Chinese Nuclear submarines a concern says Indian Naval Chief
By Frontier India | May 9th, 2008 | Category: Indian Navy News | 1 Comment »
Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy today in a press conference said that a Chinese nuclear submarine base near India is not a big cause of concern as a nuclear submarine can travel any distance. It is the presence of nuclear submarines with China which is a cause of concern. He said the Indian Nuclear powered submarine (ATV) is a DRDO project and navy would like acquire such submarines. The admiral said that “A nuclear submarine is a true submarine.”
On Chinese presence in Indian Ocean, the admiral said that Chinese would like to operate in India Ocean but they are not yet here.
Referring to the defence budget, the Naval Chief said that the Indian defence budget has come below 2% of the GDP due to the rapid growth of the GDP. He said even though the defence budget sees a growth of 10%, it should be 2.5% of the GDP.
Navy chief denied of any rift with the Defence Minister and blamed some section of the press which has misreported and then blown it out of proportion.
On ship building for Indian navy, the naval chief took pride in the fact that Indian Navy is a strong supporter of indigenisation. He said 34 ships and 6 submarines are being constructed in Indian yards. He also said that IN is looking for a second line for producing submarines which will have missile firing capability and the tender will be floated in some time. Regarding the second indigenous aircraft carrier, the Naval Chief said that it will be ordered as soon as the first one will get completed in the Cochin shipyard. He also said that the capacity is not enough and Indian yards should bring in better technology for building ships fasters. He cited the example of Daring Class destroyers being made in UK which have a modular construction. The first Indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) will be ready by 2012. In total India plans to have 3 aircraft carriers by next decade which will be useful for another 45 to 50 years. The chief said that INS Vikramaditya will be with Indian Navy in 3 years.
On commenting on the naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (NLCA), the admiral said that the navy is the first supporter of the project. He said the project had slippages which could have been avoided. The naval LCA will have different cockpit than the Air Force version, a stronger landing gear and an arrestor hook.
Without naming the company, the Indian navy chief said that the vendor for the maritime surveillance aircraft has been identified and the negotiations are in process. This will replace the TU-142’s which is in Indian navy.
On the question of leasing of Akula submarines, the admiral said that INS Chakra (Soviet Charlie class) was leased to train Indian Navy crew. Since such a training requirement is coming up in Indian navy, Akulas were considered. He also said that the progress on this front is not up to the desired level.
On being asked by Frontier India representative on the Network centric communication for Indian Ships on line of CENTRIX of US which was used in Malabar Exercises, the chief said that Indian navy has this program going in house for past few years and Indian navy is going to test it on ships for proving the concept. It will happen this year. He also said this will take off when a dedicated satellite will be in orbit. Indian Navy has a plan to have submarines, surface ships and aircrafts integrated in a composite manner. The project is called network Centric Operations (NCO). After the concept is proved private and public software companies will be invited for tenders for further development and deployment.
On the requirement of B-Tech for Naval officers, the Admiral explained that since there is limited availability of manpower, Indian navy would offer the recruits a B-Tech degree which will be an incentive. In turn Navy will get its trained manpower too.
Naval Commanders’ Conference-2008 is currently being held in Mumbai.
It augurs well for the IN that it has a very dedicated visionary at its helm who is fully aware of the realities in the region, the very unpredictable and aggressive Chinese.
If the MOD and GOI co-operate and give all the necessary assistance and resources to make the IN a formidable naval power then its hostile neighbours would not embark on any misadventures.
The IN submarine fleet does not even come close to match the PLAN’s conventional fleet in the number of vessels. The Chinese have already mastered the development and construction of nuclear power plants for their nuclear submarines whereas India has yet to induct its ATV. Even with the induction of the ATV and the lease of the Russian Aqula, the IN would still be a long way to achieve a credible deterrent.
The almost secret construction of a dedicated facility for submarines in the Hainan Island is not just a cause for worry. India should take cognizance of the threat it would pose in the Indian Ocean region.
India should fast track its shipbuilding infrastructure, especially the nuclear submarine programme and the relevant secure naval facilities for them.
To procrastinate would be at its own peril. This world has stopped empathising with the oppressed and the inevitable losers.
It only understands OVERWHELMING MIGHT.