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In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, Dept of Defence Production (DDP) notified 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 items on May 12, 2023, which includes LRUs/ sub-systems/ assemblies/ sub-assemblies, raw material, low value critical spares and components of DPSUs for time-bound indigenisation. These items are to be indigenised within the timelines of December 2023 to December 2029. As compared to previous year, 4500+ items of Srijan Portal including 173 PIL items, have been indigenised in 2023.

To give fillip to the ongoing indigenisation, a portal – www.srijandefence.gov.in – was launched in August 2020 for DPSUs/Services with an industry interface to provide development support to MSMEs/ Startups/ Industry for import substitution.

The MoD has successfully indigenised 10,451 items during the period of 3 years since the launch of Srijan Portal. More than 34,000 items were uploaded by the DPSUs and Service Headquarters on Srijan Portal for indigenisation by Industry. This includes the 4,666 items under PILs being notified by DDP.

Standardisation of defence equipment/ inventory is undertaken through 13 Standardisation Sub-Committees dealing with specialized equipment/ technologies. During 2023, a new Standardisation Sub-Committee namely, Marine Equipment Standardisation Sub-Committee, was formed to formulate Standards for Marine Equipment.

During 2023, training on standardisation and codification was imparted to 333 personnel of Tri-Services, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSPs), Ordnance Factories and civil industries, through two Training Institutes located at Pune and Badarpur (New Delhi).

The 14th edition of Aero India-2023 was held from 13th–17th February at Bengaluru, Karnataka and has been the largest ever edition since its inception in 1996 with more than 100 countries, 809 exhibitors, first ever Fly past with 53 aircrafts showcasing our airpower to global attendees and a total footfall of 7+ lakh visitors over five days.

Start-ups promotion was a focus area at Aero India-2023 with Indian Start-ups being showcased at an exclusive iDEX pavilion, and at the Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave. The Annual Start-up event ‘Manthan’ was also conducted. The maiden iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) was conducted with over Rs 200 crore pledged during iIH.

A concerted effort was made towards forging B2B partnerships at the ‘Bandhan’ ceremony and more than 250 such partnerships with a total value of more than Rs 75,000 crore have been finalized. The partnerships are a step towards increasing traction for business, ToT and Joint development between the companies.

Defence Exports

Export leads received from various stakeholders are being disseminated to the registered Indian Defence Exporters through online portal. This facility helps the Indian defence exporters to quickly respond to export opportunities arising in other countries. The online portal has been upgraded with a feedback mechanism from Indian Industry for online monitoring/ follow-up of the disseminated export leads. Total 245 leads have been disseminated through the portal since Jan 2023.

In order to boost defence exports, webinars were organized with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) under the aegis of DDP, MoD through Industry Associations. Total 26 webinars have been organised since Jan 2023.

A scheme for financial assistance to Defence Attaches (DAs) for promotion of “Brand India” in defence was approved by the RM in Nov’ 2023. Under this scheme DAs have been mandated for export promotion of Indigenous defence products of both public and private sector through enhanced financial grants to the Indian missions. For FY 2023-24, DAs of 64 countries were allocated a total of Rs. 3.76 crores.

An institutional support mechanism has been created for facilitation and hand-holding of Indian defence companies for promoting the export of UN Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) to troop contributing countries.

In line with India’s Defence Export Strategy to enhance defence exports, 1310 Export Authorisations were issued by Dept of Defence Production to 73 countries during 2023, having value of Rs. 13345 crore.

Defence Innovations

During 2023, 101 winners of iDEX challenges were declared, 131 contracts were signed and 15 prototypes were developed. Three versions of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC) i.e., DISC 8, DISC 9 & DISC X were launched. Three versions of Open Challenges, i.e., OC 7, OC 8 & OC 9 were launched.

iDEX in partnership with US DoD conducted the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUX-X) event in Washington DC, USA on 20-21 June 2023. The initiative will expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the start-up eco-system, businesses, and academic institutions.

iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) brought additional funding of Rs 50 cr through ITI Growth Opportunities Fund (a venture capital fund of the Investment Trust of India group), raising the total iIH amount to Rs 260 cr.

Swavlamban 2023. During Swavlamban 2023 event on 4 Oct 2023, Raksha Mantri launched a number of initiatives.

Collaboration with US DoD. Along with 76 Challenges of DISC X, 5 problem statements under iDEX 4 Fauji and first 2 challenges under ‘INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies’ (IMPACT were jointly launched by iDEX and United States Department of Defence (US, DoD).

iDEX-Navy Venture for Technology (iNVent): Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) and Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) entered into an MoU for jointly working on facilitating the infusion of Venture Capital into the defence ecosystem through the iDEX Investor Hub (iIH).

DAC Approvals. Indigenous Design & Development of Defence Systems has been undertaken through ‘Make Procedure’ provided under Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020. In 2023, 18 projects were accorded ‘Approval-in-principle’ bringing the total tally to 149 projects. Also, 11 projects have been accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in 2023, taking the number of AoN projects to 60.

Defence Industrial Corridors. Two Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC) have been established at Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost Defence Manufacturing ecosystem in the country with intent to attract investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore in each DIC. In Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the nodal agency, has signed 138 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industries, etc. Actual investment of Rs. 2656 core has been made in UPDIC. In Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the nodal agency, has made arrangements through 57 MoUs, etc. Actual investment of Rs. 4085 Crore has been made in TNDIC.

Helicopter Factory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated HAL’s New Helicopter factory in Tumkuru to the nation on 6th Feb ’23. During the same event, Prime Minister unveiled HAL’s indigenously designed and developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

DPSU’s Successes

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated first overseas regional marketing office of HAL in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 11 July 2023.

HAL received the ‘State Export Excellence Award’ (for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 & 2019-20) from Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Karnataka under the category of ‘Govt. of India Undertaking Exporter’ on 22 Jul 2023.

HAL played key role in success of Chandrayaan-3 including on-time delivery of 30 types of rivetted structure, six types of welded structure and the satellite’s bus structure Rover, Lander and Castings & Forgings, appreciation received.

ASTRA indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, successfully fired from Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7, off the coast of Goa on 23 Aug 2023. All the objectives of the test were met. This was a joint effort by ADA and HAL.

HAL received DGCA approval under ‘CAR21 Subpart G’ for series production of Hindustan 228 aircraft, indigenously built, as Make-in-India project and ‘Maintenance Type Training Certificate’ under CAR147 under category B1 and B2 for imparting AME type rated licence on Hindustan-228 aircraft.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited HAL Bangalore on 25 Nov 2023 and undertook a sortie on the LCA Tejas Twin Seater Aircraft. PM is the first Prime Minister of the Country who undertook a sortie in our home grown technology marvel-Tejas.

Indigenous Air Traffic Management System (ATMAS), jointly developed & installed by BEL and Airports Authority of India (AAI), was inaugurated & commissioned at Bhubaneswar airport on 27 Oct 2023.

Combat trial of indigenously developed Varunastra, a ship-launched anti-submarine heavy-weight torpedo (HWT) was successfully conducted on 6 June 2023 by Indian Navy. The Torpedo was fired from a submarine and successfully hit an underwater target demonstrating the combat worthiness and capable of meeting the Navy’s operational requirements. BDL has manufactured and supplied the torpedo and associated in integration, torpedo preparation for sea trials and firing onboard ship.

BDL has launched three new products i.e., Vertically Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL SRSAM), SAL Seeker ATGM for BMP II and Drone Delivered Missile (JISHNU) during the Bandhan event at Aero India held in Feb 2023.

BDL carried out field firing of 3rd Generation Fire and Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile named Amogha-III on 26 Mar 2023.

The i-ATS (Indigenous- Automatic Train Supervision) system, developed by BEL, was formally launched on the Delhi Metro Red Line on 18 Feb 2023 from the Operations Control Centre (OCC), Shastri Park.

MIDHANI indigenously developed SNI C276 sheets, a premier corrosion-resistant material. Alloy C276, strengthened with nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and a touch of tungsten, excels in oxidizing and reducing environments used for flue gas purification. This achievement was appreciated at BHEL SAMVAAD 3.0 held at New Delhi on 9 Nov 2023.

MIDHANI developed 1000th heat in the indigenously developed Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) furnace within 6 years.

MIDHANI launched five newly developed products and signed 11 MoUs during the 14th edition of Aero India 2023, organised by BEL along with HAL, held at Yelahanka, Bengaluru on 13-17 Feb 2023.

The 4th ship of Project-17A “Mahendragiri”, built by MDL, was launched on 1 Sep 2023.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Foundation for Science innovation and Development, IISC Bengaluru signed MoU on 29 July 2023 towards fostering joint development and implementation of AI technologies in the field of shipbuilding & defence applications.

GSL & Kenya Shipyards Limited signed MoU in Capacity Building & for collaboration in ship design & construction, during the bilateral meeting held between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Aden Bare Duale in New Delhi.

Yard ‘Infrastructure Augmentation Plan’ worth Rs. 1393.55 cr was executed in five phases and completed in all manners on 31 Mar 2023 by GSL.

Two Diving Support Vessels (DSV), indigenously designed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), are being built for Indian Navy for the first time by an Indian yard.

HSL has received three Inmex Maritime Excellence Awards in categories of Best Ship Repair Company, Best Technology Innovation and Women Leadership Award.

IOL has signed 13 MOUs valuing approx Rs 6,100 crore for cooperation in designing, development, manufacture, upgradation etc. of new products/ technologies with different parties like BEML and others.

In pursuance of MoD’s policy to promote ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ Programmes, IOL has indigenised many ex-import components/sub-assemblies using Srijan portal. IOL has placed 101 project sanction orders on Indian manufacturers, under Make-II scheme of DAP-2020 and 8 RFPs/EOIs have also been published. IOL has 189 items in PIL1 and 47 items in PIL3 Lists, out of which 184 Items have already been indigenised. IOL has also sponsored five innovative technology projects under iDEX.

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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 contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed on January 28, 2011. This project is a continuation of the Kolkata class destroyers, which were part of Project 15A and were commissioned in the previous decade. Last November, the project’s lead ship, INS Visakhapatnam, was commissioned into service.

“Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, and built by MDL, the four ships of the project are christened after major cities from all four corners of the country – Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat,” the ministry of defence said in a press release.

The keel of Mormugao was laid in June 2015 and the ship was launched on September 17, 2016. The design has largely maintained the hull form, propulsion machinery, many platform equipment, and major weapons and sensors as the Kolkata class to benefit from series production.

The ship is 163 metres long and 17 metres wide, displaces 7,400 tonnes when fully loaded and has a maximum speed of 30 knots. Apart from myriad indigenous equipment in the ‘Float’ and ‘Move’ categories, the destroyer is also installed with under-mentioned major indigenous weapons. The overall indigenous content of the project is approximately 75%.

Mormugao has medium range surface-to-air missiles made by BEL, Bangalore; BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles designed and made by BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi; indigenous torpedo tube launchers and anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers made by Larsen and Toubro, Mumbai; and 76-mm super rapid gun mount by BHEL, Haridwar.

The ship had sailed out for her maiden sortie on December 19, 2021 to coincide with the Goa Liberation Day and the ship has now been delivered.

“The delivery of Mormugao is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as part of celebration of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The early induction of the destroyer, almost three months prior to the contractual date, despite the COVID-19 challenges, is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of a large number of stakeholders and would enhance the maritime prowess of the country in the Indian Ocean Region,’’ an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

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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 sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines of Project 75 was launched on 20 April at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). It is being manufactured jointly with the Naval Group, France. The first of the P-75 submarines was inducted into the Navy in December 2017.

The sixth submarine will now commence setting to work on various equipment and harbour trials. The crew will thereafter sail the submarine for the rigorous sea acceptance trials after which it would be delivered to the Indian Navy by late 2023.

These six submarines will add to the Navy’s underwater capability as most of the 15 conventional submarines with India are more than 25 years old.

Project 75 (India)

The decision on Project 75 (India) is getting delayed and even if it gets the go-ahead it might take another two years to begin. Project-75(I) envisages indigenous construction of six modern conventional submarines with contemporary equipment, weapons and sensors including AIP (Air Independent Propulsion), advanced torpedoes, modern missiles and state of the art countermeasure systems.

This would provide a major boost to the indigenous design and construction capability of submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine design and technologies as part of the project.

While P-75 is reaching the end of its cycle the contract for the next six should have been signed as it would lead to a gap of a few years again till the next set of submarine construction will start. The contract for P-75 was signed in 2005. Earlier, in 1994 India manufactured two German submarines but the gap of 11 years led to loss of this specialised skill.

Next-Gen Offshore Patrol Vessels

Goa Shipyard Limited has emerged as the leading shipyard to build the Indian Navy’s next generation off-shore patrol vessels (NGOPVs) and eight fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.  A  contract for seven NGOPVs valued at around Rs 9,000 crore is expected to be signed with GSL while four will be built by another shipyard.

The naval off-shore patrol vessels will play a key role in protection of offshore assets, undertaking mine countermeasure operations through modular payloads and also aid special operations.

GSL has undergone various modernisation. It emerged as L1 (lowest bider) for a contract to build fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard and to build the Navy’s next generation off-shore patrol vessels.

In 2018, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the procurement of six indigenously designed NGOPVs for the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 4,941 crore. The contract was awarded to the Anil Ambani-owned Pipavav Shipyards but was ultimately scrapped due to several delays. The defence ministry then increased the number of platforms for the Indian Navy to 11 in December 2020 and a tender worth over Rs 9,000 crore was floated, which GSL is now on the verge of bagging.

The NGOPVs will strengthen India’s maritime security as the acquisition of the advanced patrol vessels will help the navy track and counter the steady rise in the deployment of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region and in Indian waters.

Multi-purpose Vessels Deal with L&T

The Ministry of Defence, on 25 March, signed a contract with Indian conglomerate, Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) for the acquisition of two multi-purpose vessels (MPVs) for the Indian Navy. The Rs 887 crore deal was signed under the “Buy-Indian” category. Delivery of vessels is scheduled to commence from May 2025.

MPVs will be the first of its kind platform, constructed to provide a cost-effective solution to meet a variety of requirements of the Indian Navy. These vessels, to be built by L&T shipyard at Kattupally (Chennai), will perform multi-role support functions such as maritime surveillance and patrol, launching/ recovery of torpedoes and operation of various types of aerial, surface and underwater targets for Gunnery/ ASW firing exercises.

These vessels would also be capable of towing ships and rendering Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support with limited hospital ship capability. They will also act as a trial platform for naval weapons and sensors under development, a support platform for ISV and salvage operations, and to provide logistics support for India’s island territories.

High-speed Interceptor Boats Inducted

The Indian Navy inducted two Fast Interceptor Craft (FICs) into its fleet in Kolkata, on 16 March, to beef up its coastal security. The vessels will enable enhanced riverine patrol on the Hooghly river as well as gradually extend patrolling capability seawards.

The high-speed vessels – T323 and T324 – capable of operating in shallow waters were acquired for Sagar Prahari Bal, a unit of the Navy created post 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as part of the coastal security construct.

The high-speed vessels can operate in the Hooghly as well as in the Bay of Bengal at sand heads and can reach speed of up to 45 knots. The FICs positioned by the Indian Navy will augment the Coastal Security capability of the Indian Navy in the State of West Bengal.

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The fifth submarine of Project 75, Yard 11879, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class commenced her sea trials on 1 February 22. The submarine was launched in Nov 2020 from the KanhojiAngre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The submarine would be named Vagir, after commissioning.

The submarine will now undergo intense trials of all its systems at sea, including propulsion systems, weapons and sensors. The submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy in the year 2022 after completion of these trials

The Indian Navy has two ongoing conventional submarine programs, with a third one on the way.

In Phase I, six submarines of Scorpene-class (P-75) are to be constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai. Two submarines of the project namely INS Kalvari and Khanderi have been commissioned in December 2017 and September 2019 respectively. The remainder submarines are likely to be inducted every nine months. The last submarine is likely to be delivered in June 2022.

Six submarines are to be constructed under P-75(I) under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model promulgated by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 31 May 2017. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the case was accorded by DAC on 27 February 2019. A multidisciplinary Empowered Project Committee (EPC) was constituted by MoD on 15 February 2019 to steer the project from ‘EoI issuance’ to ‘Contract Conclusion’. The Request for Expression of Interest (REoI) for shortlisting of SPs and Foreign, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) was issued on 20 June 2019 and 2 July 2019 respectively. The response of SPs have been received on 11 September 2019. The response of Foreign OEMs have been received on 24 September 2019. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the case would be issued in mid-2020. The induction of the submarines would be between 2027-2032.

In Phase II, twelve submarines of an indigenous design are envisaged to be constructed in India in this phase with the experience gained and technology absorbed from the construction of submarines under Phase I.

About Scorpène Submarines

Scorpène is a conventional submarine designed by the Naval Group for the export market. It demonstrates both the Naval Group’s ability to deliver best-in-class submarines and to conduct successful transfers of technology. Today 14 Scorpène submarines are in operational service or being built, for the Chilean Navy (2 units), the Malaysian Navy (2 units), the Indian Navy (6 units), and the Brazilian Navy (4 units).

The Scorpène design is adapted to fit each navy’s specific requirements. Thus, the Brazilian Scorpène is slightly longer to carry a larger crew, almost double the patrol range, and be able to cover greater distances.

Scorpène is ideally suited for action and operational effectiveness. Robust and enduring, it’s an ocean-going submarine also designed for shallow waters operations. Multipurpose, it fulfills the entire scope of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, special operations, offensive minelaying and intelligence gathering. Integrating improvements from the French Barracuda-Class fast-attack submarine, Scorpène has cutting-edge capabilities.

P75 Kalvari-class key data

Length: 67,56 m +10 m with the future AIP Plug

Autonomy:  Up to 52 days

Displacement:  

Surface: 1615 tons

Submerged: 1775 tons

Crew: Up to 44 men

Weapons:

-6 x 533mm tubes

-Up to 18 heavyweight weapons.

-SM-39 Exocet antiship missile (MBDA)

-SUT 266 Legacy heavyweight torpedo (Atlas Elektronik)

-Mines

Hunt For Submarine Rescue Simulators

The MoD has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for submarine rescue simulators in January 2022. It is acquiring two sets of simulators that would train Navy personnel to operate submarine rescue vessel (SRV) and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems.

A simulator is a program or equipment that creates a virtual replica of a real-life environment, such as a flight simulator, for the purpose of training or experimentation. The SRV one should be able to simulate the actual vehicle’s rolling and pitching motions, as well as have the same “look, feel, functions, man-machine interface, and response time” as the Indian Navy’s Deep-Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).

A DSRV is a type of deep-submergence vehicle used for submarine rescue operations and covert missions. India is one of the select countries that possess this capability. It has two DSRVs that it procured from James Fishers & Sons, a UK-based company.

The Indian Navy inducted its first DSRV in 2018 and the second one in 2019. Further, in 2020, a DSRV Complex was inaugurated at Vishakhapatnam to ensure the operational readiness of the vehicles with all equipment intact and ready to use.

With a growing fleet of submarines in the Indian Navy and its plans for expanding its fleet to deal with the challenges in the near seas, India’s Ministry of Defense has earnestly pursued the DSRV project.

In the Goa Maritime Conclave attended by Indian Navy commanders and delegations from Indian Ocean countries last year, the service displayed its submarine rescue capability. Only a few countries in the IOR possess this capability.

The Indian Navy is equipped with two full third-generation fly-away submarine rescue systems. It received Deep Search and Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) equipment, Transfer under Pressure (TUP) systems, and all logistics and support equipment by the manufacturer. A 25-year all-inclusive maintenance support service was also included in the contract, according to JFD.

The equipment can reach a maximum depth of 650 meters and rescue 14 people in a single operation. Because submarine mishaps can happen anywhere, the DSRVs are built to be agile and easily transportable to remote locations

The entire system has been separated into 24 components, each with the footprint of a typical container and capable of being moved by road, sea, or air.

Heavy transport planes such as the IL-76 and C-17 could transport the DSRV, which is linked to the mother ship INS Sabarmati.

The Navy also looks forward to participating in international submarine rescue exercises to sharpen their skills and deepen ties with neighbors and partners.

In April 2021, India had dispatched two DSRVs to locate the missing Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala, but they were pulled back mid-way after the Indonesian Navy reported that it had identified the missing sub’s debris.

During trials in 2018, the DSRV submerged to a depth of 666 meters, breaking the record for the deepest submergence by a manned vessel in the Indian seas.

The DSRV crew has also performed Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations at greater than 750 meters and Side Scan Sonar operations at greater than 650 meters.

While the simulators have massive benefits, they do not aim to replace the training conducted on actual platforms. They merely familiarize the personnel with the platform that they will be required to operate. It is a time and cost-effective training instrument that is employed by militaries around the world.

In September 2021, the Defense Ministry issued a policy for increased use of simulators by armed forces to provide safe and cost-effective realistic training while preserving expensive equipment.

The policy aims to reduce live equipment utilization, ensure capability plans account for phased induction of simulators, factor in simulator requirements when planning procurements, and establish a coordination mechanism among various agencies for a combined purchase of simulators, according to a statement from the ministry.

As the focus of warfare and power assertion shifts to the sea, the Indian Navy seems to be strengthening its contingency efforts as well as enhancing its prospects of becoming the net security provider in the IOR in a true sense.

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Despite the COVID pandemic, MDL has ‘Delivered’ two submarines of the Project – 75 in the year 2021, and the commencement of sea trials of the fifth submarine is a significant milestone.

The submarine will now undergo intense trials of all its systems at sea, including propulsion systems, weapons, and sensors. The submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy in the year 2022 after the completion of these trials.

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