The question whether the Indian Navy needs the USS Trenton is an interesting one. USS Trenton is not new and is from a supplier that Indian Navy is not accustomed.
But let us take a look to the amphibious capability of Indian Navy:
2 Magar Class LST:can carry 500 troop, 15 tanks, 8 APC per ship.
6 Mk2/3 class LSM: can carry 120 troops, 2 light tanks or 2 APC’s per ship
5 Polnochny class LSM: can carry 160 troops, 5 tanks or 5 APC per ship.
According to Jane’s the Polnochy class is still seaworthy but is seldom operational because of difficulties in obtaining spare parts.
Thus the Indian Navy can carry:
1000…troops in 2 Magar class ships
720…troops in 6 Mk2/3 class ships
800…troops in 5 Polnochny class ships
2520… In total.
USS Trenton can carry 930 troops alone. The capacity of USS Trenton equals to %36,9 of the whole Indian Navy.
In other words the Trenton can increase the troop transport capability of Indian Navy by %36,9.
That is a fact. Whether the Indian Navy is going to accept the offer of USA is another one.
Nice pics Jeff Head. Thanks for sharing them.
I can recommend:
NOSI – Naval Open Source Intelligence
http://www.nosi.org/
Marineforum Zeitschrift (in German only)
http://www.marineforum.info/
I guess one of the major problems regarding the electromagnetic catapults is that they do radiate electromagnetic signals. This electromagnetic signals could theoretically negatively influence the communication systems, radars and other electronically systems. I suppose these catapults will be insulated against unwanted electromagnetic radiation.
Hammer: Yes it should be Photex. Sorry for the typo.
The following two comes to my mind :
1. Fotex: Photo taking exercise
2. Passex: Passing and formation exercise.
My 2 cents:
Some photos in http://www.bharat-rakshak.com show that the Indian Kilo’s have painted white pennant numbers on their sails. Does someone khow if the Indian Navy still continues to paint the pennant number or did they stoped doing it.
Because if the Indian Navy is still painting the pennant number in white on the sail than this sub in question would be the Polish Kilo or a Russian one.
Ference: I suppose in the 3.WW the CAG’s of USN would be located close to Japan in order to protect this important ally and to stop Soviet Navy from leavig port in Vladivostok and Kamchatka.
…
the question remains whether india will go for (a) No AIP (b) MESMA (c) HDW-cellssince Scorpene wont be carrying nuclear deterrant , submerged endurance isnt a
huge factor. in future I expect IN ATV and/or license made Amur to take that role.
Submerged endurance is more important for Pakistani Navy if they want to attack Indian naval bases on the Bengali Bay. In 1971 Pakistan had only one submarine that was able to travel so far: PS Ghazi. The French boats did not had the range and there operational areas were close to Pakistan.
For Indian Navy submerged endurance can be important but this depends on the base of the Scorpene submarines. Where will be Scorpene submarines based?
Austin and Wise Panda: Thank you for extra information. So it was political and economical aspects of the deal, why France was favoured over Germany.
How will the fuel-cells integrated to Indian Type 209’s? Usually the old Type 209 are cut in two and a plug-in section is fittet in between.
And what makes you say that .
Well they decided to buy French Boats instead of German ones. Therefore I assume that the Indian Navy is not happy with the German boats either technically or economically.
After a New Delhi court declared HDW free from any wrong doings for the sales I thought that the Germans would beat the French. Apparently the Indian Navy is not happy with the SHISHUMAR boats they have.
Any information if the French boats will be equiped with MESMA AIP system?
These are the ships the terrorist thankfuly missed.
USS Ashland

USS Kearsarge

The Sea Zenith mounts can elevate +127 deg., which is makes it very effective against ASuW missiles that pop-up in the terminal phase.
CHARACTERISTICS<br />
Weight<br />
search radar module<br />
antenna group 1,146 lb (520 kg)<br />
below decks 3,175 lb (1,440 kg)<br />
tracking module<br />
mount 2,976 lb (1,350 kg)<br />
below decks 4,079 lb (1,850 kg)<br />
gun mount<br />
above deck 9,700 lb (4,400 kg)<br />
below decks 5,930 lb (2,690 kg)<br />
Dimensions<br />
search radar module<br />
width 8 ft 6 1/2 in (2.60 m)<br />
depth 4 ft 9 1/2 in (1.46 m)<br />
height 6 ft 9 1/2 in (2.07 m)<br />
tracking module<br />
width 6 ft 9 1/2 in (2.07 m)<br />
depth 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)<br />
height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)<br />
gun mount<br />
width 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)<br />
depth 11 ft 3 in (3.44 m)<br />
height<br />
max above deck (depending on mount)<br />
0 elevation 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)<br />
zenith elevation<br />
14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)<br />
below deck area 102.3 sq ft (9.5 sq m)<br />
Armament<br />
bore 25 mm/92-cal, rifled<br />
barrel length without muzzle brake<br />
7 ft 5 1/2 in (2.30 m)<br />
recoil length<br />
forward 0.43 in (11 mm)<br />
backward 1.34 in (34 mm)<br />
elevation -14/+127 deg<br />
speed 2.5 rad/sec<br />
acceleration 10 rad/sec<br />
traverse 170 deg to each side<br />
speed 2.5 rad/sec<br />
acceleration 10 rad/sec<br />
Performance<br />
rate of fire 3,400 rpm, maximum<br />
muzzle velocity<br />
AMDS 4,445 fps (1,355 mps)<br />
HEI, TP 3,806 fps (1,160 mps)<br />
time of flight to 1,093 yds (1,000 m)<br />
AMDS 0.78 sec<br />
time of flight to 2,187 yds (2,000 m)<br />
HEI 2.4 sec<br />
max effective range 1,640 yds (1,500 m)<br />
ammunition system capacity<br />
1,660 rounds<br />
AMDS projectile<br />
weight 5.5 oz (156 g)<br />
length 11.3 in (288 mm)<br />
Fire Control<br />
G-band (5.4-5.9 GHz) dual-beam search radar<br />
peak power 49 kW<br />
max gain<br />
low beam 29.5 dB<br />
high beam 26 dB<br />
rotation rate 60 rpm<br />
J-band (15.7-17.5 GHz) tracking radar,<br />
peak power 85 kW<br />
beam width 19 mrad<br />
FLIR<br />
spectral waveband 8 to 13 microns<br />
field of view 3 by 2 deg<br />
Nd:YAG laser rangefinder<br />
spectral waveband 1.06 microns<br />
pulse length 13 nanoseconds<br />
Protection<br />
unmanned mount
I suppose the Chinese Chong Lot Travel Agency could also be a potential buyyer for Invincible. They already own one carrier and they may wish to expand their fleet.