Indian Navy news and discussion

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[quote name='Naresh' date='01 August 2010 - 02:18 AM' timestamp='1280657423' post='107709']

Agreed, that these Ships in their Hundreds, if not Thousands, will be carrying Cruise or Other Missiles amongst their Cargoes of Containers or on Decks of Ships carrying other Cargoes of the Dry variety.



As such the following quarries come to mind :



1. How will they deliver these Cruise or Other Missile(s) especially the Container as well as other Dry Bulk Ships as they are GEARLESS?



OR



2. Will they “Launch” them whilst at Sea to wreak Death and Destruction to the “Nominated Enemy.”



OR



3. Will they remain Constantly at Sea?



OR



4. If they are to perform their Primary Task to Load - Discharge their Normal Cargoes at the various Ports of their Voyage-Itinerary how will they be able to Enter these Port(s)?



I look forward to your enlightening reply.



NOTE : I do not discount or challenge the premise that various types of Merchant Vessels can be “Equipped” with Cruise or Other Missiles.



Cheers

[/quote]



Naresh,



A partial reply. If you mean GEARLESS in the sense that the cargo container ships would not have the necessary command and control systems to launch the missiles, this can be rectified pretty easily with modifications. With regards to issues (2) and (3) you've raised, this would largely depend upon the doctrine of the Nation deploying the weapon. With regards to your query (3), the nature of the warhead would also be important to take into account. If it is a nuclear warhead, then I guess most Nations wouldn't like their premier assets to roam the seas indefinitely and virtually undefended (from say, a heliborne commando raid, or a raid from commandos launched from a submarine).



BTW, thanks for your replies and questions. It makes one think hard and deep into this entire affair of container missiles, which could help enable separating the wheat from the chaff in this issue which has aroused much speculation and sensationalism.



I'll send you complete replies to your queries when I find time. Meanwhile, please do keep the queries and comments coming.