Return of the Amphibian !
Commodore Sujeet Samaddar, NM formerly with the Indian Navy, examines the case for acquiring such unique capability
The Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2014 was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and the import of this fact goes far beyond the Rajpath parade in New Delhi. There are significant working group discussions taking place between the two countries impacting on security and economic issues, matters of great significance considering that China, which neighbours both nations, has of late been flexing its muscles on issues of ‘dispute’ at sea and the high mountains.
One of the major areas of cooperation between India and Japan concerns maritime security and as an example, the Coast Guards of both countries have recently carried out combined exercises. There was a far reaching Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), signed between the two Coast Guards, which encompasses issues of maritime search and rescue, combating marine pollution, technical assistance for responding to natural disasters and exchange of information regarding crimes at sea, including smuggling and illicit trafficking.
Under this broad based umbrella, Coast Guards of India and Japan have just carried out exercises off the Kochi coast in mid-January 2014, with ships and aircraft of both countries taking part. However taking part were conventional patrol vessels, light helicopters plus fixed wing aircraft, and the unique capability of amphibious aircraft remained obviously as on the ‘wish list’.
Modern amphibious aircraft are capable of a variety of missions other than SAR. Under Article 98 of the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) “Every coastal State shall promote the establishment, operation and maintenance of an adequate and effective search and rescue service regarding safety on and over the sea and, where circumstances so require, by way of mutual regional arrangements cooperate with neighbouring States for this purpose.” Amphibious aircraft fit this purpose completely, combining the capabilities of rapid surveillance and prompt response, whether for relief or arrest, in a single platform, not available otherwise. Unlike helicopters and land-based aircraft, amphibious aircraft can land at the location and enforce both the will and the law of the country and thus are a platform of choice for benign and constabulary missions of navies. Unlike ships, amphibious aircraft can reach the location far faster than ships can preventing destruction or dumping of contraband.
The recent SAR conducted by the US-2 of the JMSDF in extreme weather conditions proves how modern amphibious aircraft can dramatically change the scenario. The US -2 carried out a successful SAR of stranded Japanese on yacht in June 2013, some 1,200 kms South East of Miyagi Kinkasan. The SAR was conducted by the US-2 in typhoon conditions over the Pacific Ocean. The recorded sea state was 5 with 4m wave height. The wind velocity was about 40 kts during the rescue. Approaching sunset and the inclement weather made the mission even more hazardous. However, ultra-modern aviation technology on board the US- 2 coupled with superior flying skills of the crew made the SAR a successful mission.
As has been reported, India and Japan have been discussing the suitability of ShinMaywa’s US- 2i amphibian aircraft in this context and according to a Senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, a joint working group has been formed to discuss the aircraft programme, meetings to continue after the visit to India of the Japanese Prime Minister.