Posted on 12/03/2014 2:50:53 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
(Reuters) - India is speeding up a navy modernization program and leaning on its neighbors to curb Chinese submarine activity in the Indian Ocean, as nations in the region become increasingly jittery over Beijing's growing undersea prowess.
Just months after a stand-off along the disputed border dividing India and China in the Himalayas, Chinese submarines have shown up in Sri Lanka, the island nation off India's southern coast. China has also strengthened ties with the Maldives, the Indian Ocean archipelago.
China's moves reflect its determination to beef up its presence in the Indian Ocean, through which four-fifths of its oil imports pass, and coincides with escalating tension in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing's naval superiority has rattled its neighbors.
"We should be worried the way we have run down our submarine fleet. But with China bearing down on us, the way it is on the Himalayas, the South China Sea and now the Indian Ocean, we should be even more worried," said Arun Prakash, former chief of the Indian navy.
"Fortunately, there are signs this government has woken up to the crisis," he said. "But it will take time to rebuild. We should hope that we don't get into a face-off with the Chinese, that our diplomacy and alliances will keep things in check."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has ordered an accelerated tendering process to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of 500 billion rupees ($8.1 billion), in addition to six similar submarines that French firm DCNS is assembling in Mumbai port to replace a nearly 30-year-old fleet hit by a run of accidents.
The country's first indigenously built nuclear submarine - loaded with nuclear-tipped missiles and headed for sea trials this month - joins the fleet in late 2016.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Since nobody can match the Chinese in money the countries being menaced by China should develop small, nuclear powered, autonomous platforms. Imagine a sub on station for its entire 20 year career, only coming to a base or supply ship when it needs more torpedoes or missiles.
A New Cold War via an arms race between India (Democracy) & China (Communist)...interesting...considering we shipped over the entire US manufacturing hub to China...
Sometimes - if not most - the US creates its own problems!
I was with you until you said you thought nuclear underwater drones would be a cost savings. I think you meant some word other than savings. Here’s a hint: the cost limit for the Indian navy isn’t sailor pay.
“I was with you until you said you thought nuclear underwater drones would be a cost savings.”
There’s a type of nuclear battery that’s like a dry cell. It’s low power and can be added to existing diesel boats as a hull insert that’s about 15 feet long. Something similar is used to power satellites. I’m not talking about the type of reactor used by the big boys. These can be scaled to any size.
As for the autonomous feature, the Israelis already have flying drones that can make their own kill decisions. By Israeli law, they can’t do that...yet. But if they get into a serious dustup they have that feature they can turn on.
Not arguing that your proposal isn’t doable, I’m arguing that your proposal isn’t cheap. At least compared to using existing off the shelf diesel subs and technology.
I’m proposing a series of autonomous subs that range in size from torpedo to city bus. Their cost would be tiny compared with subs. India can’t possibly match China who now has 60 subs. But just 30 autonomous vehicles that never need recharging or shore leave could more than make up for the Indian sub deficit.
True, diesel boats are a known and relatively cheap commodity. But they take years to order, build, train up for etc. They would also not have any of the advantages of a leapfrog technology like autonomous drones. (And, yes, drones could backfire, I know. But Indian needs to gamble to stay in the game.)
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