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A C-17 tactical transport aircraft of the <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> (<keyword id="6355075" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAF" source="Orion">IAF</keyword>) executed a <keyword id="20990311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="precision-airdrop" source="Orion">precision airdrop</keyword> of two combat boats along with marine commandos in the <keyword id="6368835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arabian-Sea" source="Orion">Arabian Sea</keyword> while assisting the Navy to seize a hijacked cargo vessel from <keyword id="6701762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Somali-pirates" source="Orion">Somali pirates</keyword>. The IAF described the airdrop of the <keyword id="20990312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Combat-Rubberised-Raiding-Craft" source="Orion">Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft</keyword> (CRRC) boats and the <keyword id="3679963" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MARCOS-commandos" source="Orion">MARCOS commandos</keyword> as a "remarkable display" of "jointness" between the two forces. The Navy on Saturday captured 35 pirates and freed 17 hostages held by them after seizing the former Maltese-flagged merchant vessel around 2,600 km from the Indian coast in a well-calibrated operation. The nearly 40-hour operation saw the Navy deploying its stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata, patrol vessel INS Subhadra, long-endurance Sea Guardian drones besides airdropping of the elite marine commandos -- MARCOS -- using the <keyword id="650946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="C-17-aircraft" source="Orion">C-17 aircraft</keyword>. The merchant vessel Ruen was seized by the Somali pirates in December off the coast of Somalia. "In a remarkable display of #Jointness &amp; #Integration, an IAF C-17 aircraft executed a precision Airborne Drop of two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats, along with <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-navy" source="Orion">Indian Navy</keyword> MARCOS in Arabian Sea in support of ongoing anti piracy Op Sankalp," the IAF posted on 'X'. "Flying for almost 10 hrs to an area 2600 kms off the Indian Coast, the Op was carried out to rescue crew of bulk carrier vessel MV Ruen. The ship was hijacked by Somali pirates near Yemeni island of Socotra recently," it said. "Working seamlessly with @indiannavy, the mission was successful with all the 17 crew on-board recovered safely," the IAF added. In a statement, the Navy said the seaworthiness of MV Ruen is being assessed and the vessel carrying approximately 37,800 tonnes of cargo worth around USD 1 million will be brought safely to India. "The culmination of the ongoing anti-piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in the Southern Indian Ocean Region highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of piracy in the region," it said. The Indian Navy deployed over 10 warships to keep a vigil over the strategic waterways following increasing attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi militants. In the midst of rising global concerns over the Houthi attacks, the Indian Ocean saw rising incidents of piracy.

IAF's C-17 aircraft executes precision airdrop in Arabian Sea, helps Navy seize hijacked vessel

New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): The <keyword id="19915130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Space-Research-Organisation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Space Research Organisation" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Indian Space Research Organisation">Indian Space Research Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="19915124" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ISRO" source="keywords">ISRO</keyword>) on Sunday achieved another success in the <keyword id="21046346" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reusable-Launch-Vehicle" source="keywords">Reusable Launch Vehicle</keyword> (RLV) landing experiment (LEX). The third and final test in the series of LEX (03) was conducted at 07:10 IST at the <keyword id="22149303" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aeronautical-Test-Range" source="keywords">Aeronautical Test Range</keyword> (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. Following the success of the RLV LEX-01 and LEX-02 missions, <keyword id="22149668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RLV-LEX-03" source="keywords">RLV LEX-03</keyword> re-demonstrated the <keyword id="21054893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="autonomous-landing" source="keywords">autonomous landing</keyword> capability of the RLV under more challenging release conditions (cross range of 500 m against 150 m for LEX-02) and more severe wind conditions. The winged vehicle, named '<keyword id="21046350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pushpak" source="keywords">Pushpak</keyword>', was released from an <keyword id="19992067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Air Force" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Indian Air Force">Indian Air Force</keyword> Chinook Helicopter at an altitude of 4.5 km. From a release point 4.5 km away from the runway, Pushpak autonomously executed cross-range correction manoeuvres, approached the runway, and performed a precise horizontal landing at the runway centerline. Due to this vehicle's low lift-to-drag ratio aerodynamic configuration, the landing velocity exceeded 320 kmph, compared to 260 kmph for a commercial aircraft and 280 kmph for a typical fighter aircraft. After touchdown, the vehicle's velocity was reduced to nearly 100 kmph using its brake parachute, after which the landing gear brakes were employed for deceleration and stop on the runway. During this ground roll phase, Pushpak utilises its rudder and nose wheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway. This mission simulated the approach and landing interface and high-speed landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space, reaffirming ISRO's expertise in acquiring the most critical technologies required for the development of a RLV. Through this mission, the advanced guidance algorithm catering to longitudinal and lateral plane error corrections, which is essential for the future Orbital Re-entry Mission, has been validated. Notably, the RLV-LEX uses multisensor fusion, including sensors like an Inertial sensor, Radar altimeter, Flush air data system, Pseudolite system and NavIC. Notably, the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems as such without any modification, from the LEX-02 mission, demonstrating the robustness of ISRO's capability of design and reuse flight systems for multiple missions. The mission, led by VSSC, was a collaborative effort involving multiple ISRO centres (SAC, ISTRAC, SDSC-SHAR), with significant support from the Indian Air Force (IAF), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness (RCMA) under the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian aerospace industrial partners, Indian Oil Corporation of India, and Airport Authority of India. S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, Department of Space, congratulated the team for their efforts in maintaining the success streak on such complex missions. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of VSSC, emphasised that this consistent success boosts ISRO's confidence in the critical technologies essential for future orbital re-entry missions.

'Pushpak' aces test: ISRO achieves yet another success in Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) landing experiment

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Replenishment ships are essential to resupplying carrier groups at sea with fuel, food and bombs.</li><li>The US is overhauling its aging ships while China has built a dozen.</li></ul>Involved in nearly every crisis since World War II, aircraft carriers have been called upon to assure allies, deter enemies, and strike directly at hostile targets.Yet for all their importance, their missions would be impossible if not for the US Navy's unsung workhorses: replenishment ships.Replenishment ships loaded with food, fuel and bombs are the reason US carrier strike groups can stay at sea for months at a time. This capability is increasingly vital for the US Navy's chief competitor, China. With the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-shrinking-china-biggest-fleet-shipbuilding-taiwan-2024-4">largest navy in the world</a>, its lack of overseas military bases only makes the need for this capability greater.But replenishment ships also form the weakest link in the chain of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-vs-chinese-navy-aircraft-carriers-2024-5">American</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-more-to-learn-to-match-us-2024-5">Chinese carrier</a> groups. Often unarmed and full of explosive cargo, they are prime targets for any hostile force.<div type="image" title="USNS Supply is one of the two largest combat logistics ships in the US Navy's Military Sealift Command." height="1500" width="2100" msid="115143523" hostid="261" sizebytes="299192"></div><h2 id="3d01aa20-7b10-4f31-9c1e-4e4a0f3254e6">US replenishment ships</h2>The US Navy's Military Sealift Command's Combat Logistics Force (CLF) operates 17 fleet replenishment oilers, 14 dry cargo/ammunition ships, and two fast combat support ships.These ships are built to deliver wet cargo (mainly aviation and diesel fuel) and dry cargo like ordnance, food, and spare parts. Though US carriers are nuclear-powered, their escort ships still run on diesel, and their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/newest-us-navy-supercarrier-underway-with-all-airpower-first-time-2023-3">air wings</a> require aviation fuel.The most capable replenishment vessels in the CLF are the fast combat support ships of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2174658/">Supply-class</a>, the largest combat logistics ships in the MSC fleet.Equipped with four cargo booms for loading cargo, they are capable of carrying 156,000 barrels of fuel, 1,800 tons of ordnance, 400 tons of refrigerated store, and 250 tons of other dry cargo.<div type="image" title="Fleet replenishment oiler Henry J. Kaiser refuels a US warship via two hose lines suspended on a tensioned wire between the ships." height="1331" width="2000" msid="115143326" hostid="261" sizebytes="123714"></div>These ships have two primary means to transfer cargo: sling loads carried by helicopter or tensioned lines between the ships. They have five fuel-at-sea (FAS) stations that utilize long flexible refueling hoses that travel on the tensioned wire, and six replenishment at sea (RAS) stations that move supplies via the horizontal wire pulley systems on the tensioned line. In addition, the Supply-class ships have a helicopter hangar and deck with space for two helicopters at the stern, enabling helicopter transfer known as vertical replenishment, or VERTREP.The FAS/RAS stations, combined with aerial resupply, enable Supply-class vessels to replenish up to four ships at once. Only two Supply-class ships, the USNS Supply and USNS Arctic, remain in service.The backbone of the CLF's refueling fleet are the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Ships/Ship-Inventory/Fleet-Replenishment-Oiler/">Henry J. Kaiser-class</a> fleet oilers. Built between 1984 and 1996, the ships are 677 feet long, displace around 41,000 tons, and can carry up to 159,000 barrels of fuel.The Kaisers can refuel two warships simultaneously. They lack a helicopter hangar, but have a deck at the stern where helicopters from nearby ships can sling-load pallets.Fourteen Kaisers are in active service with the MSC.Though effective for refueling, the Kaiser-class has limited space for dry cargo — only enough for 586 pallets, including frozen and chilled food. The Navy relies on 14 Lewis &amp; Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ships to fill in the gap.The Lewis &amp; Clark-class ships can carry a massive 8,391 tons of dry cargo, including 1,716 tons of refrigerated stores. They also have tanks capable of carrying approximately 25,000 barrels of fuel.<div type="image" title="An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter delivers supplies to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic." height="1331" width="2000" msid="115143525" hostid="261" sizebytes="207016"></div>The Kaiser-class replacement effort kicked off in earnest in 2016, when the Navy signed a design and construction contract with General Dynamics, a leading defense contractor and shipbuilder that reported $11.7 billion in revenue in its third-quarter earnings.Five years later, the lead ship of the new John Lewis-class was christened.The 746-foot-long, double-hull ships can carry 162,000 barrels of fuel, 6,675 tons of dry cargo, and 1,716 tons of refrigerated stores. A helicopter deck at the stern also enables VERTREP.Three John Lewis-class oilers — USNS John Lewis, USNS Harvey Milk, and USNS Earl Warren — are in service, and a fourth, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, is set to begin sea trials soon. Another was recently launched and two more are under construction.The class will soon become the main fleet oiler. An order for six ships was made in 2018, with options for three more exercised in 2022 and 2023. In September, the Navy signed a $6.7 billion contract for eight more John Lewis-class oilers with General Dynamics's National Steel and Shipbuilding Company. The Navy hopes to have 20 of the vessels in total, supplemented by 13 yet-to-be-designed light replenishment oilers.<div type="image" title="The Hulunhu fast combat support ship is part of a new class that was built to service China's carrier strike groups." height="1060" width="2000" msid="115143528" hostid="261" sizebytes="205312"></div><h2 id="02ad4c6d-8c78-4ca1-ab92-1b32a6c75d25">China's replenishment ships</h2>The US Navy has over <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2018/june/century-replenishment-sea">100 years of experience</a> building and operating replenishment ships. China's experience began in the 1980s.Its first replenishment ships could only carry about 10,500 tons of fuel. As China's fleet grew in the 1990s, it searched for a stopgap measure and found it in the Qinghaihu, an oiler built in Ukraine that was intended for the Soviet Navy.Ultimately, the Chinese opted to pursue a new design for its next replenishment ships: the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/qiandaohu.htm">Type 903-class</a> oiler.These ships can carry around 11,000 tons of cargo, including some 10,000 tons of fuel. Like the Qinghaihu, the Type 903s have a helicopter deck and helipad.Nine ships were built between 2002 and 2018, all of which are in service.The Type 903s form the backbone of China's replenishment fleet, but they are not the most capable. That title goes to the PLAN's Type 901-class fast combat support ships.The ships, which NATO designated the "Fuyu-class," are 787 feet long, displace 45,000 tons, have a helicopter deck and hangars, and are equipped with 5 FAS and 2 RAS stations. They are primarily meant to service China's carrier groups and can keep up as they are propelled by four gas turbine engines.The size, mission, and speed of the ships are comparable to the US Navy's Supply-class. Two Type 901s have been built: the Hulunhu and the Chaganhu.<div type="image" title="Replenishment ships like the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ships are essential to carrier operations but are highly vulnerable to attack." height="1333" width="2000" msid="115143527" hostid="261" sizebytes="344510"></div><h2 id="e54916fd-474c-416c-9f6b-46ac068eead5">'Weakest link'</h2>The important role these ships play is hard to overstate.Between October 2023 and May 2024 in support of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-weapons-expenditure-cost-middle-east-conflicts-2024-10">Red Sea operations</a>, for instance, USS Supply <a target="_blank" href="https://gcaptain.com/usns-supply-crew-honored-for-exceptional-service-in-red-sea-operations/">replenished</a> US and allied ships 143 times, transferring over 87 million gallons of fuel and 14,928 pallets of supplies in the process.The Henry J. Kaiser- and Lewis and Clark-class vessels also enabled the continuous presence of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-carrier-strike-groups-significant-combat-power-middle-east-2024-8">two carriers in the Middle East</a>.The PLAN's oilers, meanwhile, have extended the reach of its warships. <a target="_blank" href="https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&amp;context=cmsi-notes">Its contributions to international anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden</a> have, since 2008, almost always been made up of two surface combatants and one oiler, enabling each task force to stay on station for 4 months.The new Type 901s are already proving their worth. Last year, the Type 901-class oiler Chaganhu supported the Shandong carrier group during a series of exercises near Taiwan, Guam, and in the South China Sea. This included 620 aircraft sorties in just 18 days, <a target="_blank" href="https://news.usni.org/2023/07/14/japan-releases-fighter-scramble-data-against-chinese-aircraft">according</a> to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.In all, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-growing-navy-conducts-first-dual-aircraft-carrier-drills-2024-10">Shandong</a> spent about as much time at sea as any US carrier in the western Pacific that year, due in no small part to its replenishment ships.Yet replenishment ships are also the weakest link in each country's carrier groups. The most obvious reason is that they are almost completely unarmed, making them defenseless. Their defenses are instead provided by escort ships.They also face additional challenges unique to each country. The US, for instance, faces a manpower shortage, limited <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-us-navy-warships-delayed-photos-2024-4">shipyard capacity</a>, and an aging fleet with ships approaching the end of their expected service lives.Military Sealift Command employs mostly civilian merchant mariners, but now has a recruiting issue of its own.The manpower issue has been serious enough for MSC to <a target="_blank" href="https://news.usni.org/2024/08/22/navy-could-sideline-17-support-ships-due-to-manpower-issues">propose sidelining 17 of its ships</a> — including two Lewis &amp; Clark-class ammo ships and one Kaiser-class oiler — so their crews could be sent to serve on other vessels.The Kaiser-class itself is aging quickly. Four of the active oilers are already past their 35-year service lives, while one, USNS Pecos, departed for deactivation last month.Ships can have their service lives extended, but American shipyards appear unable to <a target="_blank" href="https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/4624326-almost-all-navy-shipbuilding-is-hopelessly-behind-schedule-as-war-looms/">keep up with demand</a> for new ships and maintenance for active ones, with some estimating that the Navy is as many as 20 years behind in needed maintenance.The backlog may be why only one Kaiser-class oiler, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-fired-captain-didnt-fix-steering-problem-near-miss-2024-9">USNS Big Horn</a>, was present in the Middle East during tensions between Israel and Iran in late September. This almost caused major problems when the ship accidentally <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-fuel-ship-damaged-incident-middle-east-2024-9">ran aground</a> and could no longer operate, forcing the Navy to rely on two Lewis &amp; Clark-class ammunition ships for refueling duties despite their smaller capability. The incident exposed <a target="_blank" href="https://responsiblestatecraft.org/refueling-navy-middle-east/">just how fragile UNREP networks can be</a>.China, meanwhile, has just 12 oilers despite having the world's largest navy, which puts a considerable strain on those ships. Additionally, its logistical network is hampered by a lack of overseas naval bases, which can serve as refueling and resupply stations for the oilers.China has the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-shipbuilding-power-players-making-warships-at-a-rapid-pace-2024-9">largest shipbuilding industry</a> in the world, however, enabling it to quickly build more oilers and convert some of its merchant ships into replenishment ships. It has also been attempting to expand its "String of Pearls"— Chinese-controlled ports in countries across the Indian and Pacific oceans that could support military ships.Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

US vs. Chinese replenishment ships: The workhorses that keep aircraft carriers operating

Since the past week, the <keyword id="6355100" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Navy" source="Orion">Indian Navy</keyword>'s showdown with <keyword id="19905062" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="somali-pirates" source="keywords">Somali Pirates</keyword> has dominated news headlines, capturing attention not only in India but across the globe. During this period, the navy successfully tracked and intercepted the <keyword id="739169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hijacked-vessel" source="Orion">hijacked vessel</keyword>, executed a 40-hour operation to coerce the pirates into surrendering, rescued hostages, and is now in the process of bringing the culprits back to India for legal action. But what precisely unfolded during these events? Here's a comprehensive recap of the events that transpired in the <keyword id="12350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Ocean" source="Orion">Indian Ocean</keyword>. <ul><li>Bulk carrier <keyword id="20972354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mv-abdullah" source="keywords">MV Abdullah</keyword>, flying the flag of Bangladesh, is seized by armed Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, approximately 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia. </li><li>Upon receiving notification, a Long Range Maritime Patrol (LRMP) aircraft responds to the piracy attack on MV Abdullah on the evening of March 12, 2024. It attempts to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members, but receives no response. </li><li>A diverted Mission Deployed warship intercepts the hijacked MV Abdullah on the morning of March 14. It ensures the safety of the MV's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates and remains in the MV’s close vicinity until its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia. </li><li>On March 15, the <keyword id="1155886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-navy-warship" source="Orion">Indian Navy warship</keyword> <keyword id="20119823" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ins-kolkata" source="keywords">INS Kolkata</keyword> intercepts the MV, calling upon the pirates onboard to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding against their will. </li><li>The MV opens fire on INS Kolkata, prompting the warship to take actions in self-defence and to counter piracy with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. </li><li>In a display of jointness and integration, an <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> C-17 aircraft executes a precision Airborne Drop of two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats, along with Indian Navy MARCOS, in the Arabian Sea to support the ongoing anti-piracy ‘<keyword id="7783016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Operation-Sankalp" source="Orion">Operation Sankalp</keyword>’. </li><li>INS Kolkata, assisted by the Indian warship <keyword id="21000782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ins-subhadra" source="keywords">INS Subhadra</keyword>, High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE RPA) drones, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and MARCOS PRAHARs parachuted by HALE RPA, carries out the interception of the Pirate Ship Ruen almost 1400 nm (2600 km) from the Indian Coast. It subsequently forces the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions that include disabling the vehicle’s steering system and navigational aids. </li><li>On March 14, the 40-hour-long operation culminates with INS Kolkata successfully coercing all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injury. </li><li>The 35 Somalian pirates who surrendered to the Indian Navy are now being brought back to India for prosecution.</li></ul> Typically, the Indian Navy adheres to standard protocols by apprehending pirates, disarming them, and subsequently permitting their departure after ensuring they no longer present a threat to other vessels. However, given the pirates' engagement in an act of aggression against the Indian Navy, coupled with concerns about these pirates regrouping and resuming attacks if allowed to depart freely, authorities have opted to bring them back to India. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence’s statement on this mission read: “The culmination of the ongoing Anti-Piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in the Southern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of Piracy in the region. The Indian Navy remains steadfast in performing its role as the 'First Responder' in IOR.”

Here’s a detailed recap of the Indian Navy's recent showdown with Somali Pirates

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Turkey and Iran are building aircraft carriers for drones to project naval power.</li><li>These drone ships offer new possibilities but are far short of the power of a traditional flattop.</li></ul>Turkey and Iran say they're building navies capable of projecting power far from their shores, and at the center of these ambitions are motherships for aerial drones.These regional powers are betting they can build an expendable air force without the massive costs of aircraft carriers, fighter jets and pilots trained to fly them."I think both navies will use these carriers in the same way — to attack enemy troops and facilities ashore and enemy ships in littoral areas where they can be targeted by shore-based radar and spotters," Bryan Clark, a naval expert at the Hudson Institute think tank, said.Naval experts agree that drone ships represent new possibilities while pointing out that these ships fall far short of the aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships that top navies sail. Indeed, an amphibious flattop capable of launching helicopters and short-landing and take-off jets was Turkey's original vision, but things didn't go according to plan.The US banned Turkey from acquiring the F-35B, the jump-jet version of the Joint Strike Fighter it had planned to fly from the deck of its TCG Anadolu flagship. Consequently, Turkey made some modifications in the final stages of the Anadolu's construction, ultimately transforming it into a first-of-its-kind drone carrier.Turkey developed the Bayraktar TB3 naval drone for the Anadolu and claims the unmanned Kizilelma fighter jet it is developing could also operate from it. Ankara has plans for a second, larger vessel like the Anadolu, which it claims will have even more domestic components.This is all part of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans for a naval force that "will protect our rights and interests in overseas impact areas on our national aircraft carrier," as he said in an Aug. 24 speech.Neighboring Iran has also been busy developing drone-carrying ships, which are much more makeshift than the Anadolu.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.twz.com/sea/irans-bizarre-aircraft-carrier-seen-in-new-detail">Undated imagery</a>, most likely taken this year, showed additional construction work on Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corp Navy's Shahid Bagheri drone carrier, which resembles a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-keeps-building-ineffective-jets-for-its-navy-aircraft-carriers-2023-11">Soviet aircraft carrier</a>, especially with its distinctive ski jump. Unlike the Anadolu, which was a purpose-built warship from the start, the Shahid Bagheri is a modified container ship with an angled flight deck added for launching drones. It can also carry helicopters and small fast attack boats.In May, Iran's other drone-carrying ex-container ship, the Shahid Mahdavi, completed a 39-day voyage in the Indian Ocean. During that trip, it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/08/12/731208/Iran-IRGC-Shahid-Mahdavi-oceangoing-warship-Navy-fifth-Martyr-Lieutenant-General-Haj-Qassem-Soleimani-fleet--heavy-vessels-international-waters-Farsi-Island-Persian-Gulf-">steamed near Diego Garcia</a>, home to a critical American base. Iran's IRGC gloated the voyage represented "a message to Americans that we are able to reach the closest point to you." The IRGC also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-flaunts-new-missile-analysts-say-no-game-changer-2024-2">test-fired ballistic missiles</a> from the deck of the Shahid Mahdavi in February to demonstrate the reach of its naval firepower.<div type="image" title="Turkey's TCG Anadolu sailed in a July parade with the Bayraktar TB-3 and Bayraktar KIZILELMA drones on deck." height="1333" width="2000" msid="113149035" hostid="261" sizebytes="179292"></div><h2 id="eb98fdc6-0141-45fb-955b-e2df26908a8e">'Cheap solutions'</h2>While nothing compared with the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-carrier-strike-groups-significant-combat-power-middle-east-2024-8">supercarriers of the US Navy</a>, ships like the Shahid Bagheri and Shahid Mahdavi could still have a strategic impact.Professor Shaul Chorev, leader of the Maritime Policy and Strategy Research Center at the Israeli National Center of Blue Economy, contrasted these DIY Iranian ships with the Israeli Navy."Unlike us, they use cheap solutions," Chorev <a target="_blank" href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2024-08-23/ty-article/.premium/the-straits-are-not-enough-iran-wants-to-take-to-the-oceans-with-a-new-drone-carrier/00000191-7e84-d8d0-a7bb-ffa570590000">recently told</a> Haaretz. "They take a merchant ship, equip it with a flight deck, and turn it into a poor man's helicopter or drone carrier. It meets all their needs.""Ultimately, such drones — and eventually unmanned surface vessels — can be positioned at strategic points that would allow them to do what our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israeli-warship-downs-threat-new-air-defense-weapon-first-time-2024-4">Sa'ar 6 corvettes</a> cannot."Although far from the might and versatility of flattops, these vessels enhance Turkey and Iran's respective capabilities to project naval power.Clark, the senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, believes these ships will "elevate" both navies by giving them "reach well beyond their own regions."Nevertheless, he highlighted some critical deficiencies."Drone carriers will not really make the Iranian Navy a blue water force because the IRIN [Islamic Republic of Iran Navy] will still lack the wide-area surveillance and targeting needed to use drones against opposing ships or the underway replenishment ships needed to keep ships at sea," Clark told Business Insider. "Turkey's navy has these capabilities and is already a blue-water force."These drone-carriers also have inherent shortcomings when compared to aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships in other navies."These carriers initially will lack attributes needed in a true amphibious ship, such as a well deck or transport helicopters to deploy troops, medical facilities and berthing for troops, and repair facilities," Clark said. "They could add some of these capabilities, though, and be a version of an amphibious ship.""They will still lack the survivability of a warship, but they may be good enough for the situations these countries could face against regional competitors," Clark added.Nor are these attempts equal. Andrew "Woody" Lewis, a retired US admiral who's a distinguished fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, views Iran's attempts at projecting naval power as second-rate compared to Turkey."Iran's intent to project power far from its shores with drones from the Shahid Bagheri does not give them a capability to attain sea control in a blue water environment," Lewis, a former US 2nd Fleet commander, told BI. "It is nothing more than an attempted terror attack in open water without the ability to hide behind surrogate forces ashore.""The Iranian aspirations are in no way comparable to the tremendous capabilities of the US and our Allies to reconfigure the payload of large- and medium-sized naval platforms to project power in a blue water environment," Lewis said.

Iran and Turkey are betting on drone aircraft carriers to project power 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New images posted to social media show China's third and newest aircraft carrier hosting aircraft mock-ups.</li><li>It's a notable step before the Fujian's upcoming sea trials, showing what its future air wing might look like.</li></ul>China's newest aircraft carrier appears to be sporting mock-ups of warplanes, according to new images posted to social media by a long-time China watcher.It's a major step for the Fujian, as the People's Liberation Army Navy looks to put its largest, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dod-chinas-constructing-a-new-more-capable-third-aircraft-carrier-2019-5">most advanced carrier</a> through sea trials and push it closer to being ready for operations.Images of the Fujian, also identified as Type 003, docked in Shanghai were posted on X this week. On Tuesday, Andreas Rupprecht, a China aviation observer and researcher, also shared the images, discussing their significance. The Fujian's mock-ups were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twz.com/sea/deck-of-chinas-nearly-complete-carrier-now-hosting-multiple-aircraft-mockups">first reported</a> by The War Zone. Closer examination of the flight deck revealed that the Fujian is currently hosting five mock-ups: a KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, two fourth-generation J-15 carrier-based fighters, a fifth-generation J-35 fighter that is still in some stage of development, and a JL-10J advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft. The mock-ups appear to simulate where the aircraft would be on the carrier's deck. The pictures also show the Fujian's catapult system, designed to launch aircraft much like the US Navy's aircraft carriers. The Fujian is China's first carrier to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaked-photos-show-chinas-new-aircraft-carrier-taking-shape-2021-6">feature this technology</a>, as previous carriers have launched aircraft with ski jumps, upward ramps at the end of the deck. China's two other carriers, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-carriers-have-a-boatload-of-weaknesses-but-the-next-one-could-be-big-news-2018-8">Liaoning and Shandong</a>, both feature ski jumps.Back in January, Chinese state media showed aerial footage of the Fujian featuring three catapult tracks and an aircraft mock-up. Catapult launch systems are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-china-aircraft-carrier-progress-reveals-more-about-design-2021-7">much more effective</a> than ski jumps, easing the strain of takeoff on the aircraft and allowing for the launch of larger fixed-wing planes with heavier payloads and more fuel.The Chinese carrier relies on conventional power, as opposed to nuclear like US carriers, and steam turbines, but the ship's catapults are electromagnetic, like those on the US Navy's new Ford-class aircraft carriers.The Fujian's catapults are a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dod-chinas-constructing-a-new-more-capable-third-aircraft-carrier-2019-5">notable jump in technology</a>. The Department of Defense said in 2019 in its annual China military power report that the carrier's "design will enable it to support additional fighter aircraft, fixed-wing early-warning aircraft, and more rapid flight operations."Before the carrier's launch, experts said that the ship would "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-photo-shows-substantial-progress-on-china-new-aircraft-carrier-2021-6">significantly upgrade</a> China's naval capabilities." These features allow the Chinese navy to tap the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-chinas-j-15s-stack-up-against-us-fa-18s-2020-10">full potential</a> of the heavy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/j15-china-fighter-jet-shenyang-photos-warned-off-us-destroyer-2022-10">J-15</a>, and launch assets like early warning planes for greater situational awareness in combat.<div type="image" title="CHINESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, JIANGNAN SHIPYARDS, CHINA, JUNE 18, 2022: Maxar satellite imagery close up view of CV 18 Fujian Aircraft Carrier, Shanghai, China." height="5355" width="9336" msid="109409706" hostid="261"></div>The new images of the Fujian come as the aircraft carrier, the Chinese PLAN's third and by far most advanced, is expected to head out on its first sea trials this year. Previous satellite images have documented <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-photo-shows-substantial-progress-on-china-new-aircraft-carrier-2021-6">extensive progress</a> on the Fujian.The Fujian is a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-moves-closer-to-launching-newest-aircraft-carrier-images-2021-11">major improvement</a> in naval capability for China. Named after China's closest province to Taiwan, the carrier officially <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-fujian-aircraft-carrier-named-after-province-facing-taiwan-2022-6">launched</a> in June 2022. It began construction in 2018. It is still a conventionally powered carrier, but observers suspect the PLAN will develop nuclear-powered carriers in the future. The Fujian is larger than its predecessors — likely the size of the US' old Kitty Hawk-class carriers, Matthew P. Funaiole, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., and Brian Hart <a target="_blank" href="https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-third-aircraft-carrier-takes-shape">wrote</a> for the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in June 2021."When the Type 003 eventually enters service, it will be a formidable addition to China's navy and allow it to more effectively project power into the Indian and Pacific Oceans," they said at the time.

China's newest aircraft carrier was spotted with aircraft mock-ups hinting at what its future air wing could look like

In a significant boost for the capabilities of its Su-30 combat aircraft fleet, the <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="indian-air-force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> is equipping them with a new missile which can take down ground-based targets from a distance of over 250 kilometres. The new missile has been acquired by the Indian <keyword id="6354954" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="air-force" source="Orion">Air Force</keyword> under emergency provisions and will further enhance the capabilities of the Su-30 fighter jets which are now the mainstay of the force for at least the next 20 years. "The new high-speed low drag missile can hit targets at over 250 kilometres and is going to boost the capability of the aircraft," defence sources told ANI. The capability would allow the Indian Air Force to strike down enemy military camps and terrorist infrastructure as it did during the Balakot operations in 2019 from well within its own territory. "The new missile would be important for the Su-30 fleet of the <keyword id="6355075" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iaf" source="Orion">IAF</keyword> as integrating long-range missiles from European or American origin would not be easy in view of the global situation," the sources said. The IAF is also upgrading the Su-30s in an upgrade programme expected to cost over Rs30,000 and would begin with 85 planes. The IAF currently has around 260 of these heavy air superiority fighter jets which are now flying in sync with the most modern Rafale fighter planes of the force. The IAF has strengthened the capabilities of the Su-30s in a big way with the addition of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles which can hit targets at over 500 kilometres. The air-to-air missiles have also seen an upgrade while the made-in-India Astra - all weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air, and Rudram anti-radiation next-generation missiles have been added to the fleet. The BrahMos capability can help the Air Force to tackle any long-range tracking radar like that of the S-400 air defence systems. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rbi-hikes-repo-rate-by-35-bps-taking-rates-to-a-high-of-6-25/articleshow/96045841.cms">RBI hikes repo rate by 35 bps, taking it to 6.25% – Das says bank has ‘Arjuna’s eye’ on inflation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/be-prepared-to-pay-higher-emis-no-room-for-loan-tenor-increase-after-rbis-latest-rate-hike/articleshow/96052276.cms">Be prepared to pay higher EMIs: No room for loan tenor increase after RBI’s latest rate hike</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-ott-universe-grew-to-424-million-users-in-2022-up-by-20-from-2021/articleshow/96053777.cms">Over the top growth: OTT subscribers up 20% this year to 424 million, says Ormax</a>

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