Source:-Indian Navy to Have Submarine Hunter Aircraft aboard All Its Warships
New Delhi (Sputnik) – As part of India’s ongoing mission to up its naval quotient, the Indian Navy has said that the 111 utility helicopters it intends to purchase from abroad would have submarine hunter capabilities.
According to sources, the Indian Navy is particularly interested in a design provided by one among the contending manufacturers of Russia, Europe, & the US. As per the design, the five-ton twin-engine naval utility helicopters (NUH) with wheeled landing gear and blade fold capability will have sub-surface targeting feature.
The Indian Navy has made it clear that fully configured versions of the NUH should also be capable of light anti-submarine warfare apart from the standard roles of search and rescue, observation and electronic intelligence, and anti-piracy missions.
The Indian Navy has also asked the original manufacturers to clearly indicate which torpedoes will be compatible with the helicopters?
“Will the torpedo be capable of detection and classification and engaging of submarines coated with anechoic materials, and transiting at less than 4 knots; will the torpedo have a high probability of hit (above 80 per cent) in torpedo countermeasure environment and will the torpedo be capable of navigating to ensure target acquisition with more than 50% probability, at 70% of the maximum engagement range of the torpedo?” the Indian Navy has asked.
These helicopters will replace the aging fleet of 40 Chetak helicopters which are meant for logistics and search & rescue operations.
However, the major challenge before the Indian defense ministry is that the purchase will be made under the newly formulated strategic partnership (SP) model. “The defense procurement plan has merely outlined the framework of this initiative. Identifying a strategic partner, nominating it for helicopter manufacturer is in itself challenging,” Commodore Anil Jai Singh, former Indian Navy officer and vice president of Indian Maritime Foundation says.
Nevertheless, it is being expected that Indian government would not take much time to finalize the deal as there is a deficiency to the extent of 100 integral helicopters on existing ships. Indian warships such as INS Chennai, INS Kochi, and INS Delhi are moving without new helicopters. Indian Navy expects delivery of the light utility helicopters from 2024 onwards.
“The Navy had tried to procure the helicopters almost three years ago as well. At that time there was no SP model and yet for one reason or the other, the procurement got delayed. Thus I do not believe that the SP model will lead to any further delays in the acquisition of the said platforms,” Ankur Gupta, Vice President- Aerospace & Defense, of Ernst & Young LLP told Sputnik.
Duty officer at the supersonic Bramas missile system on board the frigate Tarkash (Quiver) after the formal ceremony transferring the ship to the naval forces of India at the pier of the Baltic Shipyard Yantar factory.
Another concern would be the selection of Indian defense companies (SP). “Yes, the Indian private sector has never had the opportunity to build and supply a ‘complete’ helicopter. However, companies such as Dynamatics and TASL (Tata group) have been making entire helicopter cabins for several years now. Thus, there is a significant experience that resides in the private sector and with the progress of the SP model, these capabilities and confidence will only grow,” Ankur Gupta added.
Indian Navy has been extremely vocal about its concerns over regular visits of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean Region.
Source:- Sputnik News
The post Indian Navy to Have Submarine Hunter Aircraft aboard All Its Warships appeared first on Indian Defence Update.Indian Defence Update -
Please Visit Our Site For Latest News On Indian Army, Navy and Airforce Indian Defence Update.
from Indian Defence Update http://ift.tt/2wHjgLs
via IFTTT
No comments: