Indian Submarines: Challenges and Regional Threats

Context

Recently, India has operationally deployed 11 submarines in the Indian Ocean for the first time.

Current Status of Indian Submarines

Operational Indian Submarines Fleet: India currently has 17 operational submarines: 16 conventional diesel-electric and 1 nuclear ballistic submarine (INS Arihant).

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• Conventional submarines include Kalvari-class (French Scorpene), Shishumar- class (German Type-209), and Sindhugosh-class (Russian Kilo) submarines.

Indian Submarine Fleet Expansion: Cabinet Committee recommended 24 submarines by 2030: 18 conventional and 6 nuclear.

Challenges with Aging Submarine Technology: Russian Kilo-class submarines from the 1980s have limited operational availability

Project 75: Project 75 launched in 2005 with France to build 6 Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarines in India, but delays persist.

Advantages of Indian Submarines

• Stealth Capability and Advanced Weaponry: Stealth capability and advanced weapons like torpedo missiles and nuclear warheads
• Advanced Capabilities: Strategic deterrence capability, countering enemy attacks
• Enhancing India’s Position in Regional Security Dynamics: India operationalized its nuclear triad with the deployment of INS Arihant in 2018, strengthening its second-strike capabilities.
• Role of Submarines in World wars: Submarines played crucial roles in World Wars 1 and 2.
• Other advantages: securing sea lanes, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and research purposes.

India faces Two Issues in Indigenous Submarine Development

Lack of capability in submarine design, which takes 5-7 years Indian industry’s inability to supply, and critical equipment, leading to dependence on foreign companies.

Challenges to the Indian Submarines

• Navigating India’s Submarine Supply Challenges: India faces challenges with submarine supply delays and maintenance issues.
• Post-Kargil War Assessment: After the 1999 Kargil War, the Cabinet Committee stated that 24 submarines are essential for India’s security.
• Insufficiency and Growing Threats: 11 submarines are still insufficient considering China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean.
• Vulnerabilities of Diesel-Electric Submarines: Diesel-electric submarines need to surface every 48 hours for battery recharge, making them vulnerable.
• Shift Towards Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Systems: Countries are focusing on Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology submarines that can stay underwater for 2 weeks
• Advantages of AI Submarines: AI submarines offer advantages over nuclear submarines, such as swift attacks and advanced stealth capabilities.
  • Talks between India and German for AIP submarines are in the final stage
• Setbacks in Project 75: India is working on Project 75 for AIP submarines, but France and Russia have withdrawn due to India’s requirements and terms & conditions.

Challenges to the Indian Nuclear Submarines

• India’s Lack of SSN Submarines: India currently has no SSN submarines, which can stay underwater for extended periods, only surfacing for food supply.
• Challenges with Leased SSN Submarine: India leased an AKULA-class SSN submarine from Russia but decommissioned it in 2021 due to issues.
• India’s SSBN Capability: India has one SSBN-class submarine, INS Arihant, with K-15 missiles (750-1500 km range) and plans to deploy K-4 missiles (3500 km range).

Pakistan’s Growing Submarine Strength

• Pakistan’s Submarine Expansion: Pakistan’s navy is becoming stronger with submarines
• Existing Submarine Fleet:Pakistan currently has 8 submarines, and China is providing 8 more advanced submarines
• Advancements in Submarine Technology: Pakistan will be the only South Asian country with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology submarines, which India currently lacks
• Maintaining Regional Influence: India needs to execute its submarine plan in a timely manner to maintain its sphere of influence in the Indian Ocean.

China’s Submarine Capabilities and India’s Advantage

• China’s Submarine Fleet Overview: China has 56 submarines, including 12 nuclear submarines (6 SSN-class)
• Chinese Submarine Activities in the Indian Ocean: Chinese submarines have been detected in the Indian Ocean, and China sends spy ships for mapping the ocean bed
• India’s advantage: Chinese submarines must pass through the shallow Malacca Strait, making them surface and detectable by India’s Andaman Nicobar base
• Ensuring Naval Supremacy: India needs to match its nuclear submarine capabilities with China to maintain supremacy in the Indian Ocean
• India-France Nuclear Submarine Negotiations:India is in talks with France for nuclear-powered attack submarines.

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Conclusion

As India navigates budgetary limitations and geopolitical complexities, sustained investments and long-term vision are essential to realizing its ambitions for a formidable naval fleet capable of safeguarding its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

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