Defense Technology International - April 2008 - (Page 22) DISPATCHES GLOBAL FLEET DREAMS Delays plague India’s effort to expand its navy ANDY NATIVI•NEW DELHI ndia has an ambitious naval vision: Two carrier battle groups will be operational at all times. To achieve this, the navy wants three aircraft carriers, several large amphibious craft (landing helicopter docks or LHDs) and a number of destroyers and frigates for anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. But first, India needs the aircraft carriers. Though the navy’s goals are supported by steady investment, they are frustrated by manufacturing and technical delays. As a result, the navy is considering yet another life-extension program for the small and decrepit carrier Viraat, formerly the Royal Navy’s HMS Hermes of 1982 Falklands War fame. This is in fact the only measure available. A plan to commission the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya ( t h e Ru s s i a n navy’s former I Gorshkov) this year is collapsing, due to slow refitting and rebuilding work at Russia’s Sevmash shipyard. The 45,000ton carrier is not likely to be operational before 2011, and this will happen only after the navy pays almost $1 billion over the projected cost of $940 million. Scrapping the deal is out of the question since the domestic e ort to build a carrier, originally known as the ADS (Air Defense Ship) and now as the IAC (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier), is also facing major delays. The 37,500-ton carrier, which is being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in Kerala, was supposed to be ready by 2012, but this has been postponed to 2014 at the earliest. India also plans to build a 64,000-ton carrier for delivery by 2017. This will be fitted with steam catapults (presumably sourced from the U.S.) unlike the IAC and Vikramaditya, which are designed for Stobar (short takeoff, barrier-arrested recovery) operations. One option under consideration is to lease a non-nuclear U.S. Navy carrier for up to 10 years, the most likely candidate being the 82,000-ton USS Kitty Hawk. Observers say this would be an ideal way to obtain a substantial operational capability at a reasonable price. The U.S. could design a package deal that links the carrier with Boeing’s offer of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to meet the Indian air force’s requirement for 126 new warplanes and, possibly, to provide the navy with a new strike fighter. Other assets in such a package could include the Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft and Sikorsky MH-60R combat support helicopters. Dassault Aviation is also competing to meet the aircraft requirement with the Rafale multirole fighter, which can be equipped to operate from carriers like the Kitty Hawk. The navy is considering options for its amphibious forces as well. It has acquired the former LPD (landing platform dock) USS Trenton, and foreign designs for a multirole support ship are under consideration. India wants to procure up to eight LHDs. Under Project 17A, the navy is also planning a class of large frigates (over 5,000 tons). Requests for information have been issued to shipbuilders in Europe (France, Germany, Italy and Spain), Russia and the U.S., and the program would involve one plus six frigates—the first ship built abroad and the others built locally. A request for proposals is expected by late 2008 or 2009. The navy, meanwhile, continues to order the locally designed 5,000-ton Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates, of which 12 are planned. The first is scheduled for commissioning this year, though the program is su ering from delays. Delays are also a ecting construction of the 6,800-ton Project 15A Kolkataclass destroyers. Three are being built, but the first won’t be commissioned before 2010 at the earliest. The follow-on Project 15B destroyers, almost 8,000 tons, could be delayed if more Kolkatas are ordered. Russia has o ered a co-development program for the Project 15B destroyers, which would mirror Indian involvement in Russia’s fifth-generation T-50 PAK-FA advanced tactical fighter, being built by a Sukhoi-led consortium. I Shipbuilding delays give destroyers like the Mumbai a critical role as escorts for India’s aircraft carriers. ANDY NATIVI/DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 22 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2008 AviationWeek.com/dti http://AviationWeek.com/dti
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