PN Capabilities - Indian View

[happybirthdaytoyou]

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Dear Friends

United States has just unveiled a massive $6.5 billion aid package to Pakistan under a World Bank program even as it increased its defense outlay by 4%. In addition it tacitly approved the $1 billion purchase of the Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) radars from Sweden’s Ericsson. Pakistan’s naval capabilities have been significantly increased by the donation of the Lockheed-made P-3C maritime surveillance aircrafts and the sale of 130 of the latest Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles worth $370 million. Per SpaceWar.com:

Pakistan intends to use the HARPOON systems on its P-3 aircraft, surface ships, and submarines. The Pakistan Navy currently has AGM-84 Block I air/surface/subsurface launch capability and recently accepted the Block II air- and surface-launched HARPOON. The AGM-84, HARPOON Block II upgraded targeting capability significantly reduces the risk of hitting non-combatant targets thus improving Pakistan’s naval operational flexibility. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.

The HARPOON Block II system will provide a significant upgrade to Pakistan’s existing systems and allow for improved target acquisition. The system has an increased number of waypoints associated with missile flight and incorporates a Global Positioning System that allows for precision use.

More recently, Defense News reported that France approved the sale of three Marlin diesel-electric submarine worth $1.2 billion from DCN and Thales. Pakistan wants these subs to armed with the deadly American Harpoons over the existing European Exocet missiles on these subs for enhanced naval power projection capability. Note that the French approval has come just months after India signed an agreement to buy six Scorpene class diesel submarines worth $3.5 billion from the same DCN. All this means that the Pakistani Navy gets a significant boost and power projection capability in the region between Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Ofcourse, we have not even talked about the sale of 55 F-16 Block 52 fighter jets equipped with Northrop Grumman’s APG-68(v)9 multimode radar and armed with the peerless Raytheon’s AIM-120-AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities.
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Yet, we are made to believe that India is being made as a strategic partner of the United States - with ‘analysis’ from the likes of Stratfor Inc., comprising of ‘ex-intelligence officials’. Just have a look at related feel-good report from TOI which almost copies the Stratfor report verbatim. In reality, as we showed the military parity between India and Pakistan is artificially propped up by the sale of these lethal weapons which are most likely to be used against India in case of a future Pakistani-initiated war such as Kargil.



Regards

[niaz]

I am surprised at the biased interpretation. Hon gentelman calls the purchase package as an aid, calls purchase of PC-3 Orions as "Donation" and just the discussion about new submarines as a done deal.

My dear neighbour, your defense budget is greater than our total national budget. You have the latest Russian Su-30's and Mig -29's and also a nuclear submarine. Whereas we have not had a modern plane introduced in PAF aresenal since F-16A/B in the late 80's and you have the nerve to complain. You have been spending billions on the new missiles, new tanks and new aircrafts for the last 50 years.

Yes I understand , you want to be another Israel, able to bully and bomb your smaller neighbours at will and claim this as right of self defense. You would really like that wouldn't you.

You can wish all you can but Pakistan is no Palestine.

[master_fx]

coz pakistan's big bro china will be ready to kick india's *** anytime if they cross the line....

[TexasJohn]

coz pakistan's big bro china will be ready to kick india's *** anytime if they cross the line....

Please engage brain before putting mouth in gear!! what are you trying to say?

[RAPTOR]

I am surprised at the biased interpretation. Hon gentelman calls the purchase package as an aid, calls purchase of PC-3 Orions as "Donation" and just the discussion about new submarines as a done deal.

My dear neighbour, your defense budget is greater than our total national budget. You have the latest Russian Su-30's and Mig -29's and also a nuclear submarine. Whereas we have not had a modern plane introduced in PAF aresenal since F-16A/B in the late 80's and you have the nerve to complain. You have been spending billions on the new missiles, new tanks and new aircrafts for the last 50 years.

Yes I understand , you want to be another Israel, able to bully and bomb your smaller neighbours at will and claim this as right of self defense. You would really like that wouldn't you.

You can wish all you can but Pakistan is no Palestine.

I have to agree with this, bharat is the biggest importer of arms in the developing world. It is the only country in the world that has the luxury of buying arms from US,EU,RUSSIA,S.Africa without any fear of sanctions or hesitation.It is currently on an all out armanent binge to prepare for an eventual war for "akhand bharat" .

incidently...Afghanistan has now been officially seperated from Central Asia and into "South Asia" By the world bank and IMF this past week .

[araz]

who says u that india will attack pakistan. dont say rubbish things of u r man .
pakistan is not palestine what u have written is full of bullshit without any logic

Vijay my friend,
Nobody is claiming that India will attack Pakistan. The fear of a nuclear backlash, will fortunately prevent war in the region, Ihope!! However what we lament is the crybaby attitude of the Indian Government and press, every time Pakistan acquires some new hardware. You buy everything from everywhere you choose with no fear of sanctions/ restrictions. You are the bigger country in the region, but your behaviour as a country is that of a spoilt brat. This is what Niaz is pointing out and whereas we will all welcome a strong counterargument, we do not appreciate anger, which is counterproductive. So please present an argument to support your statement. You might also want to have a look at Indian acquisitions V/S Pakistani acquisitions during the last 2 decades for comparison.
Enjoy and keep smiling
Araz

[vijay dahiya]

i got u r point.
thanks

[InsightDubai]

Persoanlly i think does not need that much investment in the defense industry. Money should be utilized in urban areas in bringing water to the starving villages all over india. After all india had a population of over a billion people. If india cuts its militray spending this will also further faciliate the decrease in arms race in asia which is hurting everyone. Only the western defence contrators seem to profit in billions of our money while our people go starving.

[Adux]

I am surprised at the biased interpretation. Hon gentelman calls the purchase package as an aid, calls purchase of PC-3 Orions as "Donation" and just the discussion about new submarines as a done deal.

My dear neighbour, your defense budget is greater than our total national budget. You have the latest Russian Su-30's and Mig -29's and also a nuclear submarine. Whereas we have not had a modern plane introduced in PAF aresenal since F-16A/B in the late 80's and you have the nerve to complain. You have been spending billions on the new missiles, new tanks and new aircrafts for the last 50 years.

Yes I understand , you want to be another Israel, able to bully and bomb your smaller neighbours at will and claim this as right of self defense. You would really like that wouldn't you.

You can wish all you can but Pakistan is no Palestine.

I agree to you, But then again if i can make sure my enemy or potential adversery has one less bullet, I will do it. It is geopolitics

[kidwaibhai]

incidently...Afghanistan has now been officially seperated from Central Asia and into "South Asia" By the world bank and IMF this past week .[/QUOTE]

i dont understand what does inducting afghanistan has to with anything plz clearify

[kidwaibhai]

incidently...Afghanistan has now been officially seperated from Central Asia and into "South Asia" By the world bank and IMF this past week .

i dont understand what does inducting afghanistan has to with anything plz clearify [/QUOTE]

[CaptainKidd]

As per the reports in the media on 01 Jun 06, and also confirmed by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Pentagon has approved the sale of both the advanced Harpoon Block II missiles (US$180 million) and AIM-9M-1/2 Sidewinder missiles (US$46 million) to Pakistan valued at a total of $226 million.

The proposed sale that is still to be cleared by the Congress in the next thirty days has been described by DSCA as a policy that would aid and ‘contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war on terrorism,’

‘The modernisation will enhance Pakistan’s legitimate self-defence capability,’ the Pentagon told congress, which has 30 days to move to block any such government-to-government arms sale. The sale would not affect the basic military balance in the region, the defence agency has claimed.


However, in March this year, President Bush cleared the sale of nuclear capable F- 16 to Pakistan, as it was perceived that Pakistan would continue to be a major non-NATO ally in the war against terrorism. The reported sale now of the updated Harpoon Block II missiles would significantly add to the offensive capability of Pakistan in all the three dimensions. It is unlikely that the Congress would block the sale that also would benefit the Boeing Company, which is marketing the product.

This paper aims to examine the impact of the induction of this versatile weapon system and the possible changes that it may bring about in the maritime equations in the Arabian Sea.

The Harpoon missile. The missile itself has been in service for nearly three decades. There are over 7000 missiles (air launched, sub launched and surface launched versions) that have been delivered worldwide. It has been reported that the sale has been made to twenty-six countries including Pakistan.

As per published reports the AGM-84 Harpoon is a U.S. all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas, with development and manufacturing now taken over by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977. The missile system has also been further developed into a coastal strike version, the AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM).

As per data provided on the web site of the Boeing Company, Harpoon Block II expands the capabilities of the Harpoon anti-ship weapon. Harpoon, the world's most successful anti-ship missile, (as claimed by the company) features autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon capability. Harpoon Block II provides accurate long-range guidance for land and ship targets by incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, program; and the software, mission computer, integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System and the GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response, or SLAM-ER.

Harpoon Block II is claimed to be capable of executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions. To strike targets on land and ships in port, the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation to hit a designated target aim point. The 500-pound blast warhead delivers lethal firepower against a wide variety of land-based targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities and ships in port. For conventional anti-ship missions, such as open ocean or near-land, the GPS/INS improves midcourse guidance to the target area. The accurate navigation solution allows users to discriminate target ships from islands or other nearby landmasses or ships. These Block II improvements maintain Harpoon's high hit probability even against ships very close to land as per the claims by the Company.

The multi-mission Block II is deployable from all current Harpoon missile system platforms with either existing command and launch equipment or the new Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System, or AHWCS.

Issues as the missile is added to the Pak inventory.
The sea skimming missiles are capable of being fired in all the three dimensions and can be fitted on Ships, aircraft, submarines and shore batteries. The company has indicated that the missile has a range in excess of 67 nm (110Km). The typical ranges for the three versions are as follows: -

a) AGM-84D - 220 km (120 nm). (Air launched)

b) RGM/UGM-84D - 140 km (75 nm). (Sub launched)

c) AGM-84E - 93 km (50 nm). (Surface launched)

d) AGM-84F - 315 km (170 nm.) (Air launched)

e) AGM-84H/K- 280 km (150 nm). (Air launched)

The accuracy has been indicated unofficially as 30 feet.


In any future conflict, both the Navies would be battling to wrest sea control in areas of interest in the Arabian Sea. The dependence on the seas particularly in the case of Pakistan, which has limited number of ports, would be a factor that would weigh in the minds of the planners on both sides of Sir Creek area. The Indian Navy has opted for a force structure centred around a Carrier Task Force (CTF).

Pakistan would there fore would like to neutralise this threat to keep its sea-lanes open. There are no doubts that it would like to muster all its resources and deploy them to seek and attack the sea forces before they can impose a blockade/sea control in areas of interest. It is here that the Harpoon block II missile has the potential to make a difference in the encounters at Sea. With enhanced accuracy and built in capability to be guided to the targets by even a buddy aircraft, the equations in the maritime arena would undergo a significant qualitative change. The missile though not in the league of the Tomahawk SLAM (Sea Launched Attack Missile) now provides the Pak Navy with options to strike not only surface targets but also the land targets at extended ranges limited only by the operating radii of the P3 C Orion aircraft.

The report of the induction of the updated Harpoon missiles has also to be seen in the backdrop of reports on 03 Jun 06(Daily Times) in the media about the approval for acquisition of an AWACS aircraft from Sweden. It has been claimed that the Erieye radar on board the Swedish turboprop aircraft SAAB 2000 has the ability to detect both air and sea targets between 350 to 450 Kilometres. This would mean that the Indian task force seeking to establish sea control would be vulnerable to such long range detection and coordinated attacks by the Harpoon missiles from Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) PN Submarines (assessed to be the primary threat to the Indian Fleet), P3C Orion aircraft which has long reach and staying power, F 16 aircraft that can cover a significant area along the Gwadar coast and with an operating radii up to Mumbai and beyond.

There is another factor that needs to be taken note of. As part of the coalition, Pakistan was given the leadership role of leading the coalition forces in the Arabian Sea as part of the Maritime Security Operations (MSO). This opportunity would provide the Pakistan Navy with access to modern command and communication means and methodology. This experience would work in its favour in understanding the nuances of modern Naval warfare in a manner that would increase the thresholds of professionalism in the Pakistan much to the detriment of Indian Navy.

From the point of view of US, the sale is in consonance with its stated philosophy of supporting Pakistan that has been seen as cooperating with US in its counter terrorism efforts. The sale of the sidewinders for the Pak Air force announced along with the Harpoon package specifically talks about the threats from the western borders of Pakistan that needs to be countered. Who is this western neighbour who is threatening the interests of Pakistan? Iran or Iraq? In the larger scheme of things, it is quite clear that Pakistan is being armed to appease the non-NATO ally who may not be comfortable with the new initiatives between the two largest democracies of the world. In addition, the defence industry’s interests would be well served by such sales to rivals in the sub continent who are constantly trying to outwit each other and modernise their inventory. So you sell missiles to one country and sell anti missile defence systems to its rival while the defence industry prospers. It may be recollected that the US was willing to make the technology of the missile defence systems to India and a high powered delegation even made presentations at Delhi some years ago. So the game of playing one against the other while its own industry benefits is not a new phenomenon. There have been reports of the updated Harpoon missiles being sold to Egypt. Israel, which was very concerned with the sale, cautioned US on the possible danger to the aircraft carriers from its own missiles owned and operated by Egypt.

What ever be the compulsions of the day for the release of the updated Harpoon missiles and the side winders to Pakistan, It is quite clear that the induction of the newer weapons systems in the neighbourhood coupled with associated command and control structure would set the Indian Navy top brass thinking on developing tactical, operational and strategic counters to the new emerging threats.

By R. S. Vasan
:flag: :army:

[CaptainKidd]

The impact of induction of the P3C Orion Aircraft on the Indian Navy's Preparedness: An Assessment

by Commodore RS Vasan IN (Retd)

1. A lot of debate is taking place in the naval circles and amongst maritime analysts to understand the full impact of the induction of the P3C Orion in the sub continent. The deal worth over 1.3 billion US dollars has many more military sophisticated equipment. What however interests the maritime analysts is the inclusion of a major item in the form of eight Orion long range maritime aircraft which can be used for surveillance, Anti Sub marine warfare and Anti Surface warfare. Why is this raising the heckles in the Arabian Sea? To understand this and more there would be a need to look at the aircraft itself and then analyse the pattern of Naval Operations in the Arabian Sea.






2. A look at the P3C Orion . While the airframe and the design of the aircraft is quite old (almost four decades old), what is notable is the regular updates with which the aircraft has been rendered equal to the present day tasks. The US Navy itself has plans to use the aircraft for the next 15 years and expects to support the fleet elsewhere for another two decades plus. A total of over 480 Aircraft have been built to date since the first built some forty years ago.

3. The Pak Navy is expected to be the recipient of the updated P3C Orion aircraft with a capability that will add a great deal in terms of not just surveillance in the Indian Ocean but also in its ability to neutralize both the Indian Submarines deployed on offensive patrols along enemy coasts and the Surface Combatants who would be out there to exercise Sea Control. Both these missions are integral to most of the Navies of the world who are vested with responsibilities in the ocean areas of interest.

The Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft of the world are capable of undertaking multiple missions in wide areas of interests. With the addition of Air to Surface Missiles, the task of Anti Surface Warfare has now become integral to that of Anti Submarine operations.

4. The older Atlantique aircraft which the Pakistan Navy used in the past (Remember the one that was shot down close to our borders) also was equipped for both Anti Sub and Anti Surface Warfare operations. The P3C Orion is no different and is so designed to take on both these tasks. The effectiveness or otherwise of an aircraft like the P3C is largely dependent on the weapon +equipment mix as well as the crew efficiency to handle such technology and missions. The P3C has an array of equipment to enable it to patrol large areas at fairly high speeds. The details of the equipment are provided on open sites by the manufacturers namely Lockheed Martin. This is appended below:-

a) The IR Maverick Missile is an infrared-guided, rocket-propelled, air-to-ground missile for use against targets requiring considerable warhead penetration prior to detonation. The missile is capable of two pre-flight selectable modes of target tracking. The armor or land track mode is optimized for tracking land-based targets such as tanks or fortified emplacements. The ship track mode is optimized for tracking seaborne targets. The missile is capable of launch-and-leave operation. After launch, automatic missile guidance is provided by an imaging infrared energy sensing and homing device.

b) The AN/AAS-36A Infrared Detecting Set [IRDS] provides passive imaging of infrared wavelength radiation to visible light emanating from the terrain along the aircraft flight path for stand-off detection, tracking, and classification capability. The IRDS update will primarily consist of an improved A-focal lens.

c) The AN/AVX-1 Electro-Optical Sensor System [EOSS] is an airborne stabilized electro-optical system that provides video for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The AN/AVX-1 EOSS has the capability to detect and monitor objects during the day from exceptionally clear to medium hazes, dawn and dusk, and during the night from a full moon to starlight illumination.

d) The AN/APS-137B (V) 5 Radar is capable of multimode operation to provide periscope and small target detection, navigation, weather avoidance, long range surface search and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and ISAR imaging modes. SAR provides detection, identification, and classification capability of stationary targets. ISAR provides detection, classification, and tracking capability against surface and surfaced submarine targets. The AN/APS-137B (V) 5 ISAR provides range, bearing, and positional data on all selected targets, and provides medium or high resolution images for display and recording.

e) The EP-2060 Pulse Analyzer works in conjunction with the AN/ALR-66C (V) 3 to detect, direction find, quantify, process, and display electromagnetic signals emitted by land, ship, and airborne radar systems.

f) Three Color High Resolution Display [CHRD] general purpose, dual channel, closed circuit units provide the operator with improved Operator-Machine-Interface and 1024 X 1280 pixel landscape orientation, improved response time to operator commands, and an increase of 300 percent in the video refresh rate to minimize display flicker. Five types of data may be displayed on the CHRD: cursors, cues, tableau, alerts, and raw video.

g) The Pilot Color High Resolution Display [PCHRD] provides the ability to display complex tactical and sensor information to the pilot station.

h) The Over-the-Horizon Airborne Sensor Information System [OASIS] III data is received and prepared for transmission via the OASIS III Tactical Data Processor (TDP). OASIS III processes and correlates all data provided via MATT and Mini-DAMA. The OASIS III TDP provides an Officer in Tactical Command Information Exchange System (OTCIXS) message link, coupled with GPS-aided targeting using the AN/APS-137B(V)5 Radar.

j) The OZ-72(V) Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal [MATT] system will provide Tactical Receive Equipment (TRE) capability to receive and decrypt three simultaneous channels of Tactical Data Information Exchange Subsystem (TADIXS-B), Tactical Related Applications (TRAP), and Tactical Information Broadcast Service (TIBS) information. The system will route the received broadcast data to the OASIS III for further processing.

k) The AN/USC-42(V) 3 Miniaturized Demand Assigned Multiple Access [Mini-DAMA] will provide for secure voice communications. Mini-DAMA provides for the transmission, reception, and decryption of OTCIXS data and the subsequent routing of that data to the OASIS III TDP.

l) The AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System [MWS] is a passive electro-optical system designed to detect surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. Upon detection of an incoming missile, the MWS will report the impending threat to the Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS).

m) The AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System [CMDS] will be used for dispensing flares, chaff, non-programmable expendable jammers, and programmable jammers.

n) The AN/ALR-66 C (V) 3 Electronic Support Measures Set provides all the same features as an AN/ALR-66 B (V) 3 ESM Set. However, the ALR-66 C (V) 3 Set incorporates the AS-105 spinning DF antenna and the Operational Flight Program is modified to accommodate this configuration difference. Also included is the EP-2060 Pulse Analyzer, an upgrade to the ULQ-16.

p) The Harpoon Missile with advanced features and an expected stand off range in excess of 100 kms.

5. While the details of equipment are applicable to an upgrade programme in the US, the specific equipment cleared for sale to PN is not yet clear. But it can be safely assumed that most of the above equipment and others that are not listed would indeed find its space in an Orion with the crescent and the star. The aircraft has been classified as a counter terrorism aircraft; some description indeed for an LRMRASWand ASUW aircraft! This description has surprised military analysts the world over.
6Not withstanding the reasons for the sale of this high technology air asset, the fact of the matter is that the P3C Orion is here to stay and would be constantly factored in the tactical and strategic scenarios in the India Ocean.

7. The entire pattern of operations can be simply explained as follows:

>The aircraft based on intelligence is launched to a specific area. The P3C would transit at high speed using all the four engines to reach the area. On reaching the area it could shut down two of its engines to extend it's loiter time by operating at Patrol speeds. The Avionics are operated as dictated by the tactical situation. Thus the aircraft could be operating the Radar selectively to prevent enemy Electronic Support Measures (ESM) equipment from detecting and tracking the source of transmission. Simultaneously, the aircraft would be using its own ESM equipment to detect and classify the presence of any hostile transmissions.

> The aircraft would methodically build a surface picture in the target area and also pass on the information in real time to the ground monitoring stations. With friendly inputs from Satellites it would be quite easy to correlate plots. The updated version is designed to be capable of net centric warfare .It is child's play today to have such real time information including transfer of either synthetic or raw pictorial plots to the controlling stations. Certain missions would demand independent prosecution by the Aircraft itself where as certain other missions may demand a coordinated action by other Strike aircraft and Submarines.

>The aircraft has its own stand off Harpoon missile with a range in excess of 100 kms. So the aircraft would be able to release the missile on the target keeping well outside the SAM ranges. However, the aircraft could be vulnerable to integral (Carrier borne) aircraft depending on the scenario existing. Issues related to the Carrier operations are very frequently debated in the Pak online forums. The discussions on the Carrier Operations could form the subject of another analysis.

>As far as the Anti Sub marine operations are concerned, the range of Passive, Active Directional sonobuoys and the Magnetic detector that the aircraft carries provides it the wherewithal to keep probable areas of enemy Submarine deployment under active surveillance. The threat to the P3C would indeed be minimized as it would be operating close to its own shore and would be well with in its shore based fighter cover. On detection and localization, the aircraft has array of weapons including torpedoes and depth charges which could be released with great accuracy enabled by onboard sonic processors and mission computer systems.

The most important asset of the P3C Orion, in my opinion is the Inverted Synthetic.

Aperture Radar (ISAR ) which makes it possible for the crew to identify the targets at well over missile release ranges. This does complicate the matters for the Surface Action Group (SAG) or a Carrier Battle Group (CBG) manoeuvring in the areas where Sea Control is desired.
>Similarly, the use of onboard chaffs and jammers would provide some sort of protection from missile (SAMs and AAMs).

In the light of above, let us see how the task of the IN is complicated in the Arabian

Sea and what counters are available to IN in the present context. The element of surprise is something that would be compromised as the P3C aircraft has the means to identify the surface targets at extended ranges. It would enable the planners in Pakistan to develop a surface picture that forewarns them of the possibilities related to a time frame. Thus the most essential aspect of 'time and space' in relation to surface dispositions would be known for mounting counter operations. This doubtlessly would affect the classical missions of Sea Control and Blockade.
It is not as if the entire advantage in the Arabian Sea is nullified in one stroke with the introduction of the Orion aircraft; after all, the IN has lived with the presence of the Atlantique aircraft which similarly threatened the surface forces and submarines in the past. The equation was also less favourable to the Indian Navy then with the absence of any credible air early warning with IN till just a couple of years ago.

The introduction of the KA 31Airborne Early Warning (AEW) Helicopters has provided that essential component in IN Fleet operations. With a claimed detection capability of over 100 to 150 kms, tracking ability of more than 40 tracks and the ability to operate from a variety of decks, this platform would provide many options for uninterrupted fleet operations. In the absence of any form of credible AEW, the fleet was mostly at a disadvantage pitted even against the older Atlantique .The Atlantique seemed to get in on many occasions without warning due to the limitations of Surface Radars. The surface radars in any case were detected by the airborne passive sensors well beyond their own detection ranges. This in the past had severely affected the effectiveness of deck launched interception by the Sea Harriers. The limited reaction time provided was inadequate to neutralize the threat before the snooper reached the missile release range.





The Sea Harriers would now be in a better position to be directed to the source of threat by the AEW Helicopter well before it reaches the weapon release mark. How would the IN cope with coordinated saturation attacks from many directions (for example by dozens of Mirages, Three to four P3C Orion's and anything else that could be thrown in to the arena) would be a matter of clever tactics and battle of wits. The PN would like to see that the operation resembles the "peeling of the onion", meaning that they would concentrate on taking out the pickets engaged in the outer periphery to protect the Carrier or any other Surface vessel till they reach the Carrier. The closer co operation between the IAF and the IN to optimize the reach of the Sukhoi aircraft and Tankers to take out the Orion in the initial stages would enable subsequent classical naval operation.

In conclusion , P3C Orion will definitely change the strategic and tactical dimensions of naval warfare in the Arabian Sea. The induction of high technology sensors and precision weapons endangers IN operations. The Navy doubtlessly would be busy in evaluating the changed parameters caused by this induction for developing counters to see that it continues to enjoy the maritime supremacy in the Arabian Sea.

[WebMaster]

I agree to you, But then again if i can make sure my enemy or potential adversery has one less bullet, I will do it. It is geopolitics

Thats exactly the point. Your making sure that we get less bullets, but you dont see, then we will be producing them our own.

[Adux]

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Thats exactly the point. Your making sure that we get less bullets, but you dont see, then we will be producing them our own.

Good on ya, then,