Indian Navy News & Discussion - 12 April 2021

[uddu]

Indian ocean being our backyard never meant that we will not let anyone pass through without taking a ticket or paying hafta. It meant that no one will be allowed to do anything that's detrimental to Indian interest. If our interest are challenged, surely there will be repercussions. Today this influence also also extends to the Mediterranean.

We are not party to Iran U.S fight. That is not threatening our security or our interest so we don't' get involved. When the Iranian ship send out SOS message our Navy did respond proving it indeed being India's ocean, even though that was in SL EEZ.

[S_Madhukar]

True but I want to take the opportunity to beat MoD and RM for neglecting subs and other recon assets. The extra P-8s will help but I want our media to focus on developing IN and being cognizant that very well a Han sub might also be prowling freely

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/InsightGL/status/2029474022996705506?s=20 ---> Captain Ajayendra Kant Singh, ex-Commanding Officer, INS 312 (P-8I Sqn) had once said: "There is no possibility that any ship or a submarine would pass through the Indian Ocean region without 312 squadrons not knowing about it."

[uddu]

HAL Planning Flight Trials of Twin-Engine UH-M in 2026, Induction by 2030 to Replace Chetaks
https://www.thedefensenews.com/news-det ... e-Chetaks/
2026-01-19

BENGALURU : India’s long-running effort to indigenise its maritime aviation capability has entered a decisive phase, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) preparing to begin flight trials of its indigenous Utility Helicopter-Marine (UH-M), a twin-engine platform designed specifically for ship-borne operations. replacement for the ageing Chetak fleet

Why the Navy Chose UH-M Over LUH
single-engine Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is being inducted by the Army and the Air Force, the Navy has formally ruled it out for maritime roles, citing the inherent risks of single-engine flight over open seas and during deck operations.

Instead, the Navy has committed to the UH-M, a navalised derivative of the ALH Dhruv. The UH-M retains the core airframe philosophy of the Dhruv but introduces extensive modifications to address corrosion, shipboard handling, safety redundancy, and space constraints on destroyers, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels.

maiden flight is expected within the current financial year, with early 2026 emerging as the most likely window. Following internal test flights, the programme will move into a demanding phase of User Evaluation Trials (UET), conducted jointly with the Indian Navy.

If the trials proceed on schedule, limited-series production deliveries could begin around 2027, with full operational capability targeted by 2030.

The Ministry of Defence has already issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 76 helicopters, comprising 51 units for the Navy and 25 for the Indian Coast Guard

Strategic Impact and the End of Imports
The progress of the UH-M programme signals a broader strategic shift. For years, the Navy evaluated foreign utility helicopters, including European and American designs, to fill the gap left by the ageing Chetak fleet. However, policy emphasis on self-reliance under the “Make in India” framework has reshaped procurement priorities.

[uddu]

True but I want to take the opportunity to beat MoD and RM for neglecting subs and other recon assets. The extra P-8s will help but I want our media to focus on developing IN and being cognizant that very well a Han sub might also be prowling freely

You can do that directly without causing damage to the nation's prestige or standing.
If an event is needed, This month or next the Nilgiri frigate will be commissioned, They can be questioned for a lot of things
1) Lack on Follow on order for Vikrant class.
Vikrant construction timeline:
Laid down 28 February 2009
Launched 12 August 2013
Acquired 28 July 2022[3]
Commissioned 2 September 2022
It took 4 years for the INS Vikrant to be launched. So these 4 years from INS Vikrant commissioning from 2022 to 2026 (even if we ignore it's launch to commissioning timeframe) another ship must have been launched. Now even if the upcoming IAC is to be of 65000 tons, the delay in the process must have been utilized to have another Vikrant that could even be used as a helicopter carrier or a ship without the short take off feature.
For the delay he has caused, the follow on ships should be at least 2 in number to cover for the decommissioning of INS Vikramaditya and one more that makes the total AC being 3. 2 Decent sized and 1 small one which could even be turned into a helicopter carrier if anyone has objection to have 3 Aircraft carriers.
2) The lack of orders for Destroyers, frigates and corvettes resulting in none of them gettig inducted in the next 6 years. The follow on order for P15B, P17A, the construction of Corvettes etc has not yet started. Modi govt is literally ignoring the most vital and important aspect which is the the need to have a formidable navy that can face the challenges of modern times. Without placing orders for larger vessels in good number, our Navy will struggle in the years to come with lack of good number of large surface ships affecting national security.
We can't even ask Shri Rajnath SIngh to be sacked. Shriman Modi will replace him with Prakash Javadekar. or even if he finds someone capable enough, RSS Chief will jump in and say, no more unelected people.