Navy to buy submarine mine laying equipment
The Navy is planning to buy Submarine Mine Laying Equipment (SMILE) to augment existing capabilities of its conventional fleet.
The Navy is planning to buy Submarine Mine Laying Equipment (SMILE) to augment existing capabilities of its conventional fleet.
It has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to vendors and manufacturers seeking details in this regard, a Navy officer said in New Delhi on Sunday.
The Navy at present has a fleet of 16 conventional submarines, but is in the process of adding a few more when the Scorpene submarines currently being built by Mazgaon Docks are ready for induction and a follow-on project of the type is ordered.
The SMILE, according to the RFI, should be capable of laying 24 ground mines and withstand maximum underwater speeds of the submarine.
The basic design of the SMILE should comprise components and sub-systems such as two independent magazines capable of housing at least 12 mines each.
Each magazine should have a glass reinforced plastic hull and needed to be attached to the submarine. Its design should suit the contours of the submarine for a snug fit.
The magazines should have its independent hydraulic station for engaging and disengaging the SMILE with the submarine and also for loading, unloading and launching of mines with ports and mechanisms for the same.
It should have adequate ballasting and de-ballasting arrangements to embark and disembark the magazines on the submarine in an afloat condition.
The mine magazines should have suitable hoisting and lifting mechanisms to handle the SMILE while embarking, disembarking and transporting the magazines at the submarine berth.