Page 58 - navstrat
P. 58

NAVSTRAT-2030     NAVSTRAT-2030

                                 New Design Centre (ENDC), Machinery Testing and Trials Unit (MTTU), and Hull
 Naval Fleet Modernization       Inspection and Trials Unit (HITU) are engaged with designing, fabrication, testing
                                 and commissioning process. This process can be further developed to build military
 The key component of maritime power projection is the naval fleet. The rapid development in the   and non-military craft even bigger than IPCs utilizing own capabilities and with the
 maritime industry in the world with technological evolve demands SLN to modernize her fleet by   collaboration of other stakeholders.
 acquiring  modern platforms  and  technologies  while  timely  phasing out or  replacing obsolete
 technologies, equipment, systems and platforms.   ●   Extended Service life through Technology Insertion.  The service life of ships
                                 and systems can be extended by upgrading them with the latest technologies and
 ●   Upgradation of  Existing Fleet.   SLN is  compelled to  maintain  a  sufficient   compatible indigenous solutions derived through R&D. Introduction of such viable
 number of fleet units to accomplish the role and task entrusted. However, due to   solutions including the cost incurred in the R&D projects is economical compared
 financial constraints, the acquisition of new platforms would be limited within the   to building an entirely a new ship. The insertion of propulsion systems, engines,
 next five years. Hence, the implementation of a comprehensive modernization plan   auxiliary machinery, control systems, the newest sophisticated surveillance systems
 for the existing fleet, incorporating advanced navigation, communication, weapon   and communication systems into the existing platforms multiply their capabilities
 systems, main and auxiliary machinery would be the possible way forward to SLN.   effectively.
 Acquiring underwater detection capability for existing platforms as feasible is also
 essential in the future.
                          ●      Routine Maintenance. The operational  readiness, effectiveness,  longevity  and
 ●   Acquisition of  Multi-Mission Capability  Platforms.  The  naval role at sea is   reliability  of  naval  vessels and systems exclusively  depend on the proper  and
 versatile and the naval fleet must be capable of performing various missions at sea.   appropriate maintenance philosophy of SLN. This ensures the safety of men and
 There is a need to acquire next-generation naval vessels equipped with advanced   equipment by preventing catastrophic failures. The cost incurred for major repairs/
 sensor  suites,  stealth technology, long-range precision  strike capabilities,  three-   major overhauls or entire system replacement in the absence of routine maintenance
 dimensional detection and surveillance capabilities including underwater detection   would cost  more than  periodic maintenance.  Amidst financial  constraints,  the
 capability for SLN to meet the anticipated threats and commitments in the future.   routine  maintenance of costly  platforms  is  indispensable to  preserve them for
 Another aspect is to consider the acquisition of Multi-Role Research Vessels, tugs   decades to come.
 and Air-Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) commonly known as Hovercraft to operate on
 the ground, water, sand, mud and various other surfaces.
                          ●      Preservation  of  Fleet  Units. The  change of role  in  SLN  from  humanitarian
                                 operations to  encountering  contemporary  non-traditional threats  and  challenges
 ●   Acquisition of a Floating Dock.   Considering the number of fleet units to be
 maintained, the acquisition of a floating dock will provide several benefits to SLN.   requisite preservation of existing assets including some of the fleet units. These
 Accordingly, it is important to enhance the in-house technical capabilities to carry   assets are used exclusively and extensively for the operational requirements in the
 docking related repairs and maintenance while seeing the possibilities of sharing   past and limited operations at present. Hence, it is viable to preserve them for future
                                 usage while pursuing possibilities to transfer them as feasible to other institutions
 such assets with other organizations for the best use of them and to make the ROI   or navies.
 feasible.

 ●   Phasing out  Assets.  SLN  has realized the  necessity of replacing  some  of  the   ●   Environmental Sustainability and Acceptability through Green Technologies.
 existing fleet units, systems and equipment by suitable means due to being beyond   SLN is  required  to  integrate  environmental friendly technologies  into naval
 economical  and which do  not  facilitate to  upgrade or  sustain  with  available   operations including energy-efficient vessels and waste reduction measures. Most
 technologies.                   of the international harbours do not allow ships enter to their ports without having
                                 environmentally  safe machinery and  systems  onboard including  Oil  Water
 ●   Naval Aviation.   UAVs and drones would be a better option to cover the air   Separators  and  Sewage Treatment Plants,  which compelled  SLN to  draw
 space at this juncture. These UAVs can be used in coastal bases as well as onboard   consideration.
 ships at sea as a force multiplier.
                          ●      Interoperability  and Joint  Operations.  Naval  fleets  are frequently  engaging
 ●   Ship Design and Propulsion.   Innovative  ship  design,  incorporating  with joint and combined nature operations. Upgraded technology is essential to
 advanced materials and propulsion systems contributes to improving fuel efficiency   ensure interoperability in multinational operations, SAR missions, exercises and
 and reducing maintenance requirements while increasing the operational range. The   for  participating in international peacekeeping  missions  responding  to  global
 adoption of alternative fuels  and propulsion technologies  also  aligns with   traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
 environmental sustainability goals. SLN is very capable of constructing indigenous
 smaller craft (Inshore Patrol Craft etc.). The Directorate of Naval Design (DND),
 Naval Boat Building Yard (NBBY), Research Development Unit (RDU), Electrical




    44                                                          45
   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63