Swedish A 26 Submarine for Indian Navy P 75 I

Swedish A 26 Submarine for Indian Navy P 75 I

     The Swedish naval firm Kockums Collins slowly pushing the next generation diesel electric submarine to the Indian Navy, where Sweden lost in the race of supplying the Gripen Fighters to the Indian Air force, now they looking to sell it's advanced concept designed A 26 Submarine to the Indian Navy, Recently Navy floated and RFI for Supply six new generation diesel electric submarines to the Indian Navy under project name P 75 I.

     Earlier the French firm DCNS won the contract of supply six Diesel electric submarines to the Indian Navy under Make in India project, where DCNS supply spare parts and design technology to the Indian private firm who build the Ships in India, they also gives the rights to the Navy to modify existing technology with newer or Indian made subsystems. recently the Navy floated out the first of the Scorpene named as Kalvari class, Navy plans to commission all the six Submarines before 2020.

     The P 75 1 is the successor class of Kalvari, the same existing tenders and Contracts, but more advanced version is inducted, since Scorpene is older technology, Navy looks for Advanced Diesel Electric submarines, west and other countries knows Indian Navy looks for foreign designs, same like earlier days, India went for two designs, one set of HDW or Type 209 submarine from Germany, and another set of Kilo class submarine from Russia.

    But that creates many problems too, mainly the logistics spare and Service issue, both were different models and platforms,after that many of the Officials suggested sticks with single platform, where this also makes problems, one submarines acoustic signature is got in enemy hands it's easy for them to identify other Submarines easily, but operating multiple models makes enemy operators confuse to  identify or locate the exact range and acoustic signatures.

     So Navy has two options either sticks with French Scorpene aka Kalvari Class or Advanced versions from French named SMX Ocean, both have similar operating procedures and Machines but improved model, makes the crew easily switch from other submarines. or go for a New design, currently three others have heavy competition like the Russian Kilo Class, Swedish A 26, and the Japanese Soryu Class.

      The Options are something complex, where Indian rival enemy China has almost full knowledge about the Russian Kilo class, China operates good numbers of Kilo class bought from Russia, they also successfully modified the kilo class, so buying the Kilo class makes no sense if we fight against the Chinese in Future,

      Another one is the Japanese Soryu class, one of the finest Diesel Electric submarine from the Japanese, most advanced SSK across the globe, a Heavy SSK weighting over 5000 Tons, can launch tons of weapons, can able to dive upto some 1500 feet, where other modern SSK can dive only upto 1000 feet, But the problem is Japan won't sell it's top most military Hardwares to other countries, The Australians hardly negotiating to get those submarines, But still they get no clear words from the Japanese Ministry, Indian Defense Minister also approached the Japanese Ministry to Participate the P 75 I program, even that they didn't shown much interest in the existing US 2i Amphibious plane deal.

     So the Clear option comes out Swedish and French designs, that's why the Sweden Firm slowly pitching the A 26 to the P75I program, But in performance wise it's very poor compared to the all other models, like lower dive depth, lower tonnage, weapon launching capacity, But they have the very good Artistic representation which can attract the every customer. the Recent Paris Air show 15 Swedish officials takes the  words towards Indian Officials, While India keep silent on the P 75 I,

India Sweden Renew Ties

 India Sweden Renew Ties  ! On the path to co-develop highly capable fighter jets. 

   

   In the process of delivering its promise of a resurgent India the NDA government has taken a stand to boost its bilateral ties with countries which will be a boost to its economy and infrastructure. Several high level visits have been made by Indian delegates to boost the ties and develop the country mainly through co-developing advanced technologies. The latest in the list to have shown interest is Sweden, over the course of a month the country has exchanged warm ties. 

    The honorable President of Republic of India Pranab Mukharjee visited Sweden last week signaling India’s newer approach to the country. The diplomatic ties between the countries were in troubled waters when Sweden raised its objection to extraditing Sweden nationals in the Puralia drop case. 

The President during his visit signed several MOU which will boost the ties between the counties in the field of education, bilateral trade, economics, infrastructure and defense. Sweden extending its support to India by sending its Defense minister Peter Hultqvist who has concluded several important deals after meeting his counterpart Manohar Parrikar. 

   The military ties between the countries dates back to the era when India acquired the Bofor guns. The deal even though then proved to be a major boost to the army returned to haunt the armed forces with several scandals emerging.

Sweden and Indian companies have been in agreement to supply India with state-of-the art sensor suites. Sweden’s SAAB has been a forerunner in the lucrative Indian defense market. SAAB had fielded its Gripen NG for the ambitious MMRCA deal but lost out in the initial phase of testing. SAAB has also participated in the MANPAD tender for which a winner is yet to be announced by the Ministry of Defence, India.

    The visiting Defense Minister of Sweden has confirmed that India was offered the Gripen as a replacement for the aging MiG-21 fleet. The home grown Tejas project has evolved overtime and will soon be materialized. The Tejas team is in a race to acquire FOC certificates and once done the jet may soon operate from FOB’s of IAF. 

  

  But with the active fighter squadron dipping at an alarming rate the operational capability of IAF has suffered greatly. Realizing this NDA government went for a G-G deal with the Dassault to supply 36 Rafale to India. Sweden is wishing the same agreement can be reflected in regard to their SAAB developed Gripen NG.

India is strongly stressing for strengthening the prospective India defense industry, ‘Make in India’ has been key feature for setting up a dynamic platform for the interested foreign firms. The government has also cleared the FDI for defense to be increased from 26% to 49% and has also made the procurement process more flexible. 

    Aerospace development has been a field Indian firms have failed to master, SAAB has shown interest to work with India to jointly develop a more lethal LCA platform. If conceived the nations can be working at making the under development Tejas MKII more lethal. IAF has for long been pitching for a more capable Tejas variant, even though the Tejas MK-I is one of the most advanced jets in India lacks in several key fields. IAF has really not been impressed by the performance but still believes is the best platform given its budgetary issues.

    With the Indian firms failing to master the technological hurdles faced in the designing of fighter jets any assistance is a welcome move. America has already entered into an agreement with India to help it improve an advanced jet. America will also be assisting India in developing the hot engines.

   

  

    The home grown Kaveri program failed to provide a reliable engine to the LCA program. The LCA program is now powered by the GE supplied F-404 engines. Several key technologies for the Tejas MK-II are to be finalized, America has already shown its interest in helping India develop the GE F-414. SAAB may also help India overcome these hurdles by providing advanced technologies which will enable India develop a more lethal aircraft.

     Notably the visiting Defense Minister also toured HAL’s primer facility in Bangalore. HAL, Bangalore is the hot bed for any developmental activities in the Tejas and other jet programs. During the visit the minister was given a glimpse of the home grown attack helicopters, 

    ALH Rudra and LCH, the defense system of these helicopters are designed by SAAB. With the minister touring the homeland of Tejas a deal for co-development is most likely but with SAAB strongly suffering in attracting foreign costumers for the Gripen it has to be seen how the program will evolve in the future. 


Editor - Karthik Kakoor

Suitable LCA Replacement of Mig 21

Suitable LCA Replacement of Mig 21

The Israeli Kfir modded from French Mirage

       India has already come forward with new improved designs under the LCA project and has cherished it as the Tejas MK II which have enhanced designs and technologies making the Tejas more reliable. 

   MK II will be fitted with the Cobham IFR probe and Israeli AESA , and will have a enhanced wing design providing a better degree of  maneuverability. Even though the Tejas is said to be a reliable product it lacks the punch the IAF has demanded and can compromise the scope of operations the pilots can perform. 

     The MKII with all the enhancements promise to provide a very reliable aircraft but with the LCA Tejas itself to be inducted to the force the MKII is a long distant project. The security of the force is something that can’t be compromised and has to be looked after under any circumstances.

     With the MK II being a distant it is crucial other options are looked at and with the flying squadrons depleting drastically it is time an option is floated at the earliest. Any more projects on HAL will compromise the work on both the MKII and any project added to them. Bu what the government can look at is an joint venture with a leading Aerospace partner who can take the cumbersome work but yet provide a reliable platform for Indian companies to develop on. 

        The Swedish Saab is a leading aerospace community that has provided very reliable aircraft's to leading forces across the globe but the relationships with Saab and Indian forces is good, but  setting up a reliable work station itself will take a long time. 

   Israeli IAI has been a leading aerospace partner for India and has helped India develop platforms, avionics, missile systems, propulsion systems and the list goes on every project executed by the Indian side has had the participation of the Israeli aerospace industry. Israeli products have been cost effective and have saved time and works for the Indian side. 

   With just $50 Million being shunted out for a single aircraft the development is strongly compromised. To make costs for this the product developed in JV can be exported to countries which not only serve economically but also go a long way in the diplomatic channels. The Latin American countries and various other African countries are now investing heavily in acquiring modern technologies to their forces.

JV with Israel

       Israel operates F 16, F 15 and the stealth enabled F 35 is currently in the pipeline and will operate them by the end of this decade. Israel operates no light fighter but building a light fighter with the technology they poses is extremely easy and can fill the treasury of Israel. Israel already has completed several export orders under the Kfir program and the countries are operating successfully.

     If at all India starts a JV with Israel, India will have no worries in the field of providing avionics and latest technologies to the aircraft. India will still have to develop a power packed engine or again this can also be exported form a foreign firm. With the help of Israel India can then manufacture aircrafts easily back home with all the technology. 

     The Israeli's might need one or two squadrons of these jets, and we India can manufacture some ten to fifteen squadrons and another few more squadrons can be developed for export.

      If India starts with the negotiations and paper work the actual contract materialize by early next year and the prototype can be expected anytime by 2019 and the first operational squadron can be expected by 2023 by time which HAL will e ready to start with the MK II development program.

      By 2025, stealth would be seen in almost all advanced countries but not all countries will be able to operate a stealth enabled aircraft. Faced with internal threats African and Latin American countries need reliable light fighters and the export option will always be viable for the program. 

Sixty UAE Mirage 2000-5 is also an option

The Textron Scorpion cost effective  Light Ground Attack only 

Editor Karthik Kakoor