It remains to be seen if Sikorsky, which sources S-92 cabins locally from Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) – a joint venture in Hyderabad since 2010 – has an edge over the others.
Yet another requirement is that for a twin engine Naval Utility Helicopter to replace the aging single engine Chetak. At least 56 (with 28 more on options) are required. Plans call for their induction from 2016 onwards. NUH contenders include Eurocopter’s AS565 MBe Panther, Agusta Westland AW-109LUH, and offerings from Bell from the United States and Kamov from Russia. Curiously, a press release by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued in late April 2013 says that “only two companies (including Augusta Westland) have submitted bids for the NUH case.”
AgustaWestland, with its AW 109 LUH, is one of only two companies to have submitted bids in the Indian Navy’s light utility helicopter program. AgustaWestland photo
ISR assets will continue to grow. It is likely that another 12 P-8I will be acquired in due course. In addition, the case for at least eight Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft ((MRMRA) fitted with AShM is “being progressed.”
Eight aircraft are in contention for the MRMRA: the Bombardier-IAI-ELTA Q400 Multi Mission Aircraft, Saab 2000, Embraer P-99/ERJ 145 MP, Lockheed Martin Sea Hercules, EADS CASA C-295 MP, Alenia-Aeronautica ATR-72MP, Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 900 MPA and a modified Boeing P-8. Of these, the Boeing offering is thought to be the preferred platform, according to a recent report in local media.
A modified Boeing P-8I is thought to be a favorite in the competition for the Indian Navy’s Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft (MRMRA). Boeing photo
There’s a longstanding requirement for a fixed wing carrier borne AEW&C aircraft. Only one aircraft fits the bill – Northrop Grumman’s E-2D. Six to eight E-2Ds are required initially. While Northrop Grumman has been talking to the IN for over a decade, the IN also appears to be interested in an AEW version of the V-22, which is an attractive proposition for operations from STOBAR carriers. Unlike the E-2D, the V-22 is a paper concept.
A variety of UAVs – Medium and High Altitude Long Endurance (MALE/HALE ) UAVs along with shipborne tactical types – are required. To this end, procurement of additional UAS is moving forward, says the IN. Moving away from a purely ISR role, the IN is shifting its emphasis towards weaponized UAS.
For MALE/HALE requirements, the marinized version of IAI’s Hermes 900 as well as the Heron TP are on offer, while Northrop Grumman is offering the MQ-8C Triton – subject to U.S. government approval – to work with the P-8I. ADA’s homegrown Rustom II MALE , which is still several years away from entering service, could be acquired in due course.
Northrop Grumman’s Triton HALE UAS is a contender as an unmanned maritime patrol aircraft. Northrop Grumman graphic
Disappointingly for the IN, the failure of the joint Indian-Israeli NRUAV (Naval Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) program to develop a tactical ship-borne UAV using Chetak helicopters means that several rotary wing types are in the fray to meet a shipborne tactical UAV requirement. Contenders include Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout and similar offerings from Europe, as well as Boeing’s Scan Eagle.
In late May 2013, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was created with the Japanese Government during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Japan with the intent of “exploring (the) modality for the cooperation on the US-2 amphibian aircraft” according to an official statement. As a tentative first step, the Japanese have offered two aircraft.
Besides UAVs, the IN is also looking to deploy aerostat mounted radars for coastal border surveillance.
The IN will have come full circle once it selects a suitable amphibian aircraft to operate from India’s island territories. Some 15 aircraft are required. Shin Maywa’s SS-3 (US-2), Beriev’s Be 200 fitted with Selex Galileo’s ATOS mission system, and Bombardier’s CL-415 are in contention. It is understood that the Indian Prime Minister’s Office prefers to acquire the SS3 as part of a larger strategic security relationship with Japan.
The Shin Maywa US-2 is a prime candidate for the Indian Navy’s next amphibian, if there is a way to conform to Japan’s military export laws. Japan Maritime Self Defense Force photo
In late May 2013, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was created with the Japanese Government during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Japan with the intent of “exploring (the) modality for the cooperation on the US-2 amphibian aircraft” according to an official statement. As a tentative first step, the Japanese have offered two aircraft.
By 2028, Indian Naval Aviation will very likely have grown in size to include 450+ aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). A breakdown of its assets would include more than 100 fighters in five squadrons – sufficient for three carrier air wings. There would also be around 40 fast jet trainers. Airborne ISR assets would likely comprise around 60-70 MPA, including 20-24 P-8I, at least 12 medium range MPA, and 30 or so shorter range MPA. These would be complemented by as many as 16-24 large multirole seaplanes. AEW&C types in service are likely to number 8-12 fixed wing aircraft like the Grumman E-2D and at least 14 Kamov AEW types, although an AEW version of the Osprey could be selected. The helicopter fleet is likely to number around 250 platforms, including 75 naval utility helicopters and 150 multirole helicopters.
Taken together, all of these programs will certainly leave the Indian fleet air arm very well equipped to meet future challenges. Certainly, over the next decade or so, the transformation of the naval air arm into a powerful force multiplier for the Indian Navy as well as one of the world’s largest naval air arms would be complete.