Navy plans four more Scorpene Submarine

Navy plans four more Scorpene Submarine

    Indian Navy plans to increase the Scorpene submarine orders. as Navy satisfied it's performance during the sea trails, also Magazon dock has the technology, Navy plans to increase the Scorpene orders to ten. as first under Project 75, Navy shortlist French firm DCNS to collaborate with Mumbai based MDL to build six Scorpene submarine with complete transfer of technology. Navy also wants the last two submarines should be modified to carry DRDO developed Fuel cell based AIP- Air independent propulsion, to increase the sub merged performance.

    After five year of delay, the New Government fast tracks the Scorpene building and launched the first submarine named INS Kalvari this year. INS Kalvari due to complete all of the proposed sea trails, harbor acceptance trails and weapon firing trails before entering into the Navy. Indian Navy operates vintage German designed HDW class submarines and Russian made Kilo class submarines, all of the Submarines are inadequate to perform underwater missions.

    As Magazon dock has the Technology of building the scorpene class submarine. Navy plans to order additional four submarines, to meet the Indian Navy’s critical requirement of underwater capability. the initial order of first six submarine will be completed by 2020. later India plans to float another tender to acquire additional six submarine under Project P 75 I, which includes vertical launching Brahmos missile and Marine delivery vehicles. the P 75 I is also comes under make in India plan same like the earlier P 75 scorpene Project.

    Indian Navy operates nine Kilo class submarines, most of them built in early 1990's. and another four HDW Class submarines, they too built in early 1986 to 1994, Navy leased a Nuclear attack boat from Russia the Akula class submarine, and operates another Nuclear test vehicle INS Arihant. as INS charka is the only submarine which can perform long range missions, and able to safe guard Navy's carrier battle group. Indian Navy also plans to lease another Russian Attack boat however the plan still on tables.

     As all of the other Scorpene class submarine comes with AIP propulsion. which increases the sub merged performance of the Submarine compared to normal diesel electric system. however Navy keeps out the AIP in the first four Scorpene Submarines. without providing any information about the modification. also Navy plans to modify the last two submarines with DRDO developed fuel cell based AIP, which is more advanced and gives more endurance than the normal AIP. also Navy says follow on order of four more scorpene incorporates the same DRDO AIP propulsion systems. AIP allows conventional submarines to remain submerged for long periods without having to surface to recharge their batteries. Scorpene boats can remain submerged for as long as 50 days, at depths of up to 300 meters,

    The Scorpene, comes with six Torpedo tubes, which can fire wire guided Torpedo's, deploying mines, and able to fire exocet SM 39 Anti shipping missiles. one of the special features in the Scorpene. thus allows the Scorpene to perform long range anti shipping roles. India modified one of the last kilo class submarine which can fire such long range anti shipping missiles, the last Kilo class submarine INS Sindhurashtra can fire Klub anti shipping cruise missile through it's torpedo tubes, who's range is more than 200 kilometers.

    Navy plans the future P 75 I submarine should have multiple mission packages. as slated it can fire anti shipping cruise missiles through it's torpedo tubes or VLS cells, fire Brahmos land attack cruise missile through eight cell VLS system. and can also comes with the marine delivery vehicle, which can deploy Navy's elite Marcos close to enemy shores. Russian Amur class submarine, Japanese Soryu and French SMX ocean bidding for the Tender, the tender yet to released. 

The future of India's silent warriors - 1

The futuristic submarines of the Indian navy

Scorpene Submarine; Source - DCNS

      Sailing silently and stealthily where the fishes sleep these are the ultimate weapons of war ever invented by the mankind. Sailing hundreds of feet below the water, these naval platforms are the weapons of apocalypse and which can wipe out continents at the press of a button. ‘The silent warriors’ are respected highly for they sail silently in a piece of tin can measuring several hundred feet in length avoiding any contact and not witnessing sunlight for days together. These warriors are a class apart from the community and are always at war, even when docked, the ship is just not off-duty, the men never off-guard. They’re the silent warriors of the deep seas, the ‘Submariners’ sailing silently in the deepest oceans known to the mankind.


           Indian navy operates a sizable fleet of these technologically advanced pieces of machinery. The underwater force of the Indian navy is composed around the diesel-electric attack submarines. The navy operates 13 diesel-electric attack submarines and 1 nuclear powered attack submarine. The Kilo-class submarines acquired from the Russians are the backbone for underwater operations. The Kilo-class submarines were commissioned to the force as Sindhughosh class, the navy acquired 10 of these advanced submarines from Russia in the late 1980’s and have served for the past three decades.

Shishumar class submarine; Source - Net

       Indian navy also operates the Shishumar-class submarines a refined version of the Type 209 submarines developed by HDW, Germany. Indian navy currently operates 4 of these submarines which are propelled by diesel-electric motors. INS Chakra, an Akula-class nuclear powered attack submarine is being operated by the Indian navy. Chakra is on a 10 year lease from Russia. INS Chakra serves as a training platform for the Indian navy personnel who will be operating the indigenously built boomer, INS Arihant.

       For a country with more than 2500 kilometers of coastal waters an underwater force consisting of 14 submarines is extremely small. India is a rising global power and India’s interest in its resource rich backyard ‘Indian Ocean’ is increasing with every passing day. India is contemplating of increasing its EEZ from the existing 250 kilometers to at least 330 kilometers to utilize the readily available resources in IOR. With India’s arch rival ‘China’ lurking in the IOR, it is crucial India deploys a sizable fleet of the underwater force in the region. With India being an initiator for the ‘No first use’ policy it is crucial India maintains a ‘nuclear triad’ or ‘second strike capability’ platform for retaliatory strikes when provoked.

      Submarines will serve as the key conspirators in imposing a naval blockade on an enemy. China imports 80% of its oil and commodities through shipping lanes, these international shipping lanes pass through the strategic Malacca Straits in the Indian Ocean. The Andaman and Nicobar are strategically placed right at the mouth of ‘Malacca Straits’ and thus a naval blockade imposed at this position can cut off all the major supplies to China crippling its ‘war sustainability’ capabilities to a great extend. The blockade can be imposed only by maintaining a sizable fleet of both surface combatants and submarines, even though India operates highly advanced surface combatants the submarine force has been a matter of worry for the navy.

Kilo-Class Submarine; Source - Broadsword

       Indian government has floated tenders to procure the latest submersible platforms to complement the surface. Constituted under the P-75 project, Indian navy currently has six diesel-electric submarines under construction at Mazagon docks, Mumbai. The recently constituted P-75 I project also promises the navy with six more advanced diesel-electric submarines. Not much is known about the Advanced Technology Vessels (ATV) project, but over the years sources have confirmed about India acquiring 3 SSBN’s. India has also set apart funds for 6 nuclear powered attack submarines (SSN) or hunter killer submarines. In the decades to come India is expected operate at least 30-35 submarines.

The P-75 Project/ Kalvari Class – DCNS Scorpene 

INS Kalvari, the lead vessel; Source - MDL

          Constituted in 2005 the P-75 project was to provide India with the latest diesel-electric submarine.  A tender for acquiring six state-of-the-art conventionally powered submarines at a cost of US $3 billion was floated by India. DCNS of France, Amur Shipyard of Russia and HDW from Germany competed in the project. After a thorough evaluation program, DCNS was awarded the contract to supply India with six diesel-electric powered submarines. DCNS offered India with the ‘Scorpene’ submarines. Initially two of the six submarines were to be built in a French shipyard, and the rest four in an Indian shipyard under an agreed ToT agreement. But the project agreement was reversed and it was decided to manufacture all the six submarines in the Indian shipyard.

        DCNS teamed up with Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) based at Mumbai, the project kicked off with MDL boost to its the infrastructural capabilities. This paved way for the painstaking work of designing the Kalvari class submarine, by a joint team of highly qualified team of marine engineers from DCNS, MDL and NDB. Based on the Scorpene submarines the Kalvari class proved to be the most advanced submarine to be designed and to be manufactured by any Indian shipyard.

     

        The Scorpene submarines were selected over the U214 submarines mainly for its capability to fire the Exocet anti-shipping missiles and with DCNS readiness to equip the submarines with Indian-made AIP systems. The first submarine of the class was laid down in May 2009. Due to holdups in the design and fabrication phase, the project is five years behind the schedule. The first breakthrough in the project came when the first submarine of the class, INS Kalvari was launched on 6^th April 2015 by MoD Manohar Parrikar. The submarine will now enter harbour trials and after completion of controlled dives will enter the final sea trials by the year end. The submarine is expected to be inducted to the force by September 2016.

      The Scorpene submarines are a class apart, diesel powered hunter killer submarines developed by DCNS of France. Displacing 1900 tonnes of water when submerged these submarines can sail almost at zero noise underwater thus avoiding any detection by enemy submarines. This enables the submarine to tail enemy high value targets like the ‘aircraft carriers’ or ‘SSBN’s’ and gain acoustical and thermal images which will prove vital in war times. Powered by two diesel engines the submarine can attain a maximum speed of 37 km/h when submerged and can cut through the waters at 22 km/h when surfaced. The diesel engines are complemented by two Jeumont-Schneider EPM Magtronic batteries which collectively churn out 2800 kW of power, allowing the submarine to operate ultra quite when tailing targets.

Scorpene undergoing Harbor trials; Source - Net

        The hull of the Scorpene submarines is fabricated with HLES-80 high grade steel, which can withstand extremely high pressure and allows the submarine to dive to depths up to 1200 feet. The hull of the submarine can be classified into three sections namely, the bow section containing the torpedo tubes, electric batteries, storage compartments and ballast tanks. The midship of the submarine houses the control rooms, crew quarters and living area. The stern section consists of the main propulsion units, electric batteries, AIP units, control machinery and another set of ballast tanks.

        The Scorpene submarine is equipped with some of the most advanced electronic and sensor suites. These features clubbed with the latest machinery on board makes the submarine extremely nimble and efficient. The SUBTICS or Submarine tactical integrated combat system is a fully integrated tactical suite designed for the coherent functioning of various sub-systems fitted on the submarine. SUBTICS, is packed with state-of-the-art acoustic sensor suites which are crucial in increasing the battle theatre awareness.

      The submarine is also equipped with the latest optronic sensors and navigational sensors enabling the sub to sail through the waters effortlessly. The submarine is also equipped with environmental awareness and tactical navigation planning kits which help in meticulous planning of sea lanes for the submarine to traverse. Secured VLF/SHF communication channels and tactical data link, enables the submarine to relay secured information over the network to other naval platforms.

      Scorpene submarines are equipped with Thales DR 3000 electronic warfare system. The submarine is also equipped with Sagem Series 20 Attack Periscope System (APS) and Series 30 Search Mast System (SMS). The primary radar system for the Scorpene’s is the extremely accurate and efficient Sagem Series-10 compact submarine radar system. The SONAR system of the sub is composed by the, Thales S-cube integrated sonar suite and passive ranging distributed array sonar. 

       Primarily being a hunter killer submarine, it is equipped with six 533mm mts torpedoes which can strike naval targets with pin-point accuracy. The submarine can carry up to 18 black shark heavy weight torpedoes. The sub’s unique ability is to launch cruise missiles capable of striking land targets for which the sub employs the SM39 Exocet anti-shipping missiles. The submarine is redesigned to be fitted with the BrahMos cruise missiles and the indigenously developed Nirbhay cruise missile. The submarine can carry up to 30 mines for mine laying missions.

Article By Karthik Kakoor 

The Indian Navy HW Torpedo

The Indian Navy HW Torpedo

     The Indian Navy not only short of Submarines, but also lacks with Torpedo's which can be fired from Submarines to hit enemy Submarines and Warships in a standoff Range, currently the ongoing P75 aka Scorpene or Kalvari Class Submarines does not have any Torpedo's once it is ready to be inducted into the Navy, earlier Indian Navy selected the Italian Torpedo company WASS to supply their modern 533mm heavy weight Torpedo's to Navy's new Submarines, the Company WASS is a sub company which is controlled and financed by the Finmeccania. the company who was caught by the CBI for alleged bribes paying to the Indian Officials,

   By the recommendation from the Armed forces and CBI, The ministry blacklisted the Finmeccania to don not participate any other defense deals, which was done by previous regime, but the Finmecannia is the trusted and important supplier to the Navy, like the Naval main gun and other systems Subsidies of the Finmeccania leads the race, the same company who short listed to supply the Torpedo's to Navy's Future submarines,

     But after the investigation CBI found  no clear evidences to the alleged bribe case, so as per the recommendation the new Government lifted the ban of Finmeccania, also the same problem was caused the Israeli supplier IAI, which is also later cleared, and Now Navy in works to WASS to seal the deal of Supply the deadly Black shark Torpedo's to Kalvari class Submarines.


1. The Black shark is the new generation heavyweight torpedo which can destroy any kind of Surface and submerged platforms at the range of some fifty kilometers gives  a decent stand off Range from Enemy Torpedo's and Depth Charges, the Torpedo is named to be most advanced for the next twenty years makes the current Torpedo decoy systems vulnerable to the Black sharks performance and precession,


2. the Black shark is a Heavyweight and house inside the 533mm torpedo tubes inside the German and Western standard submarines, with the shape and design the torpedo invisible to the Enemy detection systems, where the radiated homing beam and the propulsion system is complete modern and can bypass most advanced Detection systems currently employed by other Naval Ships and Submarines.


3. So far the company delivered only fewer numbers of  Black shark torpedo's, because of incapable platform design and European arms control treaty,


4. The Torpedo can be launched from sub surface and submerged sailings, known as Push out and swim out launch, also the Torpedo allows the launch platform to immediately vacate from the launch zone, with the use of Lithium cells for propulsion the Torpedo swim without make any noises also the contra rotating blades allows the Torpedo silent and more maneuverable during the swimming.







5. with the high speed and long range, the Torpedo can reach the target quickly and sinks the target in one shot,where the speed and exact range is highly classified.


6. The Torpedo uses two guidance system, one is wire guidance, which means the submariner keep an eye on the target allows the Torpedo hits the desired target only, makes less or zero damage to nearby Vessels, a good one used for sinking Escort warships, another one is fire and forget mode, means once the torpedo fired the torpedo itself goes to the target using the magnetic, frequency and acoustic signature of enemy vessels,


7. The torpedo has no limits of launch depths, can able to fired from any depths of submarines maximum diving range. also it not limits the Submarines performance during the Launch like Speed limit and other limits.

  

   Currently the Indian Navy's Type 209 Shishumar class submarines can able to fire AEG-SUT Mod-1 wire-guided active/passive homing torpedoes, each sub can hold fourteen such torpedo's, Indian Navy has four Shishumar class submarine, which also can able to fire Harpoon Anti ship cruise missiles from under water. the AEG-SUT Mod-1 torpedo has the range of some 30 kilometer at the speed of some 35 knots, but it's also the standard 533mm Torpedo design.

    The Navy's Kilo Sindhughosh class submarines uses the vintage Type 53 Torpedo's which is less in range speed also lacks of modern sensor and counter counter measure systems. and uses the modern TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active-passive homing torpedo, the Kilo class submarines has six launch 533mm launch tubes, way back earlier the Sunk of Sindhurakshak caused when the sub was reloaded the TEST 71/76 Torpedo's

Swedish A 26 Submarine for Indian Navy P 75 I

Swedish A 26 Submarine for Indian Navy P 75 I

     The Swedish naval firm Kockums Collins slowly pushing the next generation diesel electric submarine to the Indian Navy, where Sweden lost in the race of supplying the Gripen Fighters to the Indian Air force, now they looking to sell it's advanced concept designed A 26 Submarine to the Indian Navy, Recently Navy floated and RFI for Supply six new generation diesel electric submarines to the Indian Navy under project name P 75 I.

     Earlier the French firm DCNS won the contract of supply six Diesel electric submarines to the Indian Navy under Make in India project, where DCNS supply spare parts and design technology to the Indian private firm who build the Ships in India, they also gives the rights to the Navy to modify existing technology with newer or Indian made subsystems. recently the Navy floated out the first of the Scorpene named as Kalvari class, Navy plans to commission all the six Submarines before 2020.

     The P 75 1 is the successor class of Kalvari, the same existing tenders and Contracts, but more advanced version is inducted, since Scorpene is older technology, Navy looks for Advanced Diesel Electric submarines, west and other countries knows Indian Navy looks for foreign designs, same like earlier days, India went for two designs, one set of HDW or Type 209 submarine from Germany, and another set of Kilo class submarine from Russia.

    But that creates many problems too, mainly the logistics spare and Service issue, both were different models and platforms,after that many of the Officials suggested sticks with single platform, where this also makes problems, one submarines acoustic signature is got in enemy hands it's easy for them to identify other Submarines easily, but operating multiple models makes enemy operators confuse to  identify or locate the exact range and acoustic signatures.

     So Navy has two options either sticks with French Scorpene aka Kalvari Class or Advanced versions from French named SMX Ocean, both have similar operating procedures and Machines but improved model, makes the crew easily switch from other submarines. or go for a New design, currently three others have heavy competition like the Russian Kilo Class, Swedish A 26, and the Japanese Soryu Class.

      The Options are something complex, where Indian rival enemy China has almost full knowledge about the Russian Kilo class, China operates good numbers of Kilo class bought from Russia, they also successfully modified the kilo class, so buying the Kilo class makes no sense if we fight against the Chinese in Future,

      Another one is the Japanese Soryu class, one of the finest Diesel Electric submarine from the Japanese, most advanced SSK across the globe, a Heavy SSK weighting over 5000 Tons, can launch tons of weapons, can able to dive upto some 1500 feet, where other modern SSK can dive only upto 1000 feet, But the problem is Japan won't sell it's top most military Hardwares to other countries, The Australians hardly negotiating to get those submarines, But still they get no clear words from the Japanese Ministry, Indian Defense Minister also approached the Japanese Ministry to Participate the P 75 I program, even that they didn't shown much interest in the existing US 2i Amphibious plane deal.

     So the Clear option comes out Swedish and French designs, that's why the Sweden Firm slowly pitching the A 26 to the P75I program, But in performance wise it's very poor compared to the all other models, like lower dive depth, lower tonnage, weapon launching capacity, But they have the very good Artistic representation which can attract the every customer. the Recent Paris Air show 15 Swedish officials takes the  words towards Indian Officials, While India keep silent on the P 75 I,