Indian Naval Air Arm - Future of The Naval Air Arm

Future of The Naval Air Arm

• HAL Tejas:The naval variant of the Tejas will have strengthened landing gear and other necessary modifications for service on an aircraft carrier. Two Naval prototypes will be built, the NP-1 (Naval Prototype-1) which will be a two seat variant and NP-2 (Naval Prototype-2), a single seat variant for carrier operations. The Tejas was expected to be delivered before 2012. The first flight of NP-1 was expected to take place by the end of 2008 but the carrier trials was delayed due to the delay in the delivery schedule of INS Vikramaditya. Hence the trials were to be carried out at the SBTF (Shore-based Test Facility) under construction at the naval airbase INS Hansa in Goa. Indian Navy plans to operate two squadrons (40 aircraft) of carrier borne Tejas aircraft from the two aircraft carries, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. Indian navy has placed an order for six Naval LCAs. At an approximate cost of ₹150 crore (US$27.3 million) per aircraft, the Naval LCA programme will be provided ₹900 crore (US$163.8 million). The Navy has a requirement of 50-60 Tejas aircraft.

The first Naval prototype NP-1, was rolled out in July 2010. NP-1, which is currently undergoing taxi trials, was expected to make its first flight by July 2011.

• P-8I Neptune: 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. The first flight of the plane is expected soon.

• Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft: The Indian Navy issued an RFP for six medium-range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft. The possible contenders are ATR-72MP/ ATR-42MP, EADS C-295MPA/C-235MPA, Dassault's Falcon 900MPA and Embraer P-99A platforms. The procurement number has been enhanced to 9 as per news reports in February, 2012.

• 17 Hawk Trainer

• HAL HJT-36

• 20 ASW Helicopters (to replace Sea King), extended to 60 helicopters

• 15 NAL Saras aircraft have been ordered, mostly to replace the Dornier Do-228. The Navy has a requirement for 25 Saras aircraft and design changes are being conducted on the aircraft for using it in maritime environment. The Naval Saras will start delivery by 2014.

• 40 Unmanned helicopters. This helicopter is under development and will be based on the HAL-built Cheetah helicopters.

• 56 naval utility helicopters are planned to be inducted from 2016. These will be used for surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, electronic intelligence gathering and search and rescue operations. In August 2012, an RFP was issued to AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Eurocopter, Kamov and Sikorsky for the helicopters, 3 simulators, 28 spare engines and associated equipment. The value of the contract is expected to be US$ 1 billion. These helicopters will have two engines, have a maximum weight of 4,500 kg and will be capable of operating from warship decks. The helicopters will be equipped with 70mm rocket launchers, 12.7mm guns, lightweight torpedoes and depth charges.

• 50 light helicopers