Russian Navy: Severodvinsk (Yasen Class SSN), Alexander Nevsky (Borei Class SSBN) entering service

Two Russian submarines are entering service just in time for the Russian Navy Day, which falls on July 27 this year: a Yasen class nuclear attack submarine Severodvinsk and a Borei class ballistic missile submarine Alexander Nevsky.

Yasen Class SSN - Severodvinsk ( Image Courtesy - en.ria.ru ) 

Construction of the Severodvinsk began in 1993, but its completion was significantly delayed and submarine was finally launched in 2010. The submarine, whose rivals are the US Navy’s Seawolf class and Virginia class submarines, is equipped with the Russian equivalent of the US Tomahawk missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead and has a firing range of up to 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles).The Yasen-class submarine also has additional missiles that can be used for high-precision strikes against ground targets.

Borei Class SSBN - Alexander Nevsky ( Image Courtesy - en.ria.ru ) 

The Borei class Alexander Nevsky submarine began trials in October 2010. It was involved in test-firing Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, which all Borei class submarines are equipped with. Alexander Nevsky is the first series-built submarine of the Borei class. Two additional Borei class submarines and two Yasen class submarines are currently under construction. In total, Russia plans to build 8 Borei-class submarines and 8 Yasen-class submarines by 2020.

Russia has been stepping up the development of its navy since Crimea became part of the Russian Federation in March. In addition to the Russian naval base in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, Russia is developing a port in the country’s southern city of Novorossiysk, so that part of Russian’s Black Sea Fleet vessels and troops could be deployed there.

By 2017, six Admiral Grigorovich class frigates and six improved Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines will join the Black Sea Fleet.

News Courtesy - en.ria.ru

Indian Navy - Rambilli Naval Base

Naval Alternative Operations Base (NAOB) project of the Indian Navy at Rambilli in the district will be completed in the next five to six years as land acquisition is almost over and project work has already begun, a top Indian Navy official said here on Friday.

According to sources, the state government has allocated more than 5,000 acres to the Indian Navy at Rambilli mandal in the district and except for a few local problems, the project work has been proceeding at a fast pace.

The senior naval official also revealed that the proposed Very Low Frequency (VLF) Communications station project in Ranga Reddy district needs an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore.

Site for Rambilli Naval Base ( Image Courtesy - thehindu.com) 

"The Navy has already got the first phase of clearances from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the VLF station. For the next phase of clearances from MoEF, the Navy needs a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Telangana government, which is expected soon," said the top official, adding that the Navy opted for Ranga Reddy district as it is a strategic location for the VLF station.

"Navy needs a huge chunk of land as the antennas are very big in size. With this VLF station, the Indian Navy can communicate with vessels and men even underwater," he added.

Meanwhile, sources said the Navy was not ready to move out of the existing Visakhapatnam airport, which is under their control. "The Navy will not move out of the INS Dega airstrip because it is a strategic location. However, the Navy will not oppose any development works at the airport by the aviation ministry. It will develop its own airstrips at various places like Badangi near Bobbili in Vizianagaram district but will continue to hold onto INS Dega," a source said.

News Courtesy - timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Update on Project 75 - Indian Navy Scorpene Submarines

Project 75 has now become one of India's most closely guarded military projects, almost as inaccessible to outsiders as the nuclear ballistic missile submarine, INS Arihant, nearing completion in Visakhapatnam.

In a giant shed in the East Yard of Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai (MDL), a 200-feet-long, cigar-shaped, metal cylinder is the first of six conventionally powered Scorpene submarines that the Indian Navy contracted to build with Franco-Spanish company, Armaris (since taken over by French shipbuilding major, DCNS).

The boat (as submariners call their vessels) is obviously close to completion - a small remaining gap at the rear will be filled by the section that holds the engine. Nearby, a second Scorpene is taking shape, metallic rings being welded together to form a hull. In the shed next door, a third vessel is racing towards completion.

MDL's current chairman, Rear Admiral (Retired) Rahul Shrawat - who inherited the Scorpene delay when he assumed charge of MDL - is upbeat. He promises the first submarine by September 2016, and to deliver the next five Scorpenes at nine-month intervals rather than the one-year intervals contracted.

Speaking to Business Standard, Shrawat promised: "We will launch the first Scorpene by September 2015 and deliver it to the navy within a year, i.e. by September 2016. The subsequent boats will be delivered at nine-month intervals, with the sixth and final vessel joining the fleet by June 2020.

Malaysian Scorpene ( Image Courtesy - militaryphotos_net )

Project 75 has created confidence about MDL's new ability to build submarines. The shipyard is readying to build a second line of six submarines under the new Project 75I, worth an estimated Rs 50,000 crore ($8.25 billion). Government sanction is being processed for Project 75I.

Rather than floating a global tender for Project 75I, Shrawat wants to take advantage of the experience and expertise gained during Project 75. Instead of having a fourth type of submarine in the navy's fleet (in addition to the Kilo-class; HDW and Scorpene), MDL sees the benefit in a more modern Scorpene with air independent propulsion (AIP) and land-attack missiles that the Project 75 vessels lack. Only the last two Project 75 vessels are slated to have AIP.

"Most naval policymakers would not consider it prudent to have a fourth type of conventional submarine in the fleet. I'm sure the government will feel the same. So, why not build more Scorpenes; improved with AIP and land attack missiles," says Shrawat.

Meanwhile, Indian defence shipyards are jostling fiercely for a share of Project 75I. The navy wants two submarines built abroad and inducted quickly into service, with the remaining four being built by MDL and the newly acquired defence shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL). But L&T cites its key role in building the nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, to argue that it should build at least one Project 75I submarine.

News Courtesy - business-standard.com

Nostalgia: INS Vikrant, INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya

Enjoy these two awesome pictures showcasing the might of Indian Navy !!!! 

History repeating itself after 23 long years !!!!

Cherish the moment !!!!

INS Vikrant and INS Viraat in 1990 ( Image Courtesy - martinfrost.ws )

INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya in 2013 ( Image Courtesy - livefistdefence.com )