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A wide range of niche technologies are being inducted to enhance long range precision attack capabilities. Loitering munitions in land and sea-based versions are being inducted to enhance the targeting capabilities. Additionally, containerised missile systems are being inducted to enhance the operational capability and to augment flexibility in operations.

The Navy has transformed from a ‘Buyers Navy’ into a ‘Builders Navy’, with aircraft carrier, destroyers, stealth frigates, corvettes, submarines and other war vessels being constructed in our country. Today, of the 66 ships under construction 64 are being built in India. Further, approvals have been given for 24 ships and submarines that are all planned to be constructed in Indian Shipyards. At present, IN has achieved approximately 90% indigenisation in the float segment, 60% in the move segment, and 50% in the fight segment. Indian Navy is committed to becoming a fully Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047.

A number of ships and submarines have been commissioned in 2023.

INS Vagir, fifth Submarine of Kalvari class, was commissioned on January 23, 2023.

INS Tarmugli returned by the Govt of Maldives was re-commissioned after refit on December 14, 2023.

INS Imphal, the third stealth ship of Project-15B was commissioned on 26 December 2023.

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was delivered to Indian Navy by GRSE on December 4, 2023.

The third GRSE ship of Project P17A Frigates, Vindhyagiri (Yard 3024), was launched on Aug 17, 2023 at GRSE.

The fourth ship of Survey Vessel Large, i.e. Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) was launched on June 13, 2023 at L&T Shipyard.

Two ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) namely Androth (Yard 3035) and Anjadip (Yard 3030) were launched on March 21 and June 13, 2023 respectively at GRSE.

Three more ASW SWC namely Mahe (Yard 523), Malvan (Yard 524) and Magrol (Yard 525) were concurrently launched on November 30, 2023 at CSL, Kochi.

The last of the seven P17A ships, i.e. Mahendragiri (Yard 12654) was launched on September 1, 2023 at MDL, Mumbai.

1st Diving Support Craft A-20 (Yard-325) was launched on August 31, 2023 at Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.

INS Vikrant completed Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on May 31, 2023. With the IOC, the ship has proven the Aviation Facilities Complex, achieved day and night landing of MiG-29K, completed landing trials of all helicopters in the Naval inventory.

Atmanirbharta in Defence is having a profound affect on the operational efficiency of the Indian Navy. During 2023 alone, a number of approvals were given by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). These included:

Medium-Range Anti-Ship Missiles for surface platforms in November 2023.

Next Generation Survey Vessels and avionic upgradation of Dornier aircraft in September 2023.

26 Rafale-Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support in July 2023.

15 MQ-9B Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAs) in June 2023.

Ship-launched BrahMos missiles and Utility Helicopters-Maritime in March 2023

Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System for the Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels in January 2023.

The Ministry of Defence signed contracts with a number of companies to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Navy. Among them were:

13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Three Cadet Training Ships from Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T).

11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels from different Indian shipyards.

Five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) from Hindustan Shipyard Limited.

16 Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) anti-missile/anti-aircraft point defence weapon system from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Medium Refit with Life Certification of Sub-Surface Killer Class of Submarine ‘INS Shankush’ with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.

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Additionally, the Defense Acquisition Council, the top-most decision-making body for acquiring military equipment for the Indian armed forces on July 13th, cleared proposals worth an estimated 80,000 crore which is almost 9 billion euros, to acquire 3 additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale Marine Fighter Jets for the Navy.

ALSO READ: Sixth Scorpene Launched; Fast Boats Contracted

An MOU was signed between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and the Naval group for building 3 additional submarines under the P-75 Program. They would be built in Mazagon Dockyards Ltd, in Mumbai.

The announcement was made after the Indian PM’s talks with French President Macron in Paris concluded.

The Scorpene Subs have stealth features, long-range guided torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. They have a SONAR suite and a sensor suite offering them excellent operational capabilities.

This comes after the Indian PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron adopted the ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations.’

They welcomed the collaboration between the naval companies of both nations.

A Joint Statement read that India and France are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

India is also setting up a Technical Office of the DRDO at its Paris Embassy to adopt a roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking about the French commitment to the ‘Make-In-India’ Initiative, PM Modi and President Macron also applauded the defence industrial partnerships, including the agreement between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of Technology of Forging and Castings for building the Shakti Engine.

Another example of India-France’s outstanding cooperation in military aviation stretching over 5 decades is the timely delivery of 36 Rafale jets ordered by India.

Both nations decided to extend this mutual partnership in developing advanced aeronautical technologies by agreeing on the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

French company Safran and India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, will make a roadmap for this project before 2023 end.

They will also uphold industrial cooperation for motorising heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, IMRH Programme with Safran Helicopter Engine.

Another MOU was signed between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France, a prominent name in the European Naval Defense Industry, to collaborate in the field of surface ships that would meet India’s requirements and those of International Naval forces.

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The two strategic partners also expressed commitment to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries, a decision seen as a reflection of the growing bilateral defence ties.

There was no word on the much-anticipated procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets by India from France

ALSO READ: Macron for France’s deeper involvement in India’s self-reliance efforts in defence equipment

However, a document listing a 25-year roadmap to further advance the strategic relations mentioned the “timely delivery” of the 36 Rafale jets, which were procured by India from France for the Indian Air Force.

It said the two sides welcome an agreement inked between India’s Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and France’s Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P-75 programme.

The document titled “Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations” said the two sides are ready to explore more ambitious projects to develop the Indian submarine fleet and its performance.

“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India,” it said.

“In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine,” it added.

A roadmap for this project will be prepared between Safran and the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) before the end of this year.

They also announced supporting industrial cooperation for the motorisation of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with the Safran helicopter engine.

“To enable progress on the IMRH programme, a shareholders’ agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development,” the document said.

It said these ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer.

It mentioned that other examples of the defence industrial partnership included the contract being concluded between Safran Helicopter Engine and HAL for the transfer of technology of “forging and castings” for the Shakti engine.

“This is also reflective of the French commitment to support technology transfer and Make in India, it said.

Another such example is the MoU between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd and Naval Group France to collaborate in the field of surface ships that cater to fulfil the requirement of India and international naval forces, it added.

“To this end, both countries are also working towards adopting a roadmap on defence industrial cooperation,” it said.

In view of the uptick in defence industrial collaborations between the two countries, India is setting up a technical office of the DRDO at the Indian embassy in Paris.

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The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases. It will help in achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing.

ALSO READ: India, France To Sign Deal For Rafale-M Fighters In March – French Mediahttps://imrmedia.in/india-france-to-sign-deal-for-rafale-m-fighters-in-march-french-media/

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The fifth diesel attack submarine 1775 tonne INS Vagir was commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on Monday at MDL in Mumbai and the sixth of the Kalvari class INS Vagsheer is expected to be commissioned later this year or early 2024.

According to South Block officials, the Indian Navy is expected to approach the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) soon for acceptance of necessity (AoN) for three more diesel attack submarines under the “Make in India” project with the French Naval Group expected to test the DRDO developed AIP system before fitting in the new submarines. Initially, the Navy had the option to construct three more submarines after contracting six with the Naval group, but this option was cancelled in 2016 after Naval Headquarters wanted the government to clear six submarines under Project 75 (I) or fitted with AIP after floating global tenders.

While the Defence Ministry floated request for information for its Project 75 (I) in August 2021, major submarine design and developers except for South Korea showed little interest in making AIP fitted submarines for India as lithium-ion technology had taken over conventional attack submarines and the big P-5 powers were only making nuclear powered conventional attack submarines or SSNs. Given the possibility of a single vendor option apart from the Modi government totally committed to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the Navy went back to the drawing board on the submarine line.

With China rapidly expanding its Navy including nuclear attack submarines, the Indian Navy could ill-afford to keep its functioning submarine construction line at MDL idle while debates went on about the right submarine to acquire for India’s maritime security (a must, given the country’s 7500 km long coastline). The Kalvari class submarines or Project 75 was approved by the A B Vajpayee government in 1997 and the project was expedited in 1999 after the Kargil War with Pakistan. The first Kalvari class submarine was commissioned 18 years later on December 14, 2017, with the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar urging the Navy to exercise the option for the additional three submarines soon.

It is understood that the Indian Navy’s leadership is now rethinking Parrikar’s proposal and is expected to ask for three more Kalvari class submarines fitted with DRDO’s AIP. The same AIP will be retrofitted into existing Kalvari class submarines when they come to MDL for a mid-life refit.

While the Navy wants three indigenous nuclear attack submarines to expand its footprint in the Indo-Pacific, there is a strong possibility that India and France may collaborate to export Kalvari or Scorpene submarines to countries such as Indonesia. India’s sea based nuclear deterrent is operational with two nuclear powered nuclear ballistic missile armed submarines already patrolling global waters and a third under fitment.

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Speaking at the event, Admiral R Hari Kumar said Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Highlighting that Vagir was the third submarine inducted into the Indian Navy in a span of 24 months, the Chief of Naval Staff said it was a shining testimony to the expertise of India’s shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms.

The Kalvari class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai in collaboration with Naval Group, France.

Vagir is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions.

Vagir has a glorious past as the submarine with the same name was commissioned on in November 1973 and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols. It was decommissioned in January 2001 after serving the nation for about three decades. Vagir in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines till date.

“In the navy, it’s a time-honoured tradition that old ships and submarines never die. In keeping with the spirit, the submarine in front of us is a reincarnation of erstwhile Vagir which served India and Indian Navy for three decades,” Admiral Kumar said.

Vagir takes its name from the Sand Fish, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

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The RFP for the Project 75 (I) was sent to France’s Naval Group-DCNS, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp, Spain’s Navantia and South Korea’s Daewoo. As this project will be completed under the Strategic-Partnership model. All three European and Russian companies have now pulled out of this project, leaving only Navantia and Daewoo in the race.

These five companies had to choose between two Indian companies, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) or Larsen & Toubro (L&T), to manufacture these six submarines in India.

The provision was to build these six conventional submarines in the country only in a joint venture with a foreign company.

Scorpenes Under Construction

The Naval Group is making six Scorpène-class submarines in collaboration with MDL. Of these, four, the Kalvari-class submarines, have joined the Navy, the fifth is under sea-trial and the sixth Vagsheer was launched earlier this month.

These are six conventional diesel-electric submarines. AIP, ie, Air-Independent Propulsion system developed by DRDO will be retrofitted during mid-life upgrade. The advantage of AIP is that they will not need to get out of the sea again and again. That is, in a way, they are stealth-submarines. AIP allows non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen. These stealth-submarines do not need to be taken out of the sea like the diesel-electric submarines.

Background

Vagsheer — the last of six Indian-made Scorpene-class submarines — was lowered into the water for trials in Apil. The Indian Navy has six new underwater boats, four of which (Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj and Vela) are in service and the others (Vagir and Vagsheer) will be commissioned by early 2023.

Failure to conclude the construction of six more Project 75(I) conventional submarines with AIP will mean the assembly line will be idle. Technical skills to manufacture a submarine will be lost if a deal is not finalised soon.

India commenced getting its Foxtrot-class submarines from December 1967, from the then USSR. By 1974, it had eight such submarines. In 1981, New Delhi entered into an agreement with German HDW, to buy two Type 209 submarines. While these submarines — INS Shalki and INS Shankul — were being built the HDW scam broke out. The government did not use the ‘option clause’ in the agreement for the construction of two additional submarines.

By 2028-29 most of the Kilo-class submarines may be out of action. The Russian submarines have been the mainstay of the Indian fleet for the past two decades. As replacement for the old Foxtrots, India turned to Moscow and bought ten Kilo-class boats, commencing mid-1980s. The last of the Kilo-class boat – INS Sindhushastra – was commissioned in 2000. Of these, INS Sindhurakshak exploded and sank near Mumbai in 2013. India gifted the decommissioned INS Sindhuvir to the Myanmar Navy. Seven out of the eight remaining submaines have outlived their lifespan but are still functioning due to upgrades.

In February 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a 30-year plan that envisaged two production lines – P-75 and P-75I – to make 12 submarines at two Indian shipyards.

The UPA government signed the Rs 23,653 crore P-75 deal in 2005. As per the contract, the French supplier DCNS was to deliver all the six submarines — manufactured at MDL — by 2012. Though the 30-year plan envisaged two production lines operating simultaneously, the government decided to go for only one.

The first Scorpene submarine was handed over to the Indian Navy in 2017, five years late.

The defence ministry had, in April 2021, cleared the way for the construction of six new stealth P75I submarines for the Indian Navy amid the challenges being faced by China in the Indian Ocean. The Defence Acquisition Council had given the green signal under the Strategic Partnership Model. The ministry issued the RFP in July 2021. The cost of this project named Project 75 (India) is Rs 43,000 crore.

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The Naval Group has mentioned the conditions in the request for proposal (RFP) as the reason for exiting the project.

The Ministry of Defence had in July last year issued an order to build six submarines for the Indian Navy.

The cost of this project named Project 75 (India) is Rs 43,000 crore.

In his first trip abroad this year, Prime Minister Modi will embark on a three-day visit to Germany, Denmark and France from May 2.

The RFP was sent to five big companies, including France’s Naval Group-DCNS, Russia’s Rosoboronexport, Germany’s Thyssenkrupp, Spain’s Navantia and South Korea’s Daewoo, around the world for the Project 75 (I).

These five companies had to choose between two Indian companies, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) or Larsen & Toubro (L&T), to manufacture these six submarines in India.

All three European and Russian companies have now pulled out of this project, leaving only Navantia and Daewoo in the race.

The Naval Group is making six Scorpène-class submarines in collaboration with MDL.

Of these, four, the Kalvari-class submarines, have joined the Navy, the fifth is under sea-trial and the sixth Vagsheer was launched earlier this month.

The Ministry of Defence had in April 2021 cleared the way for the construction of six new stealth submarines for the Indian Navy amid the challenges being faced by China in the Indian Ocean.

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had given the green signal to Project 75 (I) under the Strategic Partnership Model.

The ministry had post that in July 2021 issued RFP for six conventional stealth submarines under this project.

As this project will be completed under the Strategic-Partnership model, the Defence Ministry had also issued the RFP to MDL and L&T.

The provision was to build these six conventional submarines in the country only in a joint venture with a foreign company.

These are six conventional submarines of course, but they are AIP ie Air-Independent Propulsion Submarine.

The advantage of this is that they will not need to get out of the sea again and again like a diesel-electric submarine. That is, in a way, they are stealth-submarines.

These six submarines are Air Independent Propulsion.

Air Independent Propulsion or Air Independent Power is any marine propulsion technology that allows non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen. The advantage of this is that these stealth-submarines do not need to be taken out of the sea like the diesel-electric submarines.

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The newest delay in Mission-75(India) (P-75(I)) is because of the stringent deadline put forth within the request for proposal (RPF) issued by the Ministry of Defence in July 2021. The federal government had shortlisted 5 overseas submarine makers who had been to associate with both one of many two Indian submarine makers to supply the vessels domestically.

The federal government needed to push again the bid submission date from November 2021 to June 2022 after nearly all of overseas taking part firms discovered it troublesome to satisfy the primary deadline, a prime official of India’s largest submarine builder stated.

Discipline analysis trials of the submarines had been anticipated to start in mid-April 2022 if the bids are available November itself. Additional delay is anticipated to occur as the federal government is but to situation approvals to taking part overseas firms.

Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders stated, “Now the revised schedule for bid submission is on the finish of June 2022. And while everyone seems to be attempting their stage finest, the federal government approvals for the respective international locations have nonetheless not been absolutely processed and my assumption could be these are nonetheless vulnerable to some extra delays by a few months.”

Shortlisted OEMs

Naval Group, France, TKMS, Germany, JSC ROE, Russia, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, South Korea and Navantia, Spain had been the shortlisted overseas unique tools producers (OEM). These had to decide on between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilder and Larsen and Toubro. The order for all of the six submarines will go to the bottom bidder (L1) and won’t be break up between the 2 Indian firms.

If the bid submission takes place in June, it can take one other two years for the federal government to contemplate it earlier than orders are positioned by the tip of 2024.

“The RFP was issued in July 2021 and the timelines given for bid submission was mid November 21. RFP had very, very stringent timelines. Trying on the response from nearly all of these overseas OEMs they didn’t discover it simple going based mostly on the timeline and the complexity of the whole program. So, they needed to revise these timelines a number of instances,” Prasad added.

“Who’s going to be our collaborator that has not been fructified, however actually there’s a sound potential with each DSME Korea and TKMS Germany, they’re the one collaborators compliant when it comes to timelines as per RFP. They’re but to provide you with their bid submission and we’re ready for that,” Prasad added.

INS Vagsheer

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has the capability to concurrently assemble 11 submarines at its Mumbai facility. The corporate is presently constructing INS Vagsheer, which is the sixth and the final of the Kalavari-class Scorpene submarines beneath Mission 75 (P75).

Four submarines of this class – INS Kalavari, INS Karanj, INS Khanderi, INS Vela – have been commissioned into the Indian Navy whereas a fifth, INS Vagir, started its sea trials earlier this month.

“Four submarines have already been delivered and the trials of the fifth submarine is occurring. By the tip of this 12 months the fifth submarine will even be delivered. As regards to the sixth submarine, we’re planning its launch in March or April and this vessel could be deliberate for commissioning someplace in the long run of 2023,” Prasad added.

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