Building Nuclear Attack Submarines SSN in India

Building Nuclear Attack Submarines SSN in India

    India Exploring options to build six new nuclear attack submarines in Indian shipyards, with private and foreign helps, three nations already jumped-in to join the project, earlier Reliance talked with several Russian Submarine builders to build the same in Reliance shipyards in India, and now Indian officials initiated talks with French and American ship builders, India plans build those sub marines under Make in India plan, along with private support, cabinet committee cleared the Navy's proposal of building those submarines in India earlier this year, as part of the program Navy starts moving with the Project.

    Reliance is too much taking advantage of Indian ship building sector, earlier they acquired Indian private shipyard Piavav, they also hired Navy's ex vice admiral  HS Malhi, to lead the Reliance's move on defense sector, as Initial plans they signed many deals with Russians include Kilo class submarines overhauling works, seized some projects from UAE, and more on, however their main target is winning the Navy's SSN bid, before other announcing their interests in the SSN Project, Reliance officials went to Russia and talked with Russian officials about the Indian SSN Project,

    Unlike Missile launching Submarines, the Nuclear attack submarines are more complex, in terms of designing and developing, those SSN can capable to defend the Carrier Groups much longer time, can stay deep in the water, to search both underwater and surface targets, chase enemy subs, launching attacks, and many other combat duties, India has the technology of constructing missile submarines, Arihant is an good example, of course Russians helped in several key issues to achieve victory in the ATV program.

    However, India isn't matured to build a good diesel attack submarine, the current P 75 is constructed with the Help of French Shipbuilder DCNS, DRDO also closely working to install the home made fuel cell based AIP system in the last two Scorpion Class submarine, also exploring foreign help to build future diesel submarines under P 75 I project, under these two projects Navy plans to induct some twelve new Submarines, which also replaces all Kilo and HDW class submarines currently operated by Indian Navy.

    After the P 75 project, Navy needs the Nuclear attack boats, countries like blue water Navy's already having Nuclear attack submarines, even China too operates such attack boats, to speed up Indian Navy's options to get such capability by 2025, Navy needs to work from now.

    It's reported by Economic times, US recently dispatched a Team from major US Submarine builders and they met Indian defense ministry officials and Naval officers, the meeting held early July this year, due to the sensitivity of the Program, Government keep those news and discussion as classified,

    The same such meetings also held with French officials, the meeting is much classified, even french DCNS officials too denied to talk about the Program, The French currently constructing six nuclear attack submarines under the code name of Barracuda, meanwhile french also pitching the Indian Officials  to select the SMX Ocean for P 75 I project, however no clear info about this project. currently French naval team closely working with Brazil to construct a nuclear powered Boat, however it's not a pure SSN or SSBN, since it's a modified Diesel boat with Nuke propulsion.

   Earlier It's reported that, India may lease another nuclear attack boat from Russia, the discussions is still going on, it may be cleared during the Modi's visit to Russia end of this year, some sources mentioned that India may tries to buy the Yasen's blueprints via Reliance defense,and India currently operates a Akula class submarine for Fleet escort, which is given by the Russian as a ten year lease contract.

    Nuclear attack boats are one of the crucial projects to every nations, Since it almost a game changer in every Naval battle, and It's clear either the Russian or American or the French won't give their latest technology, however India may get options to explore preceded class submarines from those nations, like French Rubis class, American Sea wolf or Los Angeles class, and Russian Akula class submarines, also constructing and maintaining Nuclear submarine takes billions of dollars, more than $2 billions needed to construct a single modern nuclear attack boat, also these submarines needs some $30-$50 millions every year for maintenance and operating.

   So due to such concerns, India may slowly step in to the elite SSN club, India plans to operate some three Carrier group along with four Amphibious strike group, each of the invasion group needs at least a single SSN for under water missions.

Indo French Naval Exercise Varuna

Indo French Naval Exercise Varuna

Indian Navy Carrier Destroyer Group

India traditionally has enjoyed a close and friendly relationship with France. France was the first country with which India signed an agreement regarding the nuclear energy following the relaxation of sanctions which has enabled India to steam up its civil nuclear programs. The partnership and cooperation in the field of defense among the countries dates backs to the era of Carnatic wars. Notably Indian forces took part in the Bastille Day parade in 2009 for which the Prime Minister of India was the Guest of Honour.

 India and France have maintained a steady stream of bilateral exercises. This move has enabled both the forces to work simultaneously in the same theater against a threat in a more matured way. Indian and French ground forces have been involved in ‘Exercise Shakthi ‘which is hosted either by India or French on a yearly basis, ‘Exercise Garud’ has been helping the crucial Indian and French Air forces work in an effective manner. 

Indian Navy has played an important role in maintaining peace for India on the maritime front and has been of assistance to various neighboring countries when in distress be it a natural calamity or a socio-political situation. The French navy is one of the oldest naval forces and its roles have been defined as maintaining intelligence, protecting populations, preventing crises, intervening wherever necessary to re-establish peace, and dissuading any threats against vital French interests. Operating on the common are of threat the relationship between these forces have evolved overtime. To boost up operational readiness and to integrate the technological factors, nations have agreed on involving naval wing of the countries under ‘Excercise Varuna’ which has been staged either in the Indian Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea. The 14th Edition ‘Exercise Varuna ‘will be staged in Indian Ocean and is scheduled from April 23 to May 3.

The main aspects of the joint maritime exercise involves co-operation on major aspects which includes cross deck operations, under which CBG ( Carrier Battle Group ) would be put to work. The nuclear powered CATOBAR carrier ‘Charles De Gaulle’ from the French Navy will be the French fielded Air craft carrier and INS Viraat will be countering the French carrier.  The Naval air arm Rafale M, Super Etenrd, E 2C, Super Harriers, Seaking 42B and Chetak will conduct operations abroad both carriers. Due to design changes of both the Carriers the fighters won’t be making a cross deck landing but will be involved in giving assistance to the rotary wings which will conduct cross deck operations.

The Naval Air warfare will involve live combat and attack drills, Anti Submarine Warfare through aircraft's and Anti Shipping mission profiles. Another crucial mission would be the replenishing of ships at high seas, during these replenishment missions the ships will be replenished with fuel, fresh water, food items and most important logistics supplies. This increases the bilateral relationship which is more important in peacetime Patrolling over EEZ and International waters and also during International assisted Search and Reconnaissance Missions.

Anti Submarine warfare is also going to be drilled, earlier this year a French SSN suffered damage to its periscope when the submarine was involved in a regular practice which involved acquiring a periscope lock over an US Navy Aircraft Carrier. The French navy would be deploying a SSN for the Exercise and India will be deploying a SSK under the operation. The ASW operation is a rare opportunity to test the operational readiness and the level of effectiveness each force enjoys. 

The French navy will be deploying it’s nuclear powered aircraft carrier ‘Charles De Gaulle’ being closely guarded by the two destroyers Chevalier Paul and Jean de Vienne, the replenishment tanker Meuse and the maritime aircraft Atlantique-2 will be operating along side the Indian Navy.  INS Viraat will be closely guarded by the destroyer INS Mumbai and the frigate INS Tarkash, which have returned from the Yemen waters after a successful evacuation operation. INS Gomati, fleet replenishment tanker INS Deepak and  SSK INS Shankul will  form India's CBG.

India will also field its long range maritime recon aircraft the Boeing P8I which will be supplemented by the Dornier's.  

The Indian Navy Carrier Battle Group

French Navy Carrier Battle Group

French Nuclear Powered Carrier Charles De Gaulle

  
Editor Karthik Kakoor 

Soryu SSK

Soryu SSK

     The Soryu Class Diesel Electric Submarines which is currently Operated by the JMSDF Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces. Japan currently operating Five such Advanced Soryu class SSK while two others kept in Reserve. the soryu is the currently most advanced Diesel electric submarine compared to all other SSK. while SSK Designates the Hull powered by a Diesel Electric and It's primary function is the Attack role. compared to other latest generation SSK the Japanese Design gets more Marks due it's payload censor systems and endurance and Specially it's fuel systems.

       The Soryu is the improved version of existing Oashio class submarines. The soryu's hull made up of special high tensile steel and coated with anechoic which is used to escpae from enemy sonar detection. thus gives the submarine hard to identity to his enemies. The total sub is controlled by automatic system components which used for easy to operate and requires less crew to maintain such a long ship. the main Propulsion engine is the two Kawasaki Diesel submarine which is used to propel the one mega shaft fitted in the submarine. another set of four Kawasaki kokums Stirling engines gives secondary supply to the on-board systems and used for emergency propulsion. 

      The sub also have snorkel equipments which can be used for emergency exit at any water level and deep submerged conditions. the sub can track sea surface and Air targets using it's ZPS 6F radar which is good for Searching surface levels and low level air search. The Sub's front hull house the main sonar system and another four sonar's also fitted in the sub's side. the sub also having a towed array radar which can tow a sonar who can track the targets without using the sub's main sonar and prevent the sub can be identified to enemies while in search for targets.

       The ship's main defence weapon is launching decoys. the Soryu comes with three dedicated tubes for launching decoy units which creates big bubbles and acoustic signature can confuse the incoming torpedo. The sub's primary attack tubes are six 533 mm torpedo tubes the unique tubes can launch both torpedo's and  anti shipping cruise missiles also known as tube launched cruise missiles. the same can be used for deploying mines around the sea. the entire weapon packages are 30 set of both torpedo's missiles and mines.the 533mm Type 89 is a wire-guided torpedo with active and passive homing modes. It has a maximum speed of 130km/h and can engage targets within the range of 50km. The torpedo can carry a warhead of 267kg

      The soryu's  is some 84 meters long and about some 3000 tons when surfaced and it's weight can be increased by 4000 tons if it submerged. the ship need some 65 crew members include ship officers and Commanders. the ship can achieve speed upto some 13knots while it can reach some 20knots when submerged. the maximum range of the submarine quoted around some 6000 nautical miles. once it can left the harbor it can travel some 6000 miles with submerged and surfaced mode and it can hold under the water contentiously some 70 days without coming surface. thanks to it's AIP

Know how the AIP in soryu works . this good information provided by Arnab Mitra

1. Hydrogen is used as fuel in Hydrogen fuel cells

2. Hydrogen fuel cells are used to generate electricity

3. The electricity is used to run the propulsion motor

4. The electricity is also used to do electrolysis of sea water

5.  Electrolysis of sea water produces Hydrogen

6.  Back to step 1

   As of now Japan is the sole operator of this soryu by some 5 active subs and participating the Australian Collins class replacement Program 

     But recently India just asked the Japanese to provide information about soryu and Requsted to participate in the Indian Navy Project 75 I. which means the sub can be made in India under the Make in India Program where nearly some 12 of these submarines can be procured. Just checkout the Current Indian Diesel Electric submarine Fleet and It's comparison.