Indian Naval Discussion

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 02 May 2013 12:31

Philip wrote:Sacked for "moral turpitude" on Facebook? Sounds pretty strange.

probably been bragging about nailing natashas when on deployment to rus...

maz · Post by **maz** » 04 May 2013 00:16

Can we please shift our focus away from 'Natasha activities' and engage in something more intellectual like the MCPP and future force structure?
The latest from the IN top brass is that Maritime Capabilities Perspective Plan (MCPP) lays down a force level of 200 ships, 600 aircraft and about 20 submarines (by 2027-2028).

The biggest takeaways are:

* Planned growth is impressive by any measure. Shows the rise of Asia as a whole.

* Naval aviation set to more than double in size from 200-230 aircraft in inventory currently.

* Surface fleet goes up from today's 119 or so commissioned units to 200 commissioned units, an increase of 68% over current force levels. These figures do not include SDVs, non-commissioned auxiliaries and FICs.

* Submarine fleet shows minimal growth from today's 15 boats.

* IN is on the path to becoming one of the top 5 navies in terms of size (and combat power??)

While the number of surface platforms have considerably increased from earlier announcements with force levels of 175 or so ships, the numbers of subs is smaller than expected. Wonder what happened to the 24 sub plan? Can someone shed some light on what the current thinking is? It will be also be interesting to see the mix of platforms in the notional 200 ship surface fleet.

John · Post by **John** » 04 May 2013 01:17

maz wrote:* IN is on the path to becoming one of the top 5 navies in terms of size (and combat power??)

Yes Maz IN has improved but other 3rd world navies such as South Korea, China have drastically improved as well. IN still has 7th position IMO behind US, Russia, China, France, UK & Japan. Till Vikram along with fleet of Arihant come into the picture, i don't see that changing.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 04 May 2013 02:33

I would be a lot more interested in what research is being conducted. What would a ship 15 years from now host - technology wise.

The size of the navy is important, but even greater IMHO is the techs they carry around. Sensors and int are two areas that interest me the most.

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 04 May 2013 03:16

Maz: the projected submarine growth is disappointing to say the least. The force structure looks very imbalanced. Its like exercising only the upper body, while ignoring the abs, lower back etc. Every services arm seems to have its Achilles heel that takes forever to fix. For the IA, its artillery. For the IAF, its SAMs. For the IN, its submarines

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 04 May 2013 03:18

maz wrote: * Naval aviation set to more than double in size from 200-230 aircraft in inventory currently.

Is that number right maz?

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 04 May 2013 04:29

John wrote:IN still has 7th position IMO behind US, Russia, China, France, UK & Japan. Till Vikram along with fleet of Arihant come into the picture, i don't see that changing.

India is not even 7th if we are to talk about pure capabilities. The South Korean Navy would be up on the board as well in terms of pure capability and firepower.

Japan has the most potent Navy in Asia, not China. The JMSDF has a number of highly sophisticated and capable ships and crews compared to the Chinese. The Chinese still have no answer for the AEGIS suite let alone, the proprietary US sonar and radar systems that proliferate the Japanese navy. Of course, the Chinese have longer range cruise missile and SSNs but their advantage is negated by superior defensive systems on the Japanese side especially in the ASW destroyers and AD destroyers.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 04 May 2013 04:40

Philip wrote:Sacked for "moral turpitude" on Facebook? Sounds pretty strange.

Not strange at all considering that if they made a call back home and communicated this information to the wrong people, they could be facing charges of treason not "turpitude". They should be serving jail time, not walking away from this.

Imagine if an Arihant crew member divulged this kind of information ?

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 04 May 2013 05:11

Navy’s aviation arm spreads wings as it turns 60

The Indian Navy's aviation arm, which turns 60 next week, is now a "small air force" and all set to double its fleet of aircraft over this decade, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral D M Sudan has said.

The aviation arm was founded in May 1963. Six decades on, it flies 220 aircraft and will induct new squadrons in coming years. The first of them, a INAS 303 Black Panthers squadron of MiG 29K that is planned to operate off Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, will be commissioned in Goa next week, the first fighter squadron to be inducted in nearly three decades.
...
...
Though the fighters' service availability record remains close to 90 per cent, he added, they would be retired over the next two years as near the end of their service life. Two squadrons of Sea Harriers are planned to be replaced with the Naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. - See more at: ..
...

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 04 May 2013 06:17

While AKA still sits twiddling his thumbs about India's second line of subs, entered into the second century some time ago and now into its second decade ,the land of OZ has finally made up its mind as to its next-gen sub line: A new design or evolved Collins class design,the latter probably being the best option considering how much moolah Oz has spent on its Collins class.

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/arti ... d=National

South Australia has welcomed the federal government's decision to only focus on two design options for the Future Submarine Program.

As part of the Defence White Paper, the federal government will focus on either an 'evolved Collins class' or new options suited to Australia's strategic requirements.

This means Australia will not use an 'off the shelf' submarine design.

SA Defence Industries Minister Jack Snelling said the two selected options were undoubtedly the best when it came to retaining skills and creating jobs in the state.

Either an evolved 'daughter of Collins or son of Collins' or a new design created in South Australia would mean thousands of jobs for the state, he told journalists on Friday.

Mr Snelling said he understood the government was bringing forward projects to replace supply ships and patrol boats, which would be good opportunities for SA.

These projects would cover any so-called 'valley of death' period, when there would be gap between when the AWD project begins to ramp down and when the next submarines project starts.

'These are projects we've been talking to the Commonwealth about as potential fillers for a very long time.'

http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog ... ine-folly/
Australia’s Submarine Folly
By Harry Kazianis

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 May 2013 06:52

yeah but even the Collins was designed by Kockums of sweden which is now owned by HDW. if they want to evolve the collins, HDW will surely be pulled in a consultant since Aus has never designed a small sub before, let alone the biggest SSK on the planet before Soryu emerged.

hope it is another expensive failure

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 May 2013 19:13

INS Sindhurakshak arrives in India

Makes a nice picture

INS Sindhurakshak: unforgettable winter in Severodvinsk. Source: Alexander Yemelianinkov

maz · Post by **maz** » 04 May 2013 19:24

My estimates for naval aircraft are based on approx. 100 helos + 14 UAV + 6-10 PTA + fixed wing types including 20 Mig29K/KUB and 11 SHARS.

You guys are absolutely right, ROK Navy is pretty powerful. And the JMSDF is by far the most powerful regional navy. The Japanese subs are very capable boats but we don't hear much about them.

maz · Post by **maz** » 05 May 2013 11:33

RADM DM Sudan says that "“We currently have 214 aircraft (fixed wing and helicopters combined) in 19 squadrons, based in eight stations. We plan to double the numbers in a decade and add new naval air bases."

The sqns / indep flts are:

INAS 300, 303, 552 - ftrs

INAS 550,551, 561 - trg

INAS 310, 311, 312, 315, 318 - MR

INAS 321, 321 ALH flt, 330, 333, 336, 339, 350, MCF - helos

INS 342, 343, 344 - UAV

PTA East & PTA West - not included but technically, this makes it 22 sqns and 1 helo flt.

Perhaps the Adml is referring only to commissioned sqns which would seem to suggest that the UAS units are excluded from the count.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 05 May 2013 19:09

Maz have you got a link for the MCPP? Thanks

maz · Post by **maz** » 05 May 2013 21:04

If you have a link to the MCPP, please share. Don't think its been made public. But bits and pieces are coming out.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 06 May 2013 00:04

Ok If I find it will share. Thanks

Btw dont they have a separate plan document for submarines?

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 06 May 2013 12:31

I thiught we ordered 48 Mig29ks. Why one 20 shown? Is the order is yet to be compleated or any delays?

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 06 May 2013 12:58

We ordered 16 and 29 only last year, so only 20 should be in service. I

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 06 May 2013 13:00

Navy's MIG-29K fighter squadron set to land in Goa

Union Defence Minister A K Antony will commission MIG-29K fighter planes into the Indian Navy on May 11 in Goa [ Images ].

The squadron, named INAS 303 Black Panthers, will be commissioned on May 11 by the Defence Minister at INS Hansa Naval base in the state, Indian Navy PRO said.
Click here!

The aircrafts were inducted in the force on February 19, 2010.

The MIG-29K (K stands for 'Korabelny' meaning "Carrier Borne" in Russian) is a potent carrier borne fighter, which, once integrated with 'INS Vikramaditya' will bolster the Navy's punch with its multi-role capability, the PRO said.

maz · Post by **maz** » 06 May 2013 14:28

" Navy's MIG-29K fighter squadron set to land in Goa " - this is a poor headline indeed! Speaking of 'landing', the MiG unit, INAS 303 ( IFTU) landed in Goa many years ago.

Notice that different articles show different figures for the future size of the Fleet Air Arm -ranging in size from 400, 500 and 600. Wonder why?

One report from India Strategic suggests the P-8 Lite (less ASW) is the preferred platform for the MRMRA program. This is interesting. I'd have thought that the ATR 72 platform would have served this role well. It would be relatively cheap and spares are readily availble. Guess the same goes for Boeing except it is a lot more expensive. An advantage for the P-8 would be a much greater transit speed and, I imagine, similar mission systems, logistics support, etc.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 May 2013 14:42

this article claims the P8-Lite is just a name and does NOT mean the same airframe....boeing is apparently looking at a smaller airframe from its own 737 range or fitting mission kit on a regional jet and calling it P8-Lite
http://defensetech.org/2012/02/14/is-bo ... -p-8-lite/

the P3 kit on a C130J is also possible. from comments section above
Aviation Week is reporting that "Lockheed Martin has turned the P-3’s mission systems into a roll-on, roll-off solution that can be installed into C-130s. The C-130 roll-on, roll-off mission system for maritime surveillance has been around for some years already. But Lockheed Martin how now developed a roll-on, roll-off solution that allows one to effectively install the P-3’s anti-submarine warfare mission system and other equipment, such as sonar buoys, onto the C-130." They're calling it the SC-130J Sea Hercules
product brochure http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/d ... 0Media.pdf

merlin · Post by **merlin** » 06 May 2013 14:47

maz wrote:"
One report from India Strategic suggests the P-8 Lite (less ASW) is the preferred platform for the MRMRA program. This is interesting. I'd have thought that the ATR 72 platform would have served this role well. It would be relatively cheap and spares are readily availble. Guess the same goes for Boeing except it is a lot more expensive. An advantage for the P-8 would be a much greater transit speed and, I imagine, similar mission systems, logistics support, etc.

Wonder if the P-8 Lite will be modular to enable a future upgrade to full-spec P-8I as funds permit. Operational costs might likely be the same.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 May 2013 15:06

the difference in flying hr cost between ATR72 type and 737NG would be substantial though. and these are planes that need to loiter a lot both to patrol and to train people in operations.

why not outsource the whole ops to BAMS ? it should have ISAR, sea search radar, IR, TV.....its a leg up from the Herons we already have.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 06 May 2013 16:16

^^ Just like its performance, the Global Hawk price is superlative to say the least . Even Congress (US Congress) found the costs high and they never begrudge a multi-billion dollar white elephant. With the addition of a BAMS package to the Global Hawk platform you can be sure the price is only going up.

The Indian Navy would be better served with a crewed platform that's cheaper to run, with the BAMS equivalent or better sensors. The ideal choice would be to use the same Embraer R-99 platform that DRDO's AWACS platform uses. Small, robust platform that is customizable, easily serviceable and shares commonalities with other platforms in the Indian defense logistics supply chain.

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 06 May 2013 17:45

maz wrote:"One report from India Strategic suggests the P-8 Lite (less ASW) is the preferred platform for the MRMRA program. This is interesting. I'd have thought that the ATR 72 platform would have served this role well. It would be relatively cheap and spares are readily availble. Guess the same goes for Boeing except it is a lot more expensive. An advantage for the P-8 would be a much greater transit speed and, I imagine, similar mission systems, logistics support, etc.

I'm not sure of the exact prices but -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_Next_Generation

A total of 4,293 737NG aircraft have been delivered by the end of December 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATR_42 As of December 2012 422 ATR 42s have been delivered worldwide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATR_72 Since then, at least 408 ATR 72s have been delivered worldwide with orders pending on at least 28 more.

Prima facie Boeing would offer economies of scale. With Air India, Jet Airways & Spice Jet operating 737NG, and talk of an MRO being set up in Gondia/Nagpur, it has a well oiled supply chain. Airlines like Indigo & Ryanair operate A320s even on regional routes.

The lite would not be a smaller plane, but same airframe with lesser equipment. Designing a new airframe would be expensive.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 06 May 2013 18:50

Some years ago, a very detailed perspective of the IN's LRMP/airborne surveillance plans was made out by the then CNS,Adm.Suresh Mehta.He spoke of a "3 layered" force of LRMP aircraft,new ones to replace the Tupolev Bears,now the in-the-pipeline P-8Is,upgraded IL-38s and at that time "14" Do-228s" for the MMR role.This requirement was further upgraded with larger aircratf the size of ATRs,and Boeing threw in the P-8 "lite" as an option.To me,the last option would be a mistake,as a performance stripped down P-8 would still be far more expensive than a turbo-prop ATR or the other equiv. options.They would be far cheaper to buy,operate and ideal for the "low and slow" role,which the P-8s are inferior at.In addition,we could have grater numbers of ATR type MMRs,that could be spread around on both coasts plus the island territories,instead of just a few "Lites".What would be an extra bomus is our planned acquisition of amphibians,which can undertake surveillance,land on the sea as well as on land,rescue crews in distress,prosecute subs,plus aid in fire fighting.

The enormous,unmatched range of the bears also demands that they be upgraded to last another decade,as they can flt to S.Africa and return unrefuelled,into the Asia-Pacific too waters to counter the PLAN,and armed ( as a bomber which the aircraft was originally designed as) with LR stand-off cruise missiles like Nirbhay,and hypersonic Brahmos in the future,carry a very lethal deterrent. The TU-142 Bears could serve us in similar fashion as B-52 bombers still do for the US.

A piece on the golden jubilee of the IN's naval aviation.
http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/ne ... ation.html

John · Post by **John** » 06 May 2013 21:07

Philip,
Before this turns Hundredth reincarnation of lets buy Tu-22/160/142 for strategic/stand off strike, Tu-142 are for maritime role only and it is unlikely Russia would ever allow us to modify it for any other purpose let alone integrate them with Nirbhay.

koti · Post by **koti** » 06 May 2013 21:11

^^Why not. I don't even see a chance for commercial objection here.

John · Post by **John** » 06 May 2013 21:24

Koti, If you are referring to Tu-142 they were allowed to be exported because they are maritime ASW platforms and modifying or exporting Tu-95 would violation of arms treaty.

maz · Post by **maz** » 06 May 2013 22:34

An interesting naval aviation article with a focus on MR by IN aviator in IDSA.

http://idsa.in/system/files/jds_7_1_RikeeshSharma.pdf

The need for credible surveillance over the high seas forms the bedrock and foundation of infallible maritime security, and Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) is the basic input for any successful maritime operation. For the last two decades, Indian naval aviation assets have been dependant on the Ilyushin (IL), the Tupolev (TU) aircraft, the
Kamov (KM) 31 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The Fleet Air Defence has also received a fillip by the induction of the MIG 29Ks.
At the same time, the need for Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) tasking has taken a giant leap forward with the Indian Ocean becoming a common operational ground and a global common for numerous navies. The Indian Navy is looking ahead to work out an asset acquisition plan commensurate with the myriad challenges envisaged in providing maritime security to the nation. This article discusses these acquisitions and showcases their contribution in the broader context of the Navy’s maritime strategic aim towards provision of maritime security.

koti · Post by **koti** » 06 May 2013 22:37

^Noted John.
But the mockups of Bears with Brahmos meant there was a window for integration of AShW weapons. I wish Hypersonic Brahmos or Nirbhay in a Anti Ship role IMO should be arguable.

Will · Post by **Will** » 07 May 2013 03:11

maz wrote:" Navy's MIG-29K fighter squadron set to land in Goa " - this is a poor headline indeed! Speaking of 'landing', the MiG unit, INAS 303 ( IFTU) landed in Goa many years ago.

Notice that different articles show different figures for the future size of the Fleet Air Arm -ranging in size from 400, 500 and 600. Wonder why?

One report from India Strategic suggests the P-8 Lite (less ASW) is the preferred platform for the MRMRA program. This is interesting. I'd have thought that the ATR 72 platform would have served this role well. It would be relatively cheap and spares are readily availble. Guess the same goes for Boeing except it is a lot more expensive. An advantage for the P-8 would be a much greater transit speed and, I imagine, similar mission systems, logistics support, etc.

If you visit goa you can see them flying over and around Dabolim airport

koti · Post by **koti** » 07 May 2013 03:17

I find it difficult to look into the sky in Goa.

Will · Post by **Will** » 07 May 2013 03:19

koti wrote:I find it difficult to look into the sky in Goa.

Yea, I can imagine. After a few pegs of feni most can see stars while looking at the ground.

maz · Post by **maz** » 07 May 2013 05:03

Could I trouble our Dabolim based members to go to the naval aviation museum and take pics of any new updates like squadron histories and new photos, etc and kindly post them or email them to me so I can do a timeline feature on the 60 years of IN naval aviation?

Please contact me if you would like to help out.

Thanks in advance.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 May 2013 10:30

There is no bar to fitting Brahmos onto Bears.limited upgrade of the Bears would extend their service life.There was some news some time ago that a The missile is within the MTCR ,In fact there was a report some time ago that the plan to fit them onto IL-38s was shelved due to some technical problem.Plus ,Nirbhay is an Indian developed missile and no one can stop us from it being carried on any platform of ours.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 May 2013 10:58

Navy all set to double its aviation fleet

The Navy is all set to double its aviation fleet from the existing 200-odd planes to over 400 planes in the next decade, when it will have at least three combat air squadrons flying the newly-inducted Russian-origin MiG-29Ks.

“The number of Indian Navy’s aircraft will almost double in the next decade. The number of fighter squadrons, which is two at present, will increase to at least five. Two training squadrons will also come up and these will operate the Advanced Jet Trainers,” Navy’s Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) Rear Admiral D M Sudan said here.

The Naval Aviation wing is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee year in 2013. “In the last sixty years, it has emerged as a mini air force,” Sudan said, talking about the growth of the force he heads. Sudan is a Sea Harrier pilot and has commanded the squadron on board INS Viraat. At present, the Indian Navy’s aviation arm has 217 aircraft in its fleet, including Sea Harriers and MiG-29K combat jets, apart from several helicopters including the British SeaKings, Russian Kamov, indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters, and the Chetaks.

It also operates eight air stations and 19 squadrons, including the fixed wing fleet of Tu-142s long range maritime reconnaissance and Dornier surveillance planes. The naval aviation arm currently operates a squadron of ageing British Sea Harriers that fly from the lone aircraft INS Viraat and it will on May 11 commission its second combat squadron that will operate the Russian-origin MiG-29K planes. The MiG-29K is the combat air component of INS Vikramaditya, the erstwhile Admiral Gorskhov aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy that was bought by India in 2004. INS Vikramaditya is scheduled to join the Indian Navy service after its refit at the Russian Sevmash shipyard by December 2013, almost five years behind its original schedule of 2008 that was fixed for induction when the warship was bought.

The naval aviation arm has also placed an order for 17 new AJTs from the British plane manufacturer BAE Systems that will form part of the two training squadrons for combat pilots of the Indian Navy.

The Navy is also in the process of procuring 16 Multi Role Helicopters as a replacement for the ageing SeaKings, apart from 56 utility helicopters to replace the Chetaks.

To strengthen its long-range maritime reconnaissance fleet, the Navy will induct the US-built Boeing P-8I, eight of which will be inducted beginning this year.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 07 May 2013 11:02

Pl. accept apols. for this off-tangent post.One of the most colourful Brit. naval officers,R.Adm. Sir MorganMorgan-Giles died at the ripe old age of 98.Here are some delightful excerpts from his career which included a stint as a Tory MP. The Indian Navy/armed forces too used to have colourful sea salts like that in bygone years,who did talk to their politico bosses in similar vein.

He was no less forthright when Labour resumed power four years later. While in hospital after a riding accident, he wrote to James Callaghan, the prime minister, of “the cold, silent, teeth-clenched fury” among servicemen about a pay review board which “did not seem to know, in blunt nautical language, whether it’s on its arse or elbow. A previous 'Former Naval Person’ [Churchill] used to ask for and achieve 'action this day’. Is there any reason why you cannot do the same?”

In lighter tone, he complained that Wrens only received threepence extra a day after four years’ good service: “That is not much to give a girl for saying 'Yes, Sir’ all day and then 'No, Sir’ all night.” Yet he opposed Wrens serving on warships because “woman’s eternal role is to create life and nurture it; a fighting man must be prepared to kill. Women do wonderful things to men but combat duty to defend us should not be one of them. Vive la difference.” As for homosexual law reform, this was “a queers’ charter”, he declared bluntly, and further evidence of Britain’s degeneration and loss of influence.

Morgan Charles Morgan-Giles was born plain Morgan Giles on June 19 1914, elder son of FC Giles, a racing yacht architect. Young Morgan’s earliest clear memory was of a small boat his father had built him while on sick leave from the Navy after the First World War. He was educated at Clifton, where he demonstrated his ability to work the system when he wanted to crew for his father in a sailing race but was told that he must attend a cricket match between Clifton and Tonbridge. After dutifully passing through the turnstile at Lord’s, the boy took the train down to Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, where father and son won the Prince of Wales Cup.

Joining the Navy at 18 under the public schools’ cadetship scheme, Morgan first sailed in the training cruiser Frobisher to the West Indies and the Baltic. He was then appointed to the Australian destroyer Voyager before serving in Cumberland, Suffolk and Cornwall on the China station before returning home to join the torpedo school at HMS Vernon.

After the declaration of war in 1939 Morgan-Giles was in the cruiser Arethusa when she covered the evacuation of Norway, and then took part in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir .

He was next involved in an eccentric plan to launch fireships against German transports massing at Calais and Boulogne – which was abandoned – before being sent to coordinate mine disposal work in the Suez Canal. During six months at besieged Tobruk, he laid mines and landed guardsmen for special patrols. It was during this period in North Africa that he was awarded the GM.

After an encounter in Cairo with MacLean, who was liaising with Tito’s partisans, Morgan-Giles was posted to run arms supplies from Bari, on the Italian coast, to the Dalmatian island of Vis, 120 miles away. There he had responsibility not only for the incoming supplies but also for the co-ordination of commandos and motor gunboats which attacked the enemy at night – as well as liaising with Tito’s naval commander. The partisan leader made such an impression that Morgan-Giles named one of his horses “Broz”.

After retiring from the Commons in 1979, he continued to be as outspoken as ever in pithy letters to The Daily Telegraph. He told Heath to “pipe down – or jump overboard” during the Thatcher years, and expostulated that it was no wonder the prisons were so full when a man received a month in jail for pinching a nurse’s bottom, adding “Our nurses are so pretty.”

"Joining the Navy at 18 under the public schools’ cadetship scheme,"....This is a most interesting idea that the IN could explore in recruitment.

maz · Post by **maz** » 07 May 2013 21:29

In case BR types have not seen these, here are some topical stories from FI.

http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-p- ... indigenous

http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-to ... z2ScGE8yzD

http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-cl ... z2ScGE8yzD

http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-ld ... z2ScGE8yzD

I am hoping that In goes with a larger carrier in a CATOBAR config.

The bit about IRNSS is also very good news.

More about IRNSS at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Reg ... ite_System