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India Strategic.
Pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Eastern Arabian
Sea have changed tactics and are now targeting
larger ships to hijack and use them as temporary
bases. Does it envisage a change in the Indian
Navy’s strategy of anti-piracy operations?
Chief. Piracy
off the coast of Somalia has grown steadily over
the years and has now assumed alarming proportions.
A large percentage of India’s trade, including
oil and fertilisers, passes through the Gulf of
Aden. The Ministry of Shipping has estimated that
Indian imports through the Gulf of Aden route
were valued in the order of US $ 50 billion and
exports at US $ 60 billion. The safety and unhindered
continuity of maritime trade, through the ships
that use this route, is a primary national concern
as it directly impacts our economy.
Piracy in Gulf of Aden off the Somali and Omani
Coasts and the sea between the African coastline
and Maldives has become a global menace and is
being dealt with not only by the Indian Navy,
but by numerous other navies of the world.
India on its part is actively engaged in anti
piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the
Eastern Arabian Sea. As a result of the recent
incidents reported West of Lakshadweep Islands,
Indian Navy and Coast Guard have increased surveillance
in this area, which resulted in the successful
interception of several pirates ‘mother ships’.
India Strategic.
The Navy is planning to increase its force level,
including officers and sailors by 15 per cent
in the next five years. What are the impending
changes in recruitment policy and how will you
attract the youth which is rushing towards the
private sector for his career?
Chief. The
growth of Indian middle class has resulted in
the creation of a large pool of educated, aware
and motivated youth. This pool, if tapped correctly,
can be a major source of quality people; something
that is critical if we are to sustain the transformational
initiatives that we have put in motion. However,
the rapid growth witnessed by our economy has
also resulted in the creation of a larger number
of avenues and jobs in the private sector, apart
from opportunities abroad. We need to compete
with these alternate avenues available to our
youth if we are to continue attracting the best
talent that the country has to offer. Towards
this, we do ‘go to the people’, as you have mentioned,
by undertaking recruitment drives across the country.
So far, we have been reasonably successful in
getting our fair share from the talent pool of
the country’s youth.
India Strategic.
What are the steps to be taken to transform the
Indian Navy’s aviation branch into an active force?
Chief.
The Indian Navy has drawn up a comprehensive plan
for expansion and modernization of the Fleet Air
Arm. With an aim to enhance the role-worthiness
and combat capability of the existing fleet of
helicopters, comprehensive upgrades involving
fitment of advanced avionics / sensors suite on
the Seaking 42B, Seaking 42C and Kamov 28 helicopters
are being progressed. Further, to augment the
fleet air defence and maritime strike capability,
14 MiG 29K fighters have been inducted with the
balance to be inducted in the near future. The
scheduled induction of additional 29 MiG 29K would
further enhance our deck based strike capability
on the eastern seaboard as well.
The planned induction of 17 Hawk Advanced Jet
trainers is on schedule and would enable smooth
transition of young fighter pilots into the highly
demanding deck based fighters. The Navy is also
pursuing the fruition of the indigenous LCANavy
programme for operation of these platforms from
the aircraft carrier. The initial ground run of
the engine has been progressed and the maiden
flight of the LCA (N) is planned early next year.
With an aim to increase the presence and surveillance
in the Indian Ocean Region, P8-I LRMRASW aircraft
have been contracted, and the first flight of
the aircraft was conducted on 28 Sep 11. The Acceptance
of Necessity has also been accorded for procurement
of additional P8-I aircraft.
Indian Navy is earnestly looking forward to equip
the newly inducted ships with potent and role
worthy rotary wing assets. The delivery of additional
Kamov 31 AEW helicopters scheduled this month
would enhance the fleet ‘Air Defence’ capability.
Field Evaluation Trials for procurement of 16
Multi Role Helicopters (MRH) has been completed
and induction of these platforms would improve
the integral ASW/ ASUW capabilities of the fleet.
The Navy is also planning further augmentation
of the fleet of Multi Role helicopters for operations
from new frigates/ destroyers. Procurement of
Naval Utility helicopters (NUH) as replacement
to Chetaks would boost the SAR capability of IN.
India Strategic.
The Indian Navy has been successful with its jointexercises
with friendly nation navies. What are the plans
for the future additions of more countries to
the list of countries for conducting such exercises?
Chief.
The Indian Navy conducts ‘combined’ exercises,
within bilateral as well as multilateral constructs,
depending upon the nature of the prevailing environment
and its own operational needs and commitments.
The objective of these exercises is to gain from
operational and doctrinal expertise of other countries
and achieve interoperability, should this be needed
in future. The exercises also aim to imbibe best
practices, improve Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
through a variety of information sharing mechanisms
and provide us opportunities to showcase our professional
competence and shipbuilding / operating capabilities
within the region and beyond.
Additional exercises with more countries would
be considered on a case to case basis, depending
on the need.
India Strategic.
Please elaborate on the state of the submarine
arm today, and on refits, upgrades and acquisition.
Chief.
It is a fact that the number of submarines with
the IN has depleted over the last few years. As
on date, the Indian Navy operates 14 submarines.
Six submarines are presently under construction
at MDL Mumbai under Project 75 in collaboration
with DCNS, France. Approval of the Government
also exists for construction of another six submarines,
under Project 75 (I). To maintain the requisite
force levels, we may need to induct a few submarines
from abroad, besides building in India.
India Strategic.
Was the first Atlantic Ocean deployment an exercise
to make the super powers sit up and take Indian
Navy seriously? Will this become a regular affair
henceforth?
Chief.
The Indian Navy deploys units in the Western Pacific
Ocean (South China Sea) too when necessary. It
is the endeavor of the Indian Navy to engage with
countries of this region to develop and strengthen
friendly relationships and improve best operational
practices. This is achieved through conduct of
bilateral exercises with navies of friendly foreign
countries in the region.
India Strategic.
What is the state today as to pending naval fleet
acquisition plans, both from India and abroad?
Chief.
In terms of force accretions in the immediate
future, we are acquiring ships in accordance with
the Navy’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan.
Our preferred choice of inducting ships and submarines
has been through the indigenous route and of the
49 ships and submarines presently on order, 45
are from Indian shipyards (viz. Indigenous Aircraft
Carrier, Kolkata class destroyers, Shivalik class
stealth frigates, Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels,
P-75 submarines, Project 28 ASW corvettes etc.).
The induction programme is continuing apace and
over the next five years we expect to induct ships/
submarines at an average rate of 5 ships per year,
if the yards deliver to expectations. These include
aircraft carriers, stealth frigates, destroyers,
corvettes, amphibious ships and submarines. The
Indian Navy is also in the process of inducting
state-of-art aircraft and helicopters to augment
our surveillance and integral aviation capabilities.
India Strategic.
When will the induction of Scorpene and Arihant
into the Navy in operational roles happen?
Chief.
MDL has assured that the first submarine of the
Scorpene class would to be delivered in 2015 and
the remaining five would be delivered at regular
intervals thereafter till 2018. This delay would
lead to a temporary erosion of submarine force
levels, but the numbers are still adequate to
cater for any situation.
India Strategic.
What are the maritime security steps being taken
by IN to face the growing influence of the Chinese
Navy in the IOR?
Chief.
Let me assure you that the Indian Navy is a professional
force which is engaged in continuous evaluation
of the maritime security environment around us
and is ready to respond to any challenges and
opportunities that we may encounter in the present
and the future. Towards this, essential force
level accretions are being planned.
India Strategic.
How far is the IN from becoming a three carrier
navy? When can we expect INS Vikramaditya to be
a part of it?
Chief.
The Indian Navy has a requirement of two operational
aircraft carriers to perform its mandated tasks
in India’s areas of interest and to meet its overall
maritime security requirements. The Maritime Capability
Perspective Plan (MCPP) of the Navy also envisages
the induction of a third aircraft carrier in the
long term, to ensure operational availability
of two carriers at all times, when one of the
carriers has to be placed under routine maintenance.
As it stands today, we would be inducting Vikramaditya
in Dec 2012 and the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
(IAC) subsequently.
India Strategic.
Keeping in mind the renewed role of the IN in
homeland security along with Indian Coast Guard
(ICG) to combat sea route terrorism post-26/11,
what is the strategy planned by you?
Chief.
Consequent to the unfortunate events of 26/11,
the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had designated
the Indian Navy as the authority responsible for
overall coastal security of the country. As you
are aware, over the past three years several steps
have been taken to strengthen coastal security,
including induction of assets and manpower, organisational
changes, and most importantly, the synergy between
all the stakeholders in coastal security. However,
more remains to be done to close the remaining
gaps on our vast coastline. Towards this, the
Hon’ble Defence Minister has emphasised that efforts
be now directed to embark on the next phase, which
has been termed as Phase II of Coastal Security.
Meanwhile we are working on the operationalisation
of the National Command, Control, Computer and
Intelligence (NC3I) network across the country,
which is being steered by the Indian Navy, installation
of radars along the coast by the Coast Guard,
and the establishment of a coastal AIS chain by
the Ministry of Shipping. I would like to reiterate
the importance of the timely completion of each
of these projects and this has also been emphasised
by the Honourable Raksha Mantri as well. Registration
of fishing vessels and issue of ID Cards to fishermen
is also an important issue that needs to be expedited
by coastal states.
Additional steps are being taken to develop infrastructure
to handle oil spills and to ensure the security
of our Offshore Development Areas. I can assure
you that coastal security is getting close attention
and our capability in this regard will improve
– steadily and surely.
India Strategic.
Till when can India have an electronic screen
all along its coastline. How do you plan to reinforce
lighthouses across coastal states with radars,
and electro-optical equipment, which will not
only spot a vessel but would also provide visuals
to the command center? Will the private sector,
state polices/ coastal polices and ICG have a
role to play in it?
Chief.
Due to the unique geographical location of India
and its island territories, a large number of
ships, craft and vessels traverse the waters in
close proximity of our land mass and areas of
interest. To enable effective maritime security,
it is essential to maintain effective surveillance
and enhance our Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).
It is of utmost importance to adopt modern technology
for security of the sea borders of the country.
Various initiatives that are being progressed
to enhance maritime and coastal security include
the setting up of Automatic Identification System
(AIS) and coastal radar chain along our coasts.
Biometric ID cards are to be issued for fishermen
for ease of identification. Transponders are also
planned to be fitted on fishing boats in order
to track their position continuously.
Information obtained from all the above systems
is being fused through a network system in order
to develop a comprehensive operational plot of
the sea areas around the coast of India.
This will enhance our Maritime Domain Awareness
and thereby the maritime security of India.
India Strategic.
What procurements are required in the Indian fleet
to add punch to its blue water capability?
Chief.
The Indian Navy operates large ships such as the
aircraft carrier Viraat and LPD Jalashwa, and
a variety of other surface and sub-surface combatants,
all capable of deploying military power at large
distances from our own country. As such, the Indian
Navy is very much a ‘blue-water navy’.
The modernisation and enhancement of the Navy
’s capabilities is an ongoing process, to meet
emerging maritime challenges/ threats. We are
acquiring ships in accordance with the Navy’s
Maritime Capability Perspective Plan. There is
also a need to enhance the capacity and expertise
of our public sector shipyards to reduce the build
time and also involve the private sector to make
good current short-falls in our force levels.
India Strategic.
When will the construction of India’s first indigenous
aircraft carrier (IAC) at Cochin be complete and
what is its expected launch date?
Chief.
The IAC is the most ambitious warship project
undertaken for design and construction in India
so far, and projects of such complexity take time
to fructify. Production of the IAC commenced in
Nov 2006 and the keel of the ship was laid in
Feb 2009. The overall design configuration of
the IAC has gone through several iterations to
cater for the foreseeable requirements of the
Indian Navy in the next 25-30 years.
India Strategic.
Are there plans to have a separate naval aviation
academy for training its pilots?
Chief.
Flying training of Naval pilots is traditionally
conducted by the IAF at the ab initio stages.
Subsequently, naval pilots are trifurcated into
various streams (fighters, fixed wing and helicopters)
and undergo ‘in-house’ training for aircraft specific
to the Indian Navy. To cater for ‘arrested’ recovery
in our new aircraft carrier, a few Indian pilots
are also undergoing training in the US as such
facilities have not yet been commissioned in India.
In addition, helicopter conversion as well as
training of Observers is undertaken by us in our
aviation training squadrons.
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