Joining the Eastern Naval Command as a Diving Support Vessel, INS Nistar represents a rare capability for ‘complex deep sea saturation diving and rescue operations,’ according to the Indian Navy, something that very few navies possess. Nistar is one of two Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) ordered from Hindustan Shipyard Limited in 2018, with the second named Nipun. Both DSVs were launched in September 2022.
The frigates, Spanish ESPS Reina Sofia, and Italian ITS Antonio Marceglia are part of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and are visiting Mumbai for the first joint exercises of the formation with the Indian Navy, with which they have only conducted “Passing Exercises” (PASSEX) at sea in the past.
The Vindhyagiri is a P17A-class frigate being built by GRSE for the Indian Navy.
With the selection of the Rafale Marine by the Indian Navy, here’s a look at how it happened, and the challenges and consequences ahead.
Saurabh Joshi explains why the Indian Navy’s fighter contest is expected to be cut short, with the aircraft being selected by default in a walkover next month.
Saurabh Joshi analyses the significance of the agreement to produce GE F414 fighter aircraft engines in India and its far-reaching consequences for India’s military aviation industry, indigenous fighter capability and defence ties with the U.S.
Between the navy’s own maintenance facilities at INS Rajali and MRO contractors, Air Works and AIES, India’s P-8I aircraft can now be fully sustained with complete maintenance cycles without having to leave the country.
Boeing has announced the end of production for the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters in 2025. With no scope for early Rafale M deliveries, here’s how this could become an opportunity for the Indian Navy to get all 26 of its new Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters by the end of 2026.
In the first edition of a new weekly video series, StratPost editor Saurabh Joshi examines whether India could acquire its first-ever U.S.-built fighter aircraft, with the navy considering the F/A-18 Super Hornet for its next carrier fighter.
While the F/A-18 Super Hornet is being offered for the Indian Navy’s carrier-borne fighter jet requirement, it is also a candidate, along with the F-15, for Boeing’s offer for the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter requirement.
Also noteworthy will be the Exocet anti-ship missile, with the SM39 submarine variant already delivered for the Indian Navy’s Scorpene submarines.
The Naval Group will also display the F21 Heavy Weight Torpedo, which it is offering for integration onto the Indian Navy’s Scorpene submarines.
This is the final aircraft to be delivered of an order for four aircraft placed by the Ministry of Defence in 2016, in addition to the initial eight aircraft contracted.
Exercise Milan 22 will be held over nine days in two phases, ‘with the harbour phase scheduled from 25 to 28 February and Sea Phase from 01 to 04 March’.
A quiet, hybrid process is underway to buy a reduced number of new fighters for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers. But remarkably, some of the fighters being considered can’t operate from aircraft carriers.
