India Test-fired Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile

India today successfully test-fired two BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over two days which validated the operation of several unspecified new components. These new components will allow India to extend the service life of its existing missile stock by replacing old parts which may be facing obsolescence or has reached the end of their storage life.  In March, India tested an indigenously made seeker.  The current test is believed to be to validate an indigenously designed rocket booster.

India hopes to upgrade the BrahMos to a hypersonic weapon within a decade.

Economic Times

Economic Times

Indian Shipbuilder Wins Contract for Philippine Frigates

India's state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has emerged as the winner for Philippine Navy's long-drawn light frigate modernisation programme.  GRSE is the lowest bidder in a field that started with six potential suppliers, including South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries Inc., Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. and Navantia S.A. of Spain. The purchase of new frigates was authorised in 2013 after the failed negotiation for a pair of ex-Italian Navy Maestrale-class frigates.

GRSE's winning design is based on the Indian Navy's Kamorta-class anti-submarine corvette. The Philippine Navy specified a requirement for a 2,000-tonne frigate that is at least 95 meters long and can accommodate a 12-ton helicopter. The Komorta is over 3000-tonnes and hence, will have plenty of growth potential.

UPDATE: GRSE has been disqualified from the tender.  Apparently, the company was assessed to be at risk of not having the necessary financial capacity to fulfill the contract.  The next lowest bidder, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). HHI's proposed design is slightly larger than GRSE's.


HHI offered a variant of its HDF 3000 class multipurpose frigate, which is already in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.  The HDF 3000 is 114 m long, 14 m wide with a draught of 4m and a displacement of about 3,200 tonnes at full load. It is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 30 kt. The maximum sailing range is 4,500 n miles at a more economical speed of 13 kt. The Philippine had specified a vessel with a minimum length of 95m and displacement of 2000 tons.

Photo of HDF3000 class frigate, Incheon.
By 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces - 20130626 대한해협 전승행사 (4), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36996908

Janes

defensenews

manilalivewire

Direct Hit: India-Israel Joint Development Naval SAM On Track For IOC

The India- Israel jointly developed Barak 8 naval Surface to Air missile successfully intercepted its target on its first sea launch. The test firing was conducted from the Israel Navy's missile corvette INS Lahav, which has its Barak I missile system upgraded with the newer and longer range Barak 8. The Barak 8 is designed for engaged of up to 70 km and is guided by an on-board active radar seeker.

Defence Update

Trilateral Naval Exercise In Bay of Bengal

The United States of America, India and Japan conducted Ex MALABAR in the Bay of Bengal. The Indian Navy deployed a destroyer, two frigates, a submarine,a Fleet Support Ship and its P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The US Navy was represented by the ships from Carrier Task Force (CTF) 70 including aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, AEGIS cruiser USS Normandy, Littoral Combat ship USS Forth Worth and nuclear powered submarine USS City of Corpus Christi. The JMSDF was represented by its missile destroyer JS Fuyuzuki. Japan has confirmed that it will join the exercise as a permanent member.

India was treading cautious in the preceding when planning for the exercise to avoid provoking China. China had protested strongly when the three countries last came together for Ex Malabar 2007.

Photo: JS Fuyzuki from Hatena

diplomat

Times of India