikrant were the Vindhya, the Kailas, the Someru and the Himalaya. Later additions to the list included the Everest, the Kanchenjunga and even Amarnath. All these names were dropped as they were not considered inspiring enough and also naming an aircraft carrier after a mountain peak was inconsistent with the role of a carrier of rapid mobility as opposed to the immobility of a mountain. Subsequently, it was decided on the 4th of February 1959 that the carrier would be named the INS Vikrant.

Himanshu · Post by **Himanshu** » 16 Apr 2003 16:29

Indo-US navy war games planned

Rudra · Post by **Rudra** » 17 Apr 2003 07:02

Aeging but dependable, INS Viraat sails on

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 17 Apr 2003 11:53

First indigenous stealth warship to be launched

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=43487195

Nikhil Shah · Post by **Nikhil Shah** » 18 Apr 2003 01:20

India is planning joint naval exercises with Oman, the US and Russia

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 18 Apr 2003 18:59

INS Shivalik Launched

Vick · Post by **Vick** » 18 Apr 2003 19:46

India launches its first indigenous missile-carrying stealth frigate

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/afp/defense/030418134012.ese3eiwv.html

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 18 Apr 2003 19:49

First Stealth warship 'Shivalik' launched
(The Hindu, 18 April 2003)

Mumbai, (UNI): India's first indigenously built stealth frigate 'Shivalik', constructed by the nation's premier shipbuilding yard, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), was launched here today. The 143 m long and 16.9 m wide 'Shivalik', the first of three Stealth warships of Project-17, being built by the MDL, resplendent in its colourful buntings, slid down into the warm waters of the Arabian Sea as Ms Kaumudi Kumari, wife of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh, pressed the launch trigger after applying 'kum kum' on the bow of the ship and breaking a coconut. Present on the occasion were Defence Minister George Fernandes, Minister of State for Defence Production O Rajagopal, Naval Chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Controller of Warship Production Vice Admiral P Jaitly, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief(FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, Defence Production and Supplies Secretary N S Sisodia, MDL Chairman and Managing Director CMDE H S Kang among a host of invitees at a function at the Mazgaon Docks. The ship, scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 2005, will be 'battleworthy' by 2006, the Naval Chief told reporters later at a press briefing.

Muns · Post by **Muns** » 19 Apr 2003 04:10

First stealth warship launched

Launch Photos from Hindustan Times

Neethan · Post by **Neethan** » 19 Apr 2003 14:51

First indigenous stealth warship to be launched

Kapil · Post by **Kapil** » 19 Apr 2003 20:08

Images of the Shivalik launch

Stealth Warship, INS Shivalik launched
(Bharat Rakshak, 18 April 2003)

By Kapil Chandni

India's indigenous ship building programme took a long step forward with the launch of the INS Shivalik, the first of the three Project-17 Class of indigenous stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. Smt. Kaumudi Kumari, the wife of the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh applied kum kum on the bow of the ship, broke a coconut on the hull and named the ship Shivalik. She pressed the launch trigger a couple of minutes past 1300 hours and the resplendent new frigate slid down the slipway into the welcoming waters of the Arabian Sea, its future hunting ground. For the Indian Navy, the launch symbolized the culmination of nearly a decade long effort from the conceptual stage on to the design, modification, sanction and on to the launch stage. The ship is unlike any built previously in India, and will surpass the previous Delhi Class of destroyers built by Mazgaon Docks Limited in its weapons potency and radically new construction methods.

Nautical enthusiasts might baulk at the ship's radical design, with the foc’sle resembling that of the Talwar Class frigates which are pending delivery from Russia and the aft portion resembling that of the Delhi class. The design has been frozen at a length of 143 metres with a beam of 16.9 metres and a moulded height of 9.2 metres. The ship's Combined Diesel Or Gas Turbine (CODOG) propulsion system will be optimized to deliver high speeds of upto 32 knots in gas turbine operations and a diesel operating cruising speed of 22 knots. The ship's generators will be capable of generating 4 MW of electric power satisfying all it's power requirements. In addition to this, the Shivalik will be a wired ship with an ATM based integrated ship borne data network with a fibre optic cable backbone running through the ship. For a ship displacing 4900 tons, its crew complement will be of 25 officers and 225 men. This indicates the enhanced automation which is due to become a hallmark of future IN vessels.

MDL has excelled itself with a superb finish and quality of construction. The hull had a glow to it which drew admiring glances from the veterans attending the ceremony. The ship's unique profile is due to the fact that it has no straight surfaces. All the surfaces are angled which contribute to a reduced cross-section. In addition, the quietness of this ship will be enhanced by a Canadian Infra-Red Suppression System. Also, the machinery and systems mountings will be on dampened mounts to further minimize acoustic and vibration signatures. Future units of this class will be built using modular work processes, which dramatically alter the delivery schedule. The Shivalik is due to be commissioned in December 2005 hopefully. MDL officials exuded confidence when they stated that they are ready to adopt international warship design procedures where all the design work too is handled by the shipyards under the parameters of the customer Navy. The Navy too has indicated that it will reduce its on Directorate of Naval Design and farm out the design work to shipyards.

Speaking on the occasion, the CNS said that the Navy had to go in for stealth frigates as our neighbours were getting them too. When this bewildered the assembled hacks, he pertinently pointed out that for a navy, any nation with a coast is a neighbour, not just any immediate neighbour. No confirmed details are available for the ship's weapons and sensors suites but the Naval variant of the Dhruv will be embarking on this class of vessels. Truly, multi-role surface combatants like this are a welcome addition to the Indian Navy, which is struggling to erase its lost decade of no new ships being placed earlier and simultaneously maintaining its profile in the dynamic Indian Ocean Region. The next two units of the Project-17 class will be named the INS Sahyadri and the INS Satpura.

Superlative Year for the Indian Navy

With the commissioning of the INS Talwar this June, followed by the Trishul and Tabar in July and December respectively, this year is a good year for the IN's surface fleet. In addition to this, the INS Betwa and INS Beas are due for commissioning this year too.

Light ASW Corvettes for the Indian Navy: Naval Headquarters has commissioned a design and feasibility study for 4 light corvettes of 2500 tonnes displacement which will be optimized for ASW tasks, according to sources. The ships will be built at GSE, Kolkata.

Project 15A: Work commences on the Project 15A Class destroyer, with plate cutting of the first vessel commenced on 12 March 2003 at MDL.

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 20 Apr 2003 01:14

French Naval vessel arrives at Kochi

Vasu · Post by **Vasu** » 22 Apr 2003 10:07

Indo-Oman naval exercises commences

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 25 Apr 2003 07:25

Drones to keep tabs on Andaman Sea
(The Hindu, 24 April 2003)

Port Blair: The busy sea-lanes in India's territorial waters and in and around Andaman Sea will now be watched over by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Naval Command sources said today. The first tri-service joint command of Indian and the Andaman & Nicobar Command is all set to induct these UAVs into its force to facilitate better monitoring, the operational head of Andaman & Nicobar Command Commodore MM Singh said. The navy operationalised in December last year its first full-fledged UAV base in Kochi in Kerala, where the Southern Naval Command is based.

The 'Heron' UAVs, ordered from Israel, are currently stationed at this base and will be inducted into the command fleet soon. Defence personnel have already been sent for advance training for the three or four UAVs likely to be taken in. Due to its strategic location, the Andaman & Nicobar Command will find these UAVs very supportive in its day-to-day surveillance job, Commodore Singh said adding that the command had not fixed any particular location for the UAV operation. In fact these craft can take off from any of the defence runways at Andaman & Nicobar.

"Operating UAVs in Andaman & Nicobar region will minimize our annual expenditure by saving fuel for other available aircraft like Doniers and Chetak Helicopters," Public Relations Officer Commander T V Kuruvilla said. Experts feel that the UAVs would provide the command a real-time view of the busy sea-lanes around the Malacca Straits. The 'Herons' which are capable of flying even over and across Sri Lanka will help in not only monitoring the sea-lanes, but also in checking drug and arms smuggling and poaching in Andaman Sea.

member_201 · Post by **member_201** » 25 Apr 2003 07:34

Defence: DPM gets updates from Admiral

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=22692

jarugn · Post by **jarugn** » 28 Apr 2003 21:36

Submarine deal in the offing with France.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/apr/28sub.htm

maz · Post by **maz** » 28 Apr 2003 22:13

Indian Navy for regaining edge in maritime reconnaissance
(Kerala Next, 28 April 2003)

In a major move to regain its edge in the region in maritime reconnaissance, Indian Navy has initiated moves to revamp its ageing aviation fleet of SeaKing Helicopters, replace the giant IL-38 aircraft lost in air accidents and explore buying advanced naval spy planes like the P-3C Orions. Besides the revamp of its aviation arm, the Navy was also on the threshold of increasing its reach and punch by induction in early June of the first of three multi-purpose stealth Krivak class frigates and the launch of the first of the indigenous stealth frigate INS Shivlak.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh told newsmen on the sidelines of a function to flagoff a Naval expedition to attempt the over-7,500 metre Kamet and Abi Gamin peak that negotiations were on for seeking replacement of two IL-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft, which crashed during an air display in Goa earlier this year. He said India intended to buy at second hand prices the upgraded version of the two IL-38 from the surplus aircraft from the Russian naval inventory. He also said that Navy proposed to send to Russia, the Tu-154 maritime reconnaissance aircraft for upgradation. Asked why the Navy was seeking to buy the obsolete IL-38 aircraft, Singh said the Navy had trained pilots, expertise and spares inventory for these aircraft and also expected a fair discount in the purchase.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 29 Apr 2003 01:39

Risk of no aircraft carrier in 2007

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 29 Apr 2003 09:51

Navy to buy two IL-38 at second-hand price