Parrikar priorities Submarines, Ammunition and Aircraft

Parrikar priorities Submarines, Ammunition and Aircraft

After clearing the new defense procurement policy, Parrikar said that the government will focus three major aspects in the defense, which include buying more submarines, increasing the ammunition stockpile, and additional production line for new fighter jets. He also suggested that a new aircraft production line will be established with the support of private industry.

Indian Navy who is the biggest player in the Indian defense, who lack of submarines for under water escort and offensive mission. Submarine's are still one of the effective player in the modern battlefield, who can sneak through enemy defense zone and sunk the bigger warships using the heavy torpedo's.

India now only has revamped the Submarine acquisition program, by commissioning one submarine every year, with the help of P 75 project. India plans to produce nine scorpene submarines, where two of them already in the water for trails. Mostly these submarines can be used to escort duties only, since it's range and endurance is limited.

The SSN who is the one can operate as solo and conduct long range missions, hide under the water for longer periods. India have two bigger projects whose market is more than $20 billion. One is the P 75I project another is the SSN project, where private players keen to seal the project. Reliance is the one who front running the SSN project with Russian support.

If ministry fast tracks the submarine acquisition program, the dream of indigenous SSN can be reality in next fifteen years. building as SSN is as much as hard in the Indian defense industry who have no experience in building one. SSBN is other game, who is fat and slow, is not capable to maneuver underwater, SSN is the one can perform any tasks very easily and operate as solo for more than months.

Ammunition reserve is one of the most criticized issue in last some years, that the armed forces especially the  Indian army who doesn't have ammunition to fight for 20 days. CAG is the one who revealed the information citing the 2013 auditing report and raises the alarm. CAG also reports poor standard of ammunition from OFB and poor storage capabilities in Army storage.

As simple, In foreign, Infantry soldiers can carry seven magazines each with thirty bullets for assault rifle and three 250 round magazine for light machine guns. Here the karma forced on the Indian soldiers "Ek Kholi, Ek Dushman"  one bullet one enemy, and even with the use of iron sights.

Indian infantry units usually carries, three magazine each with 20 rounds for Assault rifle and three magazines with 30 rounds for LMG's. So the need of stocking small arms ammunition numbers also needs to be raised into maximum.

The new government bit sensible, that they orders more numbers of ammunition's from OFB, who license manufacture the ammo for variety of small arms, which include ammo for artillery and main battle tanks. The ministry must ensure that the OFB's ammo's should be in higher quality to last long.

Air force is in very bad shape, who having one assembly line for Su 30 MKI, and another assembly line for Tejas, first one can rolls twelve aircraft per year, another can rolls out eight per year. Ministry recently authorized another production line for Tejas to produce another eight, however the line will be operational only after 2019.

So the need of private player must for building another line of fighter jets, which can produce sixteen aircraft per year. It's either Rafale production line or some other minister's favored fighter aircraft. It's better Rafale under TATA production line is feasible option to get quality and higher standard Rafale as like in Dassault plant in France.

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. 

RM Manohar Parrikar conveys DAC : A Detailed view

RM Manohar Parrikar conveys DAC : A Detailed view

   Working towards its promised modernized military, the man in command RM Manohar Parrikar chaired the all crucial Defense Acquit ion Council (DAC) meeting yesterday. The RM assisted by the defense secretary and the three chief of staff met in South Block, New Delhi to discuss the future course and held discussions regarding the future acquisition for the strengthening of the forces.  DAC has cleared several important acquisitions which promise to keep the nation ready to face any atrocities it may face from its unstable and unreliable neighbours. Even though the DAC meet was conveyed on Friday, it remained inconclusive on several issues and had to be cut short owing to the unplanned departure of RM Parrikar to Goa on a undisclosed emergency.

    The highlight of the DAC is undoubtedly the clearance for the acquisition of nearly 48 Mi-17V-5 medium lift helicopters for the IAF. These Mi 17V-5s are slated to replace the aging Mi-8 helicopter fleet, which is currently the air force mainstay lift copter force. IAF currently operates nearly 150 Mi-8 copters and relies on its lift capabilities for all operations across the nation. The Mil Mi-8 copters were acquired from the Russians to mainly supplement the forward operating forces. With these airframes aging and unable to serve at higher altitudes the IAF acquired the latest Mi-17V-5 medium lift copters from Russia in 2008 under a speculated US $ 1.4 billion deal.

   The air force currently operates a 70-strong Mi-17V-5 fleet and has placed an order for nearly 199 copters which were placed in 80+71+48 phased manner. DAC has now cleared another 48 Mi-17V-5 copters to be acquired from the Russian firm. In support to NDA’s ambitious, Make in India campaign the deal will mandate the Russian firm to team up with an Indian private aerospace partner to manufacture the copters indigenously in India.

   DAC has also addressed the needs for Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars raised by the Air Force. IAF will now get the ‘ATCR-33S SRE’, all weather ATC radar manufactured by BEL. The ‘ATCR-33S SRE’ is an S band Air Traffic Control. Radar which is suitable for Terminal Control Applications (TCA). The radar is extremely accurate and versatile thus guaranteeing hinder free operations across IAF bases. The radar works has two beam riders, with the S Band beam rider acting as the primary rider and the L Band beam rider acting as the auxiliary beam rider. The radar enjoys an operational range of 130 kilometres.

   The Air defense squadrons of the IAF have received a shot in the arm with the DAC clearing the induction of 7 additional Akash SAM batteries under a US $700 million   deal. IAF is currently operating 8 squadrons of Akash missiles, with each squadron comprising of 8 Akash missile launchers plus the support systems consisting the radar ground control and resupply wagon. The L&T facility in Coimbatore is currently capable of manufacturing nearly 360 missiles per year. The government is also considering of ramping up the production with more than 3000 missiles under order and with the product lining for export to other friendly nations the production sure needs a boost.   

  The Navy has received a lesser share of the pie as against the trend this time around. DAC has approved navy’s plan for operating harbour tugs in an estimated 300 crore deal. DAC has cleared the path for acquiring 8 Chetak helicopters for the navy. Even though these platforms were introduced in the late 60’s, these are still in at the HAL line for the armed forces. The plans to acquire the multi-role helicopters have been stalled after scam charges were made against the bidders.

   With the P 75 project nearing completion the government is venturing all options to open up the bids for the P 75I tender at the earliest. DAC has in principle accepted to speed up the process and has demanded to be briefed in the following meetings.

   DAC has also cleared Army’s proposal for the construction of multiple short span reinforced steel bridges in collaboration with L&T across Kashmir. These bridges once completed will guarantee faster movement of the forces, hence enhancing the response time. The proposal for acquiring UAV raised by the Army has been left untouched and is to be addressed in the coming meetings.

Edit - Karthik Kakoor

Why Should India build a Heavy Destroyer

Why Should India build a Heavy Destroyer

  By looking the current Naval destroyers like Kolkata Class and Vishakapatinam class, those two lacks of formidable punch, makes less powerful in comes of defensive and offensive fire power, compared to western, pacific and American destroyers , the Indian Navy destroyers are less destructive fire power, Destroyer like Chinese Type 52 series and Russian  destroyers comes with heavy fire power, compared to the newest Indian destroyers.

   The Kolkata not only has less destructive fire power also lacks good numbers of anti air missiles, with the weight of 7200 Tons Kolkata can't carry more number of Missiles Launching paltforms, where it's counterparts comes with 10,000 tons of full load, So adding more weights for structural changes and carrying more ammunition and launching systems,

    The Kolkata comes with just 16 Brahmos cruise missiles, Brahmos is most trusted and finest supersonic cruise missile having both anti shipping and land attack capability, for both mission Brahmos carry's High explosive warheads to make much damage to the target, the Kinetic energy is enough to penetrate the Ship's hull and Super structure, for modern warfare, the ships won't die suddenly if it takes one Brahmos hit, most Chinese warships are heavily defended by variety of defensive systems, for better Results Ripple firing two or more Brahmos only makes good score, to  make sure the target ship is out of action,

   If Kolkata fires two missiles per target means, the ship suddenly looses it's teeth for sometimes or mostly a hour, until reloading completes, usually the reloading takes more than 50 minutes to makes the new missiles are ready to fire, the same goes for others too,  but they have less powerful missiles compared to Brahmos, even they were too capable to make the Kolkata as a floating iron, So it's needed to be future Destroyers should equip more anti shipping missiles and land attacking missiles, a combined Nirbhay and Brahmos at 16+16 cells makes the Destroyer more powerful in terms of striking range and Striking Power.

   However the real power of the American and Japanese ships are defensive capability, with the geographical positions the countries used the Ships to defend the mainland from external threats, means the Destroyer ships are their true defensive platform, comes with good number of anti ballistic missiles and warning systems, makes the ships and country more safer in terms of enemy attacks,

   Mostly in terms Frigates are used for escort purpose, which have full set of defensive capabilities, which used to protect the package from Air and underwater threats, however nowadays all such definitions are expired, now most of them builds multi role destroyer ships, which having less destructive fire power but comes with good number of anti air missiles,

   Probably, the defensive system comprises of Anti Ballistic defensive system, Long range anti air missiles, Short range quick reaction missile systems, and finally the Close in weapon system,  those countries uses multiple numbers of Anti ballistic missiles like SM series, mostly those comes with more than 64 such missiles, to intercept and destroy enemy Ballistic missile which came towards the mainland, makes the interception easier, and the missile debris also fell in the water. for long range anti missile system they uses the evolved sea sparrow missile system, which having range of more than 50 kilometers, used to protect the ships from enemy anti shipping missiles,

   Here India uses the Barak missiles, the newest Destroyers comes with 32 ready to fire Barak 8 missiles to intercept any kind of enemy Anti ship missiles, but the Indian Ships lacks of the QR SAM's , but navy planned to use the Indo French SR SAM Maitri in future ships, makes the Ships good against all kind of maneuvering targets, Foreigners use the Rolling Air frame missiles for the Short range interception, mostly those Short range missiles are fire and forget type and a spin off variant of Air to Air Missiles, most western Ships uses the AIM 9X spin off variant, and the Chinese uses the PL 12 missiles, The Maitri also a spin off variant of MICA missile.

   The Last line of Ship's defensive power is the cannon, most navy's uses 6 barrel 20mm or 30mm  gun system, each can rain more than 4000 rounds of bullets into the incoming enemy missile, those CIWS comes stand alone systems, means when it's activated it can destroy any kind of close targets, the Kolkata has four AK 630 CIWS systems.

  So far the Newest Indian Destroyers lacks of good number of offensive missiles, and zero numbers of QR SAM, where both can be sorted in upcoming destroyers,

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 

Scorpene is in the Sea

Scorpene is in the Sea 

A Scorpene Class SSK

Indian Model of Scorpene Submarine

      To augment its depleting conventional submarine fleet the Indian navy came up with the ambitious “ Project 75 “ which would arm the navy with six state of the art conventional attack submarines and was valued at around $4.6 billion. The government approval for construction of the six submarines was sanctioned in September 2005. The contract was signed in October 2005. DCNS was awarded the contract under which the Scorpene design was approved. French DCN and the Spanish company Navantia were to help Indian state-owned Mazagon Docks based in Mumbai manufacture these state-of the art submarines under a technology transfer agreement. The first Scorpene submarine was to be delivered to Indian Navy by 2012.

       The Scorpene submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines which was jointly developed by the French DCNS and Navantia. Scorpene submarines are a 1900 tonnage submarines measuring 219 feet in length from aft to bow. The submarines can achieve a maximum speed of 20 knots. The maximum diving depth of the submarine is believed to be 300m which is one of the highest diving depths available for a conventional submarine. The Submarine will be manned by a crew   of 31 sailors and can survive in the sea without returning to its port for about for about 50 days. 

  The Scorpene has two diesel generation sets providing 1,250kW of power. The submarine is also supported by an electronic engine which produces around 2,900kW of power. To lessen the submarine's vulnerability, Scorpene can be equipped with an air independent propulsion system. Scorpene’s are to be equipped with a state of the art Air Independent propulsion system. The heat is generated by ethanol and oxygen. Combustion of ethanol and stored oxygen occur at a pressure of 60 atmospheres. This pressure-firing allows exhaust carbon dioxide to be expelled overboard at any depth without an exhaust compressor. 

    The last two of the six Scorpene submarines will be featuring an AIP system developed by DRDO. The Scorpene attack submarine can carry 18 torpedoes and missiles or 30 mines. It is equipped with six bow-located 21in torpedo tubes providing salvo launch capability. The submarine's weapons include anti-ship and anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-surface missiles. Problems with procuring the modern 533mm Black Shark torpedo's from Italy's Finmeccanica have been floating for a long time thanks to the alleged role of Finmeccanica in the Helicopter scam but the issue is to be soon sorted out. 

    The Newest Scorpenes comes with network centric attack capabilities that are connected to other Submarine Platforms. The Scorpenes are fitted with SATCOM and COMINT that can directly ping to the Navy's dedicated Satellite link through’ Rukmini ‘. This allows the Submarine to track and intercept most targets and also allows high probability of Interceptions. The Communication intelligence module allows tracking, record and monitoring of enemy activities and to share it to among other platforms on a real time basis. Scorpene submarines are believed to be one of the world's most advanced diesel electric attack submarine.

        The first Scorpene submarine built under the project was slated to be launched and inducted to the force by 2012 but has suffered a four year delay. Disclosing the long persisting problems and delays with the project the then MoD A K Antony had said “The delay in construction of Scorpene submarines is attributable to initial teething problems in absorption of new technology, delay in augmentation of industrial infrastructure at MDL and delay in procurement of items by MDL due to their high cost as compared to the earlier indicated cost.” And added “A technical data package had been provided by the collaborator (DCNS) as part of the technology transfer for the six submarines under construction at MDL. 

    This would enable attainment of significant indigenous competence in submarine construction, especially in the field of hull fabrication, outfitting, and system integration by the end of the programme". The much delayed P 75 project has received some boost with the first submarine built under the project believed to be headed out to trials. The first submarine under the project has been cherished INS Kalavari and is believed to be hitting water for the first time very soon. 

    Officials at Magazon dock and Indian Navy have confirmed the much awaited news regarding the INS Kalvari, the first Scorpene class submarine and have claimed that the submarine is slated for HATS (Harbour Acceptance Trails) very soon. The submarine is to be inducted to the force by September 2016 according to the revised schedule set in place for the project. MDL is believed to have completed the Hull fabrication of four Scorpene submarines but is taking time in fitting the subsystems. The remaining five submarines are to be handed over to the Indian navy with a time gap of nine month each. But the credibility of the project can only be ascertained after the first submarine under the project successfully completes its Sea and Harbour Acceptance Trails, integration test under which the fire systems of the vessel is tested.

  

         The Scorpene’s will be replacing the existing fleet of Type 209 and Kilo class submarines which are nearing their service life. Indian Navy has a Requirement of 6 SSN and 3 SSBN for strategic attack capability and High level deterrence against Chinese Navy. The black projects headed by the PMO have designed, developed and nearing induction with the Arihant class Nuclear-powered submarines. Chilean and Malaysian navy operates each two of them, and the Brazilian navy is to receive the Scorpene submarines.  The project once completed will boost the depleting numbers in the Indian navy and empower the navy with state of the art under water force that can challenge the advent of the hostile forces lurking right under their noses.

Malaysian Scorpene and Sea King ASW Helicopter

Rear side view of Indian Scorpene Model

The Heavyweight Black Shark 533mm Torpedo

Article By Karthik Kakoor