Indian Navy to Upgrade Warships with Loitering Munitions, Anti-Drone Systems

In a significant move to bolster its defence capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to equip its warships with both loitering munitions and advanced anti-drone systems.

This strategic step comes in response to the growing threat of drones in modern warfare, as highlighted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a recent meeting with the Navy's top commanders.

Defence Minister Singh urged the Indian Navy to place a high priority on developing countermeasures against drone threats.

The Navy is already actively integrating drone technology into its operations, and the addition of loitering munitions will significantly enhance its long-range strike capabilities against sea-based targets.

The installation of Naval Anti-Drone Systems (NADS) on naval vessels further strengthens the Navy's defensive posture. NADS employs a multi-layered approach using radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and radio frequency (RF) detectors to locate and neutralize micro drones effectively.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plays a key role in the development of these anti-drone systems. Their RF/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology allows for the detection and jamming of frequencies used to control drones.

Conclusion​

The Indian Navy's dual strategy of incorporating offensive loitering munitions and defensive NADS positions it to proactively address the dynamic challenges posed by drones in the maritime theater.

This proactive approach underscores India's commitment to maintaining its naval superiority and safeguarding its maritime interests.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I am very sceptical of our CIWS which is AK630. We need a proper modern CIWS, which can counter both surface and aerial threats and will be perfect for destroying drones, both naval and aerial. This CIWS should be a mix of short range SAM as well as guns. We are buying next gen frigates from russia, they are having Kashtan CIWS which are modern. We should develop something based on that.

 

[Pink Panther]

I am very sceptical of our CIWS which is AK630. We need a proper modern CIWS, which can counter both surface and aerial threats and will be perfect for destroying drones, both naval and aerial. This CIWS should be a mix of short range SAM as well as guns. We are buying next gen frigates from russia, they are having Kashtan CIWS which are modern. We should develop something based on that.

Any CWICS what ever and where ever it may be from can’t handle all the threats, We need above surface as well as under surface anti drone systems, a combination of directed energy, laser, EW and conventional guns all together in one system, only then it will be effective.

 

[Hari Sud]

Ukraine war has changed the battle concept whether on land or Air or in the sea. Now you have to watch out for drones everywhere.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Any CWICS what ever and where ever it may be from can’t handle all the threats, We need above surface as well as under surface anti drone systems, a combination of directed energy, laser, EW and conventional guns all together in one system, only then it will be effective.

under surface drones are taken care by anti torpedo systems after all torpedos themselves are like underwater drones. And problem with laser is that they require a lot of electrical power and have limited range. To generate that much power we need a specifically designed engine. And current operational naval lasers have lower range than CIWS systems. much more R&D is required to make naval lasers feasible.

 

[sunilanalysis]

Sea drones are new threat...
Other drone risks already world has seen in karabakh war... Just that India picked up lessons late as usual... Better late than never.

 

[Harsh]

Learn from, but don't fall for the Ukraine war. Because the next war won't be like the last one. Battle tanks and warships are not quite the same thing....It is expensive but under-water drone swarm may the next attraction for Navy.

 

[kumar]

Still ships are in danger as far as drones are considered.
Half a million dollars will be enough to destroy an air craft carrier.Drones cost $500.Thousand drones cost $500000.
1000 drones ,even when 75% destroyed by ADS then rest will cripple an AC.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to have a very strong counter drone system that jams the communication and we can destroy it with exploding bullets or small exploding missiles. The main danger is from swarm drones as if we can't destroy all of them then it can cause severe damage or sink ships.

One key area we need to concentrate more on is designing and installing a underwater counter drone system because small drones can act like a stealth torpedo and underwater swarm drones can even sink a ship if it exploded. We need to develop the technology to stop any underwater attack on our ships.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

I am very sceptical of our CIWS which is AK630. We need a proper modern CIWS, which can counter both surface and aerial threats and will be perfect for destroying drones, both naval and aerial. This CIWS should be a mix of short range SAM as well as guns. We are buying next gen frigates from russia, they are having Kashtan CIWS which are modern. We should develop something based on that.

The problem with AK630 is that it lacks dedicated radar guidance and has to rely on ship's main radar. That radar is already working overtime and thus has bandwidth issues in accommodating guidance for CIWS as well. In ordinary situations, this would not be an issue but during wartime, it becomes a problem as it can be saturated. This is apparent in the Russo-Ukraine war, where sea drones which ideally should have been shot down, repeatedly manage to sneak past CIWS defenses.

Russians do have the Kashtan CIWS, which is very effective but is a huge system with massive physical underdeck footprint. It typically has additional reloads of missiles and ammunition stowed underdeck. As such unsuited for smaller vessels. Russians favor installing AK630 on smaller vessels due to its modular build and minimal underdeck footprint. Newer vessels have been featuring AK-630M2, which features dual rotary cannons with a cumulative firing rate of 10,000 RPM, but the lack of dedicated radar still remains.

I would not be surprised if they put a small radar for assisting the CIWS in tracking and engagement after losing multiple vessels to sea drones, which otherwise should have been engaged easily.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

The problem with AK630 is that it lacks dedicated radar guidance and has to rely on ship's main radar. That radar is already working overtime and thus has bandwidth issues in accommodating guidance for CIWS as well. In ordinary situations, this would not be an issue but during wartime, it becomes a problem as it can be saturated. This is apparent in the Russo-Ukraine war, where sea drones which ideally should have been shot down, repeatedly manage to sneak past CIWS defenses.

Russians do have the Kashtan CIWS, which is very effective but is a huge system with massive physical underdeck footprint. It typically has additional reloads of missiles and ammunition stowed underdeck. As such unsuited for smaller vessels. Russians favor installing AK630 on smaller vessels due to its modular build and minimal underdeck footprint. Newer vessels have been featuring AK-630M2, which features dual rotary cannons with a cumulative firing rate of 10,000 RPM, but the lack of dedicated radar still remains.

I would not be surprised if they put a small radar for assisting the CIWS in tracking and engagement after losing multiple vessels to sea drones, which otherwise should have been engaged easily.

I waa watchimg some videos of the ukrainian drone boats, and they use multiple such boats at same time to swarm russian ships. 1 or 2 may get shot but only 1 needs to hit in order to sink the ship.

Also, russians were using 20 calibre machine guns at edge of the ships for ahotting down these drones. I dont think the CIWS was even being used.

Do you know how effective AK630 is vs ground targets?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

I waa watchimg some videos of the ukrainian drone boats, and they use multiple such boats at same time to swarm russian ships. 1 or 2 may get shot but only 1 needs to hit in order to sink the ship.

Also, russians were using 20 calibre machine guns at edge of the ships for ahotting down these drones. I dont think the CIWS was even being used.

Do you know how effective AK630 is vs ground targets?

The problem lies how CIWS is programmed. A CIWS kept on automatic mode would fire at any approaching vessel. But it's rarely done so die to the indiscriminate nature.

A CIWS will always prioritize airborne targets over surface targets. Ukrainians seem to be using a Wolfpack of both small aerial drones as well as sea drones as same time. And yes they tried using CIWS but faced same issue..

What the US learned the limitation of CIWS during USS Cole attack, the Russians are learning now. That's why only recently they have decided to equip their vessels with manual 30mm autocannons just as the USN does with Bushmaster. Also, the development of a variant of AK630 with integral radar is now being considered.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

The problem lies how CIWS is programmed. A CIWS kept on automatic mode would fire at any approaching vessel. But it's rarely done so die to the indiscriminate nature.

A CIWS will always prioritize airborne targets over surface targets. Ukrainians seem to be using a Wolfpack of both small aerial drones as well as sea drones as same time. And yes they tried using CIWS but faced same issue..

What the US learned the limitation of CIWS during USS Cole attack, the Russians are learning now. That's why only recently they have decided to equip their vessels with manual 30mm autocannons just as the USN does with Bushmaster. Also, the development of a variant of AK630 with integral radar is now being considered.

I think then keeping ships close together would be a good option, then CIWS of 1 ship would complement the other ship's CIWS. And a battlefield management system so that CIWSs complement each other rather than targeting same drones would also need to be done.

Another option could be to develop small boats in 500 to 1000 ton category with just CIWS systems ands nothing else, to act as drone defense. Sort of like armored colums on land have mobile sam and AA gun systems.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

I think then keeping ships close together would be a good option, then CIWS of 1 ship would complement the other ship's CIWS. And a battlefield management system so that CIWSs complement each other rather than targeting same drones would also need to be done.

Another option could be to develop small boats in 500 to 1000 ton category with just CIWS systems ands nothing else, to act as drone defense. Sort of like armored colums on land have mobile sam and AA gun systems.

That would then make them exceptionally vulnerable to air raid. Remember the Pearl Harbor, raid during WW2 the USN lost half of the fighting capability of its Pacific Fleet in one go, as the ships were bunched up together as they felt they could cover each other and could be easily defended.

Although the air defenses have evolved since then, the protocols when berthed in port haven't. Ships at port are required to deactivate CIWS and other weapon systems. That's where auto cannons come in. Russian ships have now begun outfitting even small ships with autocannons.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

That would then make them exceptionally vulnerable to air raid. Remember the Pearl Harbor, raid during WW2 the USN lost half of the fighting capability of its Pacific Fleet in one go, as the ships were bunched up together as they felt they could cover each other and could be easily defended.

Although the air defenses have evolved since then, the protocols when berthed in port haven't. Ships at port are required to deactivate CIWS and other weapon systems. That's where auto cannons come in. Russian ships have now begun outfitting even small ships with autocannons.

What are autocannons? You mean stuff like 76mm oto melara guns? How good would they be against targets that move at over 70-80kmph.

I was reading about how US is fighting houthi drones, they are using very expensive sams to shoot them down. I dont think that is sustainable for us, US can do it since they have infinite money glitch.

A proper doctrine needs to be developed to deal with them.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

What are autocannons? You mean stuff like 76mm oto melara guns? How good would they be against targets that move at over 70-80kmph.

I was reading about how US is fighting houthi drones, they are using very expensive sams to shoot them down. I dont think that is sustainable for us, US can do it since they have infinite money glitch.

A proper doctrine needs to be developed to deal with them.

No 76mm OTO Melera guns are proper ship based artillery guns. Autocannons are typically 20--50mm guns that lie beneath those 76mm ship based guns in caliber, and have a higher firing rate. Consider them somewhat similar to a giant 20-50mm machine gun that can fire far heavier shells than a standard heavy machine gun at a much greater distance. They can cause some serious damage with their firing rate, while firing large shells in range of 20-50mm.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

No 76mm OTO Melera guns are proper ship based artillery guns. Autocannons are typically 20--50mm guns that lie beneath those 76mm ship based guns in caliber, and have a higher firing rate. Consider them somewhat similar to a giant 20-50mm machine gun that can fire far heavier shells than a standard heavy machine gun at a much greater distance. They can cause some serious damage with their firing rate, while firing large shells in range of 20-50mm.

Ah, BMP 2 and 3 has 30mm cannons. And attack helicopters have those 20mm turrets, You mean to say that russia has been fixing them on ships to kill these drones? Those can work. I recently watched a video of a french naval helicopter shooting down a Houthi UAV using its gun turret