Costly upgrades, $850 millions for four Kilo class Submarines

Costly upgrades, $850 millions for four Kilo class Submarines

    Indian Navy signed a contract with Russian Shipyard Zvezdochka to upgrade four existing kilo class submarines into cruise missile launching capable submarines dubbed as Project 08773 for some $850  millions. The Indian Navy operates nine modified kilo class submarine called as Sindhughosh class submarines. The INS Sindhurakshak is also a modified kilo class, which was exploded in Mumbai harbor two years ago. 9 out of five kilo class submarines are already modernized to fire cruise missiles early years and under operational, however they yet to receive modern digital systems.

  The new refit  program modify the last four kilo class submarines to fire the Klub class anti shipping cruise missiles from the Submarine, for stand off anti shipping capability. Which makes the Kilo submarine suited for both anti submarine and anti surface maritime missions. The Klub class cruise missile can capable to engage targets upto some 200 kilometers. Thus makes the Submarine operate from safer distance before engaging against the hostile ships.

   All kilo Submarines works under diesel electric propulsion, where energy can be stored in the batteries for usage. The Kilo class submarines are one of the most quietest submarines identical to the Swedish Gotland Submarines. Rival enemy China too operate such Submarines in good numbers. So it's easy for Chinese to  identify Indian Kilo's acoustic signatures. Each submarine hold some 240 batteries for energy storage, where Indian Company EXIDE provides those batteries to the Submarines operated by Indian Navy.

   Same like others, Indian Navy too fitted some communication and defensive systems in the Submarines sourced from the west. The Automated and Information control systems are built by the Avrora Systems Russia, and the under water Communication system fitted in the submarines are originated from France company Gican. And multiple command systems and fire control systems are all modified by some other foreign and in home sources, makes the Indian Kilo submarines most modern and highly reliable submarines compared to other Kilo variants.

    Whenever the Submarine goes for refit, There will be a new addition of modern systems or replacement of older systems. Major systems like bow mounted Sonar systems are developed by BEL is fitted in some kilo class submarines. along with modern countermeasure suites, hull modifications and external antenna's for communications.

Thales Optronic Mast

 As per current projections, Newer Kilo class submarine costs some $300 to $400 millions according to the user's modifications. However the Indian Navy refit costs $200 millions per unit. In this packages Indian Navy will receive more number of Tube launching cruise missiles, Torpedo's and mines. This makes the entire budget for four Submarines upgrade contract close to $850 millions. one of the costlier upgrades ever done by the Navy. Earlier the IAF shocked the nation by upgrading the Fleet of Mirage 2000 with a whooping $2 billions.    

   Not only this, Indian Navy set to receive TB 29 thin line towed array Sonar systems to search enemy naval activities from stand off ranges. This makes the Kilo class submarine one of the best diesel electric submarines compared to other diesel electric SSK. The bow sonar in the Kilo along with the TB-29 towed array and Combat Control System (CCS) Mk 2, known collectively as the QE-2 System, provides a functionally equivalent system for the Los Angeles and Ohio class submarines. Enhancements include increases in acoustic performance, improved combat control capabilities and replacement of obsolete equipment.

The modernization also include the replacement of older periscope's into new generation optronic periscopes. mostly the refit comes with the Thales Optornic mast. 

    The unique capabilities of the  the Kilo class submarines is launching Klub class cruise missiles, the Kilo sub's comes with six 533mm Torpedo tube. The tube has a unique function of launching Torpedo's, Mines and Cruise missiles too. each Klub can be armed with four Klub's for long range surface targets, and two torpedo's for short range targets submarine and warships.

rearming a Klub cruise missile in 533mm Torpedo Tube

   The Klub missiles has the range of some 220 kilometers, fly in very low sea skimming mode, which is very difficult to spotting them in the radar. The missile can fly at supersonic speed in the terminal phase for high kinetic impact. makes lethal penetration in the Ship's hull and superstructure. The missile can be guided by the SATCOMM and active Radar homing for high precision.

   The refit also includes balance five Kilo class submarines  in Indian Shipyards by adding newer electronic system. The Reliance owned Pipavav may get this order in another deal. the refit allows the Navy to operate those Submarines for another 20 to 35 years. The Indian Navy set to receive the first modernized kilo submarines from Russia by next twelve months.  

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 "dry dock queen" undocks from HSL ready to guard the nation waters

INS Sindukriti Sails out for "Full Power" Trials  

       The Indian navy’s depleting underwater fleet has received a major boost with ‘INS Sindhukriti’ a Kilo class submarine entering final ‘full-power trials’ from Friday off the Vishakhapatnam coast. The submarine was stuck in a refit for almost a decade at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Vishakhapatnam. The refit of the submarine began way back in 2006 at HSL, which would enable more advanced systems to be fitted on it. During the refit the submarine was to receive modernized control systems, weapon systems, sonar and other associated electrical systems. Aged well over two decades the submarine’s hull was set to be repaired and refitted to maintain the stealth.

      INS Sindhukriti was acquired from the Russians in early 1990’s and served the navy till 2006 after which she entered a midlife refit. The refit of INS Sindhukriti gained significance with it being the biggest-ever repair of a submarine undertaken in any shipyard in the country. The submarine was to be handed over to the Navy in less than three years after refit. The government for the first time had opted out of the option of sending submarines abroad for medium refits. But the planned refit turned disastrous as HSL kept negotiating with the deadline. HSL contributes this delay to Russia pulling foot with supplying modern technology to India.

     Furthermore HSL had zero experience, describing the delay in refit process the then CNS Sureesh Mehta had clarified “That kind of expertise did not exist in India before and this is for the first time that we are trying it out here. Instead of sending them to Russia all the way, this one is being offloaded to Hindustan Shipyards. There are some problems in their procurement procedures. It takes a little longer than is expected". The submarine will enter the navy after being docked for almost a decade. The submarine was fondly called the “dry dock” queen.

        Even though docked for a decade the submarine has received the latest control and weapon systems. The submarine is now fitted with the highly advanced indigenously developed USHUS sonar system, the sonar system is considered to be far superior to the Russian variant. The sonar system is developed by NPOL and is believed to be  fitted out on the Arihant class submarines. BEL (Bharat Electronics) has filed its CCS Mk-II an composite communication system. These systems are a new generation of communication system built specially for naval ships, the system enables data exchange in a more secured and encrypted means. Kirloskar Pneumatic Company ltd (KPCL) has pitched in with an upgraded 400 bar HP air compressor.

      The submarine has got advanced control systems and navigational package from Russia. The submarine has also received 100km of cabling and 30km of mostly high pressure piping has been renewed. Russia has provided the Klub-S 3M-54E1 land attack missile with a range of around 300 km. The missile can be fired from the submarine’s torpedo tubes. The Klub weapon system will now be coupled with Type 53-65 passive wake homing torpedo and TEST 71/76 anti-submarine, active-passive homing torpedo and the 9M36 Sterla-3 SAM launchers.

Article by Karthik Kakoor