"Antony witnesses Indian Navy's battle readiness exercise" Topic

With this,in addition to the new Nuclear capable 3,000 plus miles missiles coming out, India is looking more and more powerful. Robert

Antony witnesses Indian Navy's battle readiness exercise
by Staff Writers
Visakhapatnam, India (IANS) Feb 16, 2012

India's lone aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, may be over 50 years old, but the latest refit that it went through in 2009-10 has made it a potent warfare platform of the 21st century and this was showcased to Defence Minister A.K. Antony when he boarded the vessel off Visakhapatnam as part of a large maritime exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Antony, accompanied by navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma and Eastern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, got a glimpse of INS Viraat's potential to serve the Indian Navy till the end of this decade when it dodged fighter jets attempting to attackit in the high seas during the Tropex, as the exercise was called, in the Bay of Bengal.

INS Viraat demonstrated the power of a networked force when it beamed live feeds of data, satellite images and other technical battlefield awareness inputs for the benefit of the naval personnel managing the battle scenario, as part of the theatre-level annual exercise.

This platform was used by the Indian Navy to direct its warships for sea battles and for optimal use of the on board weapons of the battle ships.

Its complement of maritime fighter jets, the upgraded Sea Harriers, proved their lethality, having obtained range extension in the form of midair refueling and beyond visual range missile capabilities.

The 28,000-tonne Centaur class warship's air defence capabilities were tested by the Indian Air Force's potent Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar combat planes, which flew out into the sea to take on the battleship for the first time ever, even as the warships were operating in a multi-threat scenario.

During the exercise, Antony witnessed first-hand the potency of the upgraded Sea Harriers, Sea King choppers and Chetaks helicopters, particularly in the networked environment.

All the air operations were directed by an Indian Air Force airborne early warning and control system (AWACS).

A critical part of anti-missile defence was the demonstration of the surface-to-air missiles (SAM) that successfully intercepted a fast, low flying, surface-to-surface missile that was targeting INS Viraat. This demonstration was done at night.

Among the sophisticated operations of the Indian Navy was its commandos or Marcos demonstration on board INS Viraat when they did a precision landing on the flight deck using combat free fall technique.

He also witnessed a successful launch of the BrahMos supersonic long-range anti-ship missile from on board INS Ranvir, a Rajput class destroyer, in an affirmation of the quality of the indigenous weapons development.

Over 40 surface combatants of various classes, submarines and a large number of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles participated in the exercise.

Antony also went on board INS Shivalik, one of the newly inducted stealth frigates of the navy, from where he witnessed a coordinated operation ny it with INS Shakti, a tanker inducted four months ago."

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Ah, the good old Hermes, brings a tear to the eye!

Would love to see someone write some India-based naval scenarios…

Me too Bill. The match up of available opponents would be interesting. Robert

Who would there be as an opponent to India? China? Pakistan of course.Pirates? Robert

Perhaps the UK can hire it, if the Falklands issue goes bad.

As for scenarios, pit the new Chinese carrier against this one, in some straits area, which has been closed by one side or the other, to make a point.

I love the way it switched from being India's only carrier to 'a battleship' halfway through the article.

The British tax-payer must be so proud that they are giving GBP600m a year in aid to India – so they can afford a carrier and Sea Harriers, but the Royal Navy can't.

Is the UK actively committing suicide?

Hmmm, that does seem a bit daft, but we're giving more than twice as much to "friends" holding our citizens hostage, so go figure.

It's a crazy world, with an even crazier foreign policy plan.

I'm still waiting for Antony Bourdain's verdict.

"Is the UK actively committing suicide?"

Its called tory dogma…. oops policy!

The last time one of them was this stupid it resulted in the Falklands War.

I hope I didn't come across as being rude – I genuinely want someone to explain to me why the UK government is slashing defence spending (while still at war in Afghanistan, with trouble brewing in Libya, Egypt and Syria, with Argentina rattling sabres and with Iran puffing out it's chest) but giving away billions in foreign aid – in the case of India, to a country that has a bigger navy than Britain's (and nukes, and a space program etc).

There was even a story in the Telegraph last week where it was revealed India had tried to refuse the aid, but the British government had 'begged' them to take it.

I've yet to find anyone who can explain this seemingly nonsensical policy, and certainly have never heard any of HM Minister's trouble themselves to enlighten us all.

Not at all.

I wonder the same about our leaders as well.

We're living in Alice's Wonderland, where what's right is wrong, and vice versa. There was even a party here in the States to kick off the new policy, with this exact theme, but they tried to cover it up. Johnny Depp was a celebrity guest.

At the moment, the muppets are running the place.

Surface Battle Fleet has a Pakistan/India expansion:

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Well, at least when the US gives certain types of military assistance, it has to be spent in the US. It basically helps keep American defense contractors going when there aren't any US contracts to be had.

Employment spending, basically.

Lion in the Stars

If you absolutely HAVE to give aid, then that method makes perfect sense to me – though still no clue why GB is giving aid to a booming regional superpower which says it doesn't want any.

The UK used to have a similar rule in place, whereby the foreign aid it gave had to be spent on British products if possible. The Labour Government cancelled this sensible caveat, saying it was 'unfair to tell them how to spend their money'.

So, as you can see, one bunch are just as brainless as the next.

The problem is that we don't have the money for defence spending. The defence budget is relativly small part o the governments overall spending, but with a deficit as high as ours, something like £1.20 GBP Trillion, we have to cut spending. Is it being cut in the right places? Well, I dunno, but I do think we should have kept the Harriers and carriers.

Back on track, good to see the old warhorse is still going strong, especially for a ship that almost didn't get built.

G.

We just get poor value for our money. The UK has the fourth largest defence budget in the world!

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Perhaps there could be a scenario with the Indian Navy sending the Viraat into the Persian Gulf or the Strait Of Hormuz in support of UN action against Iran. Robert

So India has the means, motive & incentive to modernise a 50 year old carrier to modern standards whilst the UK has pensioned off that very same carriers more modern replacements…….. Righhht.

Nelson must be spinning in his barrel.

And nice to see the Hermes again!

Is she the world's oldest active warship? (Not counting museum or training ships like HMS Victory of course!)

Always wondered how long warships could last, given a little care and attention, is it shorter for the smaller destroyers etc and subs?

I know the B52 design is pushing 60 years old but the flying planes are later production afaik.

I think the same goes for the U2 too. Robert

The problem is that we don't have the money for defence spending. The defence budget is relativly small part o the governments overall spending, but with a deficit as high as ours, something like £1.20 GBP GBP Trillion, we have to cut spending. Is it being cut in the right places? Well, I dunno, but I do think we should have kept the Harriers and carriers.

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i agree in part – but even all the relatively small defence expenditures that maybe could be questioned (Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan along maybe with the nuclear deterrent) all mount up too. I think its hard to justify some of these when schools building and nursery projects are being cut, esp when the cost of a single Javelin missile etc might be the equivalent of several care workers annual wages. Sadly whilst many in Labour had a fundamentally hostile mentality vis a vis the military, the Tories have got too many bean counters and look at the bottom line types who would probably subcontract the whole thing if they could get away with it like all the privatised prisons

So besides perhaps China would there be any other navy in the region that could be a threat to the Indian Navy? Robert

Well absent a political motive, which is highly unlikely. Absent sufficient crews for the current submarines, which isn't that good a prospect either; then the Royal Australian Navy could present a highly credible threat in regional terms. They certainly have points on the board when it comes to penetrating the screen of carrier battle groups in exercises.

The Russian, or US Navies, but they aren't likely to go up against the Indians, anytime soon, unless the latter go on a serious bender.

The Pakistani navy is being totally outspent by the Indians, so is really not much of a credible threat to them anymore.

India's booming economic success is helping to fuel their military budget.

I wasn't considering either the Russians or the US. India is on good terms so far with them. I was thinking more along the lines of the smaller navies in the area that the Indian Navy could be used against. Robert

Is she the world's oldest active warship?

I've heard it suggested that Parnaíba (U17) a river monitor of the Brazilian navy is the oldest active warship – she was commissioned in 1938. For sea-going vessels it might be BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11) a frigate of the Philippine Navy originally commissioned in August 1943 as USS Atherton.

Strange to think that Hermes is still in active service but Invincible has gone to the breakers…

I think the Taiwanese navy had a few old timers in their inventory didn't they? Robert

Here is nice little read about the naval forces there. Robert

The Naval Balance of Power: The South China Sea
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"I wasn't considering either the Russians or the US".

Yes, I know, but other than China, I really don't think anyone in the area has much to rival them, in the way of naval seapower.

Haven't brushed up on the Naval Balance of Power though.

Looks like there can be a few "Green Water" actions. Robert

Thailand might be an interesting opponent with the HTMS Charki Naruebet. Harriers vs Harriers. Robert

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INS Viraat

HTMS Chakri Naruebet

From the article,

"Thailand also lacks the funds to become an important factor in the South China Sea. Although Thailand has the necessary frigates to form a carrier action group based on the carrier HTMS Charki Naruebet, Thailand lacks the financial means to keep the aircraft carrier itself operational at a decent level. On paper Thailand possesses the ability to be a powerful maritime player in the South China Sea, but this strength is limited to paper representations of power."

But luckily in the wonderful realm of gaming anything is possible . Robert

I see that the was listed as an "Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier" and the INS Viraat as an "Aircraft Carrier". Robert

Opppsss I see I forgot to say the "HTMS Charki " was listed as an "Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier" . Robert

this carrier would probably get murdered by a medium size air force. this is a big waste of money, so indian politicians and military men can claim theirs is bigger why not spend it on the poor

Which air force in the region besides the Pakistanis, Chinese,the US or Russians would be a threat? Robert

why not spend it on the poor

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that could be surely asked re military expenditure in many countries – surely the 'I've got a carrier' is like the 'I've got a nuke' club – big boys toys

I think the answer is that the decisions are not made by the poor.

So which air force in the region besides the Pakistanis, Chinese,the US or Russians would be a threat? If the HTMS Charki was used as an "Offshore Patrol Helicopter Carrier would that make for a good scenario against, say, Pirates? Robert

Vietnam?

Just as of last year it looks like some very interesting additions to the Vietnamese Navy,

"This section covers only Vietnamese contracts with Russia. As the "Additional Readings" section notes, Russia is not Vietnam's exclusive arms provider – but it is the country's most important relationship.

Feb 15/12: Kh-35 partnership. RIA Novosti reports that Vietnam will begin joint production of a modified SS-N-25 Switchblade/ Kh-35 Uran subsonic anti-ship missile, whose base characteristics are similar to the American *GM-84 Harpoon. The project is described as similar to joint Russian-Indian production of the PJ-10 BrahMos missile, which was derived from the supersonic SS-N-26 Yakhont.

The Kh-35 can be launched from Ka-27 naval helicopters, ships, or shore batteries, but hasn't been integrated with Vietnam's new SU-30MK model fighters, or its forthcoming Kilo Class submarines. Even so , this joint venture will give Vietnam assured low-cost production and support for an important element of naval deterrence in the South China Sea. The Kh-35 looks set to become Vietnam's mainstay anti-ship missile for its navy, and a joint project also gives them a base to make changes. India undertook to integrate Brahmos with its Su-30MKI fighters, for example, and Vietnam may have similar plans for their modified Kh-35 project. Then, too, the urge to use locally-built weapons is deep-seated, even though Kilo Class submarines are already configured for 3M54 Klub family (SS-N-27) missiles. Time will tell what the Vietnamese plan to do with this shared technology.

Gepard 3.9
Gepard 3.9, 2-view
(click to view full)

Dec 7/11: Gepard ASW corvettes. Rosoboronexport and the Zelenodolsk Gorky Plant have finished shipping Vietnam's 1st 2 Gepard Class corvettes, and have just signed a contract for 2 more. Unlike the first set, however, the next 2 will concentrate on anti-submarine warfare, rather than surface attack missions.

Vietnam's example may also be creating ripples in the region. Gorky Plant Deputy Director Sergei Rudenko adds that Vietnam's neighbor Cambodia has expressed interest of its own in the Gepard Class. Interfax-AVN.

Oct 25/11: Oct 25/11: Vietnam is beginning to get assembly kits and components for its Molniya/ Project 12418 missile-armed fast attack craft. They're working under the technical supervision of the "Almaz" Central Maritime Design Bureau in St. Petersburg, and the OJSC Vympel shipbuilding plant. Russia has built 2 for Vietnam, and Vietnam is building its first 4 boats of class, with an option for 4 more. The ships are small, at just 550t full load, but they pack a very dangerous set of 4 Moskit/ SS-N-22 Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missiles, or 8 of the sub-sonic Kh-35E anti-ship missiles.

Deliveries of parts to Vietnam, which began in 2010 under a $30 USD million contract, will continue through 2016. ITAR-TASS (Google Translate).

Oct 20/11: Vietnam signs acceptance certificates for the last 2 of 4 Project 10412/ Svetlyak Export Class patrol boats at Almaz Shipbuilding Firm. The 390t class was originally developed for the KGB's border guards, mounting a 76.2mm AK-176M cannon, a 30mm AK-630 gatling gun, and a mount for very short range SA-16/SA-18 anti-aircraft missiles.

The first 2 ships were delivered to Vietnam in 2002, and the 2 follow-on order ships were laid down in June 2009. Unfortunately, repeated issues with key components, including the Arsenal AK-176M gun mounts, delayed construction. The ships will be moved to St. Petersburg, and embarked on a transport ship for shipping to Vietnam. RusNavy.

March 5/11: The Vietnamese Navy officially accepts the 1st Gepard class frigate from Russia, naming it the Dinh Tien Hoang, after the first Vietnamese emperor. Vietnam became the class' 1st export order with a contract for 2 ships in December 2006, and the Dinh Tien Hoang was launched in August 2009. The 2nd frigate in the order was launched in March 2010, and has been in sea trials since August 2010.

The Gepard 3.9 ships are a combined diesel-turbine export version of Russia's Project 11611 (Tartarstan) frigates, which serve in the Caspian fleet. The 102m/ 2,100t design sits in the grey area between small frigates and large corvettes, and despite their 5,000nm endurance, they're best suited to local maritime patrol and interdiction. Their stealth-enhanced ship design and sub-sonic Kh-35E anti-ship missiles make them potentially dangerous adversaries in littoral regions, and other armament includes 76mm and 30mm guns, 533mm torpedoes, depth charges, and a 9K33M "OSA-M"/SS-N-4 missile system for air defense. This size and weapons array may not be much to get excited about, relative to other international frigate designs, but it will make them Vietnam's most capable combat ships. March 2010 reports indicate that orders for 2 more could follow. DatViet report [Google translate] | AvWeek Ares."

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Robert