The future of India's silent warriors - 2

The futuristic under water force of Indian navy

ATV/ARIHANT CLASS NUCLEAR SUBMARINE

INS Arihant married to her element; Source - Net

    Constituted in the late 1980’s, the main aim of the project was to equip India with a second strike platform capable of launching retaliatory strikes against hostile states.

      India realized the significance of deterrence during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, US in support of its ally Pakistan dispatched ‘Task force 74’ led by USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal to intervene in India’s fight for Bangladesh.  Realizing the immense fire power the carrier group, India requested the intervention of Russia which dispatched its nuclear powered submarines to trial the task force. It was only for the interference of the Soviet’s the day was saved for India.


      Soon India setup the Advanced Technology Vessels (ATV) project with the sole purpose of constructing nuclear powered submarines which could carry nuclear tipped ballistic missiles. The exact events pertaining to the project was shrouded in secrecy and not much is known about the vessels constructed under the program. The project was cleared as a ‘black project’ and was put under direct control of the PMO. The project is believed to be cleared in the early 90’s and was accelerated soon after India successfully completed ‘Smiling Buddha’.


      The major hurdle in realizing the project was miniaturizing the nuclear reactor for powering the submarine. India’s leading atomic research organization, ‘BARC’ was put in charge of designing and fabricating a nuclear reactor to power the submarine. BARC designed, pressurized water reactor (PWR) using enriched uranium as fuel at its Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research Centre at Kalpakkam. The reactor was capable of producing 83 MW of power and was labelled ‘S-1’ and consisted of the reactor, control systems and the shielding tank, the reactor went critical on 11^th November 2013.

A rare picture of INS Arihant inside HSL; Source - Net

        The state owned shipyard HSL, Vizag was put in charge of the project. The work on the submarine began at a fully enclosed dry dock at Vishakhapatnam. At the heart of the sub was a  83 MW PWR reactor and the sub itself was designed based on the Russian Akula class submarine. Leading private industries were also extensively involved in the project, L&T provided the hull, BEL and HEC was crucial in developing the reactor and shielding compartments, Tata power pitched in with its high end control systems.


       The lead vessel of the class ‘INS Arihant’ was launched on 25^th July 2009 at Vishakhapatnam.  Dedicating the submarine to the nation, PM openly acknowledged and lauded sustained Russian support for the program. The submarine then underwent an extensive fitting out process and by the late 2012 was then moved to docks for sustained harbour trials for system tests and validation. The submarine underwent repeated controlled submerged tests for hull pressure tests. The submarine was repeatedly put through extensive tests to analyse its high pressure capabilities.


         The reactor of ‘INS Arihant’ went critical on 10^th August 2013 and was tested for operational levels in validation tests that lasted for almost a year. After completing its harbour trials the submarine floated out of Vishakhapatnam harbour on 13^th December 2014 on its own power. The submarine has now entered its final phase of testing, the sub will now be tested to its maximum dive depth and will also fire the K-15 missiles.


       The Arihant class submarine is the smallest boomer in the world and India is the only nation apart from the P-5 to have successfully developed a SSBN. Arihant class submarines will be equipped with at least 12 K-15 ‘Sagarika’ missiles, developed by India’s premier defense organization DRDO. The K-15 is a two stage solid propellant fuelled missile which can carry a 1 tonne nuclear warhead. The missile can strike a target at 750 kilometers when carrying a 1000 kg payload. The range of the missile can be drastically extended to 2000 km by reducing the payload to around 200kg.  The submarine will also be equipped to carry the K-4 missile with a range of 3500 kilometer when carrying a 2.5 tonne warhead. The submarine will also carry 6 '533mm torpedoes' for countering any lurking threats.

Artistic look of Arihant; Source - Net

      ‘INS Arihant’ is slated to enter the forces just before the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in 2016. INS Aridhaman the second vessel of the class is undergoing extensive validation tests and is expected to be soon launched for harbour trials. India has also started the construction of two more SSBN at its shipyard in Vadodra. The follow submarines will be longer and heavier than ‘INS Arihant’, singling the increase in the number of missiles to be carried by these follow-on submarines.


          INS Aridhaman is expected to displace around 7000 tonne when launched and the follow S-4 and S-5 vessels are expected to displace around 8000 tonnes thus confirming the increase in the missiles to be carried by the sub and also making space for more machinery which will make the submarine stealthier. The submarines will also be powered by a 120 MW IWR nuclear reactor. These vessels will surely serve as deterrent against any hostile forces and will also be a crucial arm in the nuclear triad for India.

Sagarika test fired; Source - Net

The P-75 I Project

          Indian navy recently announced the ‘P-75 I’ project, under which the navy is to acquire six diesel-electric attack submarines equipped with AIP units. The government has accorded its principal clearance to the project and has also set apart Rs. 70000 crore making the project, the biggest defence project of India. The vessels under this program will be a follow on to the ‘Scorpene submarines’ and will feature even stealthier features making the submarine virtually invisible. The sub will be used for ‘hunter-killer roles’ and for land attack missions, which mandates the vessels to be equipped with Vertical Launch systems (VLS) which are capable of firing BrahMos and Nirbhay cruise missiles. The submarine will also be equipped with about six torpedo tubes capable of launching both heavy and light weight torpedoes to counter any lurking threats in the water.

Gotland Class Submarine; Source - Net

      The vessels will also be equipped with indigenously produced AIP systems which will enable the submarine to remain in its element for longer periods. The race for the ‘P-75I project’ has been extremely nimble, DCNS has pitched in its Scorpene submarines as follow on vessels for the project and has already confirmed of providing India with the latest version of Scorpene subs. Russia is pitching its Amur-1650 class submarine, an improved version of the Kilo-class sub. HDW has entered the fray with its Type 216 vessel which is being designed around the Type 212/214 vessel. Sweden is offering India it’s A-26 a futuristic submarine which will replace the ‘Got-land subs’. Japan has been invited to offer its Soryu class sub, but Japan till date has not confirmed anything in this regard. India selecting ‘Scorpene’s’ will be a welcome move, considering the time that would saved due to the existing infrastructure and technology readily available with MDL,Mumbai.


       The relationships between India and Russia is undoubtedly the best and an example for all other international relations. The relationship reaches an all time high when it comes to naval platforms. Indian navy is structured mainly around the Russian naval fleet and developed with the help of Russian shipyards. Today Indian navy is self-sufficient and has set steer for achieving 100% indigenousness in the years to come. The trust attained between India and Russia is unmatched and unquestioned, today India operates INS Chakra, an Akula class nuclear powered attack submarine. There is no question of countries leasing a submarine, to top a nuclear powered submarine to another country, but this was broken with India by Russia such is the relations between the countries.





           India is now actively lobbying to acquire another nuclear powered attack submarine from Russia. India has thrown its weight behind the overhaul and modernization of the uncompleted Iribis, an Akula class sub whose construction was halted midway owing to the cost crunch as the Soviet Union was dissolved. 60% of Iribis construction has been completed and can be transferred to India in two or three years and the same has been confirmed by ‘Vladimir Putin’. India is also lobbying for the lease of Kashalot which has been removed from active service and is being modernized in Amur shipyard.

            Interesting reports of India going for an all together new class of nuclear powered attack submarine have emerged recently in the media. The process for inducting newer submarines will be cumbersome and may take longer time then required. The only submarine to be under current production at Russian shipyards is the Yasen-class attack submarine. The Indian government has also cleared an ambitious plan of inducting six nuclear powered attack submarines which will be designed, fabricated and manufactured indigenously. The induction of Yasen at this phase is a major boost to the operational boost and also to the induction program if conceived as a ToT program under the ‘Make in India’ campaign.

INS Chakra; Source - Reuters

     The Yasen class are multi-mission oriented nuclear powered submarines capable of performing hunter-killer roles and at the same time engage and neutralize land and shipping targets. Displacing about 13000 tonne these submarines are ultra quite when submerged when submerged in its element. Russian navy currently operates a single Yasen class submarine serving under the northern fleet. The lead ship of the class is roumered to have setback Russia’s funds by a whooping US $ 1.6 billion. Being the lead vessel the cost would include the R&D and infrastructural setup cost, but as the follow on vessels are sailed out the cost of the project is guaranteed to decrease drastically.

      The hull is made of low magnetic steel and features spherical bow sonar which is a first for the Soviet subs. The 120 metre long submarine is powered by a single PWR reactor capable of churning out 200 MW or 43000 shp of power which helps the ship attain a max speed of 57 kmph. The submarine is capable of going ultra-quite by engaging its acoustics reduction system and can operate at depths up to 1800 feet. The sub is equipped with Irtysh –Amfora suite and comes equipped with the MGK-500 Shark Gill low frequency active or passive SONAR system and also has the Skat 3 towed array system. The submarine has the highly accurate snoop pair surface search radar and Myedvyeditsa radar systems. The ECM and ESM capabilities of the sub are concentrated around the Rim Hat systems.

      The submarine comes packed to its brim with extremely lethal firepower. The sub is equipped with 8 VLS launch tubes capable of housing 24 cruise missiles, the Yasen currently houses Oniks and Kalbir SLCM but these systems will be removed if exported to India in accordance to the MCRT. The sub if operated by the Indian navy can be expected to sport the Nirbhay, BrahMos and Russian origin Klub missile system. The sub is fitted out with 8 torpedo launch tubes which are capable of firing multiple heavy weight and light weight torpedoes. The submarine can also be used to lay mines for protecting high value assets and ports.

Yasen Class Submarine; Source - Imur

       With the completion of these projects, Indian navy will be on its way to transform from a regional navy to a blue water force. With rapid induction of these platforms, India is surely to check the wild adventures of its neighbors and in the decades to come the navy will be operating more than 35 submarines. Development is a never ending process and the Indian navy has set the course and tenure to be the most formidable naval force in the eastern hemisphere falling just behind its close ally USN.

Article - Karthik Kakoor

PM Narendra Modi to meet Putin, key defense deals to be see light of the day

PM Modi to meet Putin, key defense deals to be see light of the day

         The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has embarked on an 8-day International tour visiting about six countries. PM will visit Central Asian countries and Russia with the aim of boosting strategic and economical ties with these countries, which serve as the gateway for Central Asia. During his visit PM will be attending BRICS and SCO summits which are crucial for ramifying India’s relationships with these nations. India is the lead member nation in BRICS, an association of emerging economical powers. Mutual development of trade, economics, infrastructure and industries is the main aim of the association. Russia is the host nation for the 7th BRICS submitting which was kicked off on 09th July 2015 at Ufa.

          India is an observer nation at Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) which aims at the mutual co-operation of Eurasian countries in the field of economic, trade and military. China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are the permanent member nations. Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia, India and Pakistan share the stage as observer states in the organization. President of Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has been actively pitching for elevating India as a permanent member, given the economical hold India has over the region. India’s inclusion in the organization will prove to be a vital boost to counter ‘Chinese influence’ in the region.

      The organization has dedicated channels for military co-operation, intelligence sharing and counter terrorism. Under the ‘SCO banner’ repeated joint-military exercises have been conducted. Hence the inclusion of India to this organization will be a game changer for maintaining India’s presence in the region and can be expected to happen by 2016.

       India and Russia have a very robust defense agreements and share time tested and trusted relationship. India and Russia recently agreed to work out on a ‘fifth generation’ design for Russia’s most advanced Su 35. The variant currently being worked out is code named as Su 35 ‘S’ – stealth.

FGFA Project

       In the backdrop of these summits, PM will be meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin with the hope of addressing the long delayed Indian-Russian defense projects. The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project, a derivative of the T-50 being jointly developed by Sukhoi and HAL has been in turbulent waters right from the constitution of the project. Even though constituted way back in 2007, the work partners are yet to reach a conclusive work pattern for developing the aircraft. IAF currently operates just 31 flyable fighter squadron against a sanctioned minimum strength of 42 squadrons. India is fast losing the air superiority it once enjoyed in the region.

     Hence the Induction of newer aircraft at a rapid rate is the solution. With the new government scrapping the MMRCA contract, the need for jets has just doubled. The agreed FGFA will be a twin-seat jet powered by twin engines and is highly capable clubbed with stealth, super cruise, avionics and super maneuverability going aboard the aircraft. The work share has been a chock up point for the project even after the design phase is to be started shortly. India will be investing around US $20 billion for acquiring 200 aircraft. The first of the T-50 have already entered service with the Russian air force. Mass delivery of the aircraft is expected to being by 2016. With Modi meeting Putin a formal announcement in regard to this project is most expected.

MTA Aircraft

      Multi-role Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) is currently developing a multi-purpose transport aircraft for the air forces of India and Russia. MTAL is one of the companies in which India and Russia hold equal joint shares. MTA will be the replacement for India’s primary Medium transport aircraft, the An-32. The international tender for an aircraft was cancelled and MTAL given a go ahead, but the deal had been delayed for years. In a welcome move the headquarters for MTAL’s headquarters was setup in Bengaluru.

Nuclear powered submarines

      With India’s interest in the IOR increasing with every passing day the need for force to protect India’s vested interest has been increasing. The underwater force of the Indian navy has depleted to alarming numbers. India has already cleared ambitious plans of manufacturing six nuclear powered attack submarines in home. The P-75 I project is one more project that guarantees a respite to Indian navy. But as a stop gap measure India is looking at leasing the latest submarines from reliable partners.

  The only answer to this will be ‘Russia’, which has been leasing nuclear powered submarines to India. India currently operates an Akula-class nuclear powered attack submarine, the INS Chakra. India is currently looking at acquiring either the Irbis or Kashalot. India will also welcome the support of Russia in building ‘Nuclear powered submarines’ back in India’s shipyard.

     PM Narendra Modi will also meet Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharrif. The meet comes at a time when the tensions between the long time foes are high. The meet is crucial in bringing down the tensions between the countries which have reached new heights with Pakistan claiming to use N-power against India.

Article By Karthik Kakoor

Reliance defense teams up with Russia to build nuclear powered submarines

Reliance to carter Indian navy’s demand for six indigenously developed nuclear submarines.

    

    Russia one of India’s oldest ally, the nation which has catered to India’s various needs. Russia has supplied India with the most sophisticated technologies to India, not only has Russia been supplier but has turned out to be a key in India’s quest to master various critical technologies. Russia was one of the nations which pitched for India after the Pokran tests. Russia declined to pay heed to the sanctions the western bloc imposed over India soon after the test was made public. 

   Russia was also instrumental in helping India evolve towards a nuclear state. The civil nuclear pacts have received importance right from the soviet era, Russia was the key In India’s quest to nuclear power plants. Most of the nuclear power plants operated by India are mainly because of Russian supplied nuclear reactors which have powered India’s dreams over the years by supplying uninterrupted power to the nation.

      During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Nixon administration fielded Task Force 74 headed by USS Enterprise off the Bay of Bengal as a show of power. With India’s limited naval reach it would have been impossible to even challenge this force, but it was Russia again to India’s rescue. Russia fielded its nuclear submarines in the Indian Ocean blocking any further US assistance to the Pakistani’s. 

   The Indian administration then realized the need for nuclear submarines which could enhance India’s operational reach to a great extend. Even though India started several black projects to fuel their need for a nuclear submarine it was realized only with Russia supplying India, its first nuclear fueled submarine the ‘INS Chakra’ way back in1988. Russia leased its K-43 a Charlie class submarine that served with Indian navy from 1988 to 1991. Displaying its trust in India, in 2011 Russia least yet another nuclear powered submarine to be operated by the Indian navy.  The Indian Navy started operating an advanced Akula class submarine which was cherished as INS Chakra.


The home grown Arihant class nuclear submarine project has gained wings with the first vessel under the program, INS Arihant entering its sea trial phase. Addressing a press meet the Chief of Naval Staff, R K Dhowan had claimed that the sea trials were going very well. It is believed India is contemplating to build three more follow on ships of the class. To counter its diminishing number of underwater force and with China flexing its muscles along the Indian Ocean, 

   India has been forced to look at acquiring more nuclear powered submarines. Indian government has now given its consent to acquire six SSN, these submarines will have to be manufactured in India by a state owned company or a private company under collaborations with a foreign company. Realizing the crippling underwater capabilities of the Indian navy, the new government has fast tracked the Project 75 and Project 75I. Six new Scorpene submarines will be inducted under the P 75 and will acquire six more under P 75I.

       With the demands increasing for the submarine force various Indian based private companies and ship yards have now shown keen interest in working towards building home developed submarines. Mazagon docks have teamed up with DCNS to provide Indian navy with advanced submarines. L&T has also shown keen interest in developing submarines in its ship yard in Tamil Nadu. The newest to join the list is Reliance which has offered to team up with Russian companies in order to provide highly advanced submarines. Reliance boosts of an 18% share in the nation’s biggest ship building yard Pipavav shipyard. 

     Reliance has three subsidiaries, Reliance Defence Systems, Reliance Defence Technologies and Reliance Defence & Aerospace which have varied interests in the Indian defence sector. With its eye on the 10 billion orders for manufacturing six nuclear powered submarines, Reliance is believed to be entering with a Russian shipyard. Russia will offer its technology expertise to manufacture these submarines in India by Reliance. Reliance is now believed to have already negotiated with the Russian defence ministry is expected to be waiting for entering with Joint Venture (JV) with an undisclosed Russian shipyard. Officials from Reliance are believed to have met with the Russian defence minister Sergey Shoigu in Moscow.


    Reliance may also pitch in for the production of stealth frigates under P 17A. The project is believed to be worth around US $ 4 billion. The Modi government has increased the FDI in defence sector to 49 %. With Reliance opting for Russian partnership can be a huge boost to grab the project. Indian navy currently operates Russian origin Kilo submarines. The ‘ Make in India’ will also be a boost for the Reliance formed JV. 

   If a private shipyard masters the process of building nuclear submarines, Indian navies demand along the western and eastern naval boards can be easily catered to.  It has to be seen of a newly formed Reliance JV will be awarded the deal of the battle proven L&T and experience rich Mazagon docks and DCNS. It is also crucial that the Indian navy acquires these submarines at a fastened rate. Public-Private partnership will surely help India build its diminishing submarine force.


Editor - Karthik Kakoor