Vice Adm. G. Ashok Kumar, Indian Navy Vice Chief of Naval Staff, and senior staff from the Indian Navy, tour the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) while in dry dock,

during a visit to Submarine Squadron 11 in San Diego, June 28. (U.S. Navy photo by Josue L. Escobosa)

NEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Reuters) – India approved on Wednesday plans to construct two of a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, two defence officials said, in a project estimated to cost about 450 billion rupees ($5.4 billion). 

As India scrambles to modernise its military in the face of China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, it is focusing on boosting naval capabilities, and improving domestic weapons-making capacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet gave the go-ahead for the first two submarines of a new class of six the Indian Navy plans to make, the officials added, speaking on condition of anonymity, but stopped short of providing delivery dates. 

China, the world’s largest naval force, with more than 370 ships, has been a security concern for India since ties nosedived in 2020 after 24 troops died in clashes along their Himalayan frontier.

Synopsis

India is enhancing its naval defence capabilities to counter growing regional threats, especially from China, in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With the recent commissioning of the second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat, and the development of a new Very Low Frequency (VLF) facility in Telangana, India is building a robust sub-surface defense network. This article delves into the country’s nuclear submarine projects, strategic priorities, and the importance of advanced communication networks for long-range submarine patrols.

Diesel-Electric Submarine Projects Underway

In addition to its nuclear submarine development, the Indian Navy is also bolstering its diesel-electric submarine fleet. Under the Rs 23,000 crore Project-75, the Navy will commission its sixth French-origin Scorpene submarine, Vagsheer, in December. India is in advanced discussions with France to build three additional Scorpene-class submarines at Mazagon Docks, with an estimated cost of over Rs 30,000 crore.

Shift in Strategic Priorities Amid Chinese Naval Presence

The approval of two nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) under Project-77 signifies a shift in India’s naval priorities. With China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean, including the regular presence of its warships and surveillance vessels near India’s maritime borders, Indian security planners are focusing on sub-surface deterrence over aircraft carriers. As part of this approach, nuclear-powered submarines are seen as more resilient to long-range missile threats from China compared to surface vessels.

Source: The Economics Times,

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