India currently has 13 Diesel Electric Submarines, with 9 bought from Russia and 4 bought from Germany. India also has one nuclear submarine INS Chakra which is on ten year lease from Russia. The nuclear submarine is called Akula and was developed by Soviet Navy in 1986. With time Russia has modified Akula and the recent submarines are called Akula II. 300 Indian submariners are training in Soviet to operate and run Akula II, so that it can be inducted in Indian Navy.
In 2005, India had also ordered 6 Scorpene class submarines, they are Diesel Electric Submarines which are being manufactured in India but the technology and the company developing it is French. Development is under ‘transfer of technology’ contract. But this project has been delayed and now the final induction of the submarines is expected to be from 2016 onwards till 2022, with one ship being delivered in every year. These submarines are being built in Mazagaon Dock, Mumbai by DCNS.
India is also building nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines, called SSBN under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Program. This program started taking shape after 1971 Indo-Pak war when USA sent a task force containing nuclear submarine in the Arabian Sea to intimidate India. Plans regarding development of SSBN concreted in 1990 and it was mentioned for the first time by George Fernandes in 1998 after Pokhran Test.
India recently rejoiced after sea trials of INS Arihant (which is a SSBN) in 2013, it is expected to be commissioned in India Navy by mid of 2014. Also INS Aridhaman is under construction which will be followed by construction of two more ATVs. India is first country outside five permanent members of UN Security Council to be able to ingenuously produce submarine like SSBN. This has been possible due to collaborative effort of BARC, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam, BHEL, and Audco India.
India recently rejoiced after sea trials of INS Arihant (which is a SSBN) in 2013, it is expected to be commissioned in India Navy by mid of 2014. Also INS Aridhaman is under construction which will be followed by construction of two more ATVs. India is first country outside five permanent members of UN Security Council to be able to ingenuously produce submarine like SSBN. This has been possible due to collaborative effort of BARC, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam, BHEL, and Audco India.
India has come a long way from induction of first submarine INS Kalvari in 1967. But due to delays in delivery of the ordered submarines and delivery of ingeniously produced submarines, Indian Navy is facing a vacuum in the operation. Indian Ocean is a highly active geopolitical zone and India is losing its control due to increasing influence of China.
Moreover the submarines being leased from Russia are armed with 300 km nuclear capable missiles due to Russia being a signatory of Missile Technology Control Regime Treaty. These missiles would only help India safeguard its boundaries from aggression but long ranged missiles are essential for increasing the presence in Indian Ocean to meet the Diplomatic, resource needs of India.
India needs to invest more time and money in ATV projects and also there is a need to reduce red tapes and procure the long due Scorpene submarines to strengthen Indian Navy. The personnel trained for submarine operation are critical asset to Indian Defence and losses sustained due to negligence will hamper Indian Dominance in long run.
Moreover the submarines being leased from Russia are armed with 300 km nuclear capable missiles due to Russia being a signatory of Missile Technology Control Regime Treaty. These missiles would only help India safeguard its boundaries from aggression but long ranged missiles are essential for increasing the presence in Indian Ocean to meet the Diplomatic, resource needs of India.
India needs to invest more time and money in ATV projects and also there is a need to reduce red tapes and procure the long due Scorpene submarines to strengthen Indian Navy. The personnel trained for submarine operation are critical asset to Indian Defence and losses sustained due to negligence will hamper Indian Dominance in long run.
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