India is seeking to strengthen its huge naval power by assembling advanced submarines and helicopters to counter China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
According to reports, in addition to the formal purchase of two MH-60 Romeo anti-submarine helicopters from the United States, India also bid for the construction of six new-generation conventional stealth submarines on Tuesday. Times of India.
These submarines are manufactured domestically but with the help of foreign countries, they will be equipped with 18 ground attack cruise missiles and heavy torpedoes. The submarine will also be equipped with fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion, which will help improve underwater endurance.
India lacks powerful underwater mechanisms to counter Chinese warships and submarines that often enter the Indian Ocean. Half of the 12 very old diesel-electric submarines owned by India will be decommissioned this year. However, India’s INS Arihant, a nuclear submarine equipped with short-range ballistic missiles, was fully operational in 2018, and INS Chakra is the most valuable underwater asset of the Indian Navy.
It is to correct this situation that India proposed the “Project-75 India”, which cost 7 million US dollars, specifically to promote local defense production. The plan is to have at least 18 diesel-electric conventional submarines, 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines and 4 nuclear-powered submarines equipped with nuclear warhead ballistic missiles.
At the same time, India also received The first two of the 24 MH-60 Romeo anti-submarine helicopters at the San Diego Naval Air Station in the North Island of the United States. According to the Indian Navy, this will enhance its surface, air and underwater capabilities.
Both helicopters are from the US Navy’s inventory, and the first batch of these “submarine hunters” will land in India next year. Romeo is an all-weather helicopter designed to support multiple missions with the most advanced avionics and sensors.
According to the Indian Navy, these helicopters will be modified with equipment and weapons unique to India, such as sensors and special weapons packages. These include Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes. Currently, the Navy uses P-8i aircraft for anti-submarine operations.
Romeo also has anti-surface combat capabilities, which can help them detect surface threats and attack enemy ships.
At the same time, the hint is clearly focused on Underwater battleU.S. Secretary of Naval Operations Michael Gilday stated that many U.S. allies hope train Anti-submarine warfare with the U.S. Navy as a means to counter Russia and China.
Although the US Navy’s attention to anti-submarine warfare has diminished after the Cold War, the growing underwater naval fleets of Russia and China have regained people’s attention.
Photo: Reuters/Siddiqui, Denmark
