Indian Naval Air Arm

Indian Naval Air Arm
भारतीय नौसेना वायु शाखा
Founded 1948 [1]
Country India
Type Naval Air Arm
Size 5,000 personnel[2]
Approx. 212 aircraft[3]
Part of Indian Navy
Commanders
Current
commander		 Rear Admiral Vijay Shankar, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air).[4]
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
Attack BAE Sea Harrier
Bomber Tupolev Tu-142
Fighter Mikoyan MiG-29K, BAE Sea Harrier
Interceptor Mikoyan MiG-29K
Patrol Ilyushin Il-38, Boeing P-8
Reconnaissance Ilyushin Il-38, Boeing P-8
Trainer BAE Hawk, HAL Kiran, Pilatus PC-7
Transport Dornier Do 228

The Indian Naval Air Arm is a branch of Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare.

Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) at Goa appears to direct the field operations of the air arm. FONA also serves as the Navy's Flag Officer Goa Area (FOGA).[5]

History

Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant (R11) launching an Alize during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war

The first naval air station, INS Garuda, was inaugurated in Cochin on 11 May 1953.[6] This went hand-in-hand with the commissioning of the No.550 Squadron,[7] utilising Short Sealand aircraft.[8] and Fairey Firefly aircraft[9]

1960 saw the No.300 White Tigers Squadron,[10] consisting of Sea Hawks[11] aircraft being commissioned.

In the very next year (1961), INS Vikrant (formerly HMS Hercules) was acquired by the Indian Navy.[12] The Vikrant's initial airwing consisted of British Hawker Sea Hawk fighter-bombers and a French Alize anti-submarine aircraft. On 18 May 1961, the first jet landed on board, piloted by Lieutenant (later Admiral) R H Tahiliani. That year, the No.310 Cobras Squadron (consisting of Alize aircraft[11][13]) was commissioned. After playing an important role in several major Indian military actions, specifically the liberation of Goa and the India-Pakistan war in 1971, she was decommissioned in January 1997[14] and turned into a museum ship.[15]

In 1976, the Indian Air Force handed over Super Constellation[16] aircraft to the No.312 Albatross Squadron[17] in Dabolim, Goa. Being fairly old aircraft at that point, these were withdrawn from active service by 1983. To replace them in the maritime patrol role, Soviet aircraft were acquired. The No. 315 Winged Stallions Squadron was commissioned in 1977 with the Ilyushin Il-38 aircraft.[18]

In December 1961, INS Vikrant participated in Operation Vijay, the liberation of Goa from Portugal. Its role was primarily to deter foreign naval intervention during the 40-hour-long military action.[19]

INS Vikrant played a major role in the successful Naval blockade of East Pakistan.[20] Stationed off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands escorted by the Leopard class frigate INS Brahmaputra, as well as INS Beas, the Vikrant redeployed towards Chittagong at the outbreak of hostilities.[21] The morning of 4 December 1971, the eight Sea Hawk aircraft on the Vikrant launched an air raid on Cox's Bazaar from 60 nm away. That evening, the air group struck Chittagong harbour. Other strikes targeted Khulna and Mongla. A PTI message is supposed to have read, "Chittagong harbour abalze as ships and aircraft of the (Pakistan) Eastern Naval Fleet bombed and rocketed. Not a single vessel can be put to sea from Chittagong". Air strikes staged from the Vikrant continued till 10 December 1971.

Given naval intelligence that indicated the intent of the Pakistan Navy to break through the Indian Naval blockade using camouflaged merchant ships, the Vikrant's Sea Hawks struck shipping in the Chittagong and Cox's Bazar harbours, sinking or incapacitating most merchant ships there.

The Hughes 269 helicopter was previously in service for training.

The Naval Aviation Museum located in Bogmalo, 6 km from Vasco da Gama, Goa, India showcases the history of the Naval Air Arm.

Aircraft inventory

Fixed-wing aircraft

Mikoyan MiG-29K

The Mig-29 Ks to be stationed on the INS Vikramaditya
A MiG-29K of the Indian Navy in flight over Indian islands

The Mikoyan MiG-29K program was revived by Russia in response to the decision of the Indian Navy to acquire the Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.[22][23] As reported by MiG Bureau, the Indian Navy's association with the MiG-29K began in Apr 2002 when a team led by Commander Gupta reached Moscow to evaluate the MiG-29K prototype for possible induction into the Indian Navy. The Team evaluated the aircraft on ground as well as in the air (the flight evaluation was conducted by a Navy Test Pilot Commander Ahuja). Some other aircraft were also evaluated but the MiG-29K was chosen. On 20 January 2004, the Indian Navy signed a contract for 12 single-seat MiG-29K and 4 two-seat MiG-29KUB. The first MIG-29K for the Indian Navy took flight on 22 January 2007. The MIG-29 KUB (two-seat trainer) is similar to the MIG-29K but with reduced operational range. The aircraft will be fielded on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.[24]

The first squadron, INAS 303, christened "Black Panthers",[25] was commissioned on 11 May 2013.[26] The delivery of the aircraft to the Indian Navy started in 2009, and by July 2015, 33 had been inducted, with 12 more to be delivered.[27]

The fighter plane is different from the MiG-29 flown by Indian Air Force. The aircraft has been modified for aircraft carrier operation by hardening the undercarriage. It also has much better 'over-the-nose' vision to make it easy to land aboard a carrier at a high angle of attack. Modifications made for Indian Navy requirement featured Zhuk-ME radar, RD-33MK engine, combat payload up to 5,500 kg, 13 hardpoints (inclusive of the multi-lock bomb carriers), additional fuel tanks situated in dorsal spine fairing and wing LERXs, increased total fuel capacity by 50% comparing to first variant of MiG-29 and an updated 4-channel digital fly-by-wire flight control system. With special coatings, the MiG-29K radar reflecting surface is 4–5 times smaller than of basic MiG-29. Cockpit displays consist of wide HUDs, 3 colour LCD MFDs (7 on the MiG-29KUB), a French Sigma-95 satellite GPS module and Topsight E helmet-mounted targeting system compatible with the full range of weapons carried by the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.[28]

BAE Sea Harrier

A Sea Harrier takes off from INS Viraat

The BAE Sea Harrier operated from the INS Viraat.[29] until March 6, 2016,[30] when they were disembarked and finally retired on March 22, 2016.[31] The BAE Sea Harrier FRS Mk.51 / T Mk.60 flew with the INAS 300 and INAS 552 squadrons of the Indian Navy. They were first acquired by the Indian Navy in the mid-1980s. After years of undergoing maintenance in the UK, the Indian Navy launched Project Ashok to set up a maintenance facility in Kochi in 1994. India expressed interest in buying some surplus FRS.2 Sea Harrier when the Royal Navy decommissioned them, but British Government did not accept to sell them with the Blue Vixen radar.

A mid-life upgrade in 1999 for this aircraft was cancelled when the decision was made to purchase MiG-29K air defence fighters, to be deployed aboard the INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov). The Sea Harriers are armed with the Matra Magic-II AAM and the Sea Eagle Anti-ship missiles. The aircraft were upgraded with the Elta EL/M-2032 radar and the Rafael Derby BVRAAM missiles.[32] Though the Sea Harriers were expected to remain in service with the Indian Navy till 2012–15, limited upgrades are being performed on these Sea Harriers by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to extend the life of the aircraft by 15 years.[33]

Boeing P-8I Neptune

A Boeing P-8I of the Indian Navy

New Delhi and Boeing have signed a $2.1 billion contract to deliver 12 P-8I Neptune for anti-submarine operations. The new aircraft will replace a fleet of Russian-manufactured Tupolev-142M planes. P-8I varies from the P-8A, with the Magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) has been kept intact while an aft-mounted radar provides 360-degree aerial radar surveillance capability. Many of the communication and other devices on-board are developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. The first plane was commissioned in to the force to be followed by rest of them.[34][35]

Tupolev Tu-142

A Tupolev Tu-142 of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy operates eight Tu-142 aircraft, which entered service in 1988. The aircraft have been upgraded, helping to extend the service life of the aircraft by sixteen years. One of the upgraded aircraft has been handed over to the Indian Navy.[36] The aircraft operate from INS Rajali and INS Hansa. Two Tu-142 aircraft are being fitted with the air-launched version of the BrahMos. The aircraft will be the test platform for the BrahMos cruise missiles. The integration and tests of the missile is expected to be completed by 2010.[37] Eight aircraft will be fitted with the BrahMos cruise missiles.[38] The Tu-142 aircraft are in the process of being replaced by the Boeing P-8I Neptune long range maritime aircraft.

Ilyushin Il-38

Indian Navy operates 5 Il-38 planes. Currently they are being upgraded to use Sea Dragon suite.

Helicopters

Dhruv of the Indian Navy.

HAL Dhruv; developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Navy received its first Dhruvs on 28 March 2002.[39][40] It is expected to receive a total of 120 units to replace the Chetak helicopters in service. The naval variant is fitted with the Super Vision-2000 maritime radar, capable of detecting targets with low radar cross section at a range of 200 km. The anti-submarine version of the helicopter is fitted with dunking sonar, torpedoes, depth charges. The helicopter may also be fitted with the missiles for anti-ship roles. However, in 2008, Indian Navy pronounced Dhruv unsuitable for its role as an ASW platform. Indian Navy will continue to procure Dhruv as a multi-role utility platform. During the commissioning ceremony Vice Admiral Sinha said that "In the Navy, Dhruv helicopters has transformed into an advanced search and rescue (SAR) helicopter also used for missions like heliborne operations, and armed patrol with night vision devices. Such machines in the inventory have become imperative for the Navy given the scenario of low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and coastal security construct."[41] In 2013 Indian Navy showed keen interest in the armed version of the HAL Rudra. Impressed with the Dhruv's sensors which were able to track ships and also read their names at ranges of 12 to 14 km. The Navy may induct 20 more helicopters into service.[42]

Kamov Ka-25, Kamov Ka-28, and the Kamov Ka-31: The Ka-25 was acquired by the Indian Navy in 1980 for anti-submarine warfare, but had severe technological limitations. The Ka-28s were acquired in the mid-80s, and were said to be a quantum leap over their predecessors from an ASW standpoint. The Ka-31[43] takes the Kamov capabilities even further by enabling real-time network-centric warfare for the Indian Navy.

A Sea King assigned to the destroyer INS Mumbai.

Westland Sea King and the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King: Used principally for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search & rescue roles,[44] the helicopter fleet operate from INS Garuda (Kochi) as well as INS Kunjali-II (Mumbai) air stations. US sanctions on India in response to India's nuclear tests resulted in a large part of the Sea King fleet being grounded for want of spare parts. Seventeen of the Sea King helicopters will be upgraded. The upgrade will feature day and night capability, capability to work in adverse weather conditions, integration of two anti-ship missiles with a range of fifty kilometres and a new radar.[45]

Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III: Also known as the Chetak, these choppers have seen active service in the Navy as well as the Coast Guard. They are carried on several combatant as well as non-combatant ships. They are also operated from and maintained at the INS Kunjali-II and INS Utkrosh Naval Air Stations in Mumbai and Port Blair respectively.

UAVs

The Indian Navy operates at least two squadrons of Heron and Searcher Mk-II UAVs, based in Kochi (INAS 342) and Porbandar (INAS 343).[46][47] There are plans to have at least two more squadrons of UAVs.[48] UAVs are controlled from ships to increases the range of surveillance. There are plans to introduce rotary UAVs into the Indian Navy.[49] These UAVs will have higher endurance and load carrying capability resulting in better reconnaissance capabilities.[50]

Future aircraft

HAL Tejas NP-1 naval variant taking off from shore based test facility.
NAL Saras
Fixed-wing aircraft
Helicopters
UAVs

Structure

Flag Officer Naval Aviation (FONA) controls training, maintenance and other functions of naval aviation. Aircraft yards at Kochi, Kerala and Dabolim, Goa are responsible for maintaining the fleet's air arm. An exclusive base, INS Shikra for helicopters was commissioned in Mumbai.[66]

To protect and preserve India's growing trade with Southeast Asia and offer a defence against increasing Chinese naval presence in the Bay of Bengal, a new naval base is being built near Visakhapatnam.[67] It is expected to be capable of harbouring two aircraft carriers, including the planned new Vikrant-class aircraft carrier. There are two more naval air stations, INS Rajali and INS Parundu in Tamil Nadu.

Southern Command has at least one airfield, INS Garuda, in Kochi, Kerala.[68] The Hindu reported on 2 February 2009 that a new airbase will be set up in Muscat, Oman to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Aden.[69] Three years later in 2012 it is not clear whether any action has been taken on this proposal. The southernmost naval air station, INS Bazz was formally opened on 31 July 2012 by the Chief of the Indian Navy at Cambell Bay in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With the commissioning of this station, the country acquired increased capability to keep vigil on the vital maritime channel of the Straits of Malacca.[70]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Naval Air Arm". The Indian Navy. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak - Indian Navy - Administrative Structure, bharat-rakshak.com
  3. ↑ Flightglobal - World Air Forces 2015 (PDF), Flightglobal.com
  4. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com: NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS & OFFICERS LIST
  5. ↑ Indian Navy Information Resource and Facilitation Centre (2006-05-18). "Indian Navy Information Resource and Facilitation Centre - Content". Irfc-nausena.nic.in. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  6. ↑ ''Military Year-book'' – India 1965. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  7. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Navy Timeline – "11 May 1953: First Naval Air Station, INS Garuda, inaugurated at Cochin. No.550 Squadron (consisting of Sealand and Firefly aircraft) commissioned" Archived 19 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Naval Aviation Museum, Dabolim, Goa, India – http://www.warbirdsofindia.com Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ↑ Naval Aviation Museum, Dabolim, Goa, India – http://www.warbirdsofindia.com Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Navy Timeline – "1960: No.300 White Tigers Squadron (consisting of Sea Hawk aircraft) commissioned." Archived 19 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. 1 2 Naval Aviation Museum, Dabolim, Goa, India – http://www.warbirdsofindia.com Archived 5 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ ''Military Year-book'' – India 1965. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  13. ↑ ''Aircraft Carriers: The World's Greatest Naval Vessels and Their Aircraft'' By Richard Jones, Chris Bishop, Chris Chant, Christopher Chant. Books.google.com. 2004-10-15. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  14. ↑ ''Students' Britannica India'' By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  15. ↑ INS Vikrant – the naval museum Posted by Nita
  16. ↑ Naval Aviation Museum, Dabolim, Goa, India – http://www.warbirdsofindia.com Archived 19 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Navy Timeline – "1976: No.312 Albatross Squadron (consisting of Super Constellation aircraft) commissioned." Archived 19 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Navy Timeline – "01 October 1977: No.315 Winged Stallions Squadron (consisting of IL-38 aircraft) commissioned." Archived 19 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ Sun, 04/01/2009 - 21:45. "Sankalp India Foundation – "What happened during Operation Vijay (1961)?"". Sankalpindia.net. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  20. ↑ Aircraft Carriers: The World's Greatest Naval Vessels and Their Aircraft By Richard Jones, Chris Bishop, Chris Chant, Christopher Chant
  21. ↑ "YouTube documentary". Youtube.com. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  22. ↑ "MIG-29 FULCRUM (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH)". Fas.org. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  23. ↑ MiG-29K/KUB FULCRUM-D at Bharat-Rakshak Archived 2 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  24. ↑ "First MiG 29 K for Indian Navy takes off". Indianexpress.com. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  25. ↑ "Livefist: EXCLUSIVE: Navy's MiG-29K Squadron To Be Called "Black Panthers"". Livefist.blogspot.com. 2009-08-28. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  26. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (2013-05-11). "Commissioning of Mig-29 K squadron". Economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  27. ↑ "INS Hansa getting crowded, Navy starts moving Mig-29Ks". IDRW (29 June 2015). Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Navy's MiG-29K superior to IAF's SU-30MKI". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "YouTube". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "Indian Navy prepares to retire its Sea Harriers". Janes. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "Indian Navy retires Sea Harriers". Defense News. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  32. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com: The White Tigers of Rewa
  33. ↑ Reed Business Information Limited. "India to extend Sea Harrier by 15 years". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  34. ↑ Reed Business Information Limited. "PICTURE: India's first 737-based P-8I nears flight debut". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  35. ↑ "1st P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft Arrives in India, Indian Navy to receive 2 more P-8Is by end of 2013". 16 May 2013.
  36. ↑ "CNews: Modernized Tu-142 handed over to Indian Eastern Headquarters". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  37. ↑ Forceindia.net
  38. ↑ "Upgraded ASW aircraft Tu-142ME was delivered to Indian Navy". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  39. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com: HAL Dhruv at Aero India '05
  40. ↑ "Indian Navy Commissions First Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) Squadron". 12 November 2013.
  41. ↑ "The Indian Navy's first Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) was commissioned at Kochi". dna. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  42. ↑ S. Anandan. "Navy keen on weaponised Dhruv". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  43. ↑ Bharat-Rakshak.com: Eyes in the Skies
  44. ↑ Sea King
  45. ↑ "India to Upgrade 17 Sea King Copters for $300M". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  46. ↑ "Eye in the sky to guard Gujarat coast". The Times of India. 18 January 2011.
  47. ↑ "Navy to commission UAV squadron at Porbandar". Zee News. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  48. ↑ "domain-b.com : Birds of a different feather". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  49. ↑ "Maritime surveillance capability needs to be strengthened: Mehta". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  50. ↑ Indian Navy developing new generation UAV
  51. ↑ "Gorshkov delay stalls carrier trials of naval LCA". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  52. ↑ "Indian Navy fastens its seatbelt for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas". dna. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  53. ↑ "Navy places Rs 900-cr order for 6 Tejas LCA". Rediff. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  54. ↑ "Indian navy places order for Saras aircraft". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  55. ↑ Reed Business Information Limited. "Indian air force to buy 15 Saras twin turboprops as trainers". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  56. ↑ "IAF to get 40 more Hawk AJTs". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  57. ↑ Navy inks Rs 3000-cr AJT deal deliveries start from 2013
  58. ↑ "HAL's Star Trainer reputation goes into a tailspin".
  59. ↑ India approves USD 1.5 billion aircraft deal for Navy - Brahmand.com
  60. ↑ "Aero India 2015: ShinMaywa confident of progress on US-2 sale to India".
  61. ↑ Indian MoD opts for Seahawk in navy's MRH tender, janes.com, 9 November 2014
  62. ↑ "Indian Navy Selects Sikorsky’s S-70B SEAHAWK for Multi-role Helicopter Requirement". 8 December 2014.
  63. ↑ "Navy to buy 56 utility helicopters for $1bn". The Times of India. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  64. ↑ "Indian Firms Set Teams for Helicopter Tender (11 February 2015)". defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  65. ↑ "IAI completes unmanned helicopter development work".
  66. ↑ "Navy chief calls for enhanced preparedness". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  67. ↑ : Western Command
  68. ↑ : Southern Command
  69. ↑ "Naval air base to tackle piracy". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  70. ↑ "Naval air station opened in Campbell Bay". 1 August 2012.

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