P17A sucesser of shivalik class multirole frigates of Indian navy

P17A class frigates will be the succeeder of the Shivalik class (P17) frigate of Indian navy.P17a will have improved design in terms of stealth and weapon system.they will have better radar and offensive weapon like Brahmos in vertical launching system and most probably p17a will be equipped with Nirbhay land attack cruise missile.If anti-ship version will be developed of the Nirbhay then these ships may get installed with the Nirbhay.As the first ship will come after 2022 there may be possibility of getting hypersonic version or mini version of Brahmos.they will be equipped with Barak 8 missile which will soon go to the trail in this monsoon on the INS Kolkata.Barak8 has the very  good anti-missile capability and also very effective against the airborne already has been installed onboard the ins Kolkata.MFSTAR radar will reduce the number of radars required for  the P17A as compared to Shivalik class.MFSTAR operates in S-band and can track aircraft from a distance more than 250 km and guide many missiles simultaneously.It can also track sea-skimming missiles from a distance of 25 km. P17a will have very high automation and thus reducing the number of sailors required only 150 as there were 250 in the case of the Shivalik class.As P17a is upgraded Shivalik class ships many of the features will be the same like 6000 tonnes of displacement,x shaped hull and hanger but will be rail-less.
           P17a is designed for modular construction and will be made by the modular construction method.modular construction will allow shipyards to build the frigates  faster.GSRE and Mazagon dock has been chooses by the navy for construction.GSRE will build three and rest of four will be constructed by Mazagon dock.these shipyards have been given a time period of  24 months to equipped with the modular construction facility.Construction will start in 2017 and all the ships will be delivered by 2025.This project is costing up to 10 billion $.After this project,  India will have two shipyards with the capability to build world class frigates.

                                                     Schematics of P17A.

The Future Of Indian Navy

1.INS VIKRANT

          INS Vikrant is first ever carrier designed  and built by any Asian country.She is currently being built by the Cochin Shipyard limited and is in the third phase of construction in which she will get all those wiring, radars installation and propulsion system.It will carry a mix of Mig 29K and naval LCA Tejas MK2. Mig 29k is already in service with Indian Navy and is operational on board the INS Vikramaditya.Navy had already ordered 48 Mig 29k.On the other hand, Tejas is in development phase whose mk1 naval version is already made the maiden flight from the INS Hansa from an SBTF facility.Naval Tejas MK2 will only see the operational deployment on the INS Vikrant because mk1 has lesser combat radius than required therefore it will only be used for testing purpose only.Naval Tejas MK2 will have more range and advanced avionics than the Mig itself.INS Vikrant will carry a mix of kamov 28 and sea king for early warning and anti-submarine operations respectively.
                           INS Vikrant is STOBAR (short take-off but arrested landing) carrier which design is highly influenced by the Russian carriers ,Russians also operates SATOBAR like admiral Kuznetsov.she will be powered by four  GE LM 25000 marine gas turbine engines and providing a higher cruise speed.vikrant will have a range of about 15000 km.It is slated to carry ak 630 as close in weapon system (ciws) and a mix of possibility is that Vikrant will carry Barak 8 or Barak 1 missiles in VLS system.Her carrier battle group will consist of Kolkata class destroyer and ins kamotra class corvettes.she will be escorted by kalvari class diesel-electric subs which is also known as scorpion class designed and developed by dcns of France.Kolkata class will provide anti-air capability and kamotra as anti-sub warfare.INS Vikrant is slated to be in service with Indian navy by 2018.

Schematics Diagram:

full schematics of ins Vikrant

top view of ins Vikrant

specifications :

             length   262 m
             drought 8.4 m
             beam    60 m
             speed  28 knots
             aviation facility 10000 m2
Armament :
                    32 cell Barak 8
                    AK 630 CIWS
Aircraft:      Mig 29K
                     NLCA Tejas MK2
                     Kamov ka 28
                     Seaking anti sub helicopter

                                                                                                                                   

INDIAN NAVY :A TRUE BLUE WATER NAVY(part 1)

                           India has a very large coastline compared to its rival nations.India is surrounded by  Indian ocean and pacific ocean.Most of the world trade is through sea out of  more than 70% is through Indian ocean, thus making Indian ocean very important compared to other sea routes.To secure Indian interest in Indian ocean region, (IOR) Indian navy must be upgraded to a true blue water navy.

                        

            Existing fleet of Indian Navy:

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS:

              currently Indian navy operating two aircraft carrier  ins Virat and ins Vikramaditya

INS VIRAT:

                 Ins virat is a British aircraft carrier currently being used by the Indian navy.Its construction was completed in 1959 for the British Royal Navy, in 1987 it was transferred to the Indian navy.According to the news, it is due to be decommissioned by the end of 2016.it can carry 28 sea harrier short take-off vertical landing aircraft for air defence and anti-ship mission.she carries ka 31 for early warning and sea king for ASW (anti-submarine warfare) operations.

displacement: 28700 Tons at full load
length :227m
beam:48.7m
drought:8.8m
speed:28 knots
Range: 10500 km at 14 knots
weapons:16 cell Barak 1 launcher
                2*40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns
                2*Ak 230 CIWS

INS Vikramaditya:

                Ins Vikramaditya was a kiev class cruiser of Russian  Navy that was purchased by IN in 2004  and delivered to  Indian navy in 2013 at total cost of 2.35 billion $ after a major refit and delays.she was inducted by prime minister  Narendra Modi in 2014.She carries a newly developed version of Mig 29K. she can carry 30 of Mig 29K and 6 Kamov helicopters for AEW and ASW.

she is an SATOBAR ( short take-off but arrested recovery) aircraft carrier and capable of operating the MIG 29k , Naval Tejas and future Indian navy aircraft.

Displacement:45500 tons loaded 

Length: 283.5m

Beam: 60m

Draught:10.2m

Speed: 32 knots

Range: 25000 km at 18 knots 

Propulsion: conventional 

armament: 4* AK 630 CIWS

                   Barak 1

                    Barak 8 MRSAM

DESTROYER: Indian navy currently operating three type of destroyers

KOLKATA CLASS: -

Kolkata class is improved Delhi class destroyer having the same hull as the Delhi class but has a different superstructure.Kolkata class has superior stealthy design and best sensors and weapons available compared to any warship of Indian navy.

           Kolkata class is designed to escort the carrier battle group of Indian navy.Its main radar is elta mf star .MF star is multifunction active electronically scan array radar operating in  S-band spectrum.

it can track hundreds of targets and guide multiple Barak 8 missiles .it can track aircraft beyond 250 km and sea skimming cruise missiles at a distance greater than 25 kms. Barak 8 missile has a min range of 500ms to maximum 70 km. she carries 32 cells of vls of Barak 8 although barak 8 is capable, but the number of vls is not adequate. Kolkata class can be easily outnumbered in a saturated air attack. Barak 8 is designed to take on supersonic aShm like bBrahmosand highly manoeuvrable. Kolkata class has 16 cells Brahmosh missile for anti ship and  anti surface warfare. Brahmosh is the world most deadly anti ship missile with a speed of 2.8 mach and range more than 300 kms. For point defence,  she carries 4  AK 630 close in weapon system. she also has stealth mounted 76 mm super rapid gun from oto marela which can provide anti ship and limited anti air support. For anti sub warfare she has 2 twin cell torpedo launchers from L&T .Her hanger can accommodate two helicopters .Although kolkata class has impressive weapon but she is not armed and have a lot of space is available for future upgrades.

    displacement : 7200 tons

    length:

    draught:

    Range: 15000 km at 18 knots  

three Kolkata class ships are on order out of three two are completed and one is undergoing construction , ins kochi is under sea trails and ins kolkata is already commissioned.             

    DELHI CLASS :-       

                  

1. INS Delhi is the lead ship of her class of guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 15 November 1997.
3. Construction started: December 12, 1992
4. , L,launched: March 20, 1995
5. length: 163 m
Draft: 6.50 three
6. of the Delhi class is inducted and are operational.
7. 
   

   RAJPUT CLASS: - The Rajput-class guided-missile destroyers built for the Indian Navy are modified versions of Soviet Kashin-class destroyers. They are also known as Kashin-II class. The ships were built in the former Soviet Union after considerable Indian design modifications to the Kashin design. These included the replacement of the helicopter pad in the original design with a flight elevator, as well as major changes to the electronics and combat systems. Five units were built for export to India in the 1980s. All units are currently attached to the Eastern Naval Command.

Displacement:5000 tons full load length :147 mmdrought:
8. 5m

beam : 16 m

armament :

8 anti ship missiles it may be brahmos or SSN styx system after upgrade every ship of this class has different weaponry .

rajput class has two sam launchers.her class consist two twin torpedo launchers ,two RBU 6000 anti sub rocket launchers .she has also a hanger which can operate Ka 28 helicopters.

FRIGATES:==-

SHIVALIK CLASS: -

Shivalik class frigates of Indian navy are the most heavily armed warship of Indian navy after Kolkata  class and are the backbone of the Indian Navy.she is  first indigenous warship designed with stealth features. Shivalik  class designing, successful production and induction into Indian navy demonstrate the capability of Indian shipyards.three  frigates of this class have been produced so far by Mazagon dock shipyards by 2012.  

Shivalik class are powered by diesel engines and gas turbines in CODOG (combined diesel or gas)   configuration  providing the long range and high speed.

Specifications:                                                                                        

Displacement:  6800 tons

Length:145 m

          Beam:  16.9 m

             Draught: 4.52 m 

Armament:    32 cell Barak 1 SAM for point defence 

                 24 sthil -1 medium range SAM

                                         8 vls launcher for klub or Brahmos missile

 1 OTO Breda 76 mm 

     2* AK 630 CIWS 

                                                 2*RBU 6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher 

Sensors:  HUMSA NG so

                                   ATAS towed array sonar 

                 el/m 2238

                                                                                BEL Sinatra                                                                                                                                  

Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) Report On Tejas Program

Preface

his Performance Audit Report for the year ended March

T

2014,  has been prepared for submission to the President of India under Article 151 of the Constitution of India.

The Report contains the results of examination by Audit of the issues relating to Design, Development, Manufacture and Induction of Light Combat Aircraft (Air Force). The Performance Audit (PA) covers the progress made in execution of LCA programme since the last Review, i.e., Para 28 of the Report No. 8 of 1999 of the C&AG of India, Union Government, Defence ServicesIndian Air Force (IAF) was operating MIG-21 series of aircraft manufactured during 1966 to 1987. Majority of these aircraft were to complete their total technical life and were expected to be phased out in the 1990s, thereby resulting in significant fall in combat level of Air Force. Thus, IAF mooted the proposal (early 1980s) for a replacement aircraft for MIG-21 fleet.  It was against this backdrop that the indigenous design & development of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was sanctioned (1983) and Aeronautical Development Agency, Bangalore was formed (1984) to execute the programme.  

As specified in the ASR (1985), LCA was required to be inducted into IAF by 1994. However, the LCA programme was riddled with delays right from the sanction of 1983 and even after three decades since, LCA is yet to be inducted into IAF squadrons.

During the course of phased development, ADA’s decision to advance building of two prototypes from FSED Phase II to FSED Phase I rendered these prototypes deficient of critical on board systems, which had a cascading effect on the remaining three prototypes, and led to ADA using even the Limited Series Production aircraft meant for IAF use towards flight testing/evaluation, in contravention to the commitment given to the GoI at the time of obtaining sanction for building of these aircraft.

Further, IOC for LCA Mark-I was achieved (December 2013) with 53 concessions/permanent waivers, which limits the operational efficiency and survivability of the aircraft. Consequently, LCA Mark-I currently under development (both IOC/FOC aircraft) has shortfalls in meeting the engine thrust and other parameters such as weight of the aircraft, fuel capacity, pilot protection from front against 7.62 mm bullets etc. The self-protection jammer which was originally to be fitted on LCA Mark-I is now planned to be fitted on LCA Mark-II, thus the 40 LCA Mark-I would be provided only with RWR Tarang-1B and deficient of self-protection jammer, thus limiting its electronic warfare capabilities. Thus, IAF would be constrained to use 40 LCA Mk-I aircraft with limited operational capabilities, and LCA Mark-II being developed by ADA presently is expected to meet the ASR.

Delays in identification/replacement/ addition of weapons by IAF and their integration as per IAF requirement to make the LCA contemporary also added to the delays. In addition, there have been delays in completion of work packages by various work centres, which indicated ineffective monitoring of the project by MoD.

User involvement right from inception would be essential for effective and efficient completion of any project However, active user (Air HQ) participation in the LCA Programme started only after November 2006, even though the need for a Liaison Group between Air HQ and ADA to ensure closer interaction between the design team and the user for better appreciation of mutual perception, had been recommended by the LCA PDP Review Committee as early as in 1989.

Though ADA claimed achievement of 70 per cent indigestion, half of these sub-systems are developed with imported electronic components and accessories etc. The LCA programme suffered major setbacks in the indigenous development of Kaveri engine, Multi-Mode Radar, self-protection jammer, etc. The proposal for indigenous development of 109 LRUs was pending approval since February 2014.

The setting up of a production capacity of eight LCA per annum was delayed by HAL, which coupled with delay in production capacity augmentation, had impacted the formation of LCA Squadrons. Further, there has been delay in the manufacture and supply of series production aircraft due to delayed LCA development.

As a consequence of delay in development and induction of LCA, IAF had to up-grade MiG Bis, MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar aircraft at a cost of `20,037 crore and revise phasing out of MiG-21 to ensure credible combact .

Considering that measures taken by IAF to upgrade other aircraft were of temporary nature and induction of LCA was crucial for maintaining the operational preparedness of IAF in order to overcome the drawdown of squadron strength permanently, the LCA programme needs to be expeditiously completed to cater to the needs of the Defence Forces so as to avoid import of the fighter aircraft of this class and to ensure self-reliance in the long run.

Indigenous Missiles (Air Defence) At A Glance

Indigenous air defence missiles  include Akash, AAD, PAD, PDV, Maitri and Barak 8.Surface to air missile is also called as SAM.We are  still behind many countries like US, UK, Russia,France and also from china in the development of sophisticated  SAMs, but the success of Akash missile program gave DRDO the confidence to build the sophisticated SAMs.
                there are some images of Indian sams
  
                       Akash Missile
 
                          Advance Air Defence (AAD)


     
          PDV Missile                                       Barak 8


               SR sam (MAITRI)

Akash Missile

Design:

                                          
                         Akash missile has four clipped triangular wings are attached to the mid body of the missile.these four wings control its yaw and pitch of the missile.It has four ducts for its engine in the mid-body as you can see in the above image.It has four clipped delta wing to control the roll of the missile.
Propulsion: Akash uses indigenous integrated solid state ramjet engine for its propulsion.Ramjet engine allows Akash missile to goes up to 2.5 Mach speed, it also provides acceleration whole path until the interception.The whole way thrust ensures higher manoeuvrable compared to rocket-propelled SAMs like S 300, Patriot etc.

 Guidance: Akash missile uses command guidance provided by its fire control radar.

     Its fire control radar is Rajendra. Rajendra is  a phased array radar which has a range of 60 km. It can track 64 targets and engage 4 simultaneously in ripple mode.This radar provided tracking to interception information through a data link to the missile.It has also a good ECCM feature which allow to work in highest jamming environment .this is being produced by the BEL.
Accuracy: Akash missile has very high single shot kill probability around 88%.If two missile are fired in ripple mode then its kill probability will be around 98.5%.
                   Akash is a very decent sam and it costs half of the comparable systems around the globe, it is being produced by BDL for IAF and for IA will start soon.its mk2 version is also being developed by DRDO and thus making this missile a complete success.
  Video link for Akash missile test

BMD phase 1:

                Our  ballistic missile defence system (BMD) is a two-tier system, which include an

exo-atmospheric interceptor missile and an endo-atmospheric.this program started in 1999 due to the

Pakistani nukes carrying ballistic missiles and also due to our no first use of its nuke policy.

 Advanced Air Defence (AAD): 

                       AAD is the endo-atmospheric missile of the BMD system.It is a very manoeuvrable compare to exo-atmospheric version.it can intercept ballistic missile of 2000 km range at an altitude of 30km. Its  fire control radar is provided by the Thales of France. the radar is aesa and DRDO program to fit into its BMD program.
                           AAD missile use drdo developed inertial navigation system and midcourse guidance by the fire control radar.It use an active radar seeker for terminal navigation or end game.it use single stage solid state rocket propulsion.It is very reliable because it had intercepted the target without any failure in the past tests.

Prithvi Air Defence(PAD):

PAD is a two stage exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile.It uses solid state propellant  in fist stage and in second it uses liquid propellant. It is capable of intercepting the ballistic missile of the class of 2000 km range at an altitude of 80 km. 

                Its fire control radar is long-range tracking radar( LRTR) used in the green pine system of Israel, its software is developed by drdo and named as Swordfish .the radar act as tracking and fire control system.it can track up to 600 km.PAD uses same navigation and seeker that is used in 

AAD.

           Let's talk about the whole of the BMD system, the interception of the ballistic missile require network-centric control centre connected to spy satellite and an autonomous interception.All the required technology is developed by DRDO.

Barak 8: 

 Barak 8 is a joint development venture between DRDO and IAI.It is a light weight medium range surface to air missile of range 70 km.It can destroy enemy missile, low altitude flying cruise missiles,
aircraft at long ranges.It uses dual pulse solid state motor developed by drdo.Its fire control radar is
MFstar radar developed by Elta of Israel.It has the two-way data link for mid-course update. At terminal
stage it uses another motor and also activates its own seeker.It is highly manoeuvrable in the terminal phase.
            Navy calls the Barak 8 as lr-sam .navy is planning to install it to Kolkata class destroyer,P15b (Visakhapatnam class),P17a and also on Ins Vikrant .this missile will act as backbone of Indian navy air defence warships.Indian air force also wants to order some barak 8 sam launchers to protect its assets.

TEJAS : THE PRIDE OF INDIA

Tejas is compound tailless delta wing multirole Indian fighter aircraft.
It is designed and developed by DRDO aeronautics cluster ADA(aeronautical development agency) and being produced by Hindustan aeronautics limited as per its initial operational clearance configuration.
TEJAS  AS THE PRIDE OF INDIA: I love this plane not because it is beautiful, but because it is Indian (designed and developed in India), the first plane which is truly designed by Indian.It  is very light and small.
It has been tested in harsh Indian condition and also proved its capability in Iron Fist, Aero India 2013
and by taking off from SBTF facility, Goa. IAF never supported fully this Desi bird.As it is first Indian combat aircraft it has some flaws, but these can be eliminated in the mid-life upgrade.
It has completed its IOC tests and near to get FOC, till now Indian Air force has ordered only 40 plane which is very less than what it should be as IAF need about 400 light weight single engine fighter.

DESIGN: Tejas is designed along the single engine, unstable tailless compound delta wing configuration.
here is the orthographic of Tejas......

As it is unstable in needs to makes stable which is done by flight control computer.As we read "it is unstable " one question arises why it is so?,what is the advantage?how does it fly smoothly as we know?

in now days combat aircraft must be highly maneuverable aircraft for air to air combat.In your views which are more maneuverable a stable car or an unstable bike , which can turn faster? the answer is bike.that is why Tejas is made astable.

     Tejas flight control system is quadruplex digital fly by wire(fbw) system.Fly by wire means its actuators which control the control surface movement is controlled by electronic signals, not by mechanical means. the fbw software is made by national CLAW team and was validated, which was a big achievement.Till now Tejas had completed as more as 2800 flights without any accident , this proves how reliable its fbw system is.
     Compound delta wing produces vortex as same as close coupled canard in the Gripen at a high angle of attack (AOA).Tejas fbw system allows it  to go up to 28-degree angle of attack as per ADA.it can
go to 35-degree AOA without its control surfaces going to stall.
 ENGINE: Tejas use American GE F404 IN 20 engine.it is a low bypass turbofan engine.
The specification of the engine is as follow
Dry thrust: 53.9 kN
Thrust with afterburner(wet thrust): 89.8 kN
     With this engine Tejas has 1.07 thrust to weight ratio which is best in its class.Due to its high thrust to weight ratio and low wing loading it has high instantaneous turn rate and sustained turn rate.Its high ITR provide an opportunity  to get a first lock and hence the first attack.

ARMAMENT: Tejas has 7 hard points  for weapons and one for targeting pod like lightning targeting pod.

Tejas can carry 3.5 ton of weapons on its 8 hard points.the configuration of weapon is shown in above image.It can carry 1250 litre on its two inner sides of hard point on the wing and can carry 750 litres of fuel on centerline  hard point.Tejas external hard points is use to carry two high off bore sight R 73 missile, which has a range of 35 km and it uses IR sensor.R 73 is main close combat missile of Tejas.
Derby and Python will be integrated on Tejas as beyond visual range missile (WVR).The Astra missile will also be integrated on Tejas. As Tejas is a multi-role fighter it can carry the iron bomb, laser guide bomb(LGB) and anti-ship missile also.Tejas main BVR missile will be I-Derby ER  which has range excess of 100 km.
AVIONICS: Tejas has all glass cockpit and it has also night vision compatible.It has multi-function display for showing information, head up display(hud) for displaying important information it allows
pilot to fly without any need for seeing around in cockpit.tejas has an electronic warfare suit for better survivability.It includes radar warning receiver, automatic flare and chaff launcher.In future, it may be outfitted with the radar jammer also.
               Tejas has a multi-mode radar (MMR) which is developed from elta m2032 radar.the radar antenna is indigenous but is processing  end is developed by  Israel.its range is said to be about 100km for fighter size aircraft(RCS of 5m2).The radar has sub air to air mode , air to the ground mode or sar mapping mode and air to sea mode.it can track sea targets from 300km away.
RANGE:  Tejas is lightweight fighter its  so combat radius is little less than medium weight fighter aircraft.
                 combat radius :700 km (approx)
                 ferry range: 3000km

LCA NAVY: N- LCA:
       
There is a separate program along with the IAF Tejas to develop a naval carrier-borne fighter on the basis of the Tejas platform. It has a stronger landing gear for carrier operation.it has leading edge vortex controller (LEVCON),it helps naval Tejas for better low-speed handling and , approach speed and sink rate for arrested landing.there is plan for 5 naval prototypes out of which 3 will be mk1 and two mk2.NP1 had taken off from shore-based test facility , Goa last year end.with that event India becomes one of the elite countries to develop its indigenous carrier-borne fighter.

naval prototype 2(single seater)

                                           

                                                                    NP1 taking off from SBTF, Goa
                                    

video of the first flight of Tejas np1 from SBTF  

 TEJAS MK 1 P (mk 1.5):-

HAL has purposed air force with an improved mk1 of Tejas with improved avionics. According to HAL this version may be available for production from 2017 , this version will have downscaled 

      elta m 2052 radar and electronic warfare suit which is being developed for the Tejas mark 2. these upgrade will make Tejas best BVR fighter plane in  the lightweight category.