Here is what i have read about the major surface vessels which will be serving with the Indian Navy around 2022.
Aircraft Carriers:
INS Vikramadiya (ex-Admiral Gorskhov):
This was based on the ability of the ship to cost low and refit with out taking too long, the ships was to retire around 2022-2025 as the third IAC came into service now it seems it is very expensive and delayed beyond 2012-2015.
This will put strain on the navy as they have to induct 3 aircraft carriers(first in 2012-2015, second in 2017-2020, and the third in 2022-2025) and needs trained men (for the ship & the planes), training resources on light to medium carrier as they are commissioned will be limited.
However at current costs the ship is better off in Russia then India for the IN and the government.
3 Indigenous Aircraft Carriers:
These is a new design one that involved the Indian Navy at every step, with international design and consultancy firms which have experience of similar projects this will translate in a very effective design for its class (short take-off but arrested recovery, conventional power/gas turbines, 37,500-40,000 tons).
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Guided Missile Destroyers:
3 Kolkata class destroyers from Project 15A:
Multi role ships with modern active phased array radars (hardware), good computing power(hardware) and a total combat management system (software).
With decent anti-air and anti-missile capability in the form of Barak (possibly 16), Barak-NG (32 missiles in 4 cells with 8 VLS each) and 4 AK-630 CIWS
A-190 gun and 16 BrahMos missile system on 2 VLS occupying a large space.
Old Kolkata Class Design
New Kolkata Class Design
With decent anti-air and anti-missile capability in the form of Barak (possibly 16), Barak-NG (32 missiles in 4 cells with 8 VLS each) and 4 AK-630 CIWS
A-190 gun and 16 BrahMos missile system on 2 VLS occupying a large space.
The delay in the construction of these ships has been due to changes in design and to accommodate new sensors and weapons, as is evident from the following pictures i found on google search, both from an excellent blog: http://trishulgroup.blogspot.com/2008/09/project-15a-ddg-detailed.html
Old Kolkata Class Design
New Kolkata Class DesignThese ships might not represent capabilities of a potent anti air warfare destroyer, however when we take into consideration for a moment that the Indian navy faces no great aviation threat in the region things become clear. This will not be the case in the coming decade.
4 Destroyers from Project 15B:
An evolution of the Project 15B destroyers, in my view the design of these ships will show a tilt towards anti air warfare hence the number of BrahMos Missiles might go down to four or they might all together disappear, most hardware/sensors will be common to the 15A with improved software.
3 Delhi Class destroyers:
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Guided Missile Frigates
7 Frigates from Project 17A:
These ships will be designed with a focus on low observability (LO), in terms of radar cross section reduction, Infra red emission reduction and noise reduction, although this has been done on previous designs, this project will take it to the next step, i expect the sensor suite to be around the joint venture (Barak NG) with Israel and the major hardware previously purchased for other ships (MF-STAR EL/M-2248).
These ships will cost a lot as the application of different LO technologies will not be a low cost affair.
The design will depend upon which international shipyard is selected by the Indian Navy, and the technology transfer for the construction of most ships from this class will cost a lot.
These ships will cost a lot as the application of different LO technologies will not be a low cost affair.
The design will depend upon which international shipyard is selected by the Indian Navy, and the technology transfer for the construction of most ships from this class will cost a lot.
3 Shivalik Class Frigates from Project 17.
Everything about these ships is clear now, hopefully the commissioning will start soon, LO evolution from the Talvar class and sharing many systems/equipment/weapons.
The design and the weapons fit of these ships are very strange, they look like a mixture of two separate generations, the only reason could be the delays the project faced.
The design and the weapons fit of these ships are very strange, they look like a mixture of two separate generations, the only reason could be the delays the project faced.
3 Modified Talvar Class Frigates:
These will have Brahmos instead of the club missile system in the Talvar class frigates in service.
3 Talvar Class Frigates.
3 Brahmaputra Class Frigates.
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3 Brahmaputra Class Frigates.
-------------------------------------------------Corvettes:
12 Project 28 ASW Corvettes:
Very compact and nice design, they will keep on evolving from the first ship to the last ship, the focus on noise reduction and LO is evident,
I think the navy will include a basic anti air/missile capability by adding Barak missile system.
The current design does not show any room for some klub anti ship/anti submarine missile system.
I think the navy will include a basic anti air/missile capability by adding Barak missile system.
The current design does not show any room for some klub anti ship/anti submarine missile system.
4 Kora Class Corvettes from Project 25A.
Veer class corvettes on the last leg of their service.
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Amphibious Assault Ships:
3-4 Large amphibious assault ships:
This has been in the news for some time now, the transfer of ex-USS Trenton into Indian Navy as the INS Jalashawa, request for the transfer of ex-USS Nashville suggests that the Navy will be looking at this capability in a very serious manner. The Joint Doctrine on Amphibious Warfare will form and validate an amphibious assault doctrine.
Some reports stated that Mistral Class amphibious assault ships/command & control ships are being considered, they would be ideal in lead role of a separate amph. strike group.
Recent interview of Vice Admiral Dilip Deshpande suggested 3-4 LPDs, which would come into service with the Navy ready for them through investment into the decomm. USN ships.
Landing Ships (Shardul Class):
Currently 3 of these ships are commissioned/ing into the Navy.
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Those were the major surface ships, other ships will include:
Large off-shore patrol vessels and small fast patrol vessels these will receive a lot of resources because of the tragedy in Mumbai.
Tankers/supply ships for the fleets.
Anti Mine warfare ships.
Rescue vessels, tugs, research vessels, hospital ships, torp recovery ships, training ships.
Large off-shore patrol vessels and small fast patrol vessels these will receive a lot of resources because of the tragedy in Mumbai.
Tankers/supply ships for the fleets.
Anti Mine warfare ships.
Rescue vessels, tugs, research vessels, hospital ships, torp recovery ships, training ships.
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This force in itself does not possess a impressive offensive capability to project power on land this force however provides IN with impressive advantage in the region(in terms of surface ships), IN will be able to meet any conventional sea based chalange or threat if the situation presents itself.
Three ACs provide the navy with two aircraft carrier groups, which will have around 16-20 fighters (MiG-29K/KUB) and 10 helicopters with each of the aircraft carrier groups. MiG-29K provides air defence, light land attack capability, and anti ship role for around 600-800 km radius, these are the roles it was supposed to fulfil. It is certainly way more impressive than the old harriers on INS Viraat.
The fleets will have LACM version of the BrahMos which is effective up to 300km, not a particularly impressive range for sea based LACM considering that 300 kms away from land will expose it to shore based air power and anti ship missile battries.
For a aircraft carrier battle group the capability of a 300km range anti ship cruise missile does not seem very useful (BrahMos AShM version), if the surface ships of the opposing force are able to approach with-in 300km of the group then some one is not doing his/her job and if no ship is able to come that close to the group then what is the need of the BrahMos anti ship missile on so many ships in the group?
The amphibious attack capability is more impressive with the planned LPD's and LS's, considering the rest of the Naval capability, this provides a impressive power projection capability, capability to land an offensive force of men and equipment on the shore complete with the support of airplanes and helicopters from the aircraft carriers and the LPDs.
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