The year 2024 started on a high note for the Indian Navy, with Operation Sankalp expanding from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea to ensure the safety and the security of shipping from piracy and providing assistance to ships targeted by the Houthis. The Navy’s continued response in addressing piracy, hijacking, and drone attacks on international merchant shipping has reinforced its status as a preferred security partner and first responder. In 2024, while several salient episodes marked the Navy’s operational preparedness, an area that witnessed several critical developments was undersea warfare.
Pivotal developments
One key development was the commissioning of India’s second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile capable submarine (SSBN), INS Arighaat, in August 2024. Adding value to the third leg of India’s nuclear triad — and hence nuclear deterrent value — the SSBN mirrors its predecessor, INS Arihant, in size and propulsion. The boat, as submarines are known colloquially, has a higher indigenous content than INS Arihant. The advanced sonar and propulsion systems and upgraded acoustic dampening are a distinctive addition to India’s underwater warfare capabilities. These capabilities were emblematically enhanced by the recent testing of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arighaat, with a range of 3,500 kilometres. While the firing was successful, the results of the test parameters are awaited. Successful tests and the induction of the missile as a composite weapon package of SSBNs would place most of China under striking range.
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About a month after the commissioning of INS Arighaat, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the long-pending Project-77 (P-77), giving its final approval to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a cost of ₹40,000 crore. Delivery of the first SSN is scheduled for 2036-37 and the platform is expected to include over 90% indigenous content. The addition of the SSNs would enhance the Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities, which essentially includes providing protection to deployed SSBNs. With the induction of the SSNs, India would become the only non-P5 nation operating SSBNs and SSNs.
On conventional submarines
While nuclear boats open up new vistas of capabilities, conventional boats will always be relevant. In the past, there has been discussion in the U.S. about the re-induction of non-nuclear boats, as not all undersea missions require nuclear power. In India’s case, Project-75, in collaboration with France, will see the commissioning of the sixth Scorpene boat, INS Vaghsheer soon. The Navy is looking to order three more such boats, which will add the required punch and help fill the void with the decommissioning of older boats. The efficacy of non-nuclear boats has increased with the advent of air independent propulsion (AIP). Therefore, Project 75(I), which seeks to induct AIP-enabled boats, involves Spain and Germany as contenders to build such boats, and is expected to reach its logical conclusion when the technical and financial evaluations are completed. In all cases, indigenous content is expected to increase. For example, the follow-on three Scorpene boats are expected to feature 60% indigenous content. In the case of Project 75(I), with the bidders, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Spain’s Navantia, accepting India’s transfer of technology and indigenous content requirements, the first boat is likely to include a minimum of 45% indigenous content, rising to 60% in the sixth boat.
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Another domestic development in niche undersea naval technologies is the approval of building 100-tonne Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) at a cost of ₹2,500 crore. UUVs would add to India’s undersea capabilities as a low-cost option with a high return on investment. This project is symbolic of India’s positioning of niche technologies as strategic enablers to address increasingly complex and evolving threats in the maritime space.
Some of the hurdles
The approach to enhance the Navy’s undersea capabilities in tandem with surface and aviation elements underscores the importance placed at various levels of the Indian government on ensuring maritime stability and security. This approach would create a balanced blue water force. However, this calls for addressing long-drawn budgetary issues to manage the mismatch between planned acquisitions and modernisation allocations and excessive time delays. Sustained funding for projects with long gestation periods, streamlined processes on specifying requirements, shortlisting original equipment manufacturers, and issuance and evaluation of tenders would require focus. A balanced force would ensure fulfilling the Navy’s strategic and operational requirements, which are indispensable for addressing the threats, challenges, and risks emanating from the maritime domain while also taking advantage of the opportunities that arise.
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These opportunities, especially cooperation and collaboration with strategic partners and other friendly maritime nations, would augur well not only for India’s growth as a maritime nation but also support India’s maritime visions of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Sarabjeet Singh Parmar is a retired Indian naval captain, and is Distinguished Fellow at the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, New Delhi. Araudra Singh is a researcher at the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, New Delhi
Published – December 23, 2024 12:08 am IST