Feature 4
tend to be of largely indigenous designs
(with foreign design input) from the Indian
Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND),
and those that are ‘build to print’ vessels to
foreign designs.
Now, however, there is a growing
recognition in the Indian government that
dedicated capacity expansion for warship
construction is necessary within the context
of revitalising the shipbuilding industry
in India. To this end, tenders have been
floated by MDL and GRSE to set up joint
design centres with Western shipyards and
to absorb modern construction techniques
in an attempt to overcome the chronic
problems that have plagued these state-run
shipyards and increase their efficiency.
Concurrently, modernisation projects are
underway to improve infrastructure, and
some privately-owned shipyards - such as
L&T Hazira - have been granted industrial
licences to enter the hitherto state-controlled
domain of warship building.
P-71 Indigenous aircraft
Carrier
The most high profile naval project is the
34,019tonne Project 71 Indigenous Aircraft
Carrier (IAC), which is under construction
at Cochin Shipyard with extensive technical
assistance from Fincantieri in Italy and
Nevskoye Design Bureau in Russia for
propulsion system integration and the
aircraft facilities complex, respectively. The
estimated cost of the IAC project is in excess
of US$800million.
The 252m long ship is powered by a
COGAG propulsion system that is very
similar to the Italian Navy’s Cavour aircraft
carrier. Up to 30 aircraft, comprising Mig-
29Ks and helicopters can be embarked. 17
can be stowed in the hangar. The STOBAR
configuration does not permit simultaneous
take-off and landing operations.
In due course, Indian Navy frigates such as this one will be complemented by the Project
Progress after the ceremonial steel
17 Shivalik class frigates which are under construction.
cutting in April 2005 has been slow, due a
lack of Russian D-40S steel, ongoing design
changes driven by the Indian Navy, and October 2007, as originally anticipated) and than 1800 compartments, and hundreds of
technology absorption issues at CSL, rather launching for October 2010. It is expected systems need to be fitted out. Approximately
than funding. that the ship will be ready for delivery by 2500km of piping, 5000km of cabling, and
Construction commenced in November December 2014, a delay of two years from about 20,000tonnes of steel will be required
2006 only after D40S equivalent steel, DMR the 2003-2004 plan. for the ship’s construction.
249A, could be developed and sourced The ship is being constructed using an According to recent statements by the
indigenously, and key project milestones integrated hull outfit and painting method. Indian defence minister, A K Antony, the
have slipped accordingly. Keel-laying is now Outfitting, expected to last several years, construction of the carrier is progressing
scheduled for October 2008 (rather than will be a complex task as the ship has more ‘on schedule’ and the yard is still hopeful of
Warship Technology January 2008 23
WT Jan - p22+23+24+25.indd 23 08/01/2008 10:29:29
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