Nov 14, 2010

Indian Navy and Coast Guard, Maritime Surveillance Capacity Expansion

After finalizing the acquisition of 12 P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft for $3.1 billion, the Indian Navy has now re-launched the bid for six to eight new medium-range surveillance (MRMR) planes and additional surveillance drones. The defence ministry floated global RFIs (request for information) for MRMR aircraft, with an operating range of over 350 nautical miles, and HALE (high-altitude, long-endurance) unmanned aerial vehicles, with a service ceiling above 40,000 feet and endurance over 25 hours. The radar-packed LRMR and MRMR planes, both of which will also be equipped with anti-ship and submarine warfare capabilities in the shape of deadly missiles, as well as the UAVs form part of Navy`s plan for an effective three-tier aerial surveillance grid in the IOR. The first P-8I is slated for induction in early-2013. The MRMR procurement process had begun some years ago but was held up due to single-vendor situation. [Times of India Report 25 October 2010].

The Coast Guard is also increasing the aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capacity. In addition to the existing 24 Dorniers and 21 helicopters, the government has approved 42 new aircraft for the Coast Guard. The Guards are also holding trials for six MRMR aircraft with Beriev-200 and Bombardier-Q400 being the contenders in the Rs 1,100 Crore project.

The Navy and Coast Guard will be made inter operable by a communication and surveillance satellite, with 1,000 nautical mile footprint over IOR. The geo-stationary satellite will provide a quantum jump in Navy`s C4ISR (command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities by networking all its warships, submarines and aircraft with operational centres ashore through high-speed data links.  [Times of India Report 25 October 2010].

The surveillance capability will be supplemented by that of littoral combat with a project to acquire four amphibious warfare ships, Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) to be executed under the “buy and make” category of the Defence Procurement Procedure. The LPDs like the INS Jalashwa are large ships which can carry unit loads of personnel for combat operations in the littoral.

NOV 2010