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AUKUS Highlights India’s Own Submarine Development Efforts And Delays

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AUKUS Highlights India’s Own Submarine Development Efforts And Delays

Unlike Australia, given its geography and operational requirements, India needs both conventional and nuclear-powered submarines: official

Australia’s announcement to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the tripartite arrangement with the U.K. and the U.S. (AUKUS) puts the spotlight on India’s own submarine efforts, ongoing tender for manufacturing six conventional submarines with technology transfer under Project-75I and the indigenous programme to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN).

“Unlike Australia, given our geography and operational requirements, India needs both conventional and nuclear-powered submarines,” an official noted.

However, both the conventional and nuclear-powered projects were delayed and the first vessel was at least a decade away while the Navy faced an urgent need to modernise its ageing submarine fleet, especially in the backdrop of increasing forays by the Chinese Navy into the Indian Ocean Region, two officials said.

In July, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued the Request For proposal (RFP) to the shortlisted Strategic Partners – the Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The contract, estimated to cost upwards of ₹ 43,000 crore, is being processed through the strategic partnership model of procurement and being the first project under it has added to the delays.

Questions From OEMs

However, the RFP has raised several questions from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have to supply the technology and know-how to the Indian company to build the submarines here. “It is tremendous amount of responsibility. Also isn’t it too much technology sophistication for the local industry to execute within the short time frame? Is the industry ready to pay for the technology transfer?,” an official from one of the OEMs stated.

The RFP response itself could take two years, an official with another OEM observed.

The Navy currently has 15 conventional submarines- eight Russian Kilo class ones, four German HDWs and three Scorpenes and nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant. Second indigenous SSBN Arighat, now in advanced stages of sea trials, is expected to be commissioned next year along with indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant, which recently began sea trials, the two officials remarked.

Akula class SSN Chakra, on a decade-long lease from Russia, has been returned recently, slightly ahead of schedule. India has already signed a deal for the lease of another such submarine and the project is underway. It is expected to be delivered in 2025, at least two officials disclosed. Given the delays, India is also considering leasing one more Akula class SSN, the officials pointed out, adding that discussions were still in the preliminary stage.

Russia has recently put forward a proposal to India to quickly supply three Kilo class submarines to arrest the falling numbers. “Russia can deliver the first submarine in three years once the contract is signed,” a Russian official told The Hindu on the sidelines of Army 2021 expo in Moscow end-August.

Midlife Upgrade

Of the eight Kilo class submarines, except for INS Sindhushashtra, which was inducted in 2000, all others were inducted between 1986 and 1991. The German HDWs were inducted between 1986 and 1994. To keep them functional, the Navy has embarked on an extensive midlife upgrade and refit programme that adds another decade to the boats. “It is expensive but necessary,” a defence official asserted.

Given the developments in the Indo-Pacific, India needed to accelerate its submarine building programmes to maintain the requisite numbers of these critical military platforms, the official added.

In addition, six Scorpenes are being built by MDL under technology transfer from the Naval Group of France. Three have been inducted so far and the fourth one, Vela, is expected to be commissioned by year-end. The Navy has drawn up plans to install Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all Scorpenes to enhance their endurance, as they go for their refit.

Under the AUKUS partnership unveiled on September 16, the first initiative is for Australia to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. and the U.K. With it, Canberra has scrapped the plan to build 12 conventional submarines in partnership with Naval Group estimated at over AUS$50bn when it was announced in 2016.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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