Reliance plans for a major push in Aerospace

Reliance plans for a major push in Aerospace

Reliance planning for a major push in Indian aerospace projects, which were currently in starting phase, the list included modified Tejas and AMCA. Reliance interests in aerospace sector which include MRO facilities, engine development, avionics and aircraft designing. Reliance looks not only the military sector, who also looks through the state government requirement for aviation facilities.

Reliance plans to invest more than $7 billions for the modified Tejas project. IAF plans to procure more than 120 such aircraft, where HAL already invested huge amount in the Tejas production line, to improve the production numbers upto 16 per year. However the need of light fighters requirement may cross over 300. where IAF plans to buy another batch of Tejas MK 2, the MK 2 program shelved due to budget and technology issues.

Reliance understand the vacuum of  Tejas Mark 2 fighters, and trying to get improved LCA production orders from Indian air force. who already established a state of art aerospace park in Mihan, where the infrastructures large enough to support commercial  transport planes too. The facility where Reliance already working on rotary wing supply chain.

AMCA is the another project, who is currently in the table. AMCA is the known flagship project of IAF, who approached DRDO and HAL for development and assembly. However the progress seems bit low, since PSU's need govt's money to fund the research and development. Unlike Private sector invest their own money for R&D. Reliance officials confirmed that they were ready to spend more than $15 billion in coming years.

AMCA is still on the design phase, it seems the first fighter in the world which is going to be developed to accommodate the engine for superior performance, since the overweight issue in Tejas yet to be addressed, India select the American General Electric F 414 engine, which is modified to deliver more thrust to suits Indian and US Navy's requirements.

Reliance is the only private player, who is keen in the multi billion dollar aerospace defense and maritime sector. Reliance is known group who is top in the Indian billionaire list. Other private companies like Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and TATA also interested in Indian aerospace, however their net worth is not even close to Reliance.

Reliance ambitious projects also include, rotary wings. Many Indian private firms and state governments looks for Helicopters for VIP transport. Reliance looks to satisfy the private need of rotary wings. Reliance also ready to supply, upkeep and maintain helicopters for private users. Reliance also plans to build range of helicopters in India. the good example is how Reliance get a chance to build more than 200 Ka 226 T helicopters for Indian requirements and export.

Reliance estimates, the ongoing naval utility program and upcoming light observation/reconnaissance/utility helicopters project value may go beyond $5 billions. Reliance currently in talks with the Bell and Airbus for possible partnership to make those helicopters in India, under the Make in India program.

The Reliance's path finding flow chart estimates clear look through about aerospace sectors, as first finding the requirement of armed forces, establishing capabilities to built in India, once reached, then looks for civil and state government markets, satisfying Indian needs then push towards export to foreign countries.

Currently Reliance has handful of projects and contracts in aerospace sector, who signed number of contracts with Russian firms like Rostec to build helicopters, and ROS aero systems to build Aerostats in India. During Def Expo they signed a agreement with Ukrainian Antonov to build the strategic and tactical military air lfiter in India

In India Reliance is the only private company who keen in bigger defense projects like aircraft and ship building, Reliance has good enough net income to run any projects on their own.

Jackpot for Reliance, Key defense deals Signed with Russia

Jackpot for Reliance, Key defense deals Signed with Russia

    The Recent Indo Russian meet could be a very successful for Reliance, who signed number of memorandum's with Russian defense giants which include Russian shipbuilder cooperation USC and it's export Agent Rosboronexport, Reliance also signed another mega deal with Russian air defense missile maker Almaz Antey who produces the small Tor missile systems to the long range S 400 missiles. The total contract agreement could reach more than some $10 billions. Which is one of the biggest military deal signed with Private company.

     The new Indian government's agenda is produce almost every Military hardware's in India with foreign co operation. The major aspect is bringing private firms in defense sector to produce those hardware's then buy from local vendor. Many of the Indian Private companies like Reliance, TATA and L&T signed many contracts with number of foreign companies. Some of them move with western military industry. Where Reliance keep with Russians as bigger market with less margin.

     The recent PM visit to Russia accompanied by many Reliance officials. Reliance in negotiations with many Russian companies since last one year. The private companies won't waste time unlike government, One year of hard work gives better results to Reliance. It's reported many times here in the blog that Reliance officials camped in Russia to talk with Russian shipbuilders to build warships and maintaining older warships in Russian shipyard.

  

  First deal signed with the Russian shipbuilder United Shipbuilding Cooperation, The USC has entirely controlled by the Russian government, Having three major ship building and maintenance centers in Russia. Most of the Russian warships and Submarines are built in those shipyards only, Another contract signed with Rosboronexport for exporting and maintaining contract of Russian built warships.

     The estimated deal value of the above contract is more than billions of dollars. Reliance look to gain profit of some $10 billions within next fifteen years. The actual contract period is fifteen years. The signed contract is about to be

1. Modernizing all Russian Built Indian Navy ships under Reliance facility

2. Refitment of  all Russian Built Indian Navy ships under Reliance facility

3. Building more Talwar class frigates

4. Building Landing Platfrom Docks for Indian Navy

5. Construction of Missile Boats and Shallow water ASW Craft

     Reliance confirms the first two works should be carried out in Reliance shipyard only, For the others Reliance will compete with Indian PSU's. Reliance bought Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat. The Reliance maritime missions spearheaded by Ex Indian Navy vice admiral H.S Malhi.

     Reliance gets another good contract with the Russian air defense missile company Almaz Antey. who is also a Russian state owned company. Most of the Russian air defense systems are built by Almaz Antey only. S 125, S 300 and S 400 are good examples for that. The Russian government agreed with the Almaz Antey and the Reliance defense to build missile defense systems Radars and modernize existing systems in India. The contract further allows the Reliance factory's to build and sell those systems to Indian Military and foreign countries.

    The deal mainly focus the need of Indian Military's modernization of existing missile defense batteries. The recent DAC meet confirmed the proposal of Air force's modernization of S 125 systems with new electronics. The work could be carried out by Reliance defense only. since they get the contract from Almaz Antey to upgrade works.

Tor M1 Air defense system

     Almaz Antey also confirmed Reliance's option of building Tor M 1 systems in India. Tor M1 is known as one of the best known stand alone air defense system. The Indian Army has a requirement of  QRSAM which will replace the older sterla system. The Tor M1 Production option gives good opportunity to Reliance. If Reliance secures the Army contract.

In future if India signs the S 400 deal, Reliance will built those S 400 systems to Indian Air force.

More Talwar Class Frigates for Indian Navy

More Talwar Class Frigates for Indian Navy

    Indian Navy plans to buy three more new Talwar class frigates from Russia through Reliance Defense, which was earlier planned for Russian Navy, those three ships are almost completed without having the engine/power plant, due to the Ukrainian issue, they denied to supply the Zorya gas turbine engines to Russia, So Russia has no plans either scrap the Ships or transfer to Friendly country's who maintain peace with both Russia and Ukraine, Earlier Russia openly offered the Ships to India, however Navy plans for future induction with P 17 A project.

   The Indian Private player Reliance defense, plans to buy the Ships from Russia and Engines from Ukraine to integrate both in his own shipyard Pipavav Ship building, which is partially owned by Reliance defense, It's believed either India or some other Navy would buy the Ship from Reliance, the price also comes very cheap, because of zero interests from foreign Navy's, Those Russian frigates are much complicated to operate, need huge maintenance costs, however Indian Navy has no problems since it operates six Talwar class frigates, Navy already modernized the Ships for their needs by adding Brahmos and AK 630 missile systems.

    Compared to the Older Talwar Frigates, the new frigates comes with vertical launching Shtil Missiles, the older Talwar class comes with arm launching Shtil missiles, which can launch one missile every 10+ seconds only, however the VLS allows multiple missile launch in quick time to engage multiple threats simultaneously, the Talwar class comes with two AK 630 for close defense system, some of the Indian Talwars have two Khastan based CIWS for last line of defense, India already moved or inked a contract with Russia to upgrade all existing Arm based Shtil missiles into Vertical launch mechanism.

    The Russian Talwars comes with Klub supersonic anti shipping cruise missiles, which is a drawback, where Navy plans to use the Brahmos missiles in all of it's Navy Ships in coming days, that's the major reason why Navy earlier rejected it, the Klub missiles used by earlier variants of Indian Talwars too, however the same was replaced with Brahmos in last three Talwars, the Ships can fire those anti shipping missile through it's vertical launchers for saturation attacks,

     The Frigates major mission is escort other naval vessels and aircraft carrier, so the Frigate could comes with decent anti air capability's and anti submarine capabilities, the Ship has the Shtil and AK 630 for Anti air missions, However it's not considered best in modern battlefield, since the scenario  changed with more variety of anti missiles systems, like Long Range Missiles, Short range quick reaction missiles, and CIWS support, India yet to comes in the best category, while the P 15 B class destroyers were comes with such capacities comprising Barak Long range missile, Maitri Short range missile and AK 630 or Phalnx for CIWS support.

   The Talwar's anti submarine capability, comes with variety of options, the whole system known as RPK 8, which includes RBU series of Rocket launchers, Talwar uses twin RBU 6000 launchers, each comes with 12 barrels, the Rocket launchers can launch anti submarine rockets which can detonate under the sea, the tested depth is somewhere near to 1000 meters, with having the range of some 4 kilometers, which is a much safer distance to engage a maneuvering Submarine, the same launcher can also drop depth charges triggered with time or depth, The Talwar can also fire heavy 533 mm Torpedo's, each Talwar comes with four launchers,

    Talwar comes with main Sonar in the Bow, and also carries towed sonar array's to search submarines from stand off distance, the entire system controlled by one finger with the use of Granit designed Purga fire control system, which gives a ultimate edge to the Talwars class frigates in anti submarine fighting capability, the Ship also can carry and coordinate with Ka 28 anti submarine helicopter, which can increase the range of Ship's ASW capability, the same methods are used in almost all front line Naval destroyers and  frigates,

    The Indian Navy has a plan to operate three dedicated Carrier Battle Group and four Amphibious assault group by 2030, the vision already set to achieve the Blue water capability, each of the Battle groups comprises three Destroyers, five frigates/corvette along with two or more Nuclear or Diesel electric submarines, along with support ships, the Navy has three Kolkata Class destroyers, four Vizag class Destroyers, and three Delhi class Destroyers, Navy need 12 more Modern Destroyers before 2030, also in Frigates and Corvette's Navy operates and Building some Six P 17 A class, Six plus three Talwar frigates, three Shivalik's and three Brahmaputra's, and four Komarta class corvette's, and Navy need another ten frigates to achieve the goal.

   Many sources from Navy quoting that Navy might buy those Ships comes via Reliance, however even if the Navy or government denies the Acquisition, Reliance can sell those ships to foreign countries which gives them high profit, It's a good chance to Navy they might buy those Talwar's. 

Once again, the delayed Light Utility Helicopter deal

Once again, the delayed Light Utility Helicopter deal

    The Armed forces using modified French designed Alouette helicopters for utility purposes, the Helicopter later entered into serial production in India, those helicopters are inducted into Indian armed forces early 1970's, the major operator is the Navy and Air force, Utility helicopters must for every armed forces, where they can be used for many missions, include war time operations like resupply and light reconnaissance, those  helicopters are best in earlier days, contributed very well during major wartime and peacetime,  now more than decades those helicopters must be replaced with newer helicopters.

    Currently more than 300 such helicopters used by the armed forces and still HAL producing some units for coast guard and other para military units, however those helicopter lacks some modern technologies which can be used in front line operations, and the Army also wanted such light helicopters for utility purpose, they don't want the older Chetaks they asked much modern version Helicopters, their numbers should come hundreds, and the other para military units also asked the government to buy some light helicopters for utility purpose,

    So the Government announces a Light utility helicopter contract, involving global vendors, at first the numbers are some 200 helicopters, the governments sticks because of large order major number of Helicopters should be produced in India under transfer of Technology, the first such contract announced early 2009, and many foreign companies offered their light helicopters, however the government cancelled the tender without mentioning the issues, after heavy voices from Armed forces the government once again floated the same RFP, the same saga repeats, Government cancelled the tender.

Early 2014, the Armed forces raises it's concerns about replace those vintage Chetak and Cheetah variants from service, which means more than 200 such helicopters needs to be replaced, and they sticks with the same requirement what the army and other paramilitary forces suggested for utility purpose, so mass producing single model helicopters can save logistics costs and maintenance issues, and told the Ministry that combined order of some 400 light helicopters needed for Armed forces, thus makes another RFP of Light Utility deal in 2015,

    The New government takes some positive steps, under new defense procurement procedures and direct involvement of private defense sectors into the defense industry, under the new RFP, government says the selected contender should join with Indian private company to mass produce those helicopters in India, which include Indian spares parts.

   The new huge order brings the French Airbus, American Bell and Russian Kamov bit closer, all of them offered their products, and the Government and armed forces shortlisted Russian Kamov and selected its modern Ka 226 T, meantime Reliance already made an agreement with the Kamov to manufacture those helicopter in India,

   The Ka 226 T is selected  in many reasons, from Engines to it's high altitude performance and it's retractable troop sitting cabin, which can be removed and to be used to lift high amount of cargo, and the Kamov don't have the tail rotor, makes sufficient for operating forward bases in high altitude bases like Siachin and Leh, the announcement made just after the Aero India.

   However till now the contract can't be made with Kamov, Reliance already informed the government that they ready to build the helicopters under license and already setup-ed infrastructures, they just need the orders and contract only before producing those helicopters in mass numbers, and still now the agreement and contract hasn't been signed with Kamov and Reliance, and they announced that they will roles out helicopters within ten months once the contract is signed,

Will Reliance fielded South Korean Dokdo make the cut for the Indian Navy LHD Tender

Reliance in Talks with South Korean Dokdo for Indian Navy LHD Tender

      With NDA’s magic wand ‘Make in India’ initiative gaining credibility, the involvement of private players in the lucrative Indian defense industry has been on the rise. Major private players from India have now teamed with global defense technology providers to equip India with the best military hardware. Responding to the spur from the industry, the government has relaxed the procurement norms and going a notch up the government is all set to bring a reformed and refined ‘Defense Procurement and Procedure (DPP)’ framework for hurdle free procurement process.

   Tata, Mahindra, Kalyani and Reliance have been actively lobbying in the power corridors to secure strategic projects which promise to keep the factory lines rolling for years. Probably the real giant in the avail is the Reliance Corporation headed by Ambani. Reliance has shown keen interest in involving itself with the Indian defense industry, key executive level meetings have been conveyed and every possible way to secure foreign partnerships is being worked upon. The modernization of ‘armed forces’ has been the key policy for Modi’s government, the modernization of Navy has been receiving due impetus with the naval force floating tenders every passing day.

    With China’s naval rise and presence of its naval assets in the backyards of India, the Indian Ocean it is no wonder the Indian Navy has long way to go before taking the Chinese head-on. The key factor for this would be induct more naval platforms that can help, India project its power even to the remotest parts of the IOR. Reliance has shown renewed interest in constructing the latest naval platforms for the Indian Navy. Reliance recently has taken a major share in the Gujarat based Pipavav shipyards. Reliance dreams to enter the complex world of shipbuilding by teaming up with the experienced Pipavav marine engineers, who have floated out patrol ships to guard Indian coastal waters. Reliance has shown interest in the P-75 I project and has also ambitions of mastering the complex technology involved in the building of nuclear powered attack submarines with the assistance of Russian shipyards.

    It is now learnt through reliable sources that, Pipavav officials have sought the help of South Korea to participate in the LHD tender floated last year by the Indian Navy. Pipavav officials are believed to have shown keen interest in indigenously building the Dokdo-class helicopter dock ship pitched by Hanjin heavy industries. Indian navy, last year had floated a tender worth nearly US $2.5 billion for procuring four latest LHD vessels. Designated the as the multi-role support vessels these platforms not only serve as helicopter docks/carriers but can also be a boost for the navy since these vessels promise to help achieve navy’s dreams of mounting amphibious assaults. These platforms can also house STOVL/VTOVL aircraft thus proving to be a stand-in aircraft carrier.

    In accordance to the tender, the navy will acquire four vessels designated as the multi-role support platforms. Of the four vessels two will built in foreign shipyards and the rest two will be built indigenously in an Indian shipyard. But the project is being conceived under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which would mandate building all the four vessels in an Indian shipyard with full ToT to the Indian company. The tender value is inclusive of the air wing and all defensive & offensive systems which are to be incorporated to the vessel.

    With Indian navy formally rejecting, France offer of selling the Mistrals which were originally built for the Russians, the procurement has taken wings. The main back draw with the Mistrals was the podded propulsion systems which has been a no-no in Indian navy for quite some time. Reliance is slated to have a tough competition with other shipyards pitching some of the most advanced vessels under the program. Even though the French built Mistrals were denied, the Mistrals cannot be ruled out f the race since France will surely make headway in replacing the podded propulsions to meet India’s demands.

    Being operated by the South Korean navy, the Dokdo-class helicopter dock vessel is the flagship of the raising regional Asian power. South Korean navy currently operates a single Dokdo LHD and another LHD vessel is under construction which is slated to join the force by the year end. Displacing around 18,000 tonne, the Dokdo’s are undoubtedly one of the most capable support vessels for the Koreans. The vessel’s airwing is centrically formed around the UH 1 huey and Blackhawk helicopters which take care of the troop transportation and also are part of the ASW and SOR missions. South Korea is a working partner for USA’s ambitious F-35 project, and the South Korean navy has plans of operating the F 35 B VTOL jets and from the Dokdo-class vessels.

    Dokdo-class vessels measure around 200 meters in length and are 31 meters wide. The vessels can accommodate and operate helicopters and VTOL jets from the flat deck. The requirement according to the LHD tender floated by the Indian navy, the vessel has to measure 215 meters in length. The vessel currently accommodates ten UH 60 Sea hawk helicopters, Indian navy has plans of operating the heavier CH 53 Sea Stallion and the CH 47 helicopters from the deck of the vessel and this can be confirmed with the set-bar of 35 tonne for the vessel.

    These vessels can also carry 720 marines and also house amphibious assault vehicles to mount amphibious ambitious assaults on enemy shores.The vessel is guarded by 300 officers and sailors in charge of operating the platform to the best of its capability. Indian navy has a requirement of hosting 1500 personnel's, which will be a fine mix of 900 marines and 500 sailors. Perhaps this can turn out to be the major drawback of these vessels with the deficient being as high as 500 personnel’s.Squeezing in these personnel would be a demanding task as major redesigning has to be carried out. The vessels are also expected to carry six main battle tanks,20 infantry combat vehicles and 40 heavy trucks.

    But the Dokdo can carry 10 tanks, 10 trucks, 7 AAVs, three field artillery pieces, and two LCAC hovercraft. Even though this a drawback for the Dokdo-class vessels, the cheer would be for the less competition in this sector as only the American San Antonio Class LHD would be making it through this set-bar. The vessel would also be equipped with point defense missile systems and CIWS systems. The defensive capabilities of the vessel will be formed around the decoy, chaffs machine gun systems. Currently the Dokdo-class vessels are equipped with ‘rolling air-frame missile’ for point. With renewed interest from Reliance and Hanjin, the Dokdo may make the cut with minor redesigning be constituted for matching Indian navy’s need. South Korean ship building capabilities are unmatched and if cleared for the LHD tender, a new dawn will be signalled in the Indian ship building capabilities.

Editor Karthik Kakoor 

DRDO Alternative Reliance in the Bring

DRDO Alternative Reliance in the Bring

   The Private Indian Company all set to land in the Indian defense Industry as their plans seems like a DRDO alternative. they not  new to the Defense sector since they develop and manufacture Subsystems to Most defense equipments both Indian and International Customers, best one is the C 130 J and Sirkosky Helicopters Cabin assembly and subsystems production. they are not new but doing this since years,

  After New Governments major plans of Bringing India's major Private companies into the defense sector, the Indian companies gets a Cheer from the government, companies like L&T who involved in the Arihant SSBN projects too take a good step into defense. The Reliance seems something smarter, they investing most technologies  where DRDO and other Public sector Undertaking companies like BEL, CSL and more. the Reliance takes his first step by Buying the Pipavav's Shares in huge makes their stand in concrete in the Company, also starts talks with the Russians to help build the SSN's in India, where Navy has the plans of fielding six Nuclear attack submarines in coming years.

    Reliance investing more in the Aerospace sector where Combat Jets, Helicopter and Transport Planes falls under this category, the aerospace sector has the bright future where Indigenous programs like AMCA and Light combat Aircrafts to the variety of Transport Planes.  as of now they were in handling of Aircraft maintenance and Logistic supports, but they have plans of start research and development works future Combat jet Technologies which can be integrated into the Indian fifth generation fighter AMCA.

    They also have big Plans of developing and supplying mini Drones to the armed forces. since the requirements of the battlefield UAV's is huge numbers can be used for all Services including para military forces, where DRDO failed to supply on the Time, since DRDO has a lot of other projects they have less staffing requirements, and area the Private sectors can easily takes the Advantage to build themselves and Supply to the Armed forces.

    The Option is one more with the Huge staffing requirements and Software technicians It's an Easy job for Reliance to design and supply simulators to the armed forces, from Tanks to Ships, combat Aircrafts and more. where DRDO lags behind, only competitor for these projects is the TATA who is also makes his stand in the defense, earlier DRDO asks the Reliance and others for making the combat simulating devices but from now the armed forces can directly purchase from the private company, which can decrease the time and induction process.

   The Reliance Top most project is the Submarine Building, the India Navy lacks the authorized number of underwater platforms either Submarine or any underwater vehicles, same problem also here where DRDO still have no time and money to materialize or  continue the project after the first prototype, where Reliance already in talks with Russian and other countries to build most advanced submarines and underwater vehicles in India.

    After the Kaveri Engine, no private other companies shown interests in engine building, the engine R&D and first prototype costs makes billions of dollars, but most gets the failure as the results, even the Russians too, Currently the Americans and the French are the best in engine manufacturing and building where 80% of the Flying birds powered by American or French engines, everyone knows about Boeing planes and Airbus planes, where they are masters in engine technologies, Reliance also plans to enter the Hells cage, but we hope for the Positive result.

   MRO Facilities for all kind of defense Equipments, MRO simply means Maintenance repair and Overhaul,  Every countries need a good company which can repair and maintain their Military hardware to fight the war in any day, without facing the problems, the Reliance plans of MRO for all kind of Military hardware including Aircrafts, and Ships.

    Reliance another view on the defense is supplying Electronic equipments, where Indian PSU BEL is master in defense electronics, but it's hard to overcome the experience of state owned BEL, where almost all kind of Electronics found in the Military hardware is somewhat BEL designed.

    Missiles is the another Step, where most western countries are upgraded their Missile producing units, but India and some other countries still making Hand made missiles, with the Technological expertise of Reliance, they can handle them it easily, but they must remember TATA who is master in automatic assembly line. 

      Night vision devices and other portable surveillance systems, Most other Indian private companies are offering the high end Devices like NVD, BFJ and surveillance systems,  where they almost in competition to supply those items to the Defense forces, It seems Reliance would not gain more attention on these projects, with the huge money investing Reliance can look upon the major projects like ship building and aerospace sectors.

    While western and Americans comes masters in defense technologies because of their private Companies. and they also earned huge profit by selling those hardware to friendly Countries with Government approval, It's the Time for India too come masters in Defense Technology with the Participation of Private Companies.

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