DRDO Plans maritime mission onboard C 295

DRDO Plans maritime mission onboard C 295

State firm DRDO plans to modify the C 295 military transport aircraft into a multi mission maritime aircraft to meet the requirement of Navy and Coast guards medium maritime patrol aircraft. The Navy plans to add new generation maritime patrol aircraft to boost the surveillance capabilities in Indian EEZ replacing the older Il 38 SD.

DRDO plans to integrate the existing maritime surveillance radar onboard the upcoming  C 295 Aircraft. Which TATA gets license from Air Bus to produce them in India. DRDO already successfully integrated the Airborne AESA radar onboard the Brazilian Embraer. Which is going to be inducted into the air force before the end of this year.

Navy already floated an RFI which focusing medium range patrol aircraft, where Lockheed's SC 130 and Swedish Swordfish responded. However state firm DRDO offers the state of art home made maritime surveillance radar. whose ground version already operational in various naval stations across India and friendly nations.

DRDO facilitates the C 295 MMMA into many roles, MMMA stands for Multi mission maritime aircraft. Which can perform

• Maritime and pollution surveillance
• Search and Rescue
• Cargo and Personnel transportation and
• Air Ambulance

The primary maritime surveillance can be achieved with the state of art airborne maritime radar, which can work along with the integrated coastal surveillance system for better surveillance and real time data transmission with friendly units. The Radar can perform search and track mission, who keep an eye on the targeted vessel. Also Classifies it's model and operator, identifying whether it's friendly or hostile, and provide communication support to friendlies in network denied zones.

With the support of satcom link, the C 295 can communicate with the base operating center and receive real time information from either base or friendly ships. The SATCOM link connected with existing navy's communication satellite INSAT.

Not only for Navy, Coast guard also keen to procure modern maritime patrol aircraft. with the same above capability. However it's highly unlikely Coast guard may receive the C 295 based MMMA. while Navy's primary requirement include underwater detection system for anti submarine warfare, which the C 295 MMMA can't.

As per Indian orders, Air force plans to induct more than 56 C 295. where initial 18 comes directly from Air bus plant, while all future numbers will be produced in India under TATA's plant. Air force already planning to induct a gunship version to provide close air support to the ground troops by adding 30mm cannon and missile launching racks.

C 295 recently spotted in HAL air port Bangalore. Suggesting that DRDO and HAL team exploring the options to build modified C 295 to suits Air force and Coast Guard requirements.  

There is a Maritime patrol aircraft available in the market based on the C 295,Navy's like Chile and Portugal already operating them. and it does have anti submarine capabilities too. The maritime variant of C 295 aka Persuader also had four outer hard points to launch anti shipping missiles.

The submarine hunter of IN - Boeing P8I Neptune

The submarine hunter of IN - Boeing P8I Neptune

     Named the Posedion these are truly the masters for objectives hiding underwater. Charged with the crucial mission of detecting and destroying any lurking threats in the water. These aircraft are the ultimate machines for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions. Introduced to replace the aging   Boeing P3 Orion ASW aircraft, the P8I Posedion has scoured thousands of sq.kilometers in search of lurking Chinese and Russian submarines. Clubbed with the latest set of sensor suites and highly advanced sono-buoys this platform is a nightmare for submarines.   

      The P8I Neptune are now an integral part of all ASW missions of Indian navy, these aircraft are a shot in the arm for India's ASW capabilities. These ultimate ASW aircraft were procured by the Indian navy as a replacement to the aging Russian long range Tu 142 ASW platforms which were the main ASW platform. The Neptune's were procured under the FMS deal and Boeing was selected to supply India with 8 ASW aircraft and another 4 aircraft if India would use the 'follow-on' clause.

        Boeing was awarded a US $2.1 billion order for equipping Indian navy with 8 ASW aircraft based on the 737 airframe. Signing the deal, India became the first international customer for the Boeing P8I. These aircraft were to be fitted with Indian sub-systems and were also to fitted with the latest ASW technology developed by Boeing. India's leading military equipment manufacturer BEL provided the Data link and IFF systems, DRDL and DRDO developed a MAD system. The P8I were to be equipped with light weight torpedo's, Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, mines and sono-buoys. These sono-buoys would be the key in detecting under water submarines. 

     P8I's are also equipped with the highly advanced  AN/APY 10 radar which can help in detecting long range surface and underwater threats. The radar can be used in  color weather, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) under which the aircraft is capable of detecting, imaging and classifying surface targets at long ranges, periscope detection, and navigational modes. The aircraft is capable of flying for more than  4 hours and all long detecting and monitoring waters for any activities.

     Indian navy currently operates 7 P8I Neptunes which are based at INS Rajali. Indian navy received the seventh aircraft in July and is slated to receive the last and final aircraft by the end of this year. DAC headed by the defense minister has cleared the follow on order for another 4 aircraft and the delivery of these aircraft is slated to being with a year after the deals are concluded.

      Indian navy currently operates the Do 228, IL 38 SD, Tu 142 MKE and 7 P8I for ASW missions. The IL38 and Tu 142 fleet have been in service for more than and are slated be replaced by a  Medium Range Maritime patrol aircraft, which will undoubtedly be the Boeing P8I aircraft. Indian navy currently has an requirement of more than 24 Long range MMA, the orders currently placed have fulfilled half the requirement of the navy. The navy is expected to issue a new tender shortly for another 12 ASW aircraft .

     

Editer - Karthik Kakoor