SP's Naval Forces - April-May 2018
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Despite the severe setbacks especially in submarine build-up plan causing serious capability gaps, Indian Navy’s acquisition and modernisation plans, spanning over three plan periods 2005-2022 are well on track, although some prestigious projects have missed the delivery milestones
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has indicated a maritime vision for Indian–Pacific Region and the concept of Indo-Pacific security. He is convinced that India’s development depends upon the freedom of sea lanes of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Compared to the fixed wing UAVs, it is much simpler for rotary systems to operate from the ships deck. This has led to the development of naval rotary UAVs (NRUAVs) who can perform all the maritime UAV missions with the addition of search and rescue but without the problems of landing and take off by fixed wing UAVs.
It is understood that the acquisition process will start again with the invite sent to Kangnam Corporation, Intermarine of Italy, Navantia of Spain, Lockheed Martin of US, ThyssenKrupp of Germany and Russian shipyards
Recently concluded Exercise Paschim Lehar extensively tested and revalidated the operational plans and manoeuvres in a hostile maritime scenario on India’s Western seaboard
From an event of sub-regional context, MILAN has now grown into a prestigious international event and encompasses participation by maritime forces from not just the Bay of Bengal and South East Asia but the larger Indian Ocean region
“We want India as our first strategic partner here, and we want to be India’s first strategic partner in Europe, and even the western world.” —Emmanuel Macron, the President of the Republic of France