Advanced Technology Vessel model| Source -WikipediaThe latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General has slammed the Ministry of Defence for the poor health of the navy. the news article can be read at http://www.ibnlive.com/news/indian-navys-submarine-fleet-in-poor-health-cag/76679-3.html
Excerpts of the text are:
1) No more than 48 per cent of India's submarine fleet is available for waging war, should India be attacked. The auditors have blamed this situation on an ageing fleet, which the Defence Ministry has failed to replace.
2) The Indian Navy currently hold just 67 per cent of the force level envisaged in its 1985 plan.
3) At present, the submarine fleet strength of the Navy includes 12 Kilo-class and four HDW. Currently, six Scorpene submarines are under construction at the Mazgaon Docks in Mumbai and the Navy has floated fresh Request for Information to acquired submarines.
4) Some of the submarines have already outlived their maximum service life.
5) The report also castigates the performance of the newly acquired sonars costing Rs 168 crore as being unsatisfactory.
6) The report also sounded a grave alarm about the status of India's air defence, which are based on outdated, 32-year-old technology.
7) Shortage of key radars was to the tune of 76 per cent making India particularly vulnerable to air attacks.
This is my analysis based on open source data:
Considering the facts, I can assume that the current SSK's, 10 Kilo Class (Sindhughosh), 4 Type 209 Class (Shishumar) and 2 Foxtrot Class in India's armory maybe/are below par than Pakistan's Agosta 90B. All we can hope for is the numerical superiority (nullified against PLA Navy). As if adding insult to the injury, as above report states, only 48% are in the state of readiness, rest undergoing refits. Keep in mind, the Type 209's and Foxtrot's are almost of the "Gandhian" era! The Kilo class only being latest of them(late Cold War era). While it may not mean that India has lost the edge, but the collateral damage in case of skirmish will certainly be greater at present.
The under construction Scorpene class are certainly more advanced compared to Agosta 90B's, however bear in mind they'll not be in service before 2010. This too, is an optimistic assumption. Additional RFI proposals may/are floated for another 6 SSK's, looks like 6-8 Russian Amur class submarines maybe on the radar. With 3 Advanced Technology Vessel's (ATV) under construction in India (4-6 planned) and 1 or 2 SSN Akula class submarines under construction in Russia, future looks fairly comfortable.
Another important factor to consider is the AIP system for Scorpenes and Amurs. It'll be interesting to see whether we choose French MESMA or German PEM, the latter outperforms former (Pakistani Agosta's are equipped with MESMA's). India's sure to buy the MESMA systems for Scorepenes, though Siemens has offered to fit them with PEM . I have read that Hydrogen and Oxygen tanks in PEM have raised safety issues (I would be very happy if we go for PEM, looking at the advantages they offer :D). Though I'd love to see more nuclear attack submarines in our armory, due to their range and speed advantage over SSK's over.
India's first SSBN, the ATV, capable of carrying 12 nuclear-tipped Sagarika missiles of range about 750km and maybe 4 Agni-III SLBM with 5000km range, is scheduled to be launched next year.
Navy's Air Arm:
Here again, the INS Viraat is nearing end of its operational life. The Sea Harrier bought from the BAe are also fairly old enough. I guess RAF has already phased them out. Carrier Admiral Gorshkov is undergoing upgrade. The new MiG-29K's to be bought will again take time.
Project lags, cost overruns have frequently plagued the Armed forces. Many equipments like radars, Klub missiles are legacy systems of the Cold War era, which in fact are indeed outdated compared to latest technology.
Considering the above facts, it is safe to say that the Indian navy will be a force to reckon only not prior to 2020, when all of its submarines, ships, weapons and avionics are fully in service. Presently, we maybe/are fairly vulnerable. However, gaining blue water capability may take longer, but it'll come surely!!!
The Defence Ministry has assured to fill up the loopholes... They'll have to say that, considering massive budgets allocated for military!!!
Trivia: As for the title, I'd always like to stay away from a Great White Shark even if it is toothless, it has strong enough jaws to break a spinal chord!!! :D
Index:
SSK - Hunter-killer submarines (Diesel powered); in simple terms submarine to destroy other submarines or ships
SSN - Attack Submarine (Nuclear powered); in simple terms same as above, except faster than SSK's
SSBN - Ballistic Missile Submarine (Nuclear powered); in simple terms, submarines used to launch ballistic missiles from underwater
A good post PointSingularity86
ReplyDeleteWhile I like to specialise in nuclear weapons subs are the most interesting weapon platforms. Subs are also the platforms least researched - particularly for India and China. Meanwhile most do aircraft.
The blue water rivalry is of course keenest between China and India. Meanwhile Russia and the US would be above that level in numbers and quality.
Other regional navies (even Australia) are falling behind.
Australia's six conventional Collins subs are pretty good and modern BUT its widely known that we can crew only three. Crews can't be found because potential submariners and the older ones prefer the US$130K mining industry. Even US$50K can't entice a 21 year old submarine recruit.
So its not old boats but few crews for Australia.
Pete
Thanks for commenting sir.
ReplyDeleteThe Indian Armed forces to are facing the problem of inadequate manpower. This has led to massive campaigns to attract youngsters. I remember when I was in college, our bulletin boards were filled with advertisements, each of Army, IAF & Indian Navy, urging to join them. The competition there is very very very tough. With millions applying, and few thousands selected. But its certainly worth it, I guess!!!
Even the IAF has similar problems. An ageing fleet with various problems like want of spares. Our operational capabilities are likely to be hampered in the event of a conflict. A major chunk of the defence budget goes into paying salaries of personnel leaving very little for procurement and upgradation.
ReplyDeleteKumar
Thanks for commenting Kumar
ReplyDeleteYeah, I read about the IAF too. The radar systems, EWR's, air-defence missiles are obsolete. I'm eagerly waiting for the outcome of the MRCA competition.