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Submarine Proliferation
India Current Capabilities
Capabilities | Import | Export
Updated February 2010
The Indian Navy currently operates 16 submarines, which are based at Visakhapatnam on the east coast and Mumbai on the west coast. An additional west-coast base is also being constructed at Karwar.[1] The backbone of the fleet is formed by ten Kilo-class Type 877EM - or Sindhugosh-class - units that are being progressively retrofitted to accommodate the Klub/3M-54E Alfa cruise missile system. India also operates four Shishumar-class Type 209/1500 vessels designed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Germany. While the first two vessels from the Shishumar-class were built at HDW in Germany, boats three and four were constructed at the Mazagon Dock in Mumbai from packages supplied by HGW. [16] All four of the Shishumars have undergone refit since they were commissioned and together they form the 10th submarine squadron based at Mumbai.[16] The fleet's remaining vessels consist of two aging Foxtrot-class boats, which are currently being used for training purposes. In addition to the 16 active submarines, however, India is also in the process of constructing six Scorpène-class boats that are being indigenously built at the Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, albeit under the supervision of French technicians.[2,3,16,17] India expects to float a tender on six more diesel submarines within the next year.
In addition to its fleet of diesel-electric submarines, India is also in the process of developing an indigenously built nuclear-submarine capability. The Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) submarine, work on which began in the 1970s, is a complex project that has faced multiple difficulties. However, in July 2009 India launched its first ATV submarine, the INS Arihant,,at the Ship Building Centre in Vishakapatnam.[16,22,23] It is expected that the vessel will undergo at least two years of extensive sea trials before it can be commissioned into the Indian Navy.[17] The Arihant is the first of three ATVs currently being built, with plans for an eventual fleet of 5-6 nuclear-propelled submarines that will perform a strategic nuclear role.[18,17] The vessels are likely to carry 12 Sagarika submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) with a range of around 700km.[17,19] The construction project is being conducted jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), private contractor Larsen and Toubro, and the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.[17,19] [For more information on Russian assistance to the ATV program, please see the " ATV Nuclear Submarine Program" information in the NIS Nuclear and Missile Database.]
The Indian Navy's area of operation includes the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal. These waters include numerous sea lines of communication (SLOC) chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab El Mandeb, and the Malacca Straits. Almost 97% of India's foreign trade by volume and 60% of the world's sea-borne trade and energy resources are transported through these strategic bottlenecks. This share of critical global trade is likely to be amplified by the growing energy demands and industrial exports of East and Southeast Asia.[2,4,5]
Consequently, one of the Indian Navy's fundamental tasks involves the establishment of sea control to protect its vital SLOCs. It has traditionally paid particular attention to Pakistani Navy developments, as India and Pakistan have had numerous hot and cold conflicts over the years. Gradually, though, the focus of the Indian Navy is shifting to the Chinese Navy, as acknowledged in the recently publicized Indian Maritime Doctrine. This document reiterates earlier calls for a stronger deterrent capability against foreign intervention by non-littoral navies.[6] With this in mind, India has been modernizing its fleet and has been continually interested in procuring nuclear attack and diesel submarines, establishing two aircraft carrier groups, and developing new cruise missiles.[2,4] Indian officials have repeatedly indicated their concerns over China's progress on nuclear submarine construction.[20] Deterrence against non-littoral navies is not limited to China, however. The recent and planned acquisitions of naval vessels by a number of ASEAN nations are also mentioned in the doctrine.[6] In addition, the deployment of a US carrier task force to the Bay of Bengal during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war is unlikely to have been forgotten. As such, the continued US presence at Diego Garcia and Bahrain may represent a concern to the Indian Navy.[2,4,7]
Aside from sea control and denial roles, the Indian Navy executes counter-terrorism, anti-drug trafficking, and anti-piracy operations within its area of interest. These roles are complicated not only by the large amount of shipping traffic, but also by the size of India's exclusive economic zone of 2.02 million square kilometers, to which 1.5 million square kilometers will be added in 2004 in accordance with international treaties.[2,4] The aforementioned choke points, in particular, represent attractive targets for potential terrorist attacks. In addition, various territorial disputes with India's neighbors remain unresolved and could lead to renewed tensions. For instance, oil and gas exploration is underway in the Sir Creek Estuary, the boundary of which is debated by Pakistan. Bangladesh and India have also both laid claim to New Moore/Purbasha Island (or South Talpatty as it is known in Bangladesh).[7,12]
India's ambitions for a sea-based nuclear deterrent were acknowledged in 1998. After executing a number of nuclear tests, the government declared that its future minimum nuclear deterrent (MND) would be based on a triad: a combination of airborne, naval, and land-based platforms. India's maritime doctrine further clarifies this statement by specifically calling for the establishment of a submarine-based MND.[5,6] The triad could be completed with the successful conclusion of India's ATV program, a lease of nuclear submarines, or perhaps, to a lesser extent with the acquisition of air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines.[8] India has had experience leasing a nuclear-powered submarine: from 1988 to 1991 it leased a Project 670 Skat (NATO name Charlie I) class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine from the Soviet Union, the K-43 (renamed Chakra while in Indian service). The reactors were operated by a Soviet crew and the vessel was returned to the Soviet Union.[15] In an attempt to gain experience of operating an SSN, India is again on the verge of leasing a Russian nuclear-submarine, this time one of the Project 971 Schuka-B (NATO designation Akula II) class vessels. [17,19,25] In preparation for the lease, around 300 Indian personnel have undergone training at a special facility in Sosnovy Bor, near St. Petersburg. The most likely candidate for the lease is the K 152 Nerpa, constructed at the Komsomolsk shipyard in Russia's Far East. However, the deal was placed in jeopardy in November 2008 when the Nerpa suffered an on-board accident while undergoing sea trials in the Sea of Japan. Twenty of the crew died from suffocation after the submarine's fire suppression system malfunctioned and released Freon gas. But in spite of the subsequent delay, it appears that the Indian Navy will begin leasing the Nerpa during the first half of 2010. [17,25,21] [For more information on the possible lease of a Russian nuclear submarine, please see the Russia: Export Behavior page.]
Given the various tasks and increasing role assigned to the Indian Navy, earlier strategic reviews and the Project 75 procurement plan have allegedly called for the procurement of 24 submarines to "maintain adequate operational force levels." These boats should be comprised of two locally built submarine classes.[4,8,9,10] On October 6, 2005, India signed a contract with France's Armaris (a joint venture between France's DCN and Spain's Navantia, formerly Izar) for six Scorpène-class vessels with an option for an additional six units, to be constructed at the Mazagon Shipyard in Mumbai. Armaris are to provide technical advisers and supply the combat and command systems, underwater sensors and communications. The six vessels will carry Exocet SM 39 missiles supplied by MBDA. [16] It is anticipated that the first Scorpene will be in service around 2014-15 with the other vessels to follow over the course of five years. India is reportedly considering the installation of MESMA, the French AIP system, beginning with the third boat.[11,13] It is expected that New Delhi will invite bids for the building of six additional submarines in the near future and requests for information are already believed to have been issued to DCNS, for additional Scorpenes; HDW in Germany, for the Type 214; Russia for the Amur 1650; and Spain's Nevantia for the S-80A. [14, 16]
In 2004, Italy's Fincanteri entered a joint venture with Russia's Ruben Naval Design Bureau to develop a new diesel-electric submarine, the s1000, based on the Amur SSK and featuring AIP technology.[16] India was the first country to receive a briefing on the new submarine and it reportedly considered an Italian offer to built six boats for $3.5 billion but there was no subsequent purchase agreement.[27]
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| ACTIVE DUTY SUBMARINES | ||||||
| Name (Number) | Class | Base | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
| Vela (S 40) | Project 641 (Foxtrot) | Visakhapatnam | Admiralty | — | — | August 1973 |
| Vagli (S 42) | Project 641 (Foxtrot) | Mumbai | Admiralty | — | — | August 1974 |
| Sindhugosh (S55) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Visakhapatnam | Admiralty | May 1983 | July 1985 | April 1986 |
| Shishumar (S 44) | Shishumar (Type 209/1500) | Mumbai | HDW | May 1982 | December 1984 | September 1986 |
| Shankush (S 45) | Shishumar (Type 209/1500) | Mumbai | HDW | September 1982 | May 1984 | November 1986 |
| Sindhudvaj (S56) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Visakhapatnam | Admiralty | April 1986 | July 1986 | June 1987 |
| Sindhuraj (S57) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Visakhapatnam | Admiralty | — | — | October 1987 |
| Sindhuvir (S58) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Visakhapatnam | Admiralty | May 1987 | September 1987 | May 1988 |
| Sindhuratna (S59) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Admiralty | — | — | November 1988 |
| Sindhukesari (S60) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Admiralty | April 1988 | August 1988 | February 1989 |
| Sindhukirti (S61) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Admiralty | April 1989 | August 1989 | January 1990 |
| Sindhuvijay (S62) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Admiralty | April 1990 | July 1990 | March 1991 |
| Shalki (S 46) | Shishumar (Type 209/1500) | Mumbai | Mazagon Docks | June 1984 | September 1989 | February 1992 |
| Shankul (S 47) | Shishumar (Type 209/1500) | Mumbai | Mazagon Docks | September 1989 | March 1992 | May 1994 |
| Sindhurakshak (S63) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Krasnoye Sormovo | February 1995 | June 1997 | December 1997 |
| Sindhushastra (S65) | Sindhugosh (Kilo) | Mumbai | Krasnoye Sormovo | December 1998 | October 1999 | July 2000 |
| Arihant | ATV | Visakhapatnam | Shipbuilding Centre Visakhapatnam | — | July 2009 | 2011 |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2014 | — |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2015 | — |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2016 | — |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2017 | — |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2018 | — |
| — | Project 75 (Scorpène) | — | Mazagon Docks | — | 2019 | — |
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Sources:
[1] A.D. Baker, Combat Fleets of the World, pp. 289-295.
[2] "Chapter 5 - The Indian Navy and Naval Programmes," Indian Defence and Security - Industry, Forces and Future Trends, July 2000, www.janes.com.
[3] Mohammed Ahmedullah, "Indian Navy aims at ambitions future," Naval Forces, 1999, Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 50-54; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[4] "Submarine and Submersible Designs, India," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems , May 29, 2002, http://juws.janes.com.
[5] Rahul Behdi, "India outlines vision of future nuclear navy," Jane's Defense Weekly , June 16, 2004, http://jdw.janes.com.
[6] "Aquatic aspirations," Force online edition, July 4, 2004; in "Indian article: Maritime Doctrine envisages formidable Blue Water Capabilities," FBIS Document SAP20040709000082.
[7] Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, "Huge demands made on India's depleted navy," Jane's Navy International, April 1, 1999.
[8] "Asia and Far East: India," Military Technology, Vol. 27, No.1 (January 2003), pp. 280-284; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[9] Rahul Bedi, "France, India enhance relations," Jane's Defence Weekly, July 11, 2001, http://jdw.janes.com.
[10] Ranjit B. Rai, "Indian Navy in the 21st century," Naval Forces, vol. 24, no. 6, 2003; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[11] "First Mesma AIP passes acceptance tests," Media Press Releases, DCN Web Site, www.dcn.fr.
[12] "India," CIA Factbook Web Site, www.cia.gov.
[13] Rahul Bedi and Nick Brown, "India Sets Seal on Scorpene Submarine Contract" Jane's Navy International , http://jdw.janes.com, November 1, 2005.
[14] Rahul Bedi, "Is privatisation the panacea for India as it grapples with the spectre of obsolescence?" International Defence Review, http://jdw.janes.com, December 1, 2005.
[15] Yuriy Golotyuk, "My na lodke katalis...," Vremya novostey, February 15, 2001; in WPS Oborona i Bezopasnost, February 19, 2001; in Integrum Techno, www.integrum.ru.
[16] "Submarine forces, India," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 11 November 2009, www.janes.com.
[17] "Submarine and submersible designs, India," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 14 August 2009, www.janes.com.
[18] Robert Norris and Hans Kristensen, "Indian Nuclear Forces, 2008," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November-December 2008.
[19] "India: Military: Arihant- Advanced Technology Vessel," Global Security, www.globalsecurity.org.
[20] Rajat Pandit, "India Worried About China's Growing N-Sub Prowess," The Times of India, May 6, 2008, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
[21] Anya Loukianova, "Questions Persist on Reported Russian Lease of Nuclear Sub to India," WMD Insights, December 2007-2008, www.wmdinsights.com.
[22] Lydia Polgreen, "India Launches Nuclear Submarine," The New York Times, 26 July 2009, www.nytimes.com.
[23] "India submarine 'threatens peace,'" BBC News, 28 July 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk.
[24] "Deli stroit atomnuyu submarinu," Krasnaya zvezda, 15 July 1998, p. 3.
[25] "India to receive Nerpa submarine in May 2010," The Economic Times, 28 December 2009, http://economictimes.indiatimes.com.
[26] "India to Lease K-152 Nerpa Nuclear Submarine from Russia Later in 2009," India Defense, 10 June 2009, www.india-defence.com.
[27] Shiv Kumar, "Navy pitches in for Russian Amur submarine," The Tribune, 24 January 2007, www.tribuneindia.com.
This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.
