INS Visakhapatnam
Visacaptam … Visapatnam … Well, it doesn't matter. Destroyer with hull number D66, lead ship of the 15-Bravo class of the Indian Navy. Year of foundation - 2013, launching - 2015, commissioning is expected in 2018.
INS Visakhapatnam was designed by the Indian Naval Development Administration with the participation of specialists from the Northern Design Bureau (St. Petersburg).
Power plant - gas turbine, combined, type COGAG - two independent turbines for each propeller shaft. The ability to turn off one of the turbines while running economically increases fuel efficiency (since the gas turbine efficiency is higher at full load than in the 50% power mode). Two M36E units (4 gas turbines, two gearboxes) manufactured by Zorya-Mashproekt (Ukraine) are used as main engines.
The lines of the propeller shafts were manufactured at the Baltic plant (St. Petersburg).
Diesel engines manufactured by Bergen-KVM (Norway) are used in auxiliary power equipment; four Vyartsilya WCM-1000 (Finland) generator sets driven by Cummins KTA50G3 (USA) diesel engines.
The ship's hull was manufactured at the Mazagon Dock Limited shipyard (Mumbai).
The most notable innovation of the Type 15B destroyer is its network-centric CIUS, which provides high situational awareness for each combat post. In addition to the basic functions of the combat control system (analysis of incoming information, classification and prioritization of targets, selection and preparation of weapons), the new version provides automatic distribution of energy between the ship's systems.
The creation of a radar complex and detection equipment for the Indian destroyer was carried out by the Israeli IAI Elta with the limited participation of Indian specialists (Bharat Electronics) and the well-known European company Thales Group.
The Israelis offered the EL / M-2248 MF-STAR multifunctional radar for airspace surveillance and missile control. According to the developer, the use of active phased antennas increases the efficiency of the MF-STAR radar when detecting low-signature targets in a difficult jamming environment. To counteract radio interception systems, the LPI technology (low probability of signal interception) is used, in which the study frequency is tuned 1000 times per second. In addition to its basic functions, the radar can be used to correct artillery fire for bursts from falling shells.
The manufacturer pays attention to the low mass of the radar - the antenna post consisting of four AFAR together with the under-deck equipment weighs only about 7 tons.
The only controversial aspect of the Israeli radar is its operating range (decimeter waves, S-band). This made it possible to increase the detection range and neutralize the influence of weather conditions, in comparison with similar systems operating in the centimeter wavelength range (APAR, SAMPSON, OPS-50). But, based on world practice, such a decision should negatively affect the tracking accuracy of high-speed small targets. Perhaps the specialists of "Elta" managed to partially solve the problem due to software algorithms for signal processing.
The presence on a 21st century destroyer of the Thales LW-08 two-dimensional radar with a horn radiator and a parabolic reflector may be surprising. In my opinion, the only reason for the appearance of the LW-08 is its manufacturer - Bharat Electronics, which produces samples of European systems of the previous generation under license.
Perfect enough for its time (1980s), the system is used as a backup radar in tandem with the multifunctional Israeli MF-STAR. The specified working range D is an outdated designation for the decimeter range with wavelengths of 15-30 cm.
The key component of the destroyer's anti-aircraft weapons was the Israeli shipborne medium / long-range air defense system Barak-8 (Molniya-8), capable of striking air targets at ranges of up to 70 km (some sources indicate a value of 100 km), in the altitude range from 0 to 16,000 m. Among the advantages is an active seeker, operating in radio wave and thermal spectra (auxiliary infrared guidance mode on targets with low ESR).
The complex is distinguished by its compactness (the launch mass of the rocket is 275 kg), the storage and launch of the rocket ammunition is carried out from the UVP. Among other advantages: a rather powerful warhead for such a lightweight missile (60 kg). The presence of a controlled thrust vector. The rocket is equipped with a double-turn engine, which makes it possible to realize the most advantageous trajectories when flying to targets at different distances; and also develop high speed when approaching the target.
The most significant drawback of Bark missiles is their low cruise speed (2M) - five times slower than the domestic missiles of the Fort air defense missile system. In part, this problem is compensated for by the possibility of re-engaging the solid propellant rocket at the final section of the trajectory.
Another unpleasant feature is the launch from a specialized UVP, which forces it to have two types of launchers, without the possibility of unification and its use for other types of ammunition (Mk.41, European Sylver). However, if there is enough space on the ship, this problem fades into the background.
A total of 32 launchers for anti-aircraft missiles are provided on board the Indian destroyer.
total cost four sets of shipborne air defense systems for destroyers under construction of the 15B type amounted, according to official data, to $ 630 million (2017), a very moderate amount against the background of global trends.
If you do not take into account the personal interests of those in charge, the choice of the Barak-8 as the main air defense system of the Indian fleet is dictated by the compactness and relatively low cost of the complex (at the cost of deteriorating the energy capabilities of the missile defense system and limiting the interception range). Barak-8 is a reasonable compromise that allows you to get capabilities close to the best long-range air defense / missile defense systems at a significantly lower cost.
The destroyer's strike armament includes two modules (16 UVP) for launching two types of cruise missiles: long-range cruise missiles Nirbhay (“Fearless”, Indian analogue of “Caliber”) for striking ground targets at a distance of 1000+ km, and “three-speed” supersonic anti-ship missiles type PJ-10 "BrahMos" ("Bakhmaputra-Moscow", joint development on the basis of P-800 "Onyx").
Taking into account the high characteristics of the Bramos anti-ship missile system (low-altitude speed 2.5M +) and the number of missiles, the Indian destroyer in an anti-ship configuration (all 16 silos are occupied by anti-ship missiles) surpasses all existing ship types in terms of striking power, incl. even Soviet-style missile cruisers.
Of course, this assessment does not correspond in any way to the real combat situation. These are all technical notes submitted for a sober assessment of the threats posed by the Indian missile carrier.
The destroyer is equipped with a set of classic anti-submarine weapons of various generations, the real effectiveness of which is difficult to assess. The presence on board of two anti-submarine / multipurpose helicopters (such as "Sea King" or HAL "Dhruv") expands the boundaries of the ASW zone. On the other hand, the lack of missile torpedoes and the dubious characteristics of the GAS do not give confidence in the fight against modern submarines.
The destroyer is equipped with a sonar from the Indian company Bharat Electronics. Obviously, we are not talking about a sickly GUS, tk. on the presented images at the moment of launching there is no characteristic "drop" (massive sonar fairing in the destroyer's bow). The presence of a towed low-frequency antenna is also not reported.
For the destruction of submarines in the near zone, homing torpedoes of 533 mm caliber and two outdated RBU-6000 are provided. The presence of the latter is only a given to traditions. Bomb throwers (even jet ones) are completely ineffective in modern conditions. The only more or less realistic purpose is to destroy detected torpedoes with their help. This problem also contains many unknowns; to counter the torpedo threat, it is more useful to use various towed traps.
By the way, about the traps. The destroyer is equipped with the Kavach passive jamming system of its own Indian design. Kavach missiles are capable of creating curtains of radio-reflecting particles at ranges of up to 7 nautical miles.
Artillery. The destroyer is equipped with a 127-mm universal mount - a modern development of the OTO Melara company, also installed on European destroyers and frigates. Barrel length - 64 caliber. The firing range can reach 30 km. Fully automatic system with a rate of fire of 30+ rds / min.
The reason why these systems are still in use in the navy remains unclear. The 5 '' rounds have too little power to hit any possible targets. On the other hand, 17 tons is a small price to pay for the opportunity to fire a warning shot under the bow of the intruder. Or finish off the "wounded" by firing 150 shots of mercy from the cannon.
For defense in the near zone, two batteries are provided - each consists of two six-barreled AK-630 assault rifles and a fire control radar. It is noteworthy that, unlike the US Navy, Indians do not skimp on such things. Or they have not yet fully realized the horror of the situation. It is possible to shoot down missiles near the ship, but it's too late. In a real battle, the use of any rapid-fire cannons ("Falanx", "Goalkeeper", etc.) remains questionable - fragments of downed missiles, one way or another, reach and damage ships.
conclusions
Structurally, INS Visakhapatnam and three of its brothers continue the ideas laid down in the destroyers of the previous type "Kolkata" (accepted into the fleet in 2014-2016), differing from them with enhanced armament and more modern "stuffing".
The technical level of the Indian Navy's destroyers has not yet reached the level of the favorites - the first-class destroyers of Great Britain, the USA and Japan. And the presence of a dozen foreign contractors does not in any way contribute to an increase in combat effectiveness in the event of a complication of the international situation. And it only points to the weakness of the Indian military-industrial complex.
At the same time, the Indians managed to build one of the most interesting destroyers in their class (7000 tons), which differs from the concept of the American "Burke" adopted as the standard. The weaknesses of the project are leveled by its impressive anti-ship weapons. Unlike most navies, Indians do not build ships to fire a couple of missiles at the ruins of the desert.
Russian specialists who gained experience in designing modern warships also took part in the creation of the 15-Bravo-class destroyer. Experience is what we get when we don't get what we want. For our Navy, such ships would also come in handy.
