Reviewing the Indian Navy's Boeing P8I

Reviewing the Indian Navy's Boeing P8I

   Boeing Aerospace has successfully completed the delivery of the first batch of its P8I long range surveillance aircraft ordered by Indian Navy.  Indian navy had ordered eight P8I reconnaissance aircraft in a deal worth US $2.1 billion. Boeing has now completed the tender by delivering the eighth and the last aircraft to the Indian Navy. P 8I is a long range reconnaissance aircraft which is crucial for monitoring the vast waters which surrounds India. The deal included support systems and the weapons package for the aircraft. Impressed with the performance and the durability of the aircraft, Indian Navy has ordered another 4 aircraft under the follow on clause of the earlier issued tender. The navy has already requested DAC’s clearance for another 12 P8I aircraft.

    The main stay of Indian Navy’s reconnaissance operations are Tu – 142 and IL – 38 aircraft. The navy operates eight upgraded Tu - 142 MKE (Tu 142 is a export variant of Tu 95 Bear ) for long range maritime mission and another five upgraded Il 38 SD for medium range maritime missions. These aircraft are drastically aging and have to be replaced with aircraft capable of handling sustained maritime missions. These aging platforms are expected to be replaced only after 2025, thanks to their timely mid-life upgrades.

The Tu – 142 aircxraft have recived extensive upgrades both in Indian and Russian factories. The aircraft now features the Israeli origin Elta 2022 Maritime surveillance radar. The Radar is capable of taking SAR images of sea surface. The Radar can detect low visible periscopes and very small size attack boats. The radar can detect contacts even flying at 39,000 feet. Onboard the aircraft is the MMS-106 Ladoga magnetometer which is capable of detecting even the slightest anomaly in ocean surface.  However these days the magnetic detector is obsolete given the evolved submarine's hull magnetic signatures. The aircraft currently employs Kh – 35 missiles for AshM roles and in the future maybe fitted out with the deadly BrahMos.

 The future of the Indian Navy’s reconnaissance platforms and missions will be based around the P8I aircraft. The heart of the P 8I is Raytheon AN/APY 10 Maritime surveillance radar. The AN/APY 10 radar is a multi-mission oriented system and can handle multiple operations under the same umbrella.  The AN/ APY 10 radar is the only system of its type to provide ultra-high resolution imaging modes for maritime and overland operations. The radar thus delivers uncompromising performance in each and every operational environment. The actual range and target detection capabilities of the radar system remains classified.

The aircraft houses five advanced workstations onboard, each of these hosts separate management systems for seamless search missions. The P8I not only serves into the ASW mission but can also be employed as an airborne control center. The aircraft can direct fighter jets to designated targets and assist cruise missiles in terminal guidance. The P8I’s are also equipped with the latest countermeasure suites like Chaff and flare to spoof IR guided and Radar guided missiles. The aircraft also houses state-of-the-art electronic attack suite. The name and info about the EA suite remains classified. However it's not meant that the P 8I can't be shot downed by enemy fighter jets.

Indian Navy Ilyushin 38 SD

  The P8I aircraft delivered to Indian Navy are a derivative of the P8A aircraft serving the United States Navy (USN).  The P8A aircraft themselves were developed to replace the aging P3C Orion aircraft. P8A’s are considered to be almost three times more powerful than the Orion’s when detecting submarines and surface targets.  The AN/APY 10 radar is derivative of the American variant and may have a degraded range capability.  P8A are also believed to have been equipped with APS 143 Ocean Eye AFT radar for target search and surveillance options. Reports suggest the Indian Navy aircraft may have been equipped with an exported variant of Ocean eye.

    Another System used in the P8I is the MAD - Magnetic anomaly detector boom. The MAD boom is used to detect the submarines by tracking the magnetic activities underwater. The latest submarines being designed employ hulls having zero magnetic signatures and thus a MAD is considered almost obsolete.   

    Another major system in the P8A is the Sonobuoys. The Sonobuoys are the only system which can detect deep submerged submarines. The exact information about the Sonobuoys is highly classified. The Sonobuoys can detect submarines acoustic signatures and transmit the data to the P8A through a secured data link. Sonobuoys also guide the air dropped torpedo's to hit the Target accurately.

AN APY 10 Radar

   The aircraft can also act as a maritime bomber. By dropping torpedoes, mines and launching missiles the aircraft can hunt down both surface and submerged threats. The P8 A can drop heavyweight torpedoes even when flying at altitudes of 30,000 feet. The P8I can also lay mines across the sea line to trap enemy submarines inside protected zones. Each aircraft can carry four Harpoon anti shipping missiles for surface warfare.

  The aircraft serving under Indian Navy have been retrofitted with several Indian sub-systems. US made IFF transponders and satellite communication systems were replaced to avoid any instances of eavesdropping in the future. BEL supplied its IFF transponders for Friend and Foe detection and Satellite communication system and data transmission links.

   The P8I aircraft were given repeated missions during the search for MH-370 aircraft.  The main mission of the P8I will however be to observe and patrol, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean for possible Chinese underwater threats. The aircraft is currently houses in INS Rajali at Arakkonam close to Chennai.

Show off in Bay of Bengal, Indian Navy Spearheads US and Japanese Navy

Show off in Bay of Bengal, Indian Navy Spearheads US and Japanese Navy

CVN 71, A 57 and DD 118

    The Indian Navy's Guided missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay leads this years Malabar Exercise, as expected the Japanese Navy also deploying it's  AEGIS class destroyer Fuyuzuki. The US Navy leads the participation by fielding two nuclear powered ships. This years Trilateral exercise involves eight surface ships, two submarines and two anti submarine aircraft. The Malabar exercise initially a bilateral exercise involving US Navy and Indian Navy, some editions include guest Navy's like Japan, Australia and Singapore, rival nation against China.

    After series of discussion in US and India, both nations agreed to permanently add Japanese navy into the exercise making the bilateral exercise into trilateral. In 2007 Indian Navy irked the Chinese by conducting the Exercise Malabar with multiple nations with the participation of 26 Ships, one of the biggest Naval showdown in Bay of Bengal close to China. China strongly protested the Indian moves and concerned about foreign Navy's activities close to Chinese Lands. And this time too India planned a week long exercise in Bay of Bengal, with ten ships and two air planes.

    INS Vikramaditya, Navy's lone operational Aircraft Carrier, expected to join with the US Navy's Theodore Roosevelt Carrier, however Indian Navy not fielding the Carrier, since it's still in the docks for an minor refit, The INS Vikramaditya's retrofitted Barak 1 SAM batteries yet to fire missiles which is the main reason why Indian Navy not fielded it's Carrier on this exercise.

    The US navy brings it's Missile Cruiser USS Normandy, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, which is a Flag ship of many US Task Groups operating all over the world. Indian Navy brings the Rajput class Destroyer INS Ranvijay. However the latest guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata yet to get the Barak 8 missiles, and it will not operational until she gets the defensive missiles. The Japanese brings the Akizuki class destroyer JMSDF Fuyuzuki, one of the modern leading AEGIS class destroyer in the Japanese Navy.

    The Three Missile Destroyers leads the way, The flotilla having multiple cruse missiles and anti missile defense systems. The Ranvijay having Brahmos and Styx missiles, Normandy comes with Tomahawk and Harpoon missiles and the Fuyuzuki comes with Type 90 anti shipping cruise missiles. All the participating destroyers also equipped with  modern anti submarine warfare system which include Torpedo launching capabilities. In performance wise the USS Normandy leads the Task group.

A 57 INS Sakthi Replenishing CVN 71

  
    The US Navy brings the Los Angeles Class nuclear attack submarine USS City of Corpus Cristi, The submarine leads the flotilla and stimulate as a hostile submarine during an anti submarine exercise event. The 6000 tons submarine can maneuver underwater posing as threat to entire battle group. The Submarine is a multi role SSN, can capable to launch Tomahawk missiles and Harpoon missiles. The Indian Navy fields the Sindhughosh class submarine a modified Kilo class variant INS Sindhudhwaj. Which having the unique capability of launching Klub cruise missiles, and can launch QR SAM when it surfaced. One of the good reason adding the QR SAM to counter high flying anti submarine planes like P 8I and P 3 Orion.

     Both US and India deploying support ships like Littoral class Combat ship USS Fort Worth and the Modern Shivalik class Frigate INS Shivalik, both  of them perform fast attack maneuvers against submarines and fighter aircraft's. those multi role ships perform escort missions to the large surface action group. In the ongoing exercise both US and Japanese Naval officials witnessed how the Shivalik will counter inbound threat. During the Exercise an F 18 E fighter aircraft launched from the CVN 71 posed as a incoming bogie. The Shivalik's Task is to shoot down the Enemy plane, and INS Shivalik successfully stimulates the missile launch and interception. 

    The  flotilla's heart is the Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft Carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt. She was there in Persian Gulf, pounded ISIS positions very hard, and one of the Key player of Battle of Tikrit. Having multiple type of attack aircraft's and support planes, The CVN can carry more than sixty F/A 18 E/F Super hornet fighters include electronic attack aircraft's like EA 18 G growler and E 2D Hawk eye airborne Radar planes. If India deploys the INS Vikramaditya, then it's a good showdown between Indian MiG 29K and US F 18 planes.

USS Fort Worth

    The Fleet supported by INS Sakthi  Replenishment oiler ship, INS Sakthi support all the ships who needs Fuel and fresh waters and also assist Mechanical supports too, INS Skathi also victim of Submarine's stimulated attack.

     The Chinese in Red face due to the Flotilla of Ships in Bay of Bengal. as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reacted sharply when asked about the exercise on Monday: “You mentioned India is having naval exercises with U.S. and Japan and you ask whether China is concerned. I think you are thinking too much…Everyday a lot of activities take place around the world. We cannot connect every activity with China.” “We are not that fragile and we are having sound relationship with both India and the U.S. We hope that relevant activities will contribute to the regional stability they will contribute more positive energy for that,”  

Navy plans Mega Naval drill in Bay of Bengal with US and Japan

Navy plans Mega Naval drill in Bay of Bengal with US and Japan

     The Indian Navy officials confirms this years Malabar Exercise hosted in Bay of Bengal with the Participation of US and Japanese Naval Ships and Aircrafts, it's earlier reported that Indian Government slowly losing the Japanese partnership after some failed negotiations both from Indian and Japanese side, also reported this years Malabar Exercise also limited with American warships, but discussion with US and Japanese officials in Hawaii last week, all three agreed to hold a Bigger version of Malabar Exercise off the Bay of Bengal Coast,

    This is the second time Navy planning a Huge Drill in Bay of Bengal earlier in 2007, The Indian Navy along with US, Japan, Singapore and Australia, more than 25 ships participated in the Naval drill along with huge number of Aircrafts, the US Navy fielded 13 Warships include two aircrafts,  and Indian Navy fielded eight warship including the Aircraft Carrier Viraat, Japan and Australia comes with two ships each and Singapore comes with a Single Ship,

     Such a Huge Number of Warship in bay of Bengal irked the Chinese so much, where China in talks with the Bangladesh and Myanmar to get accesses to Bay of Bengal, The US warships almost explored almost entire Bay of Bengal with the Assistance of Indian Navy makes the Chinese not happy, because of the US presence in their weak side.

    And this is the Second time the US, Japan Hands with the Navy to deploy their ships along with Indian Navy in Bay of Bengal, it's also mentioned that Both foreigners will come with a huge numbers of Warship and extend the Drill days from 10 days to 15 or so, which is still not confirmed, The Countries also requested Australia to join the Drill, but they didn't get positive news from it.

   Earlier PM Modi and Obama agreed to boost the Exercise Malabar with more participant and more number of Warships.

    The meeting in Hawai mainly to discuss the co operation between the US along with Japan India, to exchange the views on a broad range of regional and Global issues of mutual interest. which is super headed by the US official. they not only discussed the exercise but it addressed a variety of variety of issues, including multilateral institutions in the Asia-Pacific, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

     The Japan Navy already participated several times in back in the years, but all the time only limited warships.with the increase of relationship between India and rival against China, It's expected Japan will field more Number of Warships.

    The Meeting doesn't stated the exact date of the Drill and number of warships, which will be discussed later with the Representing Navy's.