Future of the Indian Navy

Naval Ensign of India
Indian navy Carrier Battle Group in formation, showing some of the latest additions to the fleet.

The Indian Navy has been focusing on developing indigenous platforms, systems, sensors and weapons as part of the nation's modernisation and expansion of its maritime forces. As of 2014 the Indian Navy has 41 vessels of various types under construction including; an aircraft carrier, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, conventional and nuclear-powered submarines. In 2013 a senior naval official, Rear Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, outlined the Indian Navy's intention to build a 200 ship navy over a 10-year period.[1] According to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan, India has transformed from a buyer's navy to a builder's navy.[2] All 41 ships under construction are being produced indigenous in Indian ships yards, both publicly and privately owned.[3] However some projects have suffered from long delays and cost overruns.[4]

Increasing People's Liberation Army Navy interest in the Indian Ocean region[5] has led the Indian Navy to invest more in anti-submarine ships, such as the Kamorta-class corvette, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and ships such as the Saryu-class patrol vessel[6] and unmanned aerial vehicles such as the IAI Heron-1.[7] However the lack of a strong submarine fleet have diminished its capabilities to some extent.[8]

Submarines

Nuclear-powered

Class Picture Type No. of Boats Origin Displacement Status Note
Arihant class Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) 3 to 6  India 6,000 tonnes
1 commissioned,[9] 1 being outfitted,

2 under construction[10]

 Exact number of planned submarines remains unclear, some media outlets reported three others four, some others five or 6.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The first boat of the class, INS Arihant, commissioned in August 2016.[18] The second boat, INS Aridhaman, is being prepared for sea trials.
Indigenous SSN class Attack Submarine (SSN) 6  India 6,000 tonnes[19] 6 planned Six boats are planned and are expected to be constructed at the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC) at Visakhapatnam. Expertise gained in the construction of the Arihant class SSBNs will be transferred to the SSN project.[20] Project clearance was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security in February 2015.[21]
Akula class Attack Submarine (SSN) 1  Russia 12,770 tonnes 1 planned $2 billion Deal has been signed Between India and Russia during BRICS summit Goa 2016 to lease a second Akula class attack submarine. Submarine to be delivered by 2020.[22][23]

Conventional

Class Picture Type No. of Boats Origin Displacement Status Note
Kalvari-class
Attack submarine 6  India 1,800 tonnes 1 undergoing sea trials
5 under construction[24]		 Lead submarine INS Kalvari undergoing sea trials from October 2015.[25][26]

Project delayed by four years. The first submarine is planned to be in service by 2016 and the last by 2020.[27] Option for additional 6 more submarines are available under the contract.[28]

Project 75I-class submarine Attack submarine 6  India 6 planned As of October 2014, the Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the purchase of six submarines worth ₹53,000 crore (US$7.9 billion) from local ships yards.[29]

Midget submarines

Class Picture Type No. of Boats Origin Displacement Status Note
Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Midget submarine 2  India 150 tonnes 2 planned Hindustan Shipyard Limited[30] will construct two midget submarine at an estimated cost of ₹ 2,000 crore. SOVs will be used by MARCOS for conducting special operations.[29]

Deep submergence rescue submersibles

Class Picture Type No. of Boats Origin Displacement Status Note
DSAR-class[31]
DSRV 2  United Kingdom 24 tonnes 2 planned James Fisher Defence[32][33][34] will build 2 vessels for ₹1,900 crore (US$282 million) by December 2018.[33][35]

Ships

Aircraft Carriers

Name Picture No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
INS Vikrant
1  India 40,000 tonnes under construction Sea trials expected to commence in 2016. INS Vikrant is planned to join the Eastern Naval Command in 2018.[36]
INS Vishal 1  India 65,000 tonnes Early 2030s [37] INS Vishal will be a Nuclear-Powered Supercarrier with EMALS CATOBAR system to launch and recover aircraft. The carrier is expected to field 35 fixed wing aircraft and 20 rotary wing aircraft.

Amphibious warfare ships

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Multi-Role Support Vessel Landing helicopter dock 4  India 21,000 to 27,000 tonnes 4 planned Only Indian shipyards partnered with an international shipyard can participate in the programme. The Indian Navy is yet to select a design which meets its specification.[38]

Destroyers

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Visakhapatnam class Stealth guided missile destroyer 4  India 8,000 tonnes 2 under construction
2 planned 		Follow on of the Kolkata class with improved stealth features.

Frigates

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Project 17A-class frigate Stealth guided missile frigate 7  India 6,670 tonnes 7 planned[39] Four ships will be constructed by Mazagon Dock while the remaining three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers.
Talwar class Stealth guided missile frigate 10  Russia 4,035 tonnes 6 commissioned

4 planned[40]

 Four additional vessels to be built in a joint partnership between Russia and an Indian shipyard.[41][42]

Corvettes

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Kamorta class Corvette (ASW) 4 (+8)  India 3,400 tonnes 2 under construction
2 commissioned
(8 follow-on vessels planned) 		Short-range SAMs, towed array sonars and anti-submarine helicopters are currently not available for the class.[43] A further eight Kamorta class corvettes (Project 28A) are planned.
ASW Shallow Water Craft Corvette (ASW) 16  India 700 tonnes 16 planned The Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a tender under the “Buy and Make India” category to local shipyards like ABG Shipyard, Larsen & Toubro, Pipavav Defence, Offshore Engineering and other state owned shipyards.[44]
Next Generation Missile Vessels Corvette (ASuW) 6  India 6 planned In January 2015, the Ministry of Defence issued Request For Information (RFI) a for 6 next-gen missile vessels under the "Buy Indian and Make Indian" category.[45] The vessels will feature low RCS, magnetic and IR signatures.[46]

Mine countermeasure vessels

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Future Indian minehunter class Minesweeper 12  India 12 planned In February 2015, the Ministry of Defence approved the building of 12 minesweepers at a cost of ₹ 32,000 crore in Goa Shipyard Ltd.[47] In March 2016, the Ministry of Defence approved a ToT between GSL and South Korean Kangam Corporation. The construction of the first vessel is expected to begin in April 2018, with deliveries to be completed between April 2021 and April 2026.[48][49]

Patrol vessels

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Pipavav NOPV Class Offshore patrol vessel 5  India 2,000 tonnes 5 under construction
 As of June 2016, 5 ships are under construction with deliveries to start in early 2017 and all 5 scheduled to be delivered by end of 2017.[50]
Follow on Waterjet Fast Attack Craft Fast Attack Craft 4  India 315 tonnes 1 active

2 launched

1 under construction

 In March 2013 an order was placed for an improved variant of Car Nicobar-class patrol vessel. Improvements include an enhanced electrical power generation capacity of 280 kW and reverse osmosis capacity at 4 tonnes per day.[51]

Utility and Special Mission ships

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Missile Range Instrumentation Ship 1  India 3,900 tonnes Under Construction Under construction at Cochin Shipyard. Also referred to as Ship No. 20[52][53]
Ocean Surveillance Ship 1  India 10,000 tonnes Under Construction[54] Project VC-11184 was sanctioned ₹1,500 crore (US$220 million) by the Indian Government with delivery scheduled in 2016.[55][56][57]
Multi-Utility Vessels 4  India 3,500 tonnes 4 Planned[58]

Replenishment ships

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Replenishment oiler 5  India 40,000 tonnes 5 planned The Defence Ministry cleared the tender for purchase of five ships at a cost of ₹9,000 crore (US$1.3 billion). Request for proposal would be sent to all Indian private and public sector shipyards.[59]

Survey vessels

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
Makar class Survey vessel 6  India 500 tonnes 1 commissioned

5 under construction

 The class is also capable of limited search and rescue missions.

Training Vessels

Class Picture Type No. of Ships Origin Displacement Status Note
ABG-class Cadet Training Ship Training Ship 3  India 4,000 tonnes Under construction[60] Initially an order for 2 ships was placed for ₹970 crore (US$140 million).[61] A third ship was ordered in a follow-up order for ₹485 crore (US$72 million)[62] The first ship in the class is expected to be delivered by last quarter of 2016.[60]
Mhadei class Training Ship (sail) 2  India 23 tonnes 1 commissioned

1 under construction

 A second ship was ordered for $0.65 million in 2016 and is expected to be delivered in February 2017[63][64]

Aircraft

Type Picture Role No. of airframes Origin Status Note
Naval Tejas Mk II Carrier Borne Multi-role Fighter 40 to 50[65] India Under development (flight trials phase) Naval variant of HAL Tejas. A prototype (NP-1) is currently under flight testing.[66] The Indian Navy plans has a requirement for 40 or 50 Tejas to equip two front-line squadrons for the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.[67][68]
Pipistrel Virus SW 80 Microlight trainer 12[69][70]  Slovenia 12 aircraft on order Ministry of Defence has ordered 194 light trainers to the Indian Air Force (72 aircraft), Indian Navy (12 aircraft) and National Cadet Corps (110 aircraft).[71][72] the entire quantity of 194 aircraft will be delivered within 30 months from the day of the first delivery with an option for an additional 100 aircraft within the third year.
Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Reconnaissance and SAR missions 6 to 9 Under Procurement The Indian Navy issued an RFP for six medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft. The possible contenders are; the ATR-72MP/ATR-42MP, the EADS C-295MPA/C-235MPA, the Dassault's Falcon 900MPA and the Embraer P-99A. The procurement number has been enhanced to nine as per news reports in February 2012.[73]
Boeing P-8I Neptune Reconnaissance, ASW, ASuW 12  USA 8 in service
4 under procurement 		Indian Navy will acquire 4 more aircraft at a cost of $1 billion to supplement 8 P8I already in service.[74][75]
ShinMaywa US-2 Air-sea rescue (SAR) 12  Japan Planned Indian navy intends to acquire 12 US-2 amphibian aircraft for conducting long-range search-and-rescue operations at cost of $1.65 billion. Two US-2 will be directly imported and remaining 10 will be assembled locally in India.[76]
Sikorsky S-70 Multi-Role Helicopter 16  USA Under Procurement The navy is expected to acquire 16 naval multi-role helicopters under a $1 billion deal. After year’s field trials and evaluation the Navy has selected the Sikorsky S 70 B multi-role helicopters to replace the ageing Sea King helicopters. The S 70 B has superseded the European NH 90.[77]
Naval Multi-Role Helicopter Multi-Role Helicopter 126 Planned To replace Sea King helicopters.[78]
Naval Utility Helicopter Utility helicopter 100 Planned To replace HAL Chetak helicopters.[79][80][81]
Tupolov Tu-22M3 Maritime Strategic bomber 4  Russia Planned To be operated alongside Boeing P-8I Poseidon, Tupolov Tu-22M3 will be used for maritime strategic bombing and patrol missions.[82]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Why India's 'Blue Water' Ambitions Matter".
  2. ↑ "Indian Navy has transformed from buyer to builder: Naval Chief". September 4, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Govt's decision on subs a boost for private shipyards". October 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Delays force Navy to drop demand for foreign submarines".
  5. ↑ "Experts see several implications to Chinese submarine's visit to Colombo".
  6. ↑ "Indian Navy receives fourth Saryu-class OPV". 24 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "India's Growing Unmanned Naval Fleet".
  8. ↑ "A powerful surface navy lacks sub punch".
  9. ↑ "India set to complete N-triad with Arihant commissioning - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
  10. ↑ Diplomat, Saurav Jha, The. "India's Undersea Deterrent". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  11. ↑ "Sea Trials of Indian Navy's Deadliest Sub Going 'Very Well'". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  12. ↑ Brewster, David. "Asia's Coming Nuclear Nightmare". The National Interest. http://www.cftni.org/. Retrieved 2015-12-31. External link in |publisher= (help)
  13. ↑ "Was 2015 a good year for India's defence sector?". Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  14. ↑ "..:: India Strategic ::. Navy: After Arihant, Indian Navy considering n-propulsion for Aircraft Carriers". www.indiastrategic.in. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  15. ↑ "SSBN Arihant Class Submarine". Naval Technology. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  16. ↑ "N-capable Arihant submarine successfully test-fires unarmed missile". Big News Network.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  17. ↑ "Indian Navy Soon To Be The Most Formidable Submarine Force On The Planet!". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  18. ↑ "Satisfied with nuclear sub Arihant trials: Navy Chief".
  19. ↑ "INS Aridhaman SSBN set to be launched | S4's Hull Fabrication Complete | Indian Aerospace/Defense News". iadnews.in. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  20. ↑ "Move to fast-track two submarine projects gathers steam".
  21. ↑ "Government clears construction of 7 stealth frigates, 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines". The Economic Times. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "India to Lease a Second Nuclear Submarine From Russia". Dec 16, 2014.
  23. ↑ "India to lease another Russian Akula-class nuclear attack submarine". The Indian Express. 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  24. ↑ "India finalizing plans to order three more Scorpene submarines - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  25. ↑ "Indian Navy's first Scorpene submarine launched for sea trials".
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  27. ↑ "Defence minister Arun Jaitley reviews delayed Scorpene submarine project".
  28. ↑ "India would order 6 more scorpene class submarine". 9 November 2014.
  29. 1 2 "6 Made-in-India Submarines for Navy for 53,000 Crores". 25 October 2014.
  30. ↑ "HSL to build two midget submarines".
  31. ↑ "JFD | DSAR Class Submarine Rescue Vehicle". jfdefence.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  32. ↑ Som, Vishnu (11 March 2016). "It Took 14 Years. India To Buy 2 Rescue Submarines For 1,900 Crores". NDTV. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  33. 1 2 "Centre clears Rs 1,900 crore deal for Navy to acquire two deep-submergence rescue vessels - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  34. ↑ "Indian Government Approves $283M Worth Proposal To Buy Navy Rescue Vessels". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  35. ↑ Frost, Richard (24 March 2016). "£193m submarine contract buoys James Fisher". Insider Media. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  36. ↑ "India launches first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant".
  37. ↑ "Confirmed: India's Next Aircraft Carrier Will Be Nuclear". The Diplomat. Nov 9, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Indian Navy launches Request For Proposal for 4 amphibious vessels (LHD type)".
  39. ↑ "Indian Navy Orders 7 New Project 17A Stealth Frigates From Local Shipyards MDL And GRSE". 28 April 2015.
  40. ↑ "India, Russia discuss $4bn deal for 4 stealth frigates - Times of India". Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  41. ↑ "Russia offers India 3 additional Talwar class frigates". Russia & India Report. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  42. ↑ Diplomat, Franz-Stefan Gady, The. "India to Acquire 3 Guided Missile Frigates From Russia". Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  43. ↑ "India inducts first locally built ASW corvette".
  44. ↑ "India Proposes $2.25B Tender for ASW Shallow Water Craft".
  45. ↑ "Indian Navy puts out RfI for next-gen missile vessel".
  46. ↑ "Request for information (RFI) for construction of 06 next generation missile vessels (NGMVS) for Indian navy".
  47. ↑ "GSL gets defence ministry's nod to build 12 minesweepers".
  48. ↑ "Kangnam Selected by India To Build Minesweepers". Defense News. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
  49. ↑ "India Seeks Global Transfer of Technology To Build MCMV". Defense News. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
  50. ↑ "Reliance Defence speeds up Rs 2,500-crore patrol vessel project - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  51. ↑ "GRSE launches three fast attack craft for Indian Navy | IHS Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2016-02-01.
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  53. ↑ "Cochin Shipyard to build secret vessel for DRDO". The Hindu. 2015-11-21. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
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  55. ↑ "Mystery ship project gets Rs 725 crore from Centre". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  56. ↑ "REVEALED: Navy Ship That Could Save Dying Indian Shipyard". Livefist. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  57. ↑ "HSL 2014-2015 Yearly Report" (PDF).
  58. ↑ "What India is Buying to Guard Against Chinese Missile Attacks". October 30, 2015.
  59. ↑ "Defence projects worth Rs. 21,000 crore cleared".
  60. 1 2 "New cadet training vessel to give a fillip to Navy: Vice Admiral Lanba". The Hindu. 2015-05-07. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  61. ↑ Steel to be cut for naval cadet training vessel, January 18, 2012
  62. ↑ Sanjai, P.R. "ABG Shipyard gets defence contract". http://www.livemint.com/. Retrieved 2016-05-03. External link in |website= (help)
  63. ↑ "Construction begins on Indian Navy's new sailing vessel". Naval Technology. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  64. ↑ "Navy's All-Women Sailing Crew Prepping To Go Around The Globe". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  65. ↑ "IAF will buy 14 Tejas squadrons, lowering costs". Business Standard. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  66. ↑ "Naval Version of Light Combat Aircraft Rolls out a Defining and Memorable Occasion for the Nation – Antony".
  67. ↑ "Gorshkov delay stalls carrier trials of naval LCA". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  68. ↑ "Indian Navy fastens its seatbelt for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas". dna. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  69. ↑ Malyasov, Dylan. "India Will Buy 194 Virus SW 80/10 Microlight Aircraft from Slovenia - Defence blog". defence-blog.com.
  70. ↑ "India inks Rs 130-crore deal for 194 microlight aircraft". financialexpress.com. 13 October 2015.
  71. ↑ G. C., G. K. (12 October 2015). "Pipistrel to deliver six to seven planes each month to Indian Armed Forces" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija official website. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  72. ↑ "Pipistrel signs huge microlight deal with India" (in Slovenian). FLYER official website. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  73. ↑ "India approves USD 1.5 billion aircraft deal for Navy - Brahmand News". brahmand.com.
  74. ↑ Bedi, Rahul (4 July 2016). "Indian Navy to acquire four more P-8I surveillance aircraft". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  75. ↑ "India to acquire four P-8I aircrafts from US worth Rs 6700 crore". Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  76. ↑ "Aero India 2015: ShinMaywa confident of progress on US-2 sale to India".
  77. ↑ "Life of Soldiers: The Sikorsky S-70 declared winner for Multi Role Helicopter tender". sajeevpearlj.blogspot.in.
  78. ↑ "'Make in India', Choppergate clip forces' wings". The Hindu. May 23, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  79. ↑ "'Make in India', Choppergate clip forces' wings". Times of India. May 23, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  80. ↑ "India set to scout for 100 naval choppers". The Hindu. Apr 29, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  81. ↑ "Naval utility helicopter tender scrapped, made bigger". The Hindu. October 20, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  82. ↑ "INDIA TO BUY FOUR STRATEGIC BOMBERS FROM RUSSIA". South Front. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
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