India's Military Deficit - Part 3 (Navy)

In the previous article, the strength of Indian AirForce has been discussed. Let us analyze the Indian Navy strength in this article:

1. Ships: At a high level, we need to have sufficient number of ships to patrol our coastline, not considering the numerous islands like Andaman & Nicobar. This puts required number of ships to 467. Here it is assumed that each ship has speed of 30 km/h and 2 ships patrol together over the 7,000 km coastline. The available ships are only 90 as others are just small patrol boats. So the ratio between required vs available is 467 vs 90 i.e. 5.

2. Attack helicopters: Assuming 3 attack helicopters are required for every 2 ships, this comes to a need for 751 attack helicopters. We have only 110 attack helicopters available in 2020. So the ratio between required vs available is 751 vs 55 i.e. 14. This is a critical shortcoming of Indian Navy.

3. Destroyers: Assuming each destroyer operates 12 hours at a speed of 30 km/h, patrolling the maritime border, the required numbers are 39. The present strength is 10. So the ratio between required vs available is 39 vs 10 i.e. 4.

4. Submarines: Assuming submarines have to cover the arc of a semi-circle with coastline as diameter, the distance covered is PI*R. Also assuming each submarine is active for 12 hours per day with speed of 25 km/h, the requirement comes to 81. Here 2 aircraft carriers and need of 4 helicopter carriers is also assumed so that 2*2 + 4 * 1 additional submarines have been considered. The current numbers are 16. So the ratio between required vs available is 81 vs 16 i.e. 5.

5. Aircraft carriers: We need 2 aircraft carriers to monitor Indian Ocean near Andaman and trade routes near Africa. Presently 2 are available with 1 soon to be commissioned. So sufficient numbers are available. Besides our long coastline can be used to our advantage to patrol using fighter jets taking off from mainland and islands.

6. Helicopter carriers: To protect our ships in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, 4 helicopter carriers should be sufficient. At present, we don't have anyone.

7. Mine Warfare Ships: We have 66 naval bases. So we need 66/2 = 33 minesweepers. At present Indian Navy has 3 of them. So the ratio between required vs available is 33 vs 3 i.e. 11. This is a critical old school requirement and should have been fulfilled long back. In fact we are behind Bangladesh in this capability in 2020.

8. Frigates: Normally frigates should be at least equal to the number of destroyers so that in peace time they can be used heavily. So we have requirement for 39 frigates, but navy has only 13 available. Also they can be used in shallow waters near islands. So the ratio between required vs available is 39 vs 13 i.e. 3.

9. Utility Helicopters: Assuming one utility helicopter for transporting men and materials among ships and land, the requirement comes to 560. Here 2 helicopters for each carriers and 1 for each destroyer and frigate have been considered to be the bare minimum required.

10 Navy Reconnaissance aircraft: The reconnaissance aircraft like P-8I and Dornier-228 should be able to cover 25% of the maritime border. They have speed of 800 km/h and can fly for 6 hour missions. The distance will be like the sides of isosceles triangle with a base of coastline length 7,000 km. This  brings the requirement to 37. At present we have 14 P-8I aircraft. So the ratio between required vs available is 37 vs 14 i.e. 3.

11. Transport Airplanes: With a strength of approximately 75,000 personal, and any tactical requirement to transport them or required materials, the Navy might need at least 5% to be transported by aircraft of medium to heavy size. This puts the need for 38 heavy aircraft. But only 10 medium transport aircraft BN-32 are available. So the ratio between required vs available is 38 vs 5 i.e. 8.

12. Naval Fighters: For 2 carriers about 60 aircraft are needed and 36 are available in the form of Mig-29K. So the ratio between required vs available is: 60 vs 36 i.e. 2.

13. Naval AWACS: With each carrier needing an AWACS 24 X 7, the requirement is for 8 AWACS. We are using 5 old IL-38 AWACS, and Kamov KA-31 helicopter based early warning systems are being used. These do not provide adequate cover.  So the ratio between required vs available is: 16 vs 5 i.e. 3.

14. Tankers: With total requirement for serving 150 naval aircraft, the need for 15 tankers is there. But none are available for Navy. The joint transport aircraft development program HAL-UAC multirole transport aircraft program was scuttled by UAC after renegading on promised design and engine usage. And HAL has been left with no open tender for transport aircraft for past 5 years.

15. Amphibious Aircraft: For search and rescue and for logistics to far away islands in Indian Ocean, there is a need for 18 amphibious aircraft that can land in water too. Also they will be useful to take care of forest fires in summer. So approx 20-30 aircraft are needed but none have been procured so far.

Factors behind this deficit:

1. No long term planning like going for 10 to 20 years acquisition targets for aircraft.

2. A very slow speed of implementation of projects.

3. Love for boutique projects like acquiring one new submarine, three new frigates or 6 new UAVs. 

4. A deep infatuation with aircraft carriers instead of submarines and corvettes or upgrading infrastructure of the islands.

Above analysis shows there is a serious shortage of defense weapon systems like destroyers, minesweepers, frigates, helicopters. But if we see past projects, navy keeps on changing its mind. e.g.  Last Mig-29K was acquired in 2016 for first aircraft carrier. Now in 2020, for next aircraft carrier INS-Vikrant, instead of going for a follow-on order for another set of Mig-29Ks, a brand new tender is being floated. 

Well one can only say WOW!!