chief of the naval staff

CNS: Emergent security scenario dictates Indian Navy has the capa- 15B are being constructed at Mazagon Docks and delivery is likely to bility to operate and achieve sea control in two distinct areas of inter- commence from 2021. Seven frigates of Project 17A Class are under est which could be widely dispersed on both the seaboards (West and construction at Mazagon Docks and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and East). This requirement was envisaged and factored in, while drawing their delivery will commence from 2022 onwards. Further, contracts up the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP). Accordingly, for four Project 1135.6 follow on ships have been concluded in 2018. necessity of three aircraft carriers has been projected, so that two car- Contract for 16 ASW Shallow Water Craft has been concluded in 2019. riers could be operationally deputed and one could be under mainte- In addition, ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ has also been accorded for nance at any given time. Considerable amount of preparatory work to 38 ships and six Project 75 (I) Submarines. The delivery of four addidefine the form and fit of the platform meeting Indian Navy require- tional P8-I Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft is scheduled by 2021. ments has already been completed. The IAC-2 is envisaged to be a Indian Navy has also contracted HAL to deliver 36 aircraft compris65,000 tonne Carrier with Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP), ing 12 Dorniers (six delivered), 16 ALH and eight Chetak. Further, capable of doing maximum speed of 30 knots. It would employ Cata- Acceptance of Necessity has also been accorded for procurement of pult Assisted Take-off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) concept of Naval Utility Helicopters under the Strategic Partnership Model. We flying operations with advanced landing and recovery equipment. are also looking to procure additional P8-I aircraft and high altitude,

Since niche technologies are involved, it is planned to under- long endurance Remotely piloted aircraft system (HALE RPAS) to take consultancy for certain aspects of design and propulsion. augment our surveillance capabilities. Towards this, RFI has been floated and inputs have been sought The Indian Navy holds a mix of weapons, sensors and equipfrom agencies having considerable experience in this field. Whilst ment of varied vintage. Modernisation of existing weapons/senbudget constraints are often referred to, our planned spread of sors/equipment and procurement of new weapons and systems expenditure indicates that Indian Navy will be able to meet this is an ongoing process. On one hand, the obsolescence managerequirement, in addition to the induction of other planned assets. ment and capability enhancement is achieved through Mid Life The Indigenous Carrier programme also gives a significant boost Upgrade (MLU), where in vintage weapons/sensors/equipment to ‘Make in India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ are upgraded through requisite modifications/ and the ‘Plough Back Effects’ of projects of this magnitude to the economy are tremendous. “Till date, 63 replaced with more contemporary systems. In addition, procurement of new weapons/senThe IAC-2 project would create extensive job Acceptance of sors/equipment including several indigenous opportunities/skill development, infrastructure augmentation, encourage indigenous Necessity (AoNs) cases under the ‘Make in India’ initiative have contributed towards efforts to maintain the shipbuilding and business opportunities to amounting to `1.63 ideal mix of State-of-the-Art, current and vinMSMEs. This has been experienced in our current Indigenous Aircraft Carrier programme Lakh Crore have been tage weapon/equipment/sensors. (IAC-1), being built by Cochin Shipyard Lim ited at Kochi. - accorded to Capital SP’s: Would you like to take us through the challenges that have an ongoing impact on our

As regards the timeline for IAC-2, once the Acquisition Schemes Navy’s capacity build-up task? approval of Government of India is accorded, the design process will take approximately three under the ‘Make in CNS: With our limited budgetary allocations, we do face some fiscal challenges in the modto four years and, thereafter, the construction India’ initiative” ernisation process and day-to-day running period could be from 8 to 10 years. of the Navy. While our budgetary constraints are being discussed jointly with all concerned SP’s: Would you like to indicate (as candidly as possible) on some stakeholders, the Navy remains committed to maintaining a high of the Must-Wish List of our Navy as of today to be able to meet level of operational preparedness and progress its modernisation any kind of threats of any levels for the nation? If you can also plans, within the available resources. In the face of shortages, emindicate on some of the key modernisation programmes currently phasis is being laid on prioritisation, rationalisation and economy active and being pursued with full force? of expenditure; in short getting more bang for the buck. CNS: Modernisation of the Navy is being driven by the core value There is also a need to increase the technological base in the of Combat Readiness, which is the fundamental reason for our country, enhance the capacity and expertise of our public sector shipexistence, with ‘Ordnance on Target’ as an important measure of yards to reduce build-time and also involve the private sector to make combat effectiveness. Accordingly, capabilities are being created good current short-falls in our force levels, in a time-bound manner. for accomplishing a range of missions across the entire spectrum of threats and challenges. Indian Navy has kept pace with the devel- SP’s: With 2 leased unarmed drones, do you think the requireoping security situation in the region. The ‘Must-Wish List’ for any ments are met? Plans were of 10 armed drones for each service Modern Navy would include - totaling to a total of 30 that too the armed. l Satellite based and long range surveillance capability, CNS: Procurement of the two drones - Sea Guardian, unarmed l Long endurance sub-surface assets and version of the Predator was under the emergency procurement to l Modern surface fleet ships with effective air defence and shore enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean region. These drones strike capability. are leased for a few years and the maintenance of these drones

Towards this, the present force levels are being augmented/ will be taken care by the American firm. The case for the 30 weapmodernised according to a laid down long term plan and is being onised versions of the Sea Guardian drones from the US is in progundertaken in an incremental fashion continuously. ress and Indian Navy will be getting 10 drones with underwater

Presently 43 ships and submarines are under construction, out of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities. SP which 41 are being built in Indian shipyards. The first indigenous aircraft carrier is under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, Reproduced from SP’s Naval Forces Issue 6, 2020, Indian Navy with likely delivery in later half of 2021. Four destroyers of Project Day Special Issue

“Selected OEM for the 114 MRFA project will have to comply with ‘Transfer of Technology’ and ‘Make in India’ that would aid our indigenous fighter aircraft development plan” — Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria

Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff spoke exclusively to Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief on the occasion of the 88th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF)

SP’s: Would you like to elaborate, with some key details, on the preparedness of IAF: a: Over the long journey of 88 years; b: In case of a two-front war? c: In view of recent stand-off with China? d: Where do we stand versus Chinese PLAAF capabilities and what if we were to take on China?

an edge in pure numbers and some technologies. However, their ability to bring to bear decisive results in actual operations remains to be seen. We are aware of the deficit in platforms, and have taken measures to ensure focus on high technology sensors and advanced weapons. Our advantages in training and topography combined with other actions taken will give us the decisive edge. CAS: The transformation of the IAF over the last 88 years has mir- SP’s: What is the progress on the requirement of 114 fighters and rored the journey of our Nation. From the humble beginnings of when will the new 12 Su-30 and 21 MiG-29 likely to be delivered? six Indian pilots flying Westland Wapiti biplanes, the IAF has trans- CAS: The 114 MRFA project is currently at the RFI evaluation stage. formed into a truly strategic and potent force with modern platforms While the entire process will be executed under the provisions of the and weapon systems operated by a set of highly trained and moti- DAP 2020, the selected OEM will have to comply with our requirevated military aviation professionals. ments of Transfer of technology and Make in India that would aid in

The emerging security scenario in our neighbourhood and our indigenous fighter aircraft development plan. beyond mandate a constant upgrade of the capabilities the IAF The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded for proneeds to fight and win across the entire spectrum of warfare. Our curement of additional 12 Su-30 MKI and 21 MiG-29 aircraft. The planning and operational execution process ensures that we inte- RFP will be issued soon. grate seamlessly with the other services and other elements of national power. SP’s: What all is being done to control the deIn the recent friction on our northern front, we were able to demonstrate our rapid deploy- “AMCA programme pleting number of fighter squadrons which are supposed to be 42 in number? ment capability of all required combat assets and be in a position to not only cater for any eventual- is being vigorously CAS: We are expecting the delivery of 24 remaining LCA aircraft to be completed in the ity but provide the required deterrence. Our airlift pursued with the next two to three years, after which the 83 LCA capability and capacity enabled us to support the Indian Army in moving their assets and man- aircraft likely to be MK1A will start joining the IAF fleet. The two Rafale squadrons will be fully equipped in power into the zone of operations rapidly. inducted from 2032 the meanwhile. We could look at further LCA In recent years, our adversaries have made major advances and in certain cases acquired onwards or earlier” enhancements and procurement of the 114 MRFA through the Make in India to further