Indian navy's submarine capabilities and the plans for future
Security and preserving national interest formulate the crux of diplomacy and international relations. Maritime security and diplomacy presents a challenge for maintaining peace in the oceans. India’s challenge becomes bigger as Indian Ocean Region is neither isolated nor contains less voluminous import and exports of its trade routes and potential for economic growth. Addition to this is the looming aggression of Beijing’s foothold, penetrating New Delhi’s security and maritime territory. This paper looks at the developments being established for Indian Navy and the upcoming projects pursued by the central government. Development in the navy presents the narrative that the government adopts for securing its maritime diplomacy. The transition of Indian Navy’s approach is leading to a new dawn of defense technology and alliances with the security frameworks of New Delhi along with diplomatic and strategic alliances for the nation and the Indian Ocean Region.
“Of all the branches of men in the forces there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the submarines”- Winston Churchil
The Delphic state of ocean and seas has always provided arduous circumstances for a nation- state’s security and peace. The essence of Maritime Nation can only be pertinent if maritime security is affirmative in security and strategic planning. “To be secure on Land, we must be Supreme at Sea”, this argument by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru sets an overarching importance of seas and maritime territory. Impulsive state ocean’s circumstances continue to remind us of the imperative that Maritime Security holds for a nation[i]. Any case of desultory in maritime security can be a window for any nation to exploit the facile state of strategic planning. With a coastline of about 7500 km and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) covering over 2 million sq kms specified under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), protection of oceanic wealth and maritime trade routes presents a monumental task for Indian Navy[ii]. Operating in the Indian Ocean, which comprises 92% of the world trade routes and reliance of 97% of national trade, Indian Navy’s dexterity has enabled the subcontinent to enable substantial progress for a high state of preparedness[iii]. Not only substantiated based on security implication, but maritime security also involves the relief plan of actions during the times of cyclones, typhoons or other nations disasters. Boosting this oceanic protection, India’s submarine program presents a dynamic and extensive approach to securing its maritime territory.
Protection of the 7500 km coastline presents a constant challenge for the Indian Navy. Ensuring a robust command and control at sea has been acknowledged and under the purview of India’s Strategic Forces Command[iv]. Establishing an impervious paradigm against political decision making, Strategic Forces Command has been historically responsible for controlling and maintaining the balance of power in seas considering Chinese and Pakistani influence in Indian Ocean. Since 1966, the initiation of India’s Submarine program India has always faced a grandiloquent problem of “Goldilocks Dilemma”[v]. Dilemma is reflected upon a dual nuclear trajectory of China and Pakistan hovering around the Subcontinent. Characterization of this dilemma presents the challenge of not giving out any expression of panic and regional instability due to the presence of Beijing and Islamabad. During the 1960’s, at the height of the Cold War, Indian Navy sought the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) to protect the possible superpower intervention in the maritime territory. Project Samudra, the 1982 USSR assisted project of India Navy, saw the operationalization of two vessels- S-1 and S-2[vi]. Programs incipient was to lead a cost- effective deterrent against Pakistan’s enlarging military machine. Project S-1 saw a loan intake of Soviet Charlie- class SSN (Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines) in 1988 and S-2 led to establishment of Advanced Technology Vessel(ATV) Directorate emphasizing a research and developmental agency to build India’s indigenous SSN. It was imperative that this research program led to development of nuclear attack submarines[vii]. “Maritime Reactors could demonstrate India’s impressive capabilities in the field of nuclear energy”, as argued by Homi Bhabha transformed India’s nuclear submarine research program.
India’s post- 2000 approach can be described in the laconic of producing SSBN’s (Ballistic Missile Submarine) of the previous S-1 type and increasing the range of the missiles. Review Committee of the Strategic Forces Command recommended for production of new and upgraded class of S- Class boasts for launching ballistic missiles that can cover and travel beyond 6,000 kilometers of range. In 2015, S-5 boats led India into a new age of submarines undertaken by Indian Navy[viii]. S- Class has been the symptomatic of India’s deterrent parity in competition to China and Pakistan. Part of this evolution, INS Arihant (SSBN 80), S2- Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine launched on 26 July 2009 has been India’s most successful nuclear submarine program[ix]. Period of 2012- 2015 saw Arihant complete multiple sea trials, complete its development test and integration with submarines. 2014 trials in Bay of Bengal and 2015 test firing of Sagarika Missile established its long reputation of extensive test. Commission of INS Arihant in 2016 and its deterrence patrol in 2018 part of India’s Nuclear Triad established a crucial development for India’s Security and Strategic planning[x]. Arihant’s operation was based on a bastion or citadel model, where the submarine operated near home waters. Strategic planning was based on operations in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Northern Indian Ocean. Along with the operation of conventional fleet and anti- submarine warfare operations and INS Arihant’s operation in Bay of Bengal, Bastion was used to frame a successful deterrence policy against Pakistani and Chinese nuclear threat[xi]. Post- 2016 approach has been focused on meritorious planning of Cordon Sanitaire.
The coeval situation has seen a stabilized deterrence formed against Pakistan but the challenge for a positive command and control mechanisms remains. Arihant’s advanced step came with the issues of effective command and communication issues. Achieving that deterrence stability and a second- strike capability against China was dedicated with the desire to decrease nuclear asymmetry against China. In the 2020 winter parliament session, the proposition of building a fleet of 18 conventional and 6 nuclear submarine attack submarines was presented by the Standing Committee on Defense[xii]. Adding upon the existing strength of 15 ships and 1 SSN on lease, development projects along with Arihant Class Nuclear- powered submarines is projected to decrease that nuclear asymmetry. Currently INS Chakra of Akula Class is a nuclear submarine along with Russion- origin Kilo Class, German origin HDW class and French Scorpene- class submarine. Incorporation of the Scorpene class vessels INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi, only 2 conventional submarines have been substantiated in the last 15 years. To add on the existing 13 conventional submarines, aged between 17 and 31 years old, Project 75 India will designate and build further 6 submarines, which are proposed to be built on Indian and Foreign Origin equipment[xiii]. DRDO’s(Defense Research and Development Organisation) research developments in Air- Independent Propulsion (AIP) are set to be attached with the conventional, Arihant and Scorpene class from 2024 onwards, further giving India a strategic and military advantage in the seas[xiv]. Along with the state owned Mazagon Dock Ltd. and partnership with Frances Naval Group, further plan of action implies building of 6 new Scorpene class vessels. INS Kalvari was commissioned in 2017 and the rest are targeted to be commissioned in 2021. Operationalize of nuclear triad by commissioning it INS Arihant, Management and Operations (M&O) of the DRDO, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, supervising the nuclear- powered submarine program, plans to utilize the Scorpene class to further conduct similar nuclear triads to counter the Chinese influence. Further modulation of Kalvari Class along the 3 oceanic regions, Project- 75I type is targeted to replace the existing and ageing German Type- 209 (Shishumar Class) and Russian class (Sindhughosh Class)[xv]. DRDO’s AIP will be the capability jump for Project 75I which will further incorporate support from overseas partners including German, French, South Korean, Spanish and Italian support. INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagsheer idealize the Project- 75I development trajectories, Scorpene class of submarines highlight the new age modern military and stealth based approach to construct nuclear powered and conventional armed missiles and torpedoes submarines. Since 2017 and 2019, Vela and Karanj have been commissioned into the Indian Navy and Vagir is undergoing sea trials and the equipment evaluation and working has been set under Harbour Acceptance Trials[xvi]. Subsequent Sea Acceptance Trials will ensure the delivery of ongoing and new Scorpene class submarines to the Indian Navy. Decommissioning of Kalvari classes marked a transformation from Soviet origin Foxtrot class of vessels and enshrined a post- Independent Indian Navy.
Along with the ongoing and upcoming infrastructure developments, 2020 witnessed the passage exercise PASSEX, between Indian Navy and Vietnam People’s Navy. Pertinent upon maritime interoperability and jointness are targeted to boost maritime cooperation[xvii]. This naval exercise is an attempt to reinforce the balance of power towards China’s rising imposition in the South China Sea. Military assertiveness in South China Sea and mounting concern of the international community. Part of the naval exercise was an expression of relief materials when INS Kiltan arrived at Nha Rhang Port of Ho Chi Minh City and specifically in the wake of growing military flexing by China, freedom of navigation and security in South China Sea has been incorporated as India’s maritime security strategy[xviii]. The conceptual phase of Vishal is the ideal for establishing a concrete defense platform for India, which will join INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. These 3 aircraft carriers will assist Indian Navy to increase Catapult Assisted Take-Off but Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) capability and electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), expected to enter in service by 2030’s with USD 7 billion cost estimation, will play a key role to counter the Goldilocks Dilemma[xix]. With INS Vikrant finishing its trials at Cochin Shipyard Limited in 2020, the projection is to carry 40 fighter aircraft. Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism and ski- jump, anticipation is entailed towards the end of 2021 or early 2022 for full operation[xx].
India’s future endeavour into the development of Indian Navy infrastructure and introduction of new class types of submarines, indicates the new age of securing its maritime territory. Aggressive policies and stances of the Chinese delegation will continue to pose a significant challenge to New Delhi. Protecting its oceans is not only an imperative of national security or military interest but sustaining peace and economic progress in Indian Ocean Region. The dilemma that it poses around multiple regional conflicts will continue to push the funding and research and development into defense strategies. Naval exercises on the ground of the South China Sea depicts the strengthening of bilateral trade and security relations. Diplomacy can only sustain if New Delhi is able to counter the intervening forces into Indian Ocean Region. The question of securing strategic lines will set the narrative of the range and success of India’s strategic trajectories.
Notes
[i] Naval Strategic Publication (NSP- 1.2), “Indian Navy”, October 2015.
[ii] Basu, P. Bose, S.(December 23, 2020). “Does the IOR need a cohesive Blue Economy Framework?”. Observers Research Foundation, Terra Nova.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Kulkarni, S (November 19, 2020). “Explained: India’s Kalvari Class of submarines and its strategic implications”. Indian Express.
[v] Lt. Cdr. Kalesh Mahaman (March, 2020). “Evolution of Indian Submarine Arms”. Indian Defence Review, Vol 25 (1).
[vi] (December 1, 2014). “India’s Maritime Security: Strategy, Choices and Imperatives”. India Writes Nationals, Diplomacy.
[vii] ibid.
[viii] Pandit, R (February 18, 2015). “Government approves construction of 7 Stealth frigates, 6 nuclear powered Submarines”. Times of India.
[ix] Roblin, S(January 27, 2019). “India is building a deadly force of Nuclear- Missile Submarines”. The National Interest.
[x] ibid.
[xi] ibid.
[xii] Kulkarni, S (November 19, 2020). “Explained: India’s Kalvari Class of submarines and its strategic implications”. Indian Express.
[xiii] Vice Admiral Predeep Chauhan AVSM and Bar rtd.(February 3, 2020). “ India’s Proposed Maritime Strategy”. National Maritime Foundation.
[xiv] Op Cit. ibid.
[xv] Roblin, S(January 27, 2019). “India is building a deadly force of Nuclear- Missile Submarines”. The National Interest.
[xvi] Op Cit Vice Admiral Predeep Chauhan AVSM and Bar rtd.(February 3, 2020). ibid.
[xvii] (December 27, 2020). “Indian naval ship conducts ‘passage exercise’ with Vietnamese Navy in South China Sea”. Times of India.
[xviii] ibid.
[xix] Pubby, M(February 21, 2020). “India’s Rs. 1.2 Lakh crore nuclear submarine project closer to realisaton”. ET Bureau, Economic Times
[xx] Ibid.
Pic Courtesy-twitter handle - SpokespersonNavy@indiannavy
(The views expressed are personal.)
