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Indian Navy commissioned INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft (FAC), under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on December 14, 2023.

The ship, a Trinkat Class FAC boasts of a remarkable history and began its service as INS Tillanchang. Operating actively until 2006, as part of India’s diplomatic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the ship was gifted to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and assumed the name MCGS Huravee. From April 16, 2006, until its decommissioning in May 2023, MCGS Huravee served under the MNDF flag. Upon its return to the Indian Navy, the ship underwent an extensive six-month refurbishment and upgrade at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

Fitted with MTU engines, the latest communication equipment, a 30 mm gun and an advanced Radar system, the warship will be extensively used for coastal surveillance and protection of ODAs (Offshore Development Area) in the KG Basin area along the East Coast of India.

The 46-metre ship, named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, displaces 320-tonne and can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. INS Tarmugli is tailored for tasks such as intercepting swift surface vessels, executing Anti-Smuggling operations, ensuring Fishery Protection, and conducting Search & Rescue Operations.

‘Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol’ SWC Launched

Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol, the first three ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL) project being built by CSL, Kochi for the Indian Navy, were launched on November 30, 2023 at CSL, Kochi.

The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India, and will look to carry forward the glorious legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.

The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on April 30, 2019. The Mahe class of ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.

The ASW SWC ships are 78 m long and displacement is approx 900 tons, with a maximum speed of 25 knots.

The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in 2024. The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.

Third Missile Cum Ammunition Barge Delivered

The Indian Navy, on 22 November, took delivery of the third ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 9 (Yard 77)’, built by MSME Shipyard, SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, for INS Tunir.

The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge was signed between MoD and SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam on February 19, 2021. Induction of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of Indian Navy by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles and ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The model testing of the Barge during design stage was undertaken at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.

Proposals to Acquire C-295 Transport Aircraft

The Indian Coast Guard and the Navy are looking forward to acquire 15 C-295 transport aircraft that are being manufactured in India in a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The proposals for the acquisition of these 15 aircraft – nine planes would be procured by the Navy and six would be taken by the Indian Coast Guard are at an advanced stage in the defence ministry.

The C-295 transport aircraft would be equipped with the required radars and sensors and turned into a maritime patrol plane by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS).

Recently, the first C-295 transport aircraft manufactured in Spain was inducted by the Indian Air Force. While the first 16 will come from Spain in fly-away condition, the remaining 40 will be produced in India at a Tata facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.

If approved by the government, the order from the Navy and Coast Guard will take the Tata Airbus order book to 71 from the existing 56. Some of the operators of the plane are using the C-295 transport aircraft in maritime patrol roles.

Long Range Cruise Missile-Scalp for Rafale-M

After France offered local production of submarine-launched Naval Scalp missiles, for the three additional Scorpene submarines that the Indian Navy is buying from France, negotiations are underway between the Indian Navy and MBDA, Scalp missile manufacturer, for acquisition of these missiles as part of the weapons package for 26 Rafale-Ms.

In October, India submitted a letter of request (LoR) to French government to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter for INS Vikrant.

These missiles will give the navy a significant capability boost compared to the Mig-29K, KH-31 combination. Scalp missiles have a strike range of more than 300 kilometres. Scalp missiles are stealth long-range fire and forget missiles which carries a warhead of 450 kg, that can destroy heavily defended, high-value enemy targets like command and control centres, ammunition depots, petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) dumps and bunkers.

The submarine-launched variant has a strike range of close to 1,000 kilometres. Scalp missiles have also demonstrated their effectiveness in various wars, with the most recent being the Ukraine-Russia war, where the French supplied missiles were successfully able to destroy a ship and a submarine docked at a naval station and Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

Bought with the thirty-six Rafale fighters acquired in 2016, the Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates Scalp missiles. While the IAF Rafales can carry two Scalp missiles, its naval variant, the Rafale-M, can carry only one Scalp missile.

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Additionally, the Defense Acquisition Council, the top-most decision-making body for acquiring military equipment for the Indian armed forces on July 13th, cleared proposals worth an estimated 80,000 crore which is almost 9 billion euros, to acquire 3 additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale Marine Fighter Jets for the Navy.

ALSO READ: Sixth Scorpene Launched; Fast Boats Contracted

An MOU was signed between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and the Naval group for building 3 additional submarines under the P-75 Program. They would be built in Mazagon Dockyards Ltd, in Mumbai.

The announcement was made after the Indian PM’s talks with French President Macron in Paris concluded.

The Scorpene Subs have stealth features, long-range guided torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. They have a SONAR suite and a sensor suite offering them excellent operational capabilities.

This comes after the Indian PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron adopted the ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations.’

They welcomed the collaboration between the naval companies of both nations.

A Joint Statement read that India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

India is also setting up a Technical Office of the DRDO at its Paris Embassy to adopt a roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking about the French commitment to the ‘Make-In-India’ Initiative, PM Modi and President Macron also applauded the defence industrial partnerships, including the agreement between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of Technology of Forging and Castings for building the Shakti Engine.

Another example of India-France’s outstanding cooperation in military aviation stretching over 5 decades is the timely delivery of 36 Rafale jets ordered by India.

Both nations decided to extend this mutual partnership in developing advanced aeronautical technologies by agreeing on the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

French company Safran and India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, will make a roadmap for this project before 2023 end.

They will also uphold industrial cooperation for motorising heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, IMRH Programme with Safran Helicopter Engine.

Another MOU was signed between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France, a prominent name in the European Naval Defense Industry, to collaborate in the field of surface ships that would meet India’s requirements and those of International Naval forces.

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The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries, a decision seen as a reflection of the growing bilateral defence ties.

There was no word on the much-anticipated procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets by India from France

ALSO READ: Macron for France’s deeper involvement in India’s self-reliance efforts in defence equipment

However, a document listing a 25-year roadmap to further advance the strategic relations mentioned the “timely delivery” of the 36 Rafale jets, which were procured by India from France for the Indian Air Force.

It said the two sides welcome an agreement inked between India’s Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and France’s Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P-75 programme.

The document titled “Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations” said the two sides are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India,” it said.

“In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine,” it added.

A roadmap for this project will be prepared between Safran and the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) before the end of this year.

They also announced supporting industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with the Safran helicopter engine.

“To enable progress on the IMRH programme, a shareholders’ agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development,” the document said.

It said these ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer.

It mentioned that other examples of the defence industrial partnership included the contract being concluded between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of technology of “forging and castings” for the Shakti engine.

“This is also reflective of the French commitment to support technology transfer and Make in India, it said.

Another such example is the MoU between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France to collaborate in the field of surface ships that cater to fulfil the requirement of India and international naval forces, it added.

“To this end, both countries are also working towards adopting a roadmap on defence industrial cooperation,” it said.

In view of the uptick in defence industrial collaborations between the two countries, India is setting up a technical office of the DRDO at the Indian embassy in Paris.

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The Indian Navy has fast-tracked the process of purchasing 26 fighter jets for its two aircraft carriers after evaluating the trial report of the two shortlisted contenders — F/A 18 Super Hornet of Boeing and the Rafale of Dassault Aviation.

The Super Hornets are US-made while the Rafale is manufactured by France. The Navy needs 26 jets for the two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

The Navy has carried out trials of both the aircraft from its shore-based facility, INS Hansa in Goa, which is a replica of an aircraft carrier deck.

The trial team submitted its report to the Naval headquarters recently after carrying out extensive trials at its Goa-based facility. The evaluation process is at an advanced stage.

The two contenders in the tender have given extensive details of their planes to the Navy and all the issues would be taken into consideration before arriving at the plane to be shortlisted for the carrier-based operations.

The jets are required for operations on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier as the MiG-29s are found to be sufficient only for the operational readiness requirements of the first aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

INS Vikrant is without an element of fighter aircraft as trials are supposed to be conducted by the end of this year. The Navy earlier required 57 planes for operations on both the carriers, but the requirement was cut short by more than half in support of indigenous planes.

The Navy is looking at getting the 26 aircraft within three years of the order being placed. Out of the 26, the Navy wants eight two-seaters for training purposes. However, the Rafale is a single-seater, while the Super Hornet comes in both configurations.

One advantage that the Super Hornet has over the Rafale is the foldable wings, which reduce its wing span from 44 feet to 30 feet, making it more flexible to be accommodated. The Super Hornet can carry four anti-ship missiles compared to one on the Rafale. The Super Hornet with a maximum take off weight is 29,900 kg, while the Rafale is 24,500 kg.

Sources said once the Navy zeroes in on the choice, it will likely be a government-to-government deal like the one for getting 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force.

The navy is looking at an aircraft that can operate from both STOBAR (Short take off- but arrested recovery) and CATOBAR (Catapult Take-off but arrested recovery) aircraft carriers. The STOBAR carriers come with a ski-jump ramp while the CATOBARs are flat deck. Indian Navy’s two carriers INS Vikramaditya and newly inducted INS Vikrant are both STOBAR carriers. The third carrier under planning is likely to be a CATOBAR and keeping that in mind, the navy’s requirement is to have a fighter jet that can operate from both, as the current MiG 29s are limited to the two STOBAR carriers of the Indian Navy.

A CATOBAR carrier can have a bigger impact as it increases range, has more weapons and can operate a variety of aircraft.

Super Hornet and Rafale are suited for CATOBAR carriers but the tests that have taken place are from the navy’s shore-based facility in Goa that has a ski-jump and is identical to the two aircraft carriers India has.

The original Navy plan was to buy 57 fighters but there have been delays. Sources said now the navy is speeding up the process for the critical acquisition of at least 26 aircraft. The Navy currently has a fleet of 40 plus MiG 29 K aircraft but will need replacement at some point of time. With 18-20 aircraft operating from each carrier if a third one indeed gets a go-ahead surely more fighters would be needed. In the Indian Navy’s plans is a third carrier, even though it might be a distant dream as of now. The MiG 29 Ks were inducted in 2010 and the first squadron commissioned in 2013 to operate from INS Vikramaditya.

More BrahMos Missiles for Warships

The Ministry of Defence, on 22 September, signed a Rs 1,700-crore deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for acquisition of dual-role capable surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles for deployment on warships of the Indian Navy.

“Providing further impetus to atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a contract with BAPL for acquisition of additional dual-role capable surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles at an overall approximate cost of Rs 1,700 crore under the ‘buy-Indian’ category. Induction of these dual-role capable missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy fleet assets,” said a statement from the MoD.

A combination of the names of Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, BrahMos missiles are designed, developed and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia. The first test launch of the initial version of Brahmos took place in 2001. Various types of the BrahMos, including those which can be fired from land, warships and the Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, have already been developed and successfully tested and inducted since then.

The MoD further said: “It is notable that BAPL is making crucial contribution to augment the new generation surface-to-surface missiles with enhanced range and dual-role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks. This contract is going to give further boost to indigenous production of critical weapon system and ammunition with active participation of indigenous industry.”

BrahMos is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine. Its first stage brings the missile to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to three times the speed of sound in cruise phase. The missile has a very low radar signature, making it stealthy, and can achieve a variety of trajectories. The ‘fire and forget’ type missile can achieve a cruising altitude of 15 km and a terminal altitude as low as 10m to hit the target. The enhanced range version of the missile has a range of 4,000km, as compared to the original range of 290km.

Cruise missiles such as BrahMos, called ‘standoff range weapons’, which are fired from a range far enough to allow the attacker to evade defensive fire from the adversary. These weapons are in the arsenal of most major militaries in the world.

Diving Support Vessels

Two Diving Support Vessels (Nistar & Nipun) being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Vishakapatnam for the Indian Navy, were launched on 22 Sep 22.

The Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) are first of the kind, ships indigenously designed and built at HSL for the Indian Navy. The vessels are 118.4 metres long, 22.8 metres at the broadest point and will have a displacement of 9,350 tons.

These ships would be deployed for deep sea diving operations. Additionally, with Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) embarked, the DSVs are designed to undertake submarine rescue operations, in case requirement exists. Furthermore, these ships will be capable of sustained patrolling, conducting Search & Rescue operations and carrying out Helicopter Operations at high seas.

With approximately 80 % indigenous content, the DSV project has generated considerable local employment opportunities and has also promoted indigenisation which in turn will aid in boosting India’s economy.

Third Aircraft Carrier – INS Vishal

The Indian Navy’s second aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, will be fully operational by the end of 2022 and it is likely to move forward with the third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal targeting the year 2030. The added capabilities being envisaged for future carriers could boost our capacity building in terms of maritime security as follows:

 Incorporation of technologies such as the Electromagnetic Air Lift System (EMALS), which was disseminated to India by the US defence company, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Inc. in 2017.

 The Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system is used in advanced aircraft carriers for the purpose of ‘catapulting’ aircraft (especially heavy-weight fighters) and ‘assisting’ their landing back on the carrier using arrestor wires.

 A nuclear power plant to cater to all the energy needs on board and for prolonged deployment.

 Space for housing more fighter aircraft and carrier-borne blade folding AEW aircraft.

 Could fly aerial drones and dock autonomous underwater and surface vehicles.

To counter the recent threats from China and to neutralise the hegemony being demanded by China over Indo Pacific region, getting an upper hand at sea is the way forward for India. By just choking the Malacca Straights in the far east, India can counter China effectively during the discourse of an incident. Deployment of carriers at critical points in oceans could become a game-changer during the time of hot pursuits. Henceforth, India needs to have strategic dominance across Indian Ocean Region for maintaining its interests. With the third carrier, we can ensure the availability of two carriers for deployment at any given time.

These aircraft carriers are slightly cheaper alternatives than overseas military bases. To the  Indian Navy, it assures that in some conflictual situations in the Indo-Pacific region, these fighter aircraft carriers will be available on the ground. They can be deployed for combat requirements and provide a long range of surveillance that cannot be provided by a shore-based asset.

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Two Boeing-manufactured F/A-18s will conduct a series of operational demonstrations at the shore-based test facility (SBTF) in Goa, which has a ski-jump to resemble an aircraft carrier’s deck, in the third week of May.

France had similarly showcased its Rafale maritime fighter jets at the SBTF in January. The twin-engine Rafale-M and F/A-18 are in contention for India’s requirement for fighters to operate from the 40,000-tonne IAC, which is to be commissioned as INS Vikrant on August 15 after it finishes its extensive sea trials that are currently under way.

The Navy is “assessing the suitability and capability” of Rafale-M and F/A-18 to fulfil its requirements for at least 26-27 carrier-capable fighters, though the final number is still being worked out for what eventually will be a government-to-government deal.

The IAF has already inducted 35 of the 36 Rafales, contracted under the Rs 59,000 crore deal inked with France in September 2016, with a squadron each being deployed at Ambala and Hasimara.

The Navy in the past has rejected the naval version of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft, stressing that the single-engine fighter cannot optimally operate from a carrier as of now. The indigenous development of the twin-engine deck based fighter, in turn, will take at least a decade.

India currently has only one aircraft carrier, the 44,500-tonne INS Vikramaditya, inducted from Russia for $2.33 billion in November 2013. Another $2 billion was spent on procuring 45 supersonic MiG-29K fighters to operate from its deck, but their serviceability has proved a major problem over the years.

Though the IAC will be commissioned this year, it will become fully operational only after the requisite fighter and helicopter trials are completed from its deck by around mid-2023.

Aircraft carriers, which are capable of moving over 500 nautical miles in a single day, pack a formidable offensive punch with fighters and other aircraft as well as a wide array of weapons.

China, which now has the world’s largest Navy, is fast constructing two more aircraft carriers to add to its two existing ones. China eventually wants to have 10 carriers as “symbols of a great nation”. The US Navy, in turn, has 11 “super” 100,00-tonne nuclear-powered carriers, each of which carries 80-90 fighters and aircraft.

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The competition to initially supply 26 jets (18 single seaters and eight twin-seat trainers) to the Indian Navy is being processed under a government-to-government mode, with requests for an operational demonstration sent to the US and French embassies.

The French Rafale M has already conducted a series of trials at the Shore Based Test Facility in Goa and the US F/A 18 Super Hornet will follow suit, with its developers saying that all issues with the aircraft, including the ability to lower it into the hangar of the Indian aircraft carrier, have been resolved.

“Boeing has developed a capability specifically for the F/A-18 Super Hornet that will allow for the faster movement of the aircraft between the flight deck and hangar deck without having to remove or modify any part of the aircraft,” said Surendra Ahuja, managing director, Boeing Defense India.

Ahuja, a former Indian Navy test pilot who retired at the rank of rear admiral, added that the fighter will be able to fit the elevator onboard Indian carriers – a critical requirement for the navy as the current design is suited for smaller aircraft like the MiG 29Ks that are in service. “This capability is compatible with the current elevator configuration aboard Indian aircraft carriers,” he said.

The French side has also resolved the problem, with a solution that requires removing a part of the wing of the Rafale before it can fit the carrier elevator. It is important to move carrier-borne jets into the hangar for maintenance works as well as to create space for other equipment and aircraft on the flight deck.

The US side says that it has also shared data collected during a shore-based test of the F/A Super Hornet from a ski jump conducted in December 2020 with the Indian Navy. “This extensive data has been utilised to model the performance to demonstrate the ability of the Super Hornet to meet or exceed Indian Navy ski jump requirements ahead of Super Hornet’s operational demonstration that will be conducted in Goa within the next few months,” said Alain Garcia, vice president, Boeing Defense.

The Indian Navy currently relies on the Russian-origin MiG 29K fighter jets that can take off from the ski jump flight deck of the INS Vikramaditya as well as the under tests aircraft carrier Vikrant. The new fighter requirement is for the Vikrant but aircraft available globally are designed to fly with a catapult-assisted launch system. The ski jump tests being conducted in Goa will determine if these aircraft can be suitable for the Indian Navy requirements.

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Ms Parly, on a visit to India, also said that France is fully committed to supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative and further integrating the Indian manufacturers into its global supply chains.

The French Defence Minister made the comments at an interactive session organised by Ananta Centre on India-France cooperation.

“I am very happy that the Indian Air Force is satisfied with its Rafale and we are very proud that despite COVID, the 36 aircraft will be delivered on time according to the contract, it is a real achievement,” she said in response to a question.

“Using the same aircraft is a real asset and strength. I am sure that there is room for new developments. We are ready to answer any additional needs of request that could be made by India,” she said.

The French embassy, on 16 December, said a total of 33 Rafale jets have already been delivered to India as per schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

India had signed an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around ₹ 59,000 crore.

The first batch of five Rafale jets, manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, arrived in India on July 29 last year.

The French minister also referred to India’s planned induction of a second aircraft carrier and indicated that France will be interested to supply the carrier-based jets.

“We know that the aircraft carrier will soon be (there)…that aircraft are needed. We are open and ready to provide any other Rafale if this is India’s decision,” she said.

India’s first home-made aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant is scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy by August next year.

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