Reorganization Of The Indian Navy With Make In India
By Colonel Awadhesh Kumar
During the recent Naval Commanders Conference, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba talked about various key issues pertaining to operational readiness, capability enhancement, operational logistics and infrastructure of the Indian Navy.
As per the official Naval release, the commanders explored ways to significantly bolster the Navy’s operational capabilities in the wake of China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean region.
“Functional reorganisation of Indian Navy towards improving operational efficiency and optimal manning formed the core of discussions towards finalising the long term road map of the Navy.”
It seems,the Indian Navy is working on a plan to significantly boost its operational capability by inducting new warships, submarines and aircraft besides expand its overall influence in the strategic maritime zones.
Under the plan, the Navy aims to have 200 ships, 500 aircraft and 24 attack submarines. At present, the Navy has around 132 ships, 220 aircraft and 15 submarines.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also addressed the conference during which she complimented the Navy for maintaining high operational readiness.
She appreciated the Navy’s efforts in the area of indigenisation, self-reliance and support to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Also reviewed by the Raksha Mantri were the combat readiness, pace of modernisation and progress of various acquisition and infrastructure related issues of the Navy.
She urged the naval commanders to optimally utilize available resources to build a strong Navy that is ready and vigilant to counter any challenge that may emerge in the maritime domain.
More than the Himalayas, the future tussle for World dominance, without even firing a single shot, will be in the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo Pacific. Therefore both the Indian Navy and the Cabinet Committee Security have to ensure the synchronization of various acts of the Govt of India.
Once such act is the, force build up with rapid indigenization, infrastructure build up and force reorganization. To achieve the ultimate goal of replicating the Chola Navy 2040, the work must start in Ernest … now. ( here is the link to Make in India My Dream Indian Navy. Click here
The MoD and the Navy must work on the following priority :
Infrastructural
• Completion of INS VARSHA.
• A similar project to house nuclear submarines in Karwar base.
• Completion of Karwar Naval Base.
• Construction of a Naval Airbase at Karwar.
• Establishment of Forward Operating Bases at Jakhau, Mandovi,, Jamnagar, Diu, Dahanu and Malpe.
• Establishment of Flotilla level bases at Hazira, Vijaydurg, Mangalore and Tuticorin.
Organizational
Raising by 2030
• HQ Andhra & Tamil Nadu Naval Area.
• HQ Coastal Surveillance & Security Centre (West) with all assets
• HQ Carrier Battle Group West
• HQ No 1 and HQ No2 Flotilla
• HQ Submarine Flotilla (East)
• HQ Submarine Flotilla (West)
• HQ Carrier Battle Group (East)
• HQ Coastal Defence Flotilla (West)
• HQ Bengal & Orissa Naval Area
• HQ No3 and HQ No4 Flotilla
• HQ Kerala Naval Area
• HQ Coastal Defence Flotilla (South)
• HQ Coastal Surveillance & Security Centre (East)
• HQ Coastal Defence Flotilla (East)
• Commodore Submarines South
• Commodore Submarines Andaman
Subsequent raisings/ up gradations at Southern Naval Command and A& N Tri Service Comd by 2040
Ships And Submarines
• 8 nuclear powered SSGNs by 2030
• Commissioning of two sister ships to INS ARIHANT by 2021with 5000km range SLBM
4 new 15000 ton SSBNs with 15000km range SLBM by 2030
• INS VISHAL and its sister ship nuclear powered 65000ton air craft carrier by 2030
• 14 new destroyers as follow on to VISHAKHAPATNAM series and as replacement of RAJPUT series, so as to have 24 ships by 2030
• 18 more P8I LRMR aircraft by 2030
• 9 more Frigates so as to have a total of 32 ships by 2030 (12 existing + 7 of Project 17 B and four from Russia/ Goa Shipyard)
• Two more squadrons of MRMR aircrafts
• Augmentation of existing Dornier fleet for short range recce & surveillance with Saras fleet to have a total if 5 squadrons by 2030
• Additional 8 shallow water Anti submarine Boats so as to have total of 24 boats by 2030 (16 already ordered to GRSE and CSL)
• To have 20 additional 3000 ton missile Corvettes by 2030, so as to have a total of 24 + 8 of KHUKHRI series and remaining vessels of
• 8 new MK5 LCUs,4xLST ( 5000 tons), 6xLST(10000 tons), by 2030 to establish two Amphibious squadrons (one at Port Blair and one at Chennai) along with 8xLCUs Mk4 and existing LSTs
• One Mine Sweeping Squadron at Tuticorin with 12 to 14 Ships by 2030
• 18x NOPV of 3000 tons by 2030 to add to existing
• 12 x Patrol Boats for Each Naval Area by 2030
• 4x LPD by 2030
• 4x Fleet Tankers 20000tons by 2030
• 8x Flotilla tankers 10000tons by 2030
• A brigade of Samudra Prahari Bal for each Area HQ
• Misc auxiliary assets as required.
