Need for more ASW corvettes (smaller than the P-28 Kamortas):
With the launch of the first P-28 ASW corvette,a significant gap in the IN's capabilities will in the future be attended to in the light of the massive increase in subs in the IOR/Pacific.However,the number of corvettes,only 8+ planned with a slow rate of production,which from their size are approximately as large as the Leanders,will not suffice to meet the ever increasing challenges.In addition,even though we had several Petyas in service,their replacement,the Khukri/Kora class were built without any ASW armament whatsoever!These vessels were in fact nothing more than larger sized anti-ship missile craft than our FACM tarantulas,the first four even carrying the same missile.Barring a heli deck without a hangar,these vessels are sitting ducks for any sub.The new P-28 Kamortas beign as mentioned Leander size,are meant for blue water ops,but a vital gap exists in the brown zone,the waters just off our coasts and naval bases.
To augment our brown water ASW capabilities in the past,4 Pauk-2 class ASW corvettes were obtained from Russia,called the Abhay class,which had the same hulls as the Tarantuls.These small ships however "punched above their weight",in that they had a VDS on the stern,medium freq. hull mounted soinar too,21"TTs,MBUs,SAN-5 Manpads,a 30mm gatling and a main gun.Quite a potent package all in a hull displacing around 500t.Now where is the enhanced threat coming from you may ask? Well,apart from the proliferation of enemy subs of all kinds,there is another new threat,that from midget subs,special forces swimmer delivery vehicles for sabotage,mine laying,surveillance,etc.Many navies around the world use special semi-submersible or midget subs for such clandestine operations.History is rife with the successes of many of these ops.The latest addition to this list is the recent sinking of a SoKo missile corvette ,the Cheonan,most probably by a NoKo special forces "suicide torpedo" squad,which could either have carried out a suicide attack,or most likely launched a torpedo at the corvette from the underwater vehicle after the attackers were within close range.The sinking of the Choenan should serve as a wake-up call to the IN and CG,especially as we've already had the experience of 26/11,an assault from the sea,which in the future could have the attackers launched from a sub/midget sub.
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36719272/ns ... iapacific/)
In the aftermath of 26/11 one can imagine the utter catastrophe had the attackers then or even in the future,attacked or attack naval warships berthed in Bombay or at other naval bases.One can install a variety of "perimeter fencing",incorporating various sensors above and underwater,but as was seen on 26/11 attackers can slip through.The Korean sinking was on the high seas off the coast an even more deadly capability,rendering sensors located at bases redundant.Therefore the need has arisen for a new class of small corvettes,like the Pauks,that can be mass produced at low cost with high automation ensuring small crews which can patrol the approaches to our coastal establishments and augment blue/brown water ops in the company of a larger battle group
The PRC have done just that in large number meeting their missile craft requirement,with their new Houbei (catamaran) class attack craft.This 250t stealth boat,that has taken cues from the Visby class,carries 8 "4th-gen" anti-ship missiles with a range of about 250km an a high speed of upto 45kts and a crew of only 12.That 80+ have been built is an astounding feat and the USN is deeply alarmed at them because they are meant to be expendable (possessing limited anti-air/missile defences-a 30mm gatling and 10 manpads).They will complicate US carrier forces attempting to forestall a Chines einvasion of Taiwan and when part of a larger task force can bring huge numbers of anti-ship missils to attack US battle groups.
I suggest that the IN design in similar vein,a small corvette/attack craft sized vessel on a catamaran hull (Austal style),with a high speed-rmember the old WW2 "subchasers"? Well,these are similar in concept.The upper deck of the vessel aft should be totally fl upto the mainmast,with the exhausts located below and between the twin hulls,which will also reduce IR signature.Externally,the vessel will resemble the Visby style.Thus the vessel will have one extra feature not available on the Pauks,that of a large heli-deck that can accomodate a large ASW helo,perhaps even upto Sea King/NH-90 size and also operate UAVs/UCAVs.Between the two decks,main deck and heli-deck,the ASW dipping/VDS/TAS sonar,torpedo tubes (both heavyweight armed lightweight can be carried).The rest of the armamanet can be a combination of gatlings,PDMS-Barak/Kashtan,a main gun and anti-sub RBUs.With a wider hull,inclined launchers can also be fitted for upto 8 anti-ship/sub Kulb variants.This would however increase the size and dplmnt of the vessel.There are other anti-sub weapon systems that could suffice such as the Russian Medvedka system that can be carried by small vessels.This system carries a rocket with a lightweight torpedo,the "Ultimate RBU with a guided homing round".It is fired from a quad launcher and subs upto a depth of 500m(!) can be destroyed.The range is upto 23km.With contemporary NCW commns. eqpt.,the vessels can even prosecute a contact made by another warship or aircraft miles away.
Notes:
http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&so ... =&gs_rfai=
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http://books.google.co.in/books?id=4S3h ... on&f=false)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houbei_class_missile_boat
The Houbei class (Type 022) missile boat is the newest class of missile boat in the People's Liberation Army Navy. The first boat was launched in April 2004 by the Qiuxin Shipbuilding Factory at Shanghai. These boats incorporate stealth features and wave-piercing catamaran hulls. Approximately 81 or more of these missile boats are currently in service with three flotillas[1], having gone through serial production.
WHere is my CVN and AWACS? Also needed is a fine SSBN with AGNI V SLBM to wash down all the stuff! burp, and hic! 
. Okay I know this sounds like a bit of a stretch, but right now the goras are so desperate to sell stuff to India, I wouldn't be surprised if one unit from each of these countries does a series of amphib trials near one of our islands. 
