Indian Defense
Satellite Images Reveal Pakistan’s New Midget Submarine, Site For Joint Project With China
New Delhi: Latest satellite imagery has revealed Pakistan’s new midget submarine, used by its special forces for undertaking covert operations, as well as the probable site for a joint project with China to build new conventional submarines.
OSINT (Open-source Intelligence) expert who goes by his Twitter handle @detresfa, also pointed out that the images also possibly show the area earmarked for the construction of submarines, a project that Pakistan is pursuing with China.
Detresfa works closely with H.I. Sutton, defence and OSINT analyst, who was the first to come out with information about the new midget submarines last year.
Satellite imagery has revealed Pakistan’s new midget submarine | @detresfa | Twitter
“That is a fraction of the size of a regular submarine. Its location and size both point to use by the Pakistani Navy’s Special Service Group, known as SSG (N),” he had written.
He had also explained that this category of submarine is called an X-Craft in Pakistani Navy parlance.
“The term was inherited from the Italian manufacturer Cos.Mo.S (commonly written Cosmos) who sold Pakistan two sets of midget submarines in the past…” he wrote.
Sutton said the midget submarine seen in the latest satellite images is the new one and most likely indigenous. He said that although there have been reports of Turkish assistance in similar programs, it was built in 2016, which is before the Turkish deal was announced.
‘Armed With Heavyweight Torpedo Tubes’
Sutton said that the new midget submarine increases Pakistan’s capability to deploy special forces on covert missions, potentially along the Indian coast in times of conflict.
Asked if the midget submarine is armed, he said: “Based on analysis of available images, it does appear that the midget submarine has two heavyweight torpedo tubes. This is consistent with Pakistan’s older Italian design midget submarines. The tubes can likely launch torpedoes for self-defence or against targets of opportunity.”
Pakistani Defence Production Division (MoDP) 2015-16 yearbook had listed the “Indigenous design and construction of 01 Midget Submarine” as a target for 2016-2017.
In an interview in April last year, the then Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) Vice Admiral M.S. Pawar was asked about Pakistan’s midget submarine.
He had said that the Indian Navy is aware of the capabilities of adversaries and constantly monitors various procurement and developments in the region.
“Our coastal security mechanisms have constantly improved over the last 12 years since the 26/11 terror strikes at Mumbai which emanated from Pakistan … We maintain thorough maritime domain awareness and are geared up to defeat all sea-borne threats,” he had said.
The officer added that an electronic net backed by coastal security assets “is capable of detecting and defeating any clandestine activity”.
Area Earmarked For Chinese Submarines Revealed
Sutton said that the facilities immediately northeast of where the midget submarine is, are new and are believed to relate to the Chinese submarine deal.
Pakistan entered into a contract with China for four modern frigates and eight conventional submarines.
The new submarines are a variant of the Chinese Navy’s Type-039A Yuan Class. While four submarines will be built in China, the remaining four will be built in Pakistan.
“The first Chinese submarine is expected to be delivered before 2023,” Sutton said, adding that overall, they are similar in capabilities to India’s Scorpene submarines.
He said that the Pakistani submarines will have the AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) system as standard, which the Scorpenes don’t have.
“The new submarines from China will be a major increase in both numbers and capability. It will surely concern the Indian Navy,” he said.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
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.
Indian Defense
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.
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.
Indian Defense
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).
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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