Indian Navy to procure new multi-role helicopters

NEW DELHI (PTI): Augmenting its fleet of multi role helicopters, the Navy is looking to procure more such choppers for carrying out anti-submarine warfare and Special Forces' operations.

In a Request for Information (RFI) issued recently, the Navy has said it intends to procure new Naval Multi Role Helicopters (NMRH) for anti-submarine, anti-surface and Special Commando operations roles.
Interestingly, the Navy has shown its intent to procure these choppers at a time when it is already planning to start the trials for buying 16 MRHs from the two contenders Sikorsky S-70B and European NH-90 next month under a separate tender.

Navy officials told PTI that the earlier tender process will continue and the trials would be carried out as per the original schedule.

In its requirement for the next batch of helicopters, the navy stated that the basic chopper for performing all the specified roles should be same with common airframe, engines, avionics and it should be capable of changing roles with ease.

"The NMRH should be of contemporary design with modern, reliable and fuel efficient engines and fully integrated advanced avionics and weapons suite employing the latest concepts for detection, identification, classification of surface and subsurface targets along with the ability to detect air targets," it said in the RFI document.

The Navy also wants the chopper to have the air to air refuelling capability for enhanced endurance and reach.

The vendors taking part in the contract will also be required to invest back at least 30 per cent of the worth of the contract as offsets into the Indian defence, civilian aerospace or the homeland security sectors.

Possible contenders for the deal include NH-90, Sikorsky and Lockheed martin's MH-60 Romeo, which was not selected for the early tender as it was being offered through the Foreign Military Sales route.

The navy at present relies on its fleet of Sea King helicopters which were inducted in tow different phases in the 80s.

India, Pakistan accuse each other's Navies of aggression on high seas

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani humanitarian effort that secured the release of Indians along with Pakistanis from Somalian pirates is fast turning into a war of words between the two governments. Each is accusing the other's Navy of aggression on the high seas while escorting m.v. Suez, which was released earlier this week after 10 months in captivity.

A day after Pakistan officially protested against the aggression by INS Godavari towards PNS Babur, India on Saturday lodged a similar protest with the Pakistan High Commission about its naval vessel. “PNS Babur, by its risky manoeuvres, jeopardised the safety of INS Godavari and its crew.”

Pakistan had accused the Indian vessel of hampering humanitarian operations being carried out by PNS Babur and making “dangerous manoeuvres,” which resulted in the two ships “brushing past” each other.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash, Pakistan's Naval Adviser in New Delhi was summoned by the Defence Ministry on Friday to register the “serious concerns at PNS Babur's risky manoeuvres.” In Islamabad, Pakistan conveyed a similar protest about INS Godavari around 6.30 p.m. through Deputy High Commissioner Rahul Kulsreshtha and informed the media later in the night.

Both countries cited violation of regulations on navigational safety contained in the ‘International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea' and Article 10 of the ‘Agreement between India-Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements 1991.'

Earlier in the day, the Indian Navy described reports of aggression by INS Godavari as incorrect. This incident is said to have happened in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday while m.v. Suez was being escorted towards Oman.

On Thursday, the Indian Navy had put out a statement claiming that it had been tasked to escort m.v.Suez that very morning. “On reaching m.v. Suez, INS Godavari made every effort through all available means and channels to communicate with Suez. However, the Master of m.v. Suez did not respond.” After confirming that m.v. Suez was being escorted by other warships deployed in the Gulf of Aden, INS Godavari returned to its task of protecting two other merchant vessels carrying 21 Indians.

Indian Navy Chief visiting Moscow next month

NEW DELHI (PTI): In the backdrop of the Russian Navy backing out of a joint exercise with the Indian Navy at the last minute, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma will travel to Moscow next month for discussions with the country's top military leadership.

The Navy chief will meet the top military leadership of Russia and discuss ongoing military projects such as the retrofit of Admiral Gorshkov and construction of the three Talwar class frigates there, officials said here.
The two sides are also likely to discuss the last-minute decision by Russian Navy not to hold an exercise with Indian Navy ships, which had gone there for a joint drill, they said.

The Navy chief had expressed "element of disappointment" after the exercises were not held at the final stages.

The Navy chief is also likely to discuss the delivery schedule of the Akula Class Nerpa nuclear submarines and the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Under a confidential pact, India is leasing an Akula Class submarine from Russia, which is expected to be delivered by the end of this year.

At present, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar along with Defence Production Secretary Rajkumar Singh are in Russia to discuss the bilateral defence ties.

Officials said there will be a number of visits by senior Indian officials to Russia before the summit-level meeting between the heads of states in December.

Rescue operations in Japan affected Indo-Russian war games

NEW DELHI (PTI): The annual naval exercise between India and Russia took a hit last month after the Russian side cited engagement of their ships in rescue operations in the Tsunami-hit Japan.

"Russian Navy had deployed some of its warships for rescue efforts in Japan. They had already informed us that they will not able to pledge any warship for the exercise due to their engagement in Japan," Navy spokesperson Commander P V S Satish said.

He said that following the communication from Russian Navy, a decision was taken to dispatch the Indian warships only for a port call at the Russian port Vladivostok.

Excluding the sea phase, the two navies carried out all other joint drills, he added.

"For the three days there were exchange of officers from both the sides and we performed all the harbor drills together," the spokesperson said.

Three Indian warships INS Delhi, INS Ranvijay and INS Ranvir went to Russia last month to participate in the annual exercises there.

Indian Navy further denied lodging any complaint with the Russian Navy.

"We have a very old relationship with Russia. All other activities between the two navies are right on schedule," the officer said.