Indian Defense
Indian Navy’s Eastern Command Gears Up For Largest-Ever Naval Drill With 50 Nations In Attendance
India’s indigenously made aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
In a display of maritime prowess, India’s aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, are scheduled to arrive in Visakhapatnam for a monumental multilateral naval exercise, with invitations extended to 50 maritime nations. Commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendherkar announced the enhancement of force levels at the Eastern Naval Command, with INS Mumbai set to join the Eastern Fleet.
All Delhi class destroyers, including INS Delhi, Mysore, and Mumbai, will be based in Visakhapatnam. The Eastern Naval Command is gearing up for a historic naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, featuring the participation of INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendherkar revealed plans for the largest-ever multilateral naval drill, with 20 foreign ships expected, and a City Parade scheduled at RK Beach.
Highlighting the future expansion, Vice Admiral Pendherkar disclosed that INS Mumbai would soon bolster the Eastern Fleet, solidifying Visakhapatnam’s strategic significance. The Eastern Naval Command anticipates an induction of 20-25 new warships by 2037, ranging from frigates and corvettes to submarines, helicopters, and support aircraft.
Survey Vessels, Diving Support Ships, And Fleet Support Projects On The Horizon
The Indian Navy’s expansion plans include the commissioning of the first survey vessel, INS Sandhayak, in the coming year, and the construction of diving support vessels at the Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam. The shipyard is also tasked with building five fleet support ships, a significant project enhancing the Navy’s blue-water capabilities.
The Eastern Naval Command’s roadmap envisions an impressive fleet, including Nilgiri-class frigates, next-gen corvettes, anti-submarine warfare crafts, and advanced helicopters and aircraft. The ambitious plan underlines India’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities and securing maritime interests.
Indian Navy Monitors Chinese Intrusions Into Indian Waters
Vice Admiral Pendherkar addressed concerns over Chinese vessels’ movements in Indian waters, asserting that Indian ships closely monitor their activities. Legitimate manoeuvres are acknowledged, but any deviations from standard practices would be viewed as a matter of serious concern, reinforcing India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders.
The Eastern Naval Command maintains a vigilant watch on Chinese warships, research vessels, intelligence gathering vessels, and submarines within its Area of Responsibility. The monitoring efforts emphasize India’s dedication to ensuring the security and integrity of its maritime domain. Vice Admiral Pendherkar highlighted the Eastern Naval Command’s role as a ‘preferred security partner’ and ‘first responder’ in the Indian Ocean region.
Meanwhile, a P8I aircraft of the recently located a capsized Chinese fishing vessel over 1,800km from the Indian coast. The successful search and rescue mission underscored the Navy’s commitment to ensuring maritime safety and extending assistance beyond its borders. The P8I aircraft’s extensive search efforts showcased the Indian Navy’s commitment to humanitarian missions. By dropping a search and rescue kit, the Navy demonstrated its dedication to maritime safety and its capability to respond to emergencies in distant waters.
Furthermore, recent operations, including the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sudan and aid provision to Myanmar post-Cyclone Mocha, showcase the Navy’s commitment to humanitarian endeavours. The Indian Navy, through operations like Op Kaveri and Op Karuna, exemplifies its readiness to respond to crises. From evacuations in conflict zones to providing aid in natural disasters, the Eastern Naval Command remains poised to address diverse challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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