The Defence Ministry on Friday approved the procurement of 10 Kamov Ka-31 Airborne Early Warning and Control helicopters for the Indian Navy. According to reports, the total cost of the deal would be around Rs 3,600 crore. These helicopters would be deployed aircraft carriers and warships. INS Vikrant, First Indigenous-Built AirCraft Carrier to Be Delivered to Indian Navy in 2021: Admiral Sunil Lanba.
The aim of the choppers is to sanitise the air space around the battle groups led by the aircraft carriers and are used for anti-submarine warfare operations. The Navy has already a fleet of 12 of these choppers. In addition to these helicopters, the force has also Kamove-28 and Kamov 25 choppers. Indian Navy to Get MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk Helicopters Soon; US Approves USD 2.6 Billion Deal.
Now the deal will be presented before the cabinet committee on security for the final approval. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) which takes decisions on defence deals is headed by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The council also includes chiefs of three services. Indian Navy’s Virtual Reality Centre For Designing Warships Inaugurated by Admiral Sunil Lanba.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, the defence ministry signed two separate contracts with Cochin Shipyard Limited and GRSE to build 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASWSWC) for the Indian Navy. Both the shipyards will build eight ASWSWCs each. Both the contracts are worth Rs 6,311 crore each.
In view of India’s vast coastline of 7516.6 kilometer with 12 Major ports, 184 minor ports and 1197 Island territories, coastal surveillance for ASW operations is considered critical. Induction of these specialised ships with lower draught, would significantly enhance coastal shallow water Anti Submarine Warfare capability of the Indian Navy with improved performance of weapons, censors, hall mounted and towed sonars.
(Picture Courtesy: Twitter)
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