New Scorpene class submarines

Why in news?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared proposals to buy 3 additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Navy.

What is the naval strength of India?

• Indian Navy has 16 conventional submarines
  1. 7 of the Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo class)
  2. 4 of the Shishumar class (modified German Type 209)
  3. 5 of the Kalvari class (French Scorpene class)
• It also has 2 nuclear submarine, INS Arihant and INS Arighat.
• Project 75 – Earlier in 2005, India signed Project 75 to construct 6 Scorpene class submarines over 30 years with technology transfer from France.
• So far, 5 submarines have been commissioned and the last one, INS Vagsheer is under trials.
• Project 75I – It is a follow-up to Project 75 and improves upon the design and technology of its predecessor.
• It aims to procure diesel-electric attack submarines with fuel cells and Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP) for the Indian Navy.

What are the new submarines?

• The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement
• The 3 additional Scorpene submarines will be procured under Buy (Indian) category.
• These will be built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
• It is built based on the technology transfer from the French defence firm, Naval Group.

What is the need for the three additional submarines?

• Currently, the Navy has 16 conventional submarines in service.
• However, to carry out its full spectrum of operations the Navy needs at least 18 such submarines.
• Moreover, at any given time, around 30% of the submarines are under refit, thus further bringing down the strength of operational submarines.
• Bolster our fleet - Procurement of the three additional submarines will help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Navy
• Delay - The delayed deliveries of submarines under Project 75 made DAC to decide on buying them.
• Lack of maintenance - The ageing fleet of India's Russian-made platforms, Moscow's inability to perform maintenance work.
• Defence indigenisation - It will help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.
• The procurement of submarines, with higher indigenous content will also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector.

What are the capabilities of the Scorpene submarines?

• The Scorpene submarines are conventional attack submarines.

• They are capable of launching a large array of torpedoes and missiles.
• They are also equipped with a range of surveillance and intelligence-gathering mechanisms.
• The diesel electric propulsion system enables them to alternate between using diesel and electric.
  1. Diesel - for functioning on the surface
  2. Electric - for functioning underwater

• The 3 submarines will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to allow them to remain submerged for longer.
• Also, Indian navy will retrofit all of its Scorpene class submarines with air independent propulsion or AIP systems, beginning in 2024.

How do they compare with nuclear submarines?

Currently, India has 2 nuclear-powered submarines (SSBMs) of the Arihant class in service.

Quick Facts

DAC - Defence Acquisition Council is the apex decision-making body for the acquisition of military equipment for India’s armed forces.

Projects-75 (Kalvari class)

References

1. IE - New Scorpene class submarines for the Navy
2. Hindustan Times - Scorpene submarines to boost navy’s undersea capabilities