The Hindu : Navy poised to enhance operations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 07, 2002

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National

Navy poised to enhance operations

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 6. The Indian Navy is poised to make major acquisitions in the coming months that would add more punch to its operations. The much-delayed acquisition of three Krivak class frigates is expected to fructify within one month with the arrival of INS Talwar from Russia.

The acquisition was delayed as the new system for surface-to-air missiles could not pass the tests. But with the glitches sorted out, the other two frigates will arrive after an interval of six months each, said the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Madhvendra Singh, here today.

The plan to assemble and induct the French Scorpene submarines is also progressing well. The submarines, for which a contract was signed with the French some time ago, would be made in the country.'' The Indian Navy is absolutely sworn to indigenisation. Only if there is a shortfall in force levels, will we go to foreign manufacturers,'' added the naval chief.

One area where India is leaning on a foreign country is a second aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov. Back from a visit to Russia, Admiral Singh said the carrier's hull was in "excellent shape''. Both sides are still locked in price negotiations for refurbishment of the ship which, if acquired, would be the largest-ever in the Indian Navy's inventory.

Selection of aircraft for Admiral Gorshkov is in progress and Admiral Singh indicated that the French Rafael and the Russian MiG-29 were in the race. The Navy is currently looking at sourcing one squadron of fighters but would like to buy one more squadron for another air defence ship (ADS) which is being designed and constructed totally indigenously.

The ADS ship in question will be constructed at the naval dockyards and with a displacement of 30,000 tonnes, it will be the largest ship ever constructed in the country. "We are happy with the progress made so far,'' said Admiral Singh.

Scheduled to leave for the United States, the Admiral said an extensive briefing would be given to the Americans on the security situation and discussions would be held on intensifying cooperation between the two navies, including joint exercises.

In fact, the two navies will hold the largest ever exercises from September 29 to October 5. Called Malabar-IV, the exercise will be tactical in nature and cover all dimensions of naval warfare — surface, sub-surface and air. The resumption of the Malabar series after six years is indicative of the growing bilateral cooperation between the two navies.

The exercises serve as a platform for professional interaction and will help foster closer relations and enhance mutual understanding.

"The interaction has become all the more important as the two navies are cooperating in the global war against terrorism,'' elaborated Admiral Singh.

In fact, ships of the Indian Navy in conjunction with the U.S. Navy, have been deployed to undertake escort operations in the Straits of Malacca.

The duties have been divided between ships of both navies for six months each.

An off-shore vessel of the Southern Naval Command was the first coalition ship to be deployed for escort operations followed by a similar vessel from the Eastern Naval Command which is currently deployed.

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