SUBMARINES

India possesses a diverse fleet of submarines and naval ships, showcasing its maritime capabilities and its strategic position in the Indian Ocean region. Here's an overview:

Submarines:

• Shishumar-class Submarines: These are diesel-electric submarines, of German origin (Type 209/1500), with advanced warfare capabilities. The Indian Navy operates four submarines of this class: INS Shishumar, INS Shankush, INS Shalki, and INS Shankul.

• Kalvari-class Submarines: These are Scorpène-class submarines, constructed under the Indian Navy's Project 75. They are modern, stealthy diesel-electric attack submarines. As of my last update, the Indian Navy had commissioned four submarines of this class: INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela, with additional submarines planned for induction.

• Arihant-class Submarines: These are India's first indigenously developed nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). INS Arihant is the lead vessel of this class and represents India's nuclear triad capability, capable of carrying ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

Naval Ships:

• The Indian Navy operates several classes of destroyers, including Kolkata-class, Delhi-class, and Rajput-class destroyers. These ships are equipped with advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

• The fleet includes Shivalik-class, Talwar-class, and Brahmaputra-class frigates. These ships are versatile, capable of anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and anti-surface warfare roles.

• The Indian Navy operates Kamorta-class corvettes, which are stealthy anti-submarine warfare corvettes equipped with modern sensors and weaponry.

• INS Vikramaditya, a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier acquired from Russia, is the flagship of the Indian Navy. India is also constructing INS Vikrant, an indigenous aircraft carrier, which will join the fleet upon completion.

• The Indian Navy operates amphibious assault ships like INS Jalashwa (formerly USS Trenton), capable of carrying troops, vehicles, and helicopters for humanitarian missions and amphibious operations.

India's naval modernization efforts aim to bolster its maritime security, protect its maritime interests, and project power across the Indian Ocean region. The country continues to develop indigenous capabilities while also engaging in strategic partnerships and collaborations to strengthen its naval force

Commissioned Submarines

India's commissioned submarines consisted of various classes, showcasing both conventional diesel-electric submarines and nuclear-powered submarines. Here's a list of the commissioned submarines in the Indian Navy:

1. Shishumar-class Submarines:

• INS Shishumar
• INS Shankush
• INS Shalki
• INS Shankul

2. Kalvari-class Submarines:

• INS Kalvari
• INS Khanderi
• INS Karanj
• INS Vela

3. Arihant-class Submarines:

• INS Arihant

These submarines belong to different classes, showcasing India's pursuit of modernizing its submarine fleet with conventional diesel-electric submarines (like the Shishumar and Kalvari classes) and indigenous nuclear-powered submarines (the Arihant class).

The Shishumar-class submarines are of German origin (Type 209/1500), while the Kalvari-class submarines are Scorpène-class submarines built under India's Project 75. The Arihant-class submarines represent India's indigenous development of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

India's submarine fleet has undergone significant modernization and expansion efforts, with ongoing plans for further inductions and developments to strengthen its maritime capabilities and strategic posture in the Indian Ocean region

Project 75

Project 75 is a significant endeavor undertaken by the Indian Navy to augment its submarine fleet. This project aims to build a series of advanced diesel-electric attack submarines in collaboration with foreign technology partners. Its objective is to enhance the country's underwater warfare capabilities and bolster its naval defenses.

Key points about Project 75:

• The primary goal of Project 75 is to construct a series of modern submarines with stealth capabilities, advanced weaponry, and state-of-the-art technology to strengthen India's naval prowess
• The project involves collaboration with foreign defense companies to acquire technology and expertise. French defense company Naval Group (formerly DCNS) has been a significant partner for Project 75, assisting in the construction of Scorpène-class submarines
• Under Project 75, India has focused on building Scorpène-class submarines, which are modern diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines are known for their stealth features, advanced combat systems, and versatility in various underwater missions
• The submarines for Project 75 are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. The construction process involves a blend of technology transfer, indigenization, and collaboration with the foreign partner to develop domestic expertise in submarine construction

Submarines under Project 75

Under Project 75, India has been working on the construction and induction of Scorpène-class submarines, a part of the country's efforts to modernize and strengthen its submarine fleet. As of my last update, several submarines of the Scorpène-class have been commissioned or are in various stages of construction. Here are the submarines under Project 75:

• INS Kalvari (S50): Commissioned in December 2017, INS Kalvari is the lead submarine of the Scorpène-class. It represents the first of six submarines planned under Project 75.

• INS Khanderi (S51): INS Khanderi, the second submarine of the Scorpène-class, was commissioned in September 2019. It showcases advanced stealth capabilities and modern technologies.

• INS Karanj (S52): Commissioned in March 2021, INS Karanj is the third submarine of the Scorpène-class. It adds to India's growing fleet of modern submarines.

• INS Vela (S53): INS Vela, the fourth Scorpène-class submarine, was launched in May 2019. It is undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy soon.

These submarines are constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, involving collaboration with the French defense company Naval Group (formerly DCNS) for technology transfer and expertise in submarine construction. The Scorpène-class submarines are known for their stealth features, advanced weaponry, and capabilities suited for various underwater missions, enhancing India's naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.

Project 75 signifies India's commitment to modernizing its naval assets, enhancing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities, and strengthening its maritime defenses through the induction of advanced submarines equipped with cutting-edge technology

Significance of Project 75 India 

Project 75 India holds significant importance for the Indian Navy and the nation's defense strategy. It focuses on the construction and induction of modern submarines, enhancing India's maritime capabilities and national security.

Here are the key aspects highlighting the significance of Project 75:

• Project 75 aims to bolster India's submarine fleet by introducing advanced, stealthy diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines are equipped with modern technology, enhancing the navy's underwater warfare capabilities
• The project emphasizes indigenous construction and technological advancements in submarine building. It aligns with India's goal of self-reliance in defense production, promoting the 'Make in India' initiative in the defense sector
• Submarines constructed under Project 75 play a crucial role in providing strategic deterrence, surveillance, and defense against potential threats in the Indian Ocean region. They significantly contribute to India's maritime security and defense posture
• Project 75 involves collaboration with foreign partners, such as the French defense company Naval Group, facilitating technology transfer and expertise in submarine construction. This collaboration supports the development of indigenous capabilities in submarine technology
• The introduction of modern submarines enhances the Indian Navy's fleet, ensuring a well-equipped and technologically advanced force capable of undertaking a range of maritime missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations
• A strong and modern submarine fleet strengthens India's position as a key maritime power in the Indian Ocean region. It enhances India's ability to maintain peace, security, and stability in the maritime domain, impacting regional geopolitics
• The submarines constructed under Project 75 are long-term assets for the Indian Navy. They are expected to serve for several decades, contributing to the nation's defense preparedness and deterrence capabilities

Scorpene-Class Submarines 

The Scorpène-class submarines are a class of modern diesel-electric attack submarines developed by the French company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) in collaboration with several international partners. These submarines are designed to be stealthy, versatile, and capable of various underwater missions. Several countries around the world operate Scorpène-class submarines due to their advanced capabilities. India's Scorpène-class submarines are constructed as part of Project 75 to modernize its submarine fleet.

Here are some key features and characteristics:

• The Scorpène-class submarines are designed with advanced stealth technology to reduce their acoustic signature and enhance their undetectability to enemy sensors, including radar and sonar systems
• These submarines are equipped for a range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations
• The Scorpène-class submarines have a length of approximately 67 meters and a submerged displacement of around 1,800 tons.
• They typically have a complement of around 35-40 crew members
• These submarines are equipped with torpedo tubes to launch heavyweight torpedoes, as well as anti-ship missiles.
• They feature advanced sensor suites and combat systems for surveillance, targeting, and self-defense
• Scorpène-class submarines are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems, which include diesel engines for surface operations and electric batteries for submerged propulsion
• The construction of Scorpène-class submarines for India's Project 75 is undertaken at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
• The project involves collaboration between Indian shipbuilders and the French defense company Naval Group, which provides technology transfer and expertise in submarine construction

• INS Astradharini is an unmanned underwater vehicle designed for autonomous operations without human intervention once deployed. It is equipped with sensors and systems for various underwater missions
• The AUV is primarily intended for conducting underwater surveillance, research, and data collection activities. It has the capability to gather oceanographic and hydrographic data for scientific and military purposes
• INS Astradharini represents India's indigenous efforts in developing advanced underwater technology for maritime operations. It signifies the country's commitment to building indigenous capabilities in underwater systems and technology
• The vehicle can navigate underwater, collect data, and perform missions at varying depths, making it valuable for oceanographic research, monitoring marine environments, and underwater exploration