The Indian leadership pays great attention to the development of the naval forces. The Indian Navy will be discussed in the third part of the review. Organizationally, the Indian Navy includes the navy, naval aviation, special forces units and divisions, and the marines. The Indian Navy is divided into two fleets: the Western and the Eastern. As of mid-2015, about 55 thousand people served in the Navy, including 5 thousand - naval aviation, 1, 2 thousand - marines and there were 295 ships and 251 aircraft.
The main task of the fleet in peacetime is to ensure the inviolability of maritime borders. In wartime - the implementation of amphibious operations on the enemy's coast, the defeat of enemy coastal targets, as well as anti-submarine and anti-amphibious defense of the country's naval bases and ports. India also uses its navy to increase its influence overseas through joint exercises, warship visits, anti-piracy and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. In recent years, the Indian Navy has been rapidly modernizing, combat ships of modern projects with the latest weapons are being commissioned. The emphasis is on developing a full-fledged ocean-going fleet and strengthening positions in the Indian Ocean. To implement these plans, equipment is being purchased abroad and ships and ships are being built at our own shipyards.
Satellite image of Google earth: shipyards in Goa
In the past, the Indian Navy played an important role during the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971. In 1971, an effective naval blockade of the Pakistani coast made it impossible to transfer Pakistani troops and supplies to East Pakistan, which largely ensured victory in the land theater of operations. In the future, the Indian Navy has repeatedly played a deterrent role in the region. So, in 1986, Indian warships and naval commandos prevented an attempted military coup in the Seychelles. And in 1988, the fleet and naval aviation, together with the paratroopers, thwarted a military coup in the Maldives. In 1999, during the border conflict with Pakistan in the Kargil region in Kashmir, the western and eastern Indian fleets were deployed in the northern Arabian Sea. They protected the sea routes of India from a Pakistani attack, and also blocked possible attempts at a naval blockade of India. At the same time, the commandos of the Navy actively participated in hostilities in the Himalayas. In 2001-2002, during the next Indo-Pakistani confrontation, more than a dozen warships were deployed in the northern part of the Arabian Sea. In 2001, the Indian Navy provided security in the Straits of Malacca to free up US Navy resources for Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2008, Indian Navy warships have been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and around the Seychelles.
Google Earth Satellite Image: Mumbai Naval Base
The main naval bases are located in Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai, Kochi, Kadamba and Chennai. India has twenty large ports where it is possible to repair and base warships of all types. Ships of the Indian Navy have mooring rights in the ports of Oman and Vietnam. The Navy operates a reconnaissance center equipped with radars and radio signal interception equipment in Madagascar. In addition, a logistics center is under construction on the island of Madagascar. It is also planned to build 32 more radar stations in the Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Currently, the Indian fleet formally has two aircraft carriers. The Centor-class aircraft carrier Viraat was launched in the UK in 1953 and served with the Royal Navy under the name Hermes. In 1986, after modernization, the ship was transferred to the Indian Navy, where it entered service on May 12, 1987 under the name "Viraat".
Satellite image of Google earth: the aircraft carrier "Viraat" in the parking lot of the Mumbai naval base
Initially, the air group consisted of 30 Sea Harrier aircraft, by 2011 the number of VTOL aircraft decreased to 10 due to their failure, the aircraft carrier also based helicopters HAL Dhruv, HAL Chetak, Sea King, Ka-28 - 7-8 pieces. At the moment, "Viraat" no longer represents any particular combat value, the ship itself is dilapidated, and the composition of the air group has been reduced to a minimum. But, despite this, judging by satellite images, the honored veteran went to sea several times in 2015, perhaps the ship, on the eve of decommissioning, is used to train the crews of new aircraft carriers.
Satellite image of Google earth: the aircraft carrier "Vikrant" in the parking lot of the Mumbai naval base
Another British-built aircraft carrier, Hermes, named Vikrant in the Indian Navy, was in the fleet from 1961 to 1997. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, the aircraft carrier played a decisive role in securing the naval blockade of East Pakistan. In 1997, the aircraft carrier was decommissioned and excluded from the fleet, after which it was turned into a naval museum and put into eternal anchorage in the port of Mumbai. In April 2014, Vikrant was sold for $ 9.9 million to IB Commercial Pvt Ltd.
The Indian Navy also has the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, a rebuilt Project 1143.4 aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov. This ship was purchased and modernized in Russia to replace the exhausted aircraft carrier Vikrant. In the past, aircraft with a takeoff weight of 20 tons could be based on Indian aircraft carriers, this significantly limited the payload and flight range of carrier-based aircraft. In addition, the Sea Harrier subsonic VTOL aircraft burned a significant portion of the fuel during takeoff. Aircraft of this type could only deal with limited air targets flying at moderate subsonic speeds, at low and medium altitudes. That is, the Sea Harriers are not capable of providing effective air defense of a ship formation in modern conditions.
After a complete reconstruction "Vikramaditya" changed its purpose, instead of an aircraft-carrying anti-submarine cruiser, which it was in the Soviet, and then in the Russian fleet, the ship became a full-fledged aircraft carrier. During the rebuilding of the hull, most of the elements above the waterline were replaced. The boilers of the power plant underwent changes, all anti-ship systems were removed, only anti-aircraft self-defense systems remained from the weapons. The hangar for the aviation group has undergone a complete redesign. On the deck of the ship are mounted: two lifts, a springboard, a three-cable aerofiner and an optical landing system. The aircraft carrier can take on board aircraft: MiG-29K, Rafale-M, HAL Tejas.
Satellite image of Google earth: aircraft carrier Vikramaditya at the parking lot of the Karwar naval base
The Vikramaditya air group should include 14-16 MiG-29K aircraft, 4 MiG-29KUB or 16-18 HAL Tejas, up to 8 Ka-28 or HAL Dhruv helicopters, 1 Ka-31 radar patrol helicopter. On the basis of Project 71, developed with the participation of Russian, Italian and French specialists, the aircraft carrier "Vikrant" is being built at the Indian shipyard in the city of Cochin. In terms of its characteristics and the composition of the air group, this ship roughly corresponds to the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya received from Russia.
Satellite image of Google earth: under construction aircraft carrier "Vikrant" at the shipyard in the city of Cochin
Compared to Vikramaditya, the interior layout of the Vikranta under construction is more rational. This circumstance is due to the fact that the ship was originally created as an aircraft carrier, and not an aircraft-carrying cruiser with bulky anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons. This made Vikrant slightly smaller than Vikramaditya. Currently, the aircraft carrier is being completed and equipped with weapons. Its introduction into the fleet is expected in 2018, after which a helicopter squadron from the Viraat aircraft carrier will move to it.
The Indian Navy has two nuclear submarines. In January 2012, Russia leased the nuclear submarine K-152 Nerpa, project 971I. This boat, laid down in 1993 at the NES in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, was being completed for the Indian Navy. Launching took place in mid-2006, but the completion and fine-tuning of the boat was delayed. In India, the nuclear submarine was named "Chakra". Previously, it was worn by the Soviet nuclear submarine K-43, project 670, which was part of the Indian fleet on lease terms from 1988 to 1991.
Satellite image of Google earth: Indian nuclear submarines in the parking lot of the Vishakhapatnam naval base
India is implementing its own program to create a nuclear submarine fleet. In July 2009, an Indian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine named Arihant was launched in Visakhapatnam. Structurally, the first Indian SSBN is based on technologies and technical solutions of the 70s and 80s, and in many respects repeats the Soviet nuclear submarine of project 670. According to American expert estimates, the Arihant is inferior to the strategic missile boats of the USA, Russia, Great Britain and France in terms of stealth characteristics. The data of the main armament of the Indian submarine - 12 K-15 Sagarika SLBMs with a launch range of 700 km do not correspond to modern realities. It is obvious that this boat was created mainly as an experimental one, with the aim of obtaining the necessary knowledge base during the construction, operation and testing of technologies and weapons that are fundamentally new for India. This is confirmed by the obviously low characteristics of the missiles. The "main caliber" of the first Indian SSBN, the K-15 Sagarika solid-propellant missile, is a naval version of the Agni-1 ballistic missile and is to be replaced in the future by the 3500 km SLBM based on the Agni-3. The second boat - "Archidaman", is being completed according to an improved design, taking into account the comments identified during the tests of the lead boat. The third and fourth Indian SSBNs under construction are in varying degrees of readiness. In total, construction of six boats of this project is envisaged.
Satellite image of Google earth: Indian diesel-electric submarines of type 209/1500 and etc. 877EKM at the parking lot of the Mumbai naval base
In addition to nuclear powered submarines, the Indian Navy has 14 diesel-electric submarines. Four submarines of the West German type 209/1500 entered the fleet from 1986 to 1992, they underwent medium repair in 1999-2005. According to the conclusion of Indian experts, the 209/1500 boats are very well suited for operations in coastal shallow water areas. Low noise and small size make them very difficult to detect, but, according to a number of experts, they lose the "underwater duels" to Russian-made boats, project 877EKM. In the process of repairs of the Project 877EKM submarine, the Club-S anti-ship missiles (3M-54E / E1) are additionally equipped. In total, from 1986 to 2000, India received 10 pr.877EKM submarines.
In 2010, the construction of French nuclear submarines under Project 75 (Scorpene) began in Mumbai. This decision was made based on the results of a tender with a contract amount of $ 3 billion. The head boat of the Scorpena type, built in India, has passed sea trials and is the first of six boats of this type planned for construction. The Navy should receive one boat each year for the next five years.
Satellite image of Google earth: Scorpena submarine at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai
Scorpen boats are the latest in French submarine construction. When creating them, the latest scientific and technological achievements have been implemented. A steam-generating anaerobic power plant of the "MESMA" type (Module D'Energie Sous Marine Autonome) has been developed especially for the submarine "Skorpena". According to the DCN concern, the output power of the MESMA anaerobic power plant is 200 kW. This allows the diving range to be increased 3-5 times at a speed of 4-5 knots. Due to the high degree of automation, the number of the crew of the submarine of the "Skorpena" type was reduced to 31 people - 6 officers and 25 foremen and sailors. When designing the boat, much attention was paid to improving the reliability of components and assemblies. Thanks to this, the overhaul period has been increased, and the Skorpena is able to spend up to 240 days a year at sea. According to a number of experts, the main purpose of concluding a contract for the construction of boats of this type was India's desire to gain access to modern technologies for the construction of new generation non-nuclear submarines, combat control systems and weapons.
In India, considerable attention is paid to the development of amphibious assault forces. In 2007, the US acquired the Trenton LPD-14 helicopter dock ship (DVKD) with a displacement of 16,900 tons for $ 49 million. Six Sea King helicopters cost $ 39 million. In the Indian Navy, he received the name "Jalashva". In addition to helicopters, eight landing craft of the LCU type can be used for landing with DVKD.
Satellite image of Google earth: landing ships of the Indian Navy
There are also 5 tank landing ships (TDK) of the Magar class and 5 TDK of the Sharab class. The Magar project was developed on the basis of the British amphibious assault ship Sir Lancelot, and the Sharab project is Polish-built 773. The Indian Navy's amphibious assault ships have been used in the past to help victims of natural disasters and to evacuate Indian citizens from hot spots.
The Navy has five nationally built Daly-class destroyers (Project 15). In their design, the Soviet pr. 61ME was used as a prototype. It should be said that the new ships turned out to be quite powerful, and their appearance is very elegant. There are also five EM type "Rajdiput" (project 61ME). All destroyers are being upgraded to enhance their anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons.
Satellite image of Google earth: Indian ships of project 61EM in the Vishakhapatnam naval base
To replace the first three destroyers of Project 61ME, which have been in operation for more than 30 years, three destroyers of the Kolkata type (Project 15A) are being built. In 2013, the lead ship of this project was transferred to the fleet. The ships of this modification differ from the initial version by the architecture, which takes into account the requirements of the technology for ensuring radar stealth, the placement of the BrahMos PJ-10 anti-ship missile system and the missile defense system in the VPU. The Barak-2 air defense system is used as the main anti-aircraft complex, and the Barak-1 air defense system for self-defense at the last line.
Project 15A destroyers are equipped with a COGAG (Combined gas turbine and gas turbine) propulsion system. Its main element is two gas turbine engines M36E developed by the Ukrainian enterprise "Zorya-Mashproekt". In addition, the power plant contains four DT-59 gas turbine engines. The motors interact with two propeller shafts using two RG-54 gearboxes. The ships are also equipped with two Bergen / GRSE KVM diesel engines and four Wärtsilä WCM-1000 power generators with a capacity of 1 MW each. Such a propulsion system allows the ship to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots. With an economic speed of 18 knots, the cruising range reaches 8000 nautical miles.
Satellite image of Google earth: destroyer Kolkata and Godavari-class frigates
If the first Indian destroyers had the ships of the USSR as a prototype, then the first frigates of the Indian Navy of national construction were built on the basis of the projects of the British Navy. The first frigates of the "Henzhiri" class were a complete copy of the British frigates of the "Linder" class. The next three frigates of the "Godavari" class (project 16), while maintaining similarities with the British prototypes, are much larger ships. The most advanced ships of this series are three Brahmaputra-class frigates (project 16A).
Satellite image of Google earth: Talvar-class frigate
More modern are three Russian-built Talvar-class frigates (project 11356). The ships carry the most advanced weapons: the Club-N anti-ship missile system, the Shtil-1 / Uragan air defense missile system and two Kashtan / Kortik air defense missile systems. Frigates of the "Shivalik" type (project 17) represent a further development of the frigates of the "Talvar" type. This is the first stealth ship built in India. In the first half of the 21st century, ships of this type should form the basis of the Indian fleet.
By 2002, eight Khukri-type corvettes were built (four - project 25 and four - improved project 25A), designed to combat enemy surface ships. The lead ship entered service in August 1989. The main weapon of the corvettes of the first version - Project 25 - are four P-20M anti-ship missiles (an export version of the Soviet P-15M anti-ship missile system). In 1998, the first ship of project 25A entered service with four quadruple launchers of 3M-60 anti-ship missiles.
Satellite image of Google earth: corvettes of the "Khukri" type (project 25 and project 25A)
From 1998 to 2004, the Navy received four corvettes of the "Kora" type. They carry 16 X-35 anti-ship missiles in four four-shot launchers. The ship can carry one Chetak or Drukhv helicopter. In addition to corvettes, there are 12 Project 1241RE missile boats and four Project 1241PE patrol boats.
Satellite image of Google earth: rocket boats pr. 1241RE
According to the available information, during the repairs, some of the missile boats were also converted into patrol boats. The Navy has six Sukania-class patrol ships. Three ships were originally built in South Korea, and three in Indian shipyards. These are fairly large ships with a length of more than 120 meters and a displacement of 1,900 tons. Patrol ships of this type are capable of operating at a great distance from their shores, conducting long patrols. Despite their large size, they are armed quite lightly, the armament consists of one 40-mm automatic cannon "Bofors L60" and two 12, 7-mm machine guns. On the deck there is a hangar for one Chetak helicopter. However, if necessary, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles can be quickly installed on the Sukania-class patrol ships. The control of the near sea zone is carried out by small patrol ships: eight - of the SDB Mk3 / 5 type, seven - of the "Nicobar" type and seven - of the "Super Dvora" type. In the near future, it is planned to start building new ocean-class patrol ships under the PSON program (up to four units) with a total displacement of 2,200-2,300 tons.
Satellite image of Google earth: fixed high-power radar on the east coast
Several high-power radars are installed on the coast in radio-transparent domes. According to information published in the media, it could be Israeli radar EL / M-2084 GREEN PINE. Low-frequency radar with AFAR has a range of up to 500 km.
In addition to the surface and submarine fleets, the Navy includes naval aviation. Until March 6, 2016, the Viraat aircraft carrier had a Sea Harrier Mk.51 / T Mk.60 VTOL aircraft. At the moment, all Indian "verticals" are decommissioned due to the depletion of the resource. On the decks of Indian aircraft carriers, the Sea Harriers are to be replaced by Russian MiG-29K / KUB fighters (a total of 46 units have been ordered).
Satellite image of Google earth: carrier-based fighters MiG-29K at the Goa naval aviation base
The first squadron INAS 303 "Black Panthers" began flying its MiGs in 2009, and in May 2013 it was announced that this air unit "had reached full combat readiness." In the near future, deliveries of Indian light fighters "Tejas" are to begin to equip the air wings of carrier-based aviation.
For training purposes, piston aircraft HAL HPT-32 Deepak and jet HAL HJT-16 Kiran are used. To replace them, 17 Hawk AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) jet UBSs were ordered in the UK, of which two training squadrons will be formed.
The Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft available in the Indian Navy in the mid-2000s were upgraded in Russia to the level of the Il-38SD (Sea Dragon). A total of 6 aircraft were re-equipped. As of mid-2016, India had 5 Il-38SDs. The "Sea Dragon" search and targeting system has significantly expanded the capabilities of the IL-38.
Satellite image of Google earth: IL-38SD at the Goa airbase
In addition to purely anti-submarine missions, the updated Il-38SD is capable of performing missions as a naval patrol, an electronic reconnaissance aircraft, a search and rescue aircraft and even an attack aircraft against surface targets. In addition to torpedoes and depth charges, the aircraft can now carry X-35 anti-ship missiles.
In Soviet times, India was the only country where Tu-142ME long-range anti-submarine aircraft were supplied. The delivery of eight cars was carried out in 1988. Currently, four aircraft are carrying out patrol flights. Several years ago, these machines were overhauled and modernized at the A. G. M. Beriev in Taganrog. In the future, the Tu-142ME could be carriers of cruise missiles available in India, which, combined with an intercontinental range, could make them an element of a full-fledged Indian nuclear triad, but, according to the latest information, they are planned to be decommissioned in the next few years.
Satellite image of Google earth: Tu-142ME and R-8I at Arokonam airbase
In 2009, twelve P-8I base patrol aircraft were ordered from the United States. These aircraft should replace the Tu-142ME in the foreseeable future. The deal amounted to $ 2.1 billion. The first car was received at the end of 2012. During long-distance flights in the direction of Southeast Asia, the Tu-142ME and P-8I use for intermediate landings the airfield of the Indian naval base Port Blair, located on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago, 1,500 km from the east coast of India.
To control the coastal zone from the air, 25 light twin-engine Do-228 Maritime Patrol turboprop aircraft are used. They are equipped with a ventral search radar with night vision and the Omega navigation system. Do-228 aircraft are built in India under license at the HAL Transport Aircraft Division plant in Kanpur.
The Indian Navy's helicopter fleet is planned to be expanded by 72 multipurpose vehicles, they will replace the outdated Sea King and Chetak helicopters (Indian version of the SA-316 Alouette III). In 2013, it became known about the plans of the Navy to purchase over 120 multipurpose carrier-based helicopters with a total value of about $ 6.5 billion. American companies Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky have offered to establish production of MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in India. American helicopters of the "Black Hawk" family are supposed to replace the Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters purchased in the USSR, which to a large extent have already exhausted their resource. An attempt to adapt to the tasks of anti-submarine defense of Indian helicopters "Drukhv" was unsuccessful, and it was decided to use it in naval aviation as a multipurpose one. At the same time, Indian admirals expressed interest in purchasing several more Ka-31 radar patrol helicopters for the Vikramaditya and Vikrant aircraft carriers.
In general, evaluating the Indian Navy, it can be noted that they are developing dynamically. The Indian leadership does not spare funds for the acquisition abroad and the construction of aircraft carriers, submarines and frigates, combat and patrol aircraft, as well as airborne electronic equipment and weapons at their own enterprises. The task of gaining access to modern foreign technologies in the field of shipbuilding, missile and torpedo weapons, combat control systems and radars is being consistently implemented. Although the pace of commissioning new warships in India is inferior to China, they are still many times higher than the Russian ones, and despite the fact that the military budget of India is less than ours by about 15 billion dollars. in its composition all the elements necessary to perform combat missions in the coastal zone.
