News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Navy

  • Rajnath Singh reviews progress of Karwar, wants it to be Asia’s largest naval base

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Navy on Thursday on its efforts to boost self-reliance saying more than two-thirds of the Navy’s modernisation budget has been spent on indigenous procurement in the last five financial years.

    Rajnath was reviewing the progress of Phase-II of Karwar also known as Project Seabird. “I want Karwar Naval base to be Asia’s biggest. I will even try to raise the budget for it,” he said while addressing the press.

    Lauding the navy’s commitment towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, he stated that out of the 48 ships and submarines, 46 are being inducted through indigenous construction. 

    Describing indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant as a shining example of the navy’s self-reliance efforts, Rajnath Singh said, “The commissioning of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant will be a momentous occasion in the history of Indian defence as it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.”

    ALSO READ | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh surprises everyone by attending adopted son’s wedding

    The Defence Minister inspected the ongoing works at the Naval Base and received on-site briefings including capability demonstration at the Shiplift Tower, the first such facility in the country, which will help in the docking of the ships and submarines.

    He also undertook a tour of the Naval Harbour and reviewed the marine works/infrastructure being developed as part of Project Seabird Phase II A as also the operationalisation of Piers.

    The Minister also visited the newly-constructed Sailors Married Accommodation, which incorporates advanced features for water efficiency, handling of household waste, energy efficiency and provides environment-friendly houses.

    Karwar is home to the Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and also has the country’s first sealift facility. 

    Considering the congestion at the other naval bases, Phase-II of Project Seabird was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2012 under which it was envisaged to expand facilities to house additional warships and set up a new naval air station among others.

    The Defence Minister was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh. 

  • India, US kick off mega wargame in Indian Ocean with eye on China

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and the US on Wednesday kicked off a two-day multi-domain wargame in the Indian Ocean involving an array of air defence platforms to further consolidate their operational synergy in the face of China’s increasing military presence in the region.

    The US has deployed its naval carrier strike group, led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, as well as a fleet of F-18 fighter jets and E-2C Hawkeye all-weather aircraft for the exercise, officials said.

    The Indian assets at the exercise included Jaguar and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and warships Kochi and Teg.

    The Indian Navy has also deployed a fleet of P8I maritime surveillance aircraft and MiG 29K jets, apart from other platforms.

    The US Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean region.

    A carrier battle group or carrier strike group is a mega naval fleet comprising an aircraft carrier, accompanied by a large number of destroyers, frigates and other ships.

    “The Indian naval warships, along with aircraft from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force will be engaged in the joint multi-domain operations with the carrier strike group comprising Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh,” Indian Navy’s spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said on Tuesday.

    He said the two-day exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the ability to integrate and coordinate comprehensively in maritime operations.

    Officials said the high-tempo exercise will include advanced air-defence drills, cross-deck helicopter operations and anti-submarine manoeuvres with an aim to hone the war-fighting skills and enhance interoperability between the two sides.

    The exercise is being carried out south of Thiruvananthapuram, on the western seaboard.

    The officials said the exercise is focussing on multiple areas, including enhancing the aspects of interoperability, nuances of international integrated maritime search-and-rescue operations and exchange of best practices in the maritime airpower domain.

    The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    In June 2016, the US had designated India as a “Major Defence Partner”.

    The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the last few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.

    The two sides have also signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two militaries and the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

    In October last year, India and the US sealed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to further boost the bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for the sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

  • Indian Navy and Air force to exercise with US Carrier Strike Group in Indian Ocean

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major exercise involving the warships and aircraft, the Indian Navy and Air Force are going to Participate in a Passage Exercise with US Navy Carrier Strike Group Ronald Reagan during its transit through Indian Ocean Region on 23rd and 24th June 2021.

    As per the Indian Navy, “The two-day exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the ability to integrate and coordinate comprehensively in maritime operations.”

    The Indian Naval Ships (INS) Kochi and Teg along with P8I and MiG 29K aircraft and Indian Air Force will be engaged in joint multi-domain operations with the Carrier Strike Group comprising Nimitz class Nuclear aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey and Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh.

    The Exercise is taking place in the Area of Responsibility of Southern Air Command. Indian Air force informed, “It will see the IAF forces operate from bases under four operational commands and will include Jaguars & Su-30 MKI fighters, AWACS, AEW&C and Air to Air Refueller aircraft. The US CSG is expected to field F-18 fighters and E-2C Hawkeye AEW&C aircraft.”

    The Exercise will include high tempo operations which will, “include advanced air defence exercises, cross deck helicopter operations and anti-submarine exercises.” the Navy said.

    “Indian Navy and US Navy regularly undertake a host of bilateral and multilateral exercises which underscore the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring commitment to an open, inclusive and a rule-based international order,” added the Indian Navy.

    The reports indicated that the Japan based US CSG, currently in the Indian Ocean, is on transit to the Middle east to provide support in completing the US Force withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

  • Indian Navy conducts maiden joint exercise with EU Naval Force

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: For the first time the warships of the Indian Navy (IN) and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) have got together to conduct a complex naval operations at sea in the Gulf of Aden. A total of five warships from four navies are participating in the exercise on 18th and 19th June 2021.

    Indian Navy on Friday said in a statement, “Ships of the four navies will endeavour to enhance and hone their war-fighting skills and their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.”

    A virtual “Information sharing Exercise” is also being conducted between the Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa on 18 June 21, Indian Navy added.

    EUNAVFOR was formed in 2008 to establish the executive EU military maritime operation for Somalia – Op ATLANTA to counter acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali Coast.

    Indian Naval ships have continued to be deployed for Anti-Piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia since 2008.

    EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple issues including counter piracy operations and protection of vessels deployed under the charter of World Food Programme (UN WFP).

    Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR also have regular interaction through SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction) meetings held annually at Bahrain.

    Indian Naval Ship Trikand, Guided Missile Frigate, mission deployed for Anti-Piracy Operations, is participating in the Exercise. Other warships include Italian Navy Ship ITS Carabinere, Spanish Navy Ship ESPS Navarra, and two French Navy Ships FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf.

  • Navy divers continue operations to locate trapped miners in Meghalaya

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Indian Navy divers continued their search on Friday for missing miners trapped in a flooded coal mine located in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills. While the body of one miner was recovered on Thursday four are yet to be located.

    Five miners were trapped after the mine got flooded on May 30 after a dynamite blast. Over 50 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, District Disaster Response Force, Fire and Emergency Service and the police have been deployed at the site. 

    A 12-member Indian Navy diving team was pressed into action on 12th June to rescue the five miners.

    The Navy sources said weather conditions and the physical conditions in the submerged zone of the mine have complicated the rescue operation. 

    “The current operation entails the Indian Navy divers to lower themselves and their specialised diving gear into an extremely narrow shaft to a depth of almost 400 feet and carry out diving up to further 100 feet, to search for trapped miners within a complicated interconnecting labyrinth of horizontal shafts, with barely enough space for a person to crawl.”

    ALSO READ | Device deployed by Navy in Meghalaya mine rescue effort detects two suspicious objects: Official

    The situation is aggravated due to incessant rains and low visibility but the divers are still continuing on the sixth day keeping the trauma of the families in mind.

    “The divers assiduously continue with the search operation with the hope that any light at the end of the tunnel will bring lasting solace and closure to the families.”

    Diving operations are further challenged by poor underwater visibility, unmapped shaft construction hazards, flotsam and falling debris. Further, diving for prolonged durations in low temperatures (3-5 degree Celsius) pose significant medical risks such as hypothermia.

    “While the divers have specialised equipment such as the Diver Hand Held Navigation System (DHNS) for bottom-mapping of the mine-shaft, any technology can do little to ameliorate the raw, gut-wrenching adversity that such an operation entails.” added a source.

    It may be recalled that the Indian Navy had assisted in the rescue and recovery effort of 15 miners trapped in a mine in Ksan, Meghalaya under similar conditions, in December 2018.

    There has been a blanket ban on rat-hole coal mining across Meghalaya since the 2014 order of the National Green Tribunal. 

  • Defence Ministry approves construction of six advanced submarines for Indian Navy

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared a mega project to domestically build six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore, in a major decision aimed at significantly boosting India’s naval prowess in the face of rapid expansion of China’s maritime capabilities.

    The submarines will be built under the much-talked-about strategic partnership model that allows domestic defence manufacturers to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence, government sources said. The Strategic Partnership (SP) policy intends to encourage broader participation of the private sector, in addition to DPSUs/OFB, in the manufacture of defence platforms and equipment.

    The Ministry of Defence in its statement said, “This project envisages indigenous construction of six conventional submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 crore.” Procurement of Air Defence Guns and Ammunition at an approximate cost of Rs 6,000 crore under the Buy & Make (Indian) category was also approved.

    The decision to approve the project named ‘P-75 India’ was taken at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

     The sources said the DAC approved the issuance of the Request for Proposal (RFP) or tender to shipbuilder Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and state-owned Mazagaon Docks Ltd (MDL).

    Going by the processes followed in all defence-related manufacturing projects, the first Submarine under the project will get ready in next about 10 years. “In a month, the RFP will be sent to the Indian companies shortlisted under the Strategic Partnership model. They will be given three months to reply. Then the technical evaluation will be done and contracts will be signed.

    Once the contracts are signed, the infrastructure building shall start along with the Transfer of Technology and Training by the OEM and the manufacturing will begin.

    “With this project, the country will be enabled to achieve its 30-year submarine construction programme envisioned by the Government to acquire national competence in submarine construction,.” MoD said. Under the Project 75, six Scorpene Class submarines are already being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. Indian Navy’s under water combat capabilities have been under question since long due to obsolete submarine force and delay in the manufacturing of the submarines. Till now three submarines have been commissioned under Project 75.

    The SPs in collaboration with OEMs have been mandated to set up dedicated manufacturing lines for these submarines in India. The OEMs would be shortlisted primarily based on their submarine design meeting the Indian Navy’s Qualitative Requirements and qualifying the Transfer of Technology and Indigenous Content (IC) criteria.

    “The overall aim would be to progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector to design, develop and manufacture complex weapon systems for the future needs of the Armed Forces,” the MoD said.

  • Indian Navy set to issue Rs 50,000 crore tender for 6 stealth submarines

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major push for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Indian Navy is all set to issue the tender worth around Rs 50,000 crores to build six stealth submarines as the Defence Ministry is expected to discuss the project in detail on Friday at a high-level meeting.

    Sources confirmed that the Request for Proposal (RFP), to be issued to the Indian companies identified as Strategic Partners, will be discussed in a high level meeting slated for Friday. “This will set the Tender process rolling if the approval for the RFP is given.” a source said.  

    It was after a long delay that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh finally on January 21, 2020 nominated two domestic shipyard companies — state owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and private sector firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) — as Strategic Partners for the Project 75-I programme.

    Under Project 75-I programme, six new stealth submarines will be constructed in collaboration with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) providing a major boost to the indigenous design and construction capability of submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine design and technologies as part of the project.

    ALSO READ | Modernisation of Indian Army well on course: Army Chief Gen MM Naravane

    Under Project 75, six Scorpene Class submarines are already being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

    The Navy plans to acquire 24 new submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, to bolster its underwater fighting capability. It currently has 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines.

    As per the requirements stated by the maritime force, it wants the submarines to be equipped with heavy-duty firepower as it wants the boats to have at least 12 Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) along with Anti-Ship cruise missiles (ASCM).

    Sources said that the Navy has also specified that the submarines should also be able to carry and launch 18 heavyweight torpedoes in the sea.

    Compared with the Scorpene, the firepower required in the next line of submarines is many times more than what is being put on the Scorpenes which have the heavyweight torpedoes and the Exocet surface to surface missiles as their main weapons. 

  • Major reshuffle at higher echelons of Indian armed forces

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The three wings of the armed forces—Army, Navy and Air Force—are set to have a number of new faces at the top reaches, including a new deputy chief in the Navy, two new commanders in the Army. Vice Admiral M S Pawar, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) superannuated on Monday after 39 years of service. Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh, who was serving as the Chief of Personnel of the Navy, will be the new DCNS.

    Vice Admiral Pawar has an extraordinary 25 years of sea-going service which otherwise remains between 17-20 years. Navy also will get a new Chief of Materiel as Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A) will replace Vice Admiral S R Sarma, who retired on Monday. 

    Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh will be the new CWP&A. Vice Admiral DK Tripathi will be the new Chief of Personnel.

    Of the Seven Army Commands, two Commands will get new Army Commanders. With Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, Eastern Army Commander, retiring on Monday his post will be taken over by Lt Gen MK Pandey, who till now has been the Commander of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Lt Gen Ajai Singh will assume the Command of the Crucial Andaman and Nicobar Command.

    In the Air Force, Air Marshal Amit Tiwari superannuated from the position of the Commander in Chief, Central Air Command (CAC). Air Marshal Richard John Duckworth the current Air Officer in charge Personnel will be the next CAC Commander.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Monday approved the ‘Second Positive Indigenisation List’ of 108 items of ammunition, equipment and systems to boost indigenisation of defence production.

    The second list puts focus on weapons/systems which are currently under development/trials and are likely to translate into firm orders in the future.

    The list includes helicopters, next-generation corvettes, Air Borne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, tank engines, medium-power radar for mountains etc, according to the MoD.

  • Navy converts its all-weather chopper into air ambulance for critical patients’ evacuation

    By PTI
    PANAJI: The Indian Navy has augmented its capacity to evacuate critical patients even in unfavourable weather conditions by fitting a medical intensive care unit (MICU) on-board an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) at Goa’s naval air station INS Hansa, an official said.

    The MICU has been installed on-board ALH Mk-III from INAS 323 at INS Hansa by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a naval spokesman said in a media statement issued here.

    “With ALH Mk-III, an all-weather aircraft, being equipped with MICU, the Indian Navy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions,” he said.

    A Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has been installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at #INSHansa #Goa by HAL. The #IndianNavy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions.@indiannavy @SpokespersonMoD @HALHQBLR pic.twitter.com/nzZfVpPZsR
    — PRO Defence Mumbai (@DefPROMumbai) May 30, 2021

    The MICU has two sets of defibrillators, multipara monitors, ventilator, oxygen support as well as infusion and syringe pumps, he added.

    “It also has a suction system to clear secretions in the mouth or airway of the patient.

    The system can be operated on aircraft power supply and also has a battery back up of four hours,” the spokesman said.

    According to him, the equipment can be installed in two-three hours to convert the aircraft into an air ambulance.

    “This is the first of eight MICU sets to be delivered by HAL to Indian Navy,” he added.

  • Jointness of three armed forces important amid changing nature of war: Navy chief Karambir Singh

    By PTI
    PUNE: Naval Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Saturday said the nature of war is changing where there is a need to engage adversaries in all domains like land, sea, air, space and cyber, and stressed on the increased importance of “jointness” among the country’s three services.

    Admiral Singh was speaking at the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla here after reviewing the Passing Out Parade of the 140th course of the academy.

    “The nature of war is changing and it is important to engage adversaries in all domains, like land, sea, air, space and cyber. It is for this reason that the jointness among the three services is far more important than in the past,” he said.

    The armed forces are seeing landmark defence reforms with the establishment of the Department of Military Affairs, institution of Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) and soon to be formed theatre commands, the Navy chief said.

    “Traditions, identity, uniforms and customs of each service matter as do the requirements generated by the distinctive role of the three services. But jointness in the armed forces is paramount for more synergised and effective application of force in today’s complex battlefield.”

    ALSO READ| Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh performs push-ups with National Defence Academy cadets

    The NDA has been a symbol of jointness for 72 years and its existence enforces the core values of jointmanship, which are the founding principles of the academy, Admiral Singh said.

    “All of you must remember that no matter how future warfare evolves, few personal abilities and attributes remain the key for effective leadership. Leadership, as you know is the essence of an officer,” he said in his address to the cadets.

    Admiral Singh, an alumnus of the NDA’s 56th course, arrived at his alma mater on Friday, after which he visited his parent squadron “H” (Hunter Squadron) and interacted with the cadets.

    He presented a memento for the squadron to the cadets, an official statement said.

    During his visit, the Navy chief got down on his hands and did push-ups with the cadets, as is the tradition followed in the squadron, it said.

    The entire staff of the Admiral, NDA Commandant and other officers present there also joined him, the statement added.