Indian Navy’s Submarine Development Programme: A Critical Assessment
| Published date | 01 December 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/23477970231207258 |
| Author | K. G. Ramkumar,Prakash Panneerselvam |
| Date | 01 December 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Research Articles |
Research Article
Indian Navy’s Submarine
Development Programme:
A Critical Assessment
K. G. Ramkumar1 and Prakash Panneerselvam1
Abstract
In the twenty-first century, undersea warfare is changing. The role of submarines
and ASW is also adapting to the new maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific
region. The Submarine arm of the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in this region.
Except for the four recently inducted Scorpene submarines, the other conventional
submarines are more than two decades old. India’s ageing submarine fleet calls
for greater focus on submarine acquisition. The 30-year (2000–2030) submarine
building plan drawn up in 1998 envisaged the development of two parallel lines of
six conventional submarines, to be constructed in India over twelve years. This is
to be followed by 12 submarines of indigenous design based on the learning curve
of the two lines to be constructed over the next twelve years. But, as of now,
Project 75 has been planned for six submarines (with French design) in 2006, of
which five are on active duty and the last one is undergoing sea trials. Project
75I has been sanctioned to build six submarines but with a new model involving
two Indian firms, with the introduction of a strategic partner from the private
sector to encourage their participation in the ‘Make in India’ policy. Despite
India’s capability to design, develop, build and operate strategic submarines with
very high indigenous content, India’s lack of capability to design conventional
submarines raises the following questions, which this paper has tried to address:
Is it related to inadequacies in capability or policy decision-making? Are there
inconsistencies in defence procurement policy/procedure? Is there a need to
evaluate the Strategic Partnership model before implementation? Is there a lack
of access to technology?
Keywords
Indian Navy, Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project, Project 75I, Make in
India
Journal of Asian Security
and International Affairs
10(3) 395–416, 2023
© The Author(s) 2023
Article reuse guidelines:
in.sagepub.com/journals-permissions-india
DOI: 10.1177/23477970231207258
journals.sagepub.com/home/aia
1
National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Corresponding author:
Prakash Panneerselvam, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India.
E-mail: prakash.p@nias.res.in
396 Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs 10(3)
Introduction
Submarines are game changers and a boon for any navy possessing them.
During World War Two, diesel-electric submarines sank more tonnage
than warships in the Atlantic and Pacific (Lautenschlager, 1986–1987).
Submarines are a crucial element in ensuring Sea Denial. The sheer presence
of submarines can cause major military and diplomatic tension between
nations. In the Falklands War, the sinking of the Belgrano by HMS Conqueror
and her continued presence in the area kept the entire Argentine Fleet within
the harbour (Harper, 2014). In 1954, a miniature nuclear plant powered the
Nautilus, and by 1958, the Soviet Union had three different lines of nuclear-
powered submarines with an intent to counter the aircraft carriers of the USA.
Nuclear submarines have evolved, and today’s SSNs and SSBNs are a force to
reckon with. They are versatile, fast and more manoeuvrable, suitable for long-
range patrols and capable of launching nuclear strikes. However, conventional
platforms, by virtue of size and design, albeit slow, are capable of operating
in shallow waters. Conventional platforms with AIP, like the Gotland Class,
are known for having improved stealth features. Therefore, for a nation like
India with a complex geographical location with a long coastline, vast ocean
resources, large EEZ and a spread of littoral territories, the Indian Navy
adopted a combination of conventional and nuclear submarines to protect
maritime interests.
Over the past 40 years, the Indian Navy has indicated the envisaged force
level requirement of 24 conventional submarines to carry out its duties
effectively. Also, with the changing scenario in the Indian Ocean region and the
increase in submarine force levels of nations in the region, the need to have a
complement of nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) has gained ground. The latest
development involves amending the 30-year submarine plan to convert the 12
submarines from phase 2 into six conventional and six nuclear submarines
(SSNs). Although the Indian Navy has clear requirements for 24 conventional
submarines and proven competence in designing indigenous equipment and
systems for nuclear submarines, the actual force levels have always fallen short
of the target. Currently, only 15 conventional submarines are in the inventory,
with one submarine undergoing trials and expected to be commissioned by
2024.
Despite an approved 30-year submarine plan for the construction of
24 submarines, the required numbers have not been achieved as of date.
Therefore, it is important to analyse the Indian naval submarine programme in
detail. In this article, we will trace the roadmap of the Indian submarine
programme since its inception, and the various facets involving the submarines,
ranging from policy and plans, acquisition, operation and maintenance,
modernisation, design/development, and manufacture of submarines over the
years. The progress of the Indian conventional submarine programme will be
examined in conjunction with the nuclear submarine programme to identify
challenges that impact the availability of desired force levels for the navy.
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