New Delhi: India is set to expand its naval power in the Indian Ocean with the purchase of three additional Scorpene class submarines from France. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the deal on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France.
India already has six of these submarines in service, which are designed to hunt down enemy submarines and surface ships.
Three new Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines, also known as Kalvari-class, are being built by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) shipyard in Mumbai in collaboration with France’s Naval Group – a leading defense company.
With India’s P75(I) program – under which six conventional submarines are to be built with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems that will allow them to stay underwater for long periods of time – work is still underway, three The submarines will help in boosting the Indian Navy’s underwater capabilities.
Naval Group has a dedicated team at MDL Shipyard and has also set up a subsidiary company named Naval Group India.
Read also: India, France to jointly develop engine to power AMCA fighter aircraft, sign MoU for more Scorpenes
Scorpene – ‘Stealth and Fast’
The Scorpene is a new-generation, intermediate-sized conventional-propulsion submarine and is capable of “maneuverability and maneuverability”. It can carry out operations in both open sea and coastal waters.
The 67.56 meter long submarine has a high degree of operational automation which allows the crew to be limited to 25 – thereby reducing operational costs. While its surface displacement is 1,615 tonnes, the submerged displacement is 1,775 tonnes.
It can carry 18 warheads including torpedoes, missiles and landmines and has six warhead launching tubes. It can travel underwater at speeds of over 20 knots and can stay submerged for up to 50 days.
The Scorpene is a 2,000-tonne conventional-propulsion submarine that was developed by Naval Group, France for a variety of missions including surface ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering. The Navy Group calls these submarines “extremely stealthy and fast”.
Interestingly, all the six Scorpene submarines built for India do not have the main weapon – heavyweight torpedoes. They are currently using a Russian-made torpedo which has been given a life extension.
As per the original plan, the Indian Navy was to buy ‘Black Shark’ torpedoes from the Italian firm WASS, which was owned by Finmeccanica, an Italian firm tainted in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, which a few years ago rebranded itself as “Leonardo”. Was.
A decision is yet to be taken on whether to buy the heavyweight torpedoes from the Italian firm or the F21 proposed by the Naval Group.
AIP System: A Unique Addition
The three new Scorpene submarines will be fitted with indigenous AIPs.
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Naval Group France Put signature on An agreement in January to install indigenous AIP system on Kalvari class submarines.
All the previous six submarines will undergo refit to install AIP in due course. The project has already been delayed as the fifth and sixth Scorpene were to have indigenous AIPs, as per the original plan.
The Navy currently operates 16 conventional submarines, including seven Russian Sindhughosh-class submarines, four German Shishumar-class submarines and five Scorpene-class submarines. The sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine procured under P-75 – INS Vagshir – began its sea trials in May.
In addition, India also has two nuclear-powered ballistic missile-carrying submarines of the Arihant class.
(Editing by Richa Mishra)
Read also: India and France seek partnership for next ‘ambitious’ submarine plans