Defense Technology International - January/February 2008 - (Page 36) DISPATCHES GLOBAL SEA CHANGE India expands naval power to protect growing economy NEELAM MATHEWS•NEW DELHI I ndia’s vibrant economy, growing wealth and reliance on the sea for trade is forcing the country’s navy to reassess operational needs and invest in technology and capital equipment. With 95% of the value of India’s trade moving by sea, the navy and coast guard must increasingly conduct low-intensity maritime operations and project adequate force over a considerable range of territory: 7,516 km. (4,670 mi.) of coastline, 1,197 islands and more than 2 million sq. km. of an economic exclusion zone. The challenges are big enough to warrant revision of India’s maritime doctrine, a new version of which will be released by mid-year. The navy, additionally, is looking to acquire state-ofthe-art technology, including nuclearpowered vessels. Adm. Sureesh Mehta, chief of naval staff, says the country’s first nuclear submarine, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization, will be ready for trials by 2009. “To maintain credible minimum nuclear deterrent plans, placing nuclear weapons undersea is essential,” Mehta remarks. A Russian SSBN Akula-class nuclear submarine, on long lease for $4 billion, is also slated for the fleet in the next two years. “We want to enable our sailors to train on nuclear reactors, platforms and other systems,” Mehta remarks. Two navy projects, the stealth frigate (P-17) and destroyer (P-15A), are being built at Mazagon Docks Ltd. in Mumbai. Delivery dates are 2008-09 and 2010-12, respectively. Six Scorpene submarines are also under construction at Mazagon, and scheduled for delivery between 2012 and 2017. Long-range plans call for another six submarines. India promotes local production, but problems exist with its ill-equipped government shipyards. The Maritime Capability Perspective Plan mandates an average of five new warships a year to replace those that are decommissioned from the navy’s 140-ship fleet. The shipyards can only manage a combined annual output of 3.5 vessels. The shortfall must be filled by imports. Russia, a longtime supplier of military hardware to India, will get a $1-billion order for three Krivak-III frigates. But even as the navy races to upgrade equipment and infrastructure, cracks are appearing in the India-Russia defense relationship. Delays in delivery by Russia of the refurbished aircraft ca IN es M ti su be de (D m pr no ex in ua su er Ptr te de so B tim ye qu sy THE 2008 CALENDAR FEATURES INCLUDE ORDER YOUR 2008 AVIATION WEEK CALENDAR TODAY! Suitable for framing, the AVIATION WEEK calendar is a perfect addition to your home or office and makes a great gift! Order your calendar now for only $25.00 including shipping and handling*! TO ORDER OR GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT US AT www.aviationweek.com OR CALL 1.212.904.4483! *Shipping based on U.S. addresses. International rate is $19.95 plus DHL shipping and handling charges. The Boeing Dreamlifter • AgustaWestland’s A109 Power • Boeing’s F-15K Strike Eagle • The U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout • The Bombardier CRJ1000 • Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II • The Adam A700 VLJ • Dassault’s Falcon 7X 36 DT_01_01_2008_p36-37.indd 36 � 2482079259 CMYK 1/16/08 9:58:01 AM http://www.aviationweek.com http://www.aviationweek.com http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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