Project Update:

Commissioning delayed by upto 2 months for unknown reasons. However the ship is believed to have successfully completed yet another round of full power trials in late October/ early November 2009.

Business Standard reported, on 07 December 2007, that sea trials of the Shivalik was to take place in June 2008 and followed by sea trials of the Satpura in December 2008. However, the delivery of the Shivalik has been much delayed for various reasons. Several Indian newspapers, quoting a MDL official, reported on 07 February 2009 that Shivalik has been unbdergoing a series of sea trials since March or April 2009. Shivalik successfully completed a milestone when she completed full power trials on Aug 24, 2009. Commissioning is now set for Nov 2009. Satpura and the Sahyadri would be commissioned by 2010.

Vessel Type: Multi-Mission Frigate.

Future Commissions: Shivalik F47; Laid Down - 11 July 2001, Launched - 18 April 2003, Commissioning - Nov 2009.
............................Satpura F48; Laid Down - 2002, Launched - 04 June 2004, Commissioning - 2010.
............................Sahyadri F49; Laid Down - 17 March 2003, Launched - 27 May 2005, Commissioning - June 2010.

Displacement: 4600 tons - standard displacement.
...................5300 tons - full load.

Dimensions: Length - 142.5 metres.
.................Beam - 16.9 metres.
.................Draught - 4.5 metres.
.................Moulded Depth - 9.2 metres.

Maximum Speed: 30+ knots for GT operations. Maximum cruising speed of 22 knots on diesels.

Complement: 257 (incl. 35 officers)

The Project 17 (P17) standard frigate (and its follow-on variants) will be the Indian Navy's new stealthy multi-role surface combatant for the 21st century. Cabinet approval for this project was given in 1997, followed by a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the ship's builders, Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in February 1998. The Indian Navy formally ordered the first three units in early 1999. However, production commenced about two years later due to delays resulting from specification changes to the hull steel and protracted delivery schedule of the Russian-sourced D-40S steel along with the non-availability of design inputs from the Naval Design Bureau (NDB) for the weapons suite. Construction of the first P17 frigate commenced with plate cutting on 18 December 2000, the keel laid on 11 July 2001 and the launch on 18 April 2003. The other two units will then be delivered at regular intervals and subsequent units - twelve planned in all - will likely be built in progressively modified batches. The vessel adopts a compartmental-design and is planned to be built using 172 modules.

First images of Shivalik on sea trials taken in late Sep 2009. Images courtesy Indian Navy via Livefist/ Shiv Aroor

A rough sketch of the Project 17 multi-mission frigate for the Indian Navy. Two Sea King Mk.42B or two navalized HAL Dhruv helicopters will be embarked for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) and ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare) requirements. [Image © Mrityunjoy Mazumdar]

The fos'cle layout of the Project 17 frigate is essentially identical to the  Talwar {Krivak III, Project 1135.6} Class frigate, as the vessel was jointly designed by India and Russia. Amidship details were speculative at the time of illustration. [Image © Mrityunjoy Mazumdar]

The P17 is an enlarged and modified version of the Russian P1135.6 Talwar {Krivak III} Class frigates. It was jointly designed by the NDB and Russia's Severnoye Project Design Bureau (Severnoye Proyektno-Konstruktorskoye Bjuro - SPKB), the designers of the P1135.6 frigate. SPKB has been a consulting partner to the Indian Navy for quite some time now and its design influence is clearly seen in the Type 15 Delhi Class destroyers and Type 25/25A Khukri / Kora Class corvettes. More recently, France's DCN International (DCNI) has been involved in this project as a consultant undertaking signature management studies amongst other things. CAE of Canada will act as the overall platform functional integrator, which is landmark since this is the first time a Western company has been put in charge of a vital Indian Navy project. So far, the program is more or less on schedule and it is understood that design work has already started on an improved version, the P17 Alpha (P17A).

In appearance and layout, the P17 is very similar to the Talwar Class frigate although the aft end is more like the Delhi Class destroyer. It is possible that the superstructure may yet be altered to resemble the Lafayette design depending upon DCNI's input. The P17 is approximately 143 meters long with a beam of 17 meters, a standard displacement of 4600 tons (5000+ tons full load) and a maximum speed of 30 knots. With respect to the P1135.6 design, the P17 is about 17 metres longer, 2 metres wider and displaces about a thousand tons more. Other important differences are in the propulsion system (CODOG vs. COGOG), number of embarked helicopters (two vs. one) and in the weapons and sensor suite. The ship will feature modular construction techniques using around 172 modules. This should, in theory, speed up the pace of construction considerably. The vessel's complement is estimated to number 257 (including 35 officers), which is a considerable improvement over present Indian Navy surface combatants of similar tonnage and results from the use of increased automation of many shipboard equipment and systems.

Signature Reduction

While it is does not feature extreme stealthy or low observable features like the Swedish Visby or even the French Lafayette, the P17 will have far more signature reducing features than has previously been the case on Indian Navy warships. Canada's Davis Engineering provided Infra-Red Suppression System (IRSS) design tools & training to the Indian Navy for the P17 ships and this will help the ships in having a lower IR (infra-red) signature. The Canadian IRSS is the most effective IR signature reduction device in service today. An Italian Radar Cross Section (RCS) prediction software may also have been used for this design. As is common practice, all machinery will be mounted on noise and vibration proof mounts to reduce acoustic and vibration signatures.

Propulsion & Machinery Systems

The vessel will feature a CODOG (COmbined Diesel Or Gas Turbine) propulsion plant featuring two General Electric LM 2500 IEC (Integrated Engine Controls) Marine Gas Turbines and two S.E.M.T. Pielstick 16 PA6 STC diesel engines driving two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) through two Renk gearboxes. The CPP and associated shafting are being supplied by John Crane-LIPS (Netherlands) through their Indian partner, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The LM2500 plant is rated at approximately 18,000 kW (24,000+ hp) and would be assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The Pielstick 16 PA6 STC is a sequentially turbo-charged 16 cylinder engine rated at a maximum power of 5700 kW (7600+ hp) at 1084 rpm while fulfilling strict requirements in terms of environmental conditions, ship attitude, shock, noise, vibrations and emissions. The order for the first three ship sets of two 16 PA6 STC engines was placed by MDL to the Pielstick Indian licensee, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL) at the beginning of 2000. The first two engines will be manufactured in France by S.E.M.T. Pielstick, while the subsequent engines will be manufactured in India by KOEL in their Nasik engine plant. Steering gear and stabilizers are supplied by Veljan Hydair.

Renk of Germany will supply the gearboxes through their Indian partner, Elecon. This is understood to be a breakthrough for Renk since the Indian Navy uses gearboxes from their competitor, MAAG. Designed to reduce the structure borne noise levels to evade sonar detection, this is the first gearbox built in India with such high accuracy and low structure borne noise. The revolutionary CODOG marine dual powered gearbox transmits 22.37 MW from gas turbine in combat mode and transmits 5.18 MW from diesel engine in cruising mode. All machinery will be mounted on noise and vibration proof mounts to reduce acoustic and vibration signatures. Each frigate will have four WCM 1000/5 DG sets (providing four megawatts of power) comprising Cummins KTA50G3 diesel engines and one Kirloskar AC generator (providing 1 MW of power), mounted in IACL supplied acoustic enclosures. These plants will be considerably more sophisticated than the Talwar Class and as in the Talwar Class, Wartsila supplies the diesel generator (DG) sets for the P17 frigates as well. Wartsila India Limited was awarded a contract by MDL for twelve 1 MW DG sets with enclosures for the three frigates. The scheduled delivery plan to MDL is as follows:

• 1st Shipset: 31 October 2002

• 2nd Shipset: 31 October 2003

• 3rd Shipset: 31 October 2004

The DG sets will be assembled at Wartsila Khopoli Plant. All the components of the DG sets are bought-out items. Engines are being procured from Cummins' Pune plant, alternators are from KEC Bangalore plant and acoustic enclosures are being procured from IAC Limited, U.K. Other peripherals are being procured from Wartsila Denmark. The integration, assembly and 'Factory Acceptance Test' will be done at Khopoli under Wartsila Denmark's supervision. The assembled sets then will be shipped to MDL. These DG units will be housed in special acoustic enclosures supplied by IAC Ltd. In addition to containing the noise emissions of the diesel generators sets, the enclosures have an exceptionally lightweight design and are fully able to withstand severe shock loadings - both essential features in a military environment. Rapid, all-round access to the diesel generators is another key requirement. IAC has therefore developed an ingenious new captive sliding assembly to support all of the enclosure's side wall panels, allowing them to be removed and stowed safely to one side in just a few seconds.

IAC worked closely with Wartsila (Denmark and India), the Indian Navy itself and MDL for this program. Switchboards for the machinery and electrical systems are being supplied by G.E. Power Controls in Bangalore. Larsen & Toubro Engineering provides the helicopter land grid for the vessel, which is a local derivative of the French Samahé helicopter handling system. In October 2001, CAE of Canada was awarded a contract by MDL and the Indian Navy to act as the overall platform functional integrator and supplier of the Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS) for the three P17 Class frigates. CAE India and CAE Montreal will jointly manage this program jointly. One hopes that MDL will use this opportunity to acquire state-of-the-art technologies and methods and use them well for the next generation of warship designs.

The IMCS uses CAE's Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) technology to monitor and control the platform machinery of a ship, including propulsion, electrical, damage control and auxiliary machinery and other systems. It also provides advanced automation for enhanced operational effectiveness and survivability of the ship. It also provides advanced functionality such as on-board training, equipment health monitoring and comprehensive automation for enhanced operational effectiveness and survivability of the ship. CAE's IPMS is the world's first and leading digital control system for naval ships. The state-of-the-art system represents a significant step for the Indian Navy. In the meanwhile, CAE has recently delivered an electronic Gas Turbine Controller to HAL to test the General Electric LM 2500 IEC Marine Gas Turbines.

The Battle Damage Control System (BDCS) is a functional part of the IPMS although the actual hardware may not quite be on a par with the latest Western warships. However, the Damage Control system will be much improved over current Indian Navy combatants. It is clear that considerable effort has been made to transfer technologies from foreign partners to Indian companies. However, one must take statements regarding the level of indigenization on board the P17 frigates with a grain of salt. The figure of 60 -70% of the ship as having indigenous components is usual. In any project of this magnitude, it is helpful to keep in mind that the process of indigenization is a gradual one and is certainly dependent on how one defines 'Indian made equipment'. If one were to adhere to the definition of indigenous equipment as 'designed & made in India', then very little of the equipment would qualify as such.

Armament

The main gun on the P17 is a 76.2 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) made under license from OTO Melara of Italy. In the air defence role, a combination of missiles and guns will be used. For medium range anti-air coverage, a single 3S-90 launcher mount for the Shtil SAM system with 24 missiles is employed. The Shtil SAM system fires the 9M38M1 missile or the improved 9M38M2 missile. The 9M38M1, which is also known as the SA-N-7 by NATO or Shtil in Russian Navy service, is a navalised SA-11. The 9M38M2, which is also known as the SA-N-12 by NATO, is a navalised SA-17. The 9M38M1 missile is reported to have a range of 3.5 to 25 km, while the 9M38M2 has a range of 32 km or more. For anti-ship missiles, the maximum engagement range is reduced to 10 to 12 km. About six targets can be simultaneously engaged.

For the CIWS (Close In Weapon System) role, the ship was originally designed for two Kashtan Air Defence Gun/Missile mounts but this has since been superseded by the now standard Barak + AK 630M comination. As with the Talwar Class, long range strike weapons will be carried in eight vertical launch cells for the Klub-N ASCM. For ASW, a single RBU-6000 launcher firing 90R missiles is employed. For launching torpedoes, either the Russian DTA-53-956 torpedo launchers or an Indian system would be used. Given the flexibility of the Klub system, it is entirely possible that 91RE2 ASW missile may be employed for anti-submarine operations. Two Naval HAL Dhruv or Sea King Mk.42B helicopters will be embarked for ASW and ASuW duties.

Sensors

The sensor suite is varied. The main air search and targeting radar for the SAM system is a foremast-mounted MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D air search radar that is employed in concert with the Kashmir SAM system. Fire control guidance and target illumination for the Kashmir SAM system is provided by three or four MR-90 Orekh (NATO: Front Dome) radars. Fire control for the 76mm SRGM is provided by the BEL Shikari (based on Contraves TMX tracker) mounted atop the bridge. Fire control radar for the SSMs will very likely be the BEL APARNA (Active and PAssive Radar for Navigation and Attack) or a Russian system ala the Talwar Class. The BEL APARNA is a local development of the Garpun-Bal FC radar. The BEL RAWL02 (Signaal LW08) antenna will be mounted on the main mast. The communication grid is built around a Gigabit Ethernet-based integrated ship borne data network, with a fibre optic cable backbone running through the vessel.

The sonar suite will very likely comprise BEL made derivatives of the HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array) and ATAS, which may be a derivative of the Thales Sintra towed array systems. Composite engineering defence contractor W & J Tod Limited of the United Kingdom secured a second major contract in 2004 from the Indian Navy to build keel-mounted sonar domes for the Project 17 frigates. This latest contract is a follow-up to the Shivalik contract awarded in January 2003. The company announced that it was awarded two separate contracts to build sonar domes, fairings and directing gear for the P17 frigates. The company is also working with the Indian Navy on feasibility programs for the development of future composite and stealth components.

Electronic warfare (EW) suites will be an evolution of the BEL Ajanta system comprising the usual mix of components and equipment from India, Israel, Italy and elsewhere. Navigation systems will very likely comprise the Decca Bridgemaster radar, the BEL RASHMI (Radar Aid for InSHore and Harbor Manoeuvring in I-band) or the BEL RANI (Radar Aid for Navigation in I-band) units. The Combat Management System (CMS) is the locally developed system.  A large portion of the communications system will be of Indian origin with equipment coming from BEL and elsewhere.

All in all, this is a very capable warship. It will be more than adequate to counter regional threats and to protect India's vital sea lanes. This project represents a very positive step for the Indian naval industry and one hopes that the Indian Navy will provide steady funding to keep the project on track without further delays.