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Submarine Proliferation

India Current Capabilities

Capabilities | Import | Export

Updated December 2008

The Indian Navy currently deploys 16 submarines, which are based at Vishakhapatnam on the east coast and Mumbai on the west coast. A third base is being built on the west coast at Karwar as well.[1] The most modern vessels are four Shishumar-class Type 209/1500 units designed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW). Ten Sindhugosh-class Type 877EM vessels form the backbone of the submarine force and are being upgraded to launch Klub/3M-54E Alfa cruise missiles. Two aging Foxtrot-class boats are in the process of being decommissioned and will be replaced with six Scorpène-class boats.[2,3] India expects to float a tender on six more diesel submarines in 2009.[16]

For the past two decades, India has also been working on the development of an indigenous nuclear-propelled submarine, referred to as the advanced technology vessel (ATV). The ATV submarine, work on which began in the 1970s, is a complex project that has faced multiple difficulties. Although there have been few signs of progress as of late, one vessel is reportedly now under construction at Mazagon Docks, Ltd., with sea trials expected in 2009.[17]Some sources indicate that construction of as many as five nuclear submarines is planned.[18] For the time being, it remains unclear whether the ATV will be fitted with ballistic or cruise missiles; India’s submarine-launched missile program includes development of both.[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 as well.[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 great 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.

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. The recently released maritime doctrine clarifies this still further, calling specifically for the establishment of a submarine-based MND.[5,6] The triad could be completed with the successful conclusion of India's ATV program, with 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] Press reports have indicated since 1999 that Russia and India have been negotiating lease of a Project 971 Shchuka B (NATO name Akula II) submarine, likely the K-152 Nerpa, as a follow-on to the K-43 lease.[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, an earlier strategic review and Project 75, a 30-year 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. The first boat is to be delivered in 2012, with the rest following 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 has been suggested that the second main production line could be a version of the Russian Amur-class; six to eight Amur-1650s are on the Indian Navy's list of prospective acquisitions as part of its 30-year submarine procurement plan.[14]  In 2005, Italy's Fincantieri entered a joint venture with Russia's Rubin Naval Design Bureau to develop a new diesel-electric submarine, the S1000, using AIP technology. The Russian partner has indicated they it  make available certain design aspects of the Amur class.[18]  India was the first country to receive a briefing on the new submarine and is reportedly considering an Italian offer to build six boats for $3.5 billion. 

Various territorial questions with India's neighbors remain unresolved and could lead to renewed tensions involving the Indian Navy. India contests its borders with both Pakistan and China in Kashmir. Oil and gas is exploration is also under way in the Sir Creek Estuary, the boundary of which is debated by Pakistan. Finally, Bangladesh and India have both laid claim to New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island.[7,12]

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003), p. 300.
A.D. Baker, Combat Fleets of the World, p. 293.
David Miller, The Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World (St. Paul: MBI Publishing Company, 2002), p. 248-249.
"Galeria de Fotos," Chilean Navy Webpage, http://www.armada.cl/p4_armada/site/edic/base/port/galeria.html.

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003), p. 300.
A.D. Baker, Combat Fleets of the World, p. 293-294.
David Miller, The Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World (St. Paul: MBI Publishing Company, 2002), p. 256-260.
"Shishumar Class," Indian Navy Webpage, http://indiannavy.nic.in/images/shishumar2.jpg.

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003), p. 301.
A.D. Baker, Combat Fleets of the World, p. 294.
David Miller, The Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World (St. Paul: MBI Publishing Company, 2002), p. 296-297.
"Sindhughosh Class," Indian Navy Webpage, http://indiannavy.nic.in/images/sindhughosh.jpg.

Sources:
Stephen Saunders, Jane's Fighting Ships 2002-2003 (Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group, 2003), p. 301.
A.D. Baker, Combat Fleets of the World, p. 294.
David Miller, The Illustrated Directory of Submarines of the World (St. Paul: MBI Publishing Company, 2002), p. 292-293.
"Vela Class," Indian Navy Webpage, http://indiannavy.nic.in/images/foxtrot.jpg.

Sources:
"Foxtrot (Project 641) class (SS)," Jane's Fighting Ships online edition, http://www.janes.com, March 2006.
"Procurement," Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment - South Asia online edition, http://www.janes.com, April 2006.
"Sindhughosh (Kilo) (Project 877EM/8773) class (SSK)," Jane's Fighting Ships online edition, http://www.janes.com, March 2006.
"S 55 Sindhu Ghosh Class Sov Kilo," Global Security Website, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/s-sindu-ghosh.htm.

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 online edition, July 2000, http://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/pqdweb.
[4] "Submarine and Submersible Designs, India," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems online edition, May 29, 2002, http://juws.janes.com.
[5] Rahul Behdi, "India outlines vision of future nuclear navy," Jane's Defense Weekly online edition, 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/pqdweb.
[9] Rahul Bedi, “France, India enhance relations,” Jane’s Defence Weekly online edition, 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/pqdweb.
[11] "First Mesma AIP passes acceptance tests," Media Press Releases, DCN Web Site, http://www.dcn.fr.
[12] "India," CIA Factbook Web Site, http://www.cia.gov/publications/factbook/geos/in.html#issues.
[13] Rahul Bedi and Nick Brown, "India Sets Seal on Scorpene Submarine Contract" Jane's Navy International online edition, 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, Jane's Online, 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, http://www.integrum.ru.
[16] "India to Float Global Tenders for Six Conventional Submarines," The Times of India, May 9, 2008, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
[17] Siddharth Srivastava, "China’s Submarine Progress Alarms India," Asia Times, May 8, 2008, http://www.atimes.com.
[18] Robert Norris and Hans Kristensen, "Indian Nuclear Forces, 2008," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November-December 2008.
[19] Sharad Joshi, "India and Pakistan Missile Race Surges On," WMD Insights, October 2007, http://www.wmdinsights.com.
[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, http://www.wmdinsights.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 © 2008 by MIIS.