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EXPLAINED: As Def Min Plans For 6 New Subs, What You Need To Know About Size of India’s Under Water Fight

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EXPLAINED: As Def Min Plans For 6 New Subs, What You Need To Know About Size of India’s Under Water Fight

The Centre has set the ball rolling for the production of six conventional submarines even as its fleet is a fraction of what is operated by China. For a country with wide maritime interests and big power ambitions, submarines are an indispensable asset. But India is seen as having lagged in this area. While the country pursues the production of submarines on priority, here’s what you need to know about these vessels and the advantage they bring.

How Many Submarines Does India Have?

The Indian Navy is said to have a total of 18 operational submarines, of which 16 are of the diesel-electric type. Of the remaining two, one is an indigenously-made ballistic missile nuclear submarine (SSBN) while the other is a nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) that has been leased from Russia. If you’re wondering what the abbreviations stand for, they are submersible ship ballistic nuclear, and submersible ship nuclear, respectively. Diesel-electric submarines are also called SSK, the ‘K’ standing for ‘killer’.

Compare this with China’s reported fleet size of between 70-80 submarines, of which at least six are SSN with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) also said to have four SSBN and at least 50 SSK.

Last month, it was reported that the Akula class SSN leased from Russia, which was christened INS Chakra while in Indian service, had been returned to the parent country. It was the second SSN that India had leased from Russia; the first, also called INS Chakra, had reportedly been taken from the erstwhile USSR in 1988 under a three-year lease.

India signed another deal with Russia in 2019 to lease an SSN for a third time for a period of 10 years. Under the $3 billion deal, Russia is expected to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, by 2025.

What Is The Difference Between The Various Kinds of Submarines?

According to the Carnegie Science Centre (CSC), the first recorded use of a submarine in combat was in 1776, when the “small human-powered ‘Turtle’” was used by the American colonists in an unsuccessful attempt to sink a British ship. Submarines have, of course, come a long way since then although the ones most commonly used — the diesel-electric vessel — were introduced in the “later part of the 19th century”.

“Diesel electric drive permitted submarines to make long-range voyages… Endurance in undersea vessels increased to over 6,000 miles. As their range increased, so did the size of the submarines,” CSC says, adding that “the greatest advance in submarine technology occurred on January 21, 1954, with the launch of the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered vessel”.

Nuclear-powered submarines can stay underwater for indefinite periods and need to surface only for food and crew requirements. According to the US Naval Institute (USIN), “the performance advantages of nuclear submarines over conventional, diesel-electric submarines are considerable”.

Experts say that compared to SSNs, diesel-electric submarines are really more like ‘submersibles’. The latter have to ‘snorkel’, that is, expose themselves over water, frequently to clear the exhaust from their diesel generators and charge their batteries. Also, they must slow down while snorkeling. But with SSNs, there is no need to snorkel and they can stay completely submerged.

There is also the difference of speed. USIN says that SSNs can have “a sustained submerged speed of more than 30 knots (55 kmph), considerably greater than any contemporary diesel submarine”.

What Is The Difference Between SSNs And SSBNs?

While both are nuclear-powered, the key difference between these two classes of submarines is tactical. An SSBN plays a deterrent role. Armed with nuclear weapons, it is part of what is known as the nuclear triad for countries that have nuclear weapons, the other two components being aircraft and land-based missiles. It is considered to be the concealed part of the triad, designed to strike even if the other two components are destroyed. Hence, they are not to be used in normal warfare.

SSNs on the other hand, are attack submarines and are armed with conventional weapons and missiles and can be deployed against enemy targets.

India has indigenously built two SSBNs with two more under construction at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. The INS Arihant, the first of the SSBNs, was commissioned in 2016 while the second, INS Arighat, was launched in 2017 and is in the process of being commissioned.

India is also reportedly pursuing the construction of its own SSNs with the Navy said to have told the government that plans to induct six such vessels would take precedence over the project to build a third aircraft carrier.

What Are The Submarines For Which Proposal Has Been Sought?

The request for proposal (RFP) issued by the Defence Ministry is for six conventional, diesel-electric submarines that are to be manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Centre has identified five foreign-based makers — Naval Group of France, TKMS of Germany, JSC ROE of Russia, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co Ltd of South Korea and Navantia of Spain — for the project and the Indian partners (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd and Larsen & Toubro) will have to partner any one each of these companies to submit bids.

India’s diesel-electric submarine fleet includes the Kalvari class vessel, which is based on the French Scorpene-class submarine while the Sindhughosh-class submarines are built under a contract with Russia. There is also the Shishumar-class of vessels that were developed by Germany.

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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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