Indian Coast Guard base in Ratnagiri to be launched today

NEW DELHI (PTI): Enhancing the coastal security network in Maharashtra, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will commission its base in Ratnagiri on Saturday.

"The station would play an effective role in undertaking joint coastal patrol along with the state police, Customs and Fisheries Department to thwart maritime security threats," Defence Ministry officials said here.

The station will be commissioned by Coast Guard Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra and will be commanded by Commandant B H Kumbhare.

One more Coast Guard station at Dahanu in Maharashtra has been planned in this year for commission.

A plan to set up a Coast Guard Air Station at Ratnagiri is also on the anvil. This will be the first full-fledged ICG air station in Maharashtra.

"The air station will play a crucial role in maritime surveillance and Search and Rescue and adjoining coast of Maharashtra.

India, Singapore conduct naval exercise in South China Sea

NEW DELHI (PTI): Close to Chinese maritime boundary, the Indian Navy is engaging the Singaporean Navy in an eight day wargames in the South China Sea.

During the exercise, the two navies will develop and share each other's skills in training and related aspects of anti-submarine warfare, Indian Navy officials said here.

"This time, Singapore Navy has deployed three frigates, a missile corvette, a submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft. The Singapore Air Force is also deploying fighter aircraft in it," they added.

India has sent three destroyers, a corvette, a fleet tanker and a maritime patrol aircraft for the exercise which consists of two phases, one in shore and the other in sea.

The shore-based exercise was held at the Changi Naval base while the sea-based exercise is being carried out in the South China Sea, the officials added.

SIMBEX series of joint exercises were started between the two navies in 1994.

China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary disputes with several countries of ASEAN region, including Singapore.

Source : http://www.brahmand.com

Indian, Singaporean navies hold war game in China's backyard

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Indian Navy is engaged in a week-long advanced war game with its Singaporean counterpart in the South China Sea, the backyard of giant neighbour China.

The 'Simbex' exercise, which began March 18, is the 18th in a series that began in 1994.

China has claimed most part of the South China Sea as its territory and has a maritime boundary dispute with several countries of the region, including Singapore.

Hosted by Singapore this year, the exercise is witnessing joint naval warfare training involving air, surface and sub-surface dimensions, aimed at enhancing the interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies, an Indian Navy press release said here Thursday.

'The exercise comprises a shore phase, already held at the Changi Naval Base, and a sea phase currently being carried out in the South China Sea,' the release added.

Singapore is participating in the exercise with three frigates, a missile corvette, a submarine and a maritime patrol aircraft, while its air force will deploy a fighter aircraft. India has sent three destroyers, a corvette, a fleet tanker and a maritime patrol aircraft.

'Simbex started in 1994 as a training-oriented anti-submarine warfare exercise and has since grown in scale and complexity over the years. The exercise underscores the long-standing defence ties between the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy,' the release said.

The two navies also interact regularly through a range of activities, including professional exchange programmes, staff talks and courses

Indian defence majors to participate in IMDEX Asia 2011

NEW DELHI (PTI): Premier Indian defence companies BrahMos Aerospace and Pipavav Shipyard may showcase their products at IMDEX 2011, the international maritime defence show to be held in Singapore in May, in which many global defence majors will participate.

"Indian companies that have expressed interest in participating in the exhibition include BrahMos Aerospace and Pipavav Shipyard. As a thriving defence hub, we look forward to India's valuable contributions at activities and conferences organised at IMDEX Asia 2011," Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, organiser of the show, told reporters here.

IMDEX Asia will see participation from more than 150 companies and global defence majors like DCNS, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and ThyssenKrupp Marine.

The four-day event from May 18 to 20 will take place at the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) and will also host around 20 warships from various navies.

"We are expecting more than 50 VIP delegates from 40 countries. The event is also expected to bring together the participation of some 20 warships from various navies," Laud said.

He said that in the next two decades, Asia-Pacific region is slated to become the second largest naval market in the world after the United States.

"With only the US set to spend more on new ships and equipment over the same time frame, the Asia Pacific region will move past Europe as the second largest naval market in the world, as measured by market value to new ships and related equipment," Lau said.

Besides showcasing their products and services, the participating navies and maritime agencies will also engage in exercises to promote inter-agency coordination and address the evolving challenges to safety and security at sea.

Singapore will also host the third edition of the Singapore Airshow between February 14-19, 2012.

"We have sent invites to several Indian organisations for the event. Indian Air Force (IAF) of course is among the major invitees. Again we would expect India to send a big delegation for the event," Lau said.

Indian Navy's INAS 310 celebrates 50 glorious years

NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian Navy's only aircraft carrier-based squadron, INAS-310 'COBRA', celebrated its golden jubilee on Monday at its home base in Goa.

"The COBRA has won six Vir Chakras (VrC), six Nao Sena Medals and three mention-in-Despatches for its role in 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It also participated in Kargil war in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2002," Navy officials said here.

Raised on March 21, 1961 in France, COBRA flew the French Alizes aircraft on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions, and operated from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant till May 1987.

With induction of Dornier 228 aircraft in 1991, the squadron transformed itself into a shore-based Maritime Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare squadron and saw action in 1999 and 2002.

"During the two Operations, the squadron operated from Indian Air Force (IAF) airfields located in the western sector, far away from the seas. The aircrafts were re-painted from white and blue to steel grey to suit the missions," officials added.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat released a special cover and coffee table on the occasion.

Indian, Singapore navy to engage in five-day naval exercise in South China Sea

SINGAPORE (PTI): The five-day joint naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Singapore Navy will start Saturday in the South China Sea.

Five Indian navy ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Harish Chandra Singh Bisht, arrived in Singapore on Friday for the drill that aims to strengthen bilateral maritime security relations.

The joint exercises, held on alternate year in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, has built up understanding and knowledge between Indian and Singapore navies, Rear Admiral Joseph Leong, Fleet Commander of the Republic of Singapore Navy told PTI at a reception hosted on board INS Jyoti.

He cited benefits of the joint exercise and cooperation developed by the Indian and Singapore navies in tackling major challenges and especially the piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

"We understand each other and have a high level contact in managing maritime security," said Rear Admiral Leong.

Rear Admiral Bisht said the annual exercises, held since 1994, were important to sharpen the skill of naval forces.

INS Delhi, INS Ranvijay, INS Ranveer, INS Jyoti and INS Kirch manned by 1,400 naval personnel are participating in the exercise. Singapore will have four naval ships including a submarine.

INS Ranvijay, the most powerful Indian naval ship, will carry out anti-submarine and anti-missile exercises.

But this time, the exercises would be a "mock warfare" though in the past live firing were tried out.

INS Vikramaditya to start sea trials in the falls

Indian carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) which is being modernized at defense shipyardSevmash will conduct her first sortie in the falls of 2011, reported ITAR-TASS referring to Anastasia Nikitinskaya, the head of Sevmash's press service, having specified that "approximately, in October or November". 

The carrier undergoes mooring trials since March 1. According to Sevmash's press service, test of main propulsion plant will be the most complicated and critical. Another high-end task is testing of radioelectronic systems including those made in India, and air-technical facilities. End objective of mooring trials is preparation of shipborne systems for coming sea trials. 

According to Russian-Indian intergovernmental package agreement signed in Jan 2004 in New Delhi, hull of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was handed over to India for free providing that the ship would be modernized by Sevmash and equipped with Russian-made air wing. Also, Russia will train about 1 500 Indian crewmembers and construct basing infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. As reported by Indian sources, Russian aircraft carrier would cost them $2.33 bln. 

The carrier must be delivered to Indian Navy in the end of 2012. Reportedly, her service life would be 30 years. 

Admiral Gorshkov (formerly named Baku) was commissioned into Northern Fleet in 1987. The ship's length was 283 meters; beam – 51 meters; displacement – 45,000 tons. The carrier's after-upgrade specifications have not been disclosed so far.

Russia will lease SSN Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011

Russia will lease nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011, reported RIA Novosti referring to a high-ranking source in Russian Navy Main HQ. 

Some media agencies previously reported that SSNNerpa had been allegedly leased to India for a 10-year term. 

"Nerpa is fully ready for leasing. Currently, Indian crew is trained in the sub along with Russian instructors. The training must be completed by October, as we're behind the schedule", said the interviewee. 

He specified that Indian submariners must complete the full training program including cruise missile firings. 

"What we must do now is to "coach" the Indian crew in full", said the admiral. 

Then the sub will head for India, he concluded. 

It was planned to hand over SSN Nerpa to Indian Navy as early as 2009, but a fire occurred in the sub on Nov 8, 2008 during the shipyard's sea trials in the Sea of Japan. As a result of unauthorized operation of firefighting system, freon gas entered the sub's compartments. Twenty men died, other 21 were intoxicated. Totally, there were 208 men on board the submarine while the accident happened. 

SSN Nerpa was commissioned into Russian Navy after repair in Dec 2009. 

According to RIA Novosti, the $920 mln contract provides the lease term of 10 years. 

SSN Nerpa (K-152, Project 971 Schuka-B) is a third-generation submarine laid down at Amur Shipyard(Komsomolsk-on-Amur) in 1991. However, financing of the sub's construction was shut down in mid-90's. Completion of the submarine became possible only under India's investment. 

The sub's displacement is 8,140/12,770 tons; max speed is 30 knots; test depth is 600 meters; endurance is 100 days; crew is 73; armament includes four 533-mm torpedo tubes and four 650-mm torpedo tubes.

Russia to lease n-submarine to India by October

Moscow: Russia will lease K-152 Nerpa, a nuclear-powered submarine, to India by October this year, a Russian naval admiral said on Wednesday.

'The submarine is completely ready for transfer. An Indian crew is currently training aboard with Russian instructors,' said the admiral who requested anonymity.

'This should be completed before October. We're running late,' he said.

Twenty sailors were killed after toxic gas leaked on board Nerpa as the submarine was undergoing trials in the Sea of Japan in November 2008. A fire extinguishing system malfunctioned, leading to the discharge.

The $900-million lease contract was drawn up after Moscow and New Delhi struck a deal in January 2004 when New Delhi agreed to fund a part of the submarine's construction.

The Nerpa was originally scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy as INS Chakra by mid-2008.

Some media reports earlier said that the K-152 Nerpa attack submarine had already been transferred to India on a 10-year lease.

First Scorpene submarine delivery in 2015: Antony

NEW DELHI (PTI): The delivery of the first Scorpene submarine under Project-75 to the Indian Navy has been put off till second half of 2015, Parliament was informed Monday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister A K Antony said, "The first submarine is now scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2015. There has been delay due to initial teething problems, absorption of complex technology, augmentation of MDL Infrastructure and procurement of purchased material."

A programme for construction of six submarine is currently underway at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai under Project-75.

"As per the contract, first submarine was scheduled to be delivered in December 2012 and thereafter, one each every year till December 2017," Antony said.

Informing the House on increase in the project cost, he said, "Government has accorded approval for revision in the cost of Project-75 on account of increase in cost of items purchased by the MDL, related subheads and additional infrastructure."

He said that the Defence Procurement Procedure 2011 has envisaged monitoring of all acquisitions to rule out slippages.

"To ensure that no such slippages occur in future, DPP-2011 envisages close monitoring of acquisitions cases at appropriate level," Antony said.

Indian Navy captures 61 pirates in Arabian Sea

The Indian Navy has seized a pirate ship, rescuing 13 crewmembers and arresting 61 suspected Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, national media reported on Monday.

"The Vega 5, a pirate mother vessel, was intercepted by a fast attack craft, INS Kalpeni. Sixty-one pirates were apprehended and 13 crew members rescued," a Navy official said, adding that the incident happened on Saturday night.

The Navy said the INS Kalpeni directed "limited" fire on the vessel after being shot at.

The Indian Navy has deployed three ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea to deal with the piracy threat.

In January, India's Navy sank two pirate ships and apprehended 43 pirates.

BRAHMOS underwater test-firing by year-end

NEW DELHI (PTI): India will testfire the submarine-launched version of the 290km range BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile by the end of this year.

"We will testfire the underwater version of the missile by the end of this year after we get the pontoon for the purpose," BrahMos Aerospace chief A Sivathanu Pillai told reporters here.

Underwater weapon-delivery platforms are considered to be the most potent second strike capability of countries' defence strength.

India has developed significant underwater weapon delivery platforms in the recent past including an indigenously-built nuclear submarine INS Arihant and successfully test-fired the nuclear capable 700km range K-15 Shaurya missile.

The Navy is also expecting to get a Russian-made Akula-II class 'Nerpa' nuclear submarine on lease soon.

The test-firing of the BRAHMOS underwater missile would be done from a pontoon at Integrated Test Range in Balasore on Orissa coast from a DRDO facility.

The same pontoon was used for carrying out the test-firing of the 700-km range K-15 'Shaurya' Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile a couple of years ago.

A ring will have to be fitted in the existing pontoon for fitting-in the BRAHMOS which has a relatively smaller diameter than the K-15 SLBM.

The under-water cruise missile will have the same capabilities as its earlier variants and would be able to strike at both land and sea-based targets.

BRAHMOS has been developed jointly by India and Russia and inducted in the Army and the Navy.

The two countries have also signed an agreement for developing the hypersonic version of the missile which currently flies at a speed of 2.8 mach.

Cochin Shipyard to expand capacity with Rs 500 crore investment

KOCHI (PTI): The Public sector Cochin Shipyard Ltd is proposing to expand its existing capacity through a ship lift system with an investment of Rs 500 crore, a top official said Friday.

The new system is likely to come up at the northern end of the CSL estate and would be 120 metre long and able to accommodate ships up to 6,000 tonnes, CSL Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore K Subramaniam, told reporters here.

The project is likely to be taken up by next year.

The shipyard has two dry-docks. One of the docks is being used for the construction of the Indigenous Aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy and the other is used for ship building and ship repair. Once the ship lift system gets completed it is likely to ease the congestion in the dry-dock.

At present, the yard has orders for 34 ships consisting 14 Offshore Platform vessels for domestic and international owners and 20 Fast Patrol vessels for the Coast Guard totally valued at Rs 4,000 crore.

On India's first Indigenous Aircraft carrier being built at the CSL for the Navy, he said it is to be 'floated out' in December last year. But due to various reasons, it could not take place and will be floated out this year end, he said.

CSL is hoping to get more orders from the Indian Navy very soon, he said.

Recession did have an impact on the shipyard as it did not receive any orders from 2008 to September 2010. After Sept 2010, the yard received orders for 24 ships of the 34 ships.

The effect of recession will be felt this year and the next year. "We had a very good growth in the last 5 years.

That will not be there this year and the next year. But our performance would not be affected." he said.

The shipyard's shipbuilding income increased to Rs 1,012 crore in 2009-10 from Rs 222 crore in 2005-06.

CSL has been diversifying into new areas of construction and repairs over the last few years and had successfully completed two major ship conversion projects, one for a Singapore based owner and the other for National Institute for Oceanography, Goa. The former was a conversion of a fishing vessel to research vessel and the latter was a conversion of fishing vessel to a seismic survey one.

The CMD said the shipyard was also exploring the eastern and western coasts to set up ship repair facilities.

On the eastern coast they were looking at Tamil Nadu, he said.

The shipyard has also acquired 220 acres to set up ship building facility at the proposed Vizhinam Port at Thiruvananthapuram, he said.

BRAHMOS Block-III to be inducted in 12th plan: A K Antony

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Block-III version of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile is likely to be inducted (in the Indian Defence forces) in the 12th plan, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

He added that, the Block-I and II versions of the BRAHMOS missile are already in service with the Indian Army.

The Minister also informed Parliament that, the supersonic cruise missile has been tested successfully for application in Indian Navy and Army.

"On 2nd December 2010, Block-III version of the missile was test fired to establish the steep dive capability of the missile with large manoeuvres. The mission was accomplished successfully, establishing a unique capability of supersonic dive in mountain operations," A K Antony said, according to a PIB news report.

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Mooring trails for Indian carrier

After near a decade long rebuilding, the mooring trails of aircraft-carrier Admiral Gorshkov starts in Severodvinsk.

The large former Soviet aircraft carrier has been a headache for the naval yard in Severodvinsk all time since Russia in 2004 signed the agreement to sell and rebuild the vessel to the Indian navy.

Read also: Indian officer in Severodvinsk honey-trap

Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk and the Indian navy have both disagreed on costs and time-schedule for the aircraft carrier that sailed for the Soviet / Russian navy from 1987 to 1994.

It is believed that India will pay Russia some $2.2 billion for Admiral Gorshkov.

Press-service of Sevmash says the mooring trails for the vessel started on March 1st. The yard says this is a serious step in the modernization of the vessel that now enters its final rebuilding step.

Tests of the main machinery will be the most difficult part of the ongoing tests, says Anastasia Nikitinskaya, head of press service at Sevmash.

If the tests at quay prove successful, Admiral Gorshkov will sail for sea trails out in the White- and Barents Seas in the autumn this year.

Once the aircraft carrier sails to Indian waters, it will be renamed INS Vikramaditya.

INS Vikramaditya started mooring trials

Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya which is retrofitted for Indian Navy started mooring trials on March 1. Sevmash shipyard's director general Nikolai Kalistratov signed an order to begin the trials. 

This is an essential milestone in the carrier's modernization particularly marked in the general schedule. Outfitting works have reached the final stage. The ship has been gradually filled with equipment, mechanisms, pipelines, cables; and now all those systems must be tested in different modes. 

The trials will be conducted in accordance with special programs and techniques. Tests of main propulsion plant are considered the most complicated and important. The second large-scale goal is testing of radioelectronics, including Indian-made systems, and air-technical facilities. The main purpose of mooring trials is preparation of shipborne systems for further important stage – shipyard's sea trials. The aircraft carrier is planned to take the sea late in 2011.