France Offers Stealth Pumpjet Tech for India's P-76 and P-77 Sub Programs, Could Make India's Subs Quietest in IOR

In a move that could significantly enhance India's underwater stealth capabilities, France has offered its advanced pumpjet propulsion technology for the Indian Navy's ambitious submarine programs, Project-76 and Project-77. This offer underscores the deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.

Project-76 aims to acquire 12 next-generation conventional diesel-electric submarines, while Project-77 focuses on developing nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). France's willingness to provide its cutting-edge pumpjet technology for both programs signifies its commitment to a strong, long-term defence partnership with India.

Pumpjet propulsion offers a quieter alternative to traditional propellers, significantly reducing a submarine's acoustic signature and enhancing its stealth. This is particularly crucial for conventional submarines operating in hostile waters. By adopting this technology, India's submarines could become some of the quietest in Indian Ocean Region (IOR), gaining a critical edge in underwater warfare.

For Project-76, France's offer could streamline the integration of pumpjet technology into the submarine designs being developed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

For Project-77, equipping India's future SSNs with pumpjet technology would enhance their operational stealth and survivability, crucial for extended patrols and rapid response capabilities. This is particularly important given the rapid modernization of submarine fleets by regional powers like China.

Key advantages of Pumpjet Technology​

• Reduced Noise: Minimizes cavitation, the formation of bubbles that generate noise and compromise stealth.
• Increased Efficiency: Improves thrust efficiency, leading to higher speeds and greater maneuverability.
• Enhanced Stealth: Significantly reduces the acoustic signature, making the submarine extremely difficult to detect.

France's pumpjet technology is already operational in its Barracuda-class submarines, renowned for their stealth capabilities. By leveraging this technology, India could significantly enhance the stealth and operational effectiveness of its submarine fleet, bolstering its maritime security posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

This collaboration highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and France in the defence sector. By sharing advanced technology and expertise, France is contributing to India's efforts to modernize its naval capabilities and maintain a strategic edge in the underwater domain. This partnership is mutually beneficial, strengthening both countries' defence industries and contributing to regional stability.

 

[sanket]

Indigenous pumpjet tech already being developed, but in first few Subs out 12 can b incorporated the French pumpjet tech to fast tract the development & delivery of subs or either split 12 out of 6 with french pumpjet tech & remaining 6 on Indigenous Pumpjet tech

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Once you develop your own tech others will offer their own tech to stop your R&D further.

 

[Anant]

Once you develop your own tech others will offer their own tech to stop your R&D further.

While I agree with the sentiment of your statement, Sir, the fact remains that we don't have our own pumpjet developed yet.

 

[Harsh]

Once you develop your own tech others will offer their own tech to stop your R&D further.

Except fighter jet engine.

 

[beencensured]

Indigenous pumpjet tech already being developed, but in first few Subs out 12 can b incorporated the French pumpjet tech to fast tract the development & delivery of subs or either split 12 out of 6 with french pumpjet tech & remaining 6 on Indigenous Pumpjet tech

Think why France is desperate to get in? It is still part of nato. Remember, Scorpene leaks? India wants to be superpower cannot depend on others. India has plenty of engineers and Scientist. Besides I do not know how a propulsion system for sub can be designed without giving key information about the Submarine.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Except fighter jet engine.

They will offer if you reach ~90%. It will stop your furter R&D and they will have continued business.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

While I agree with the sentiment of your statement, Sir, the fact remains that we don't have our own pumpjet developed yet.

I think we are already using it in nuclear subs.

 

[Anant]

I think we are already using it in nuclear subs.

We aren't. The Arihant-class have standard propellers, not pumpjets.

 

[Surfer]

Indigenous pumpjet tech already being developed, but in first few Subs out 12 can b incorporated the French pumpjet tech to fast tract the development & delivery of subs or either split 12 out of 6 with french pumpjet tech & remaining 6 on Indigenous Pumpjet tech

We don’t need French junk tech that couldn’t even sense there is a boat above causing collision, Aussies are smart to trash Barracuda.

 

[Sandeep]

France rejected selling their pump jet propulsion to us which is why we are developing them indigenously. They openly rejected it.

 

[Buck]

Buy it before they change their mind

 

[Rajesh]

I think we are already using it in nuclear subs.

No but we use them on some coast guard vessels. But we r working on prototype capable of upgrading them to 35mw

 

[Akshat]

We don’t need French junk tech that couldn’t even sense there is a boat above causing collision, Aussies are smart to trash Barracuda.

Apparently we do. Another deal for more of the Scorpenes is being discussed. As for Aussie, Aussies have accepted that they made a mistake and paid fines. And now US has refused to give their subs to Aussies. 😂😂😂

 

[Akshat]

France rejected selling their pump jet propulsion to us which is why we are developing them indigenously. They openly rejected it.

Nope they didn’t. They have offered it to us. They have offered every single tech, except the nuclear portions.

 

[beencensured]

While I agree with the sentiment of your statement, Sir, the fact remains that we don't have our own pumpjet developed yet.

If you think Pump jet s such extra-ordinary technology. Well, you must be an arms lobbyist trying sale something.

 

[Anant]

If you think Pump jet s such extra-ordinary technology. Well, you must be an arms lobbyist trying sale something.

Did I say pumpjets are extraordinary or otherwise? I said that we do not have an operational pumpjet system, which is true. If you have a counter to thar, mention it, or else, just take that nonsense somewhere else.

 

[desigandu]

Nope they didn’t. They have offered it to us. They have offered every single tech, except the nuclear portions.

Why not nuclear tech, like Americans are providing for Aukus…The Americans stabbed the French in the back with offering nuclear tech to Australia…
If French truly value a partnership with Bharat they must offer nuclear tech propulsion, fighter engines tech etc., as India is a big market and is striving to be atmanirbhar in most areas starting 2035 - something for the French to think about as they are small and can’t match the Military spend of the Americans, or the Chinese, Russians or even Indians…

 

[desigandu]

I think Bharat should develop its own critical military technologies even it takes time and costs more…Being Atmanirbhar is the only long term option…
In the meantime if anyone offers good stuff we can buy/acquire / collaborate, with full TOT,, while keeping the focus on domestic capability…
Here I really admire the Chinese, who did what it takes and all can see the results in the last 20 years…Yes, they have ways to go to catch up with the Americans, but they are the only country with goals and means for global domination and pose a real threat to Americas hegemony…
Bharat is still small ($4T GDP) as compared to US and China, thus we need to keep our head down, whilst focused on rapid economic, military, industrial and technological growth for at least 10-15 years, before we start behaving and throwing our weight around - does not mean we don’t fight for our interests, but be humble and avoid conflicts…We can and must do it…

 

[Sandeep]

Nope they didn’t. They have offered it to us. They have offered every single tech, except the nuclear portions.

They have offered a licensed version of their submarine that’s not nuclear but they haven’t offered to install their pump jet propulsion with our indigenous submarines as the technology between them two are very different.

 

[Ronin]

I think we are already using it in nuclear subs.

DRDO developed Pumpjet propulsion system is currently used in Torpedos, the system that will be fitted in Submarines is under advanced stage of Development, So we don’t need to spend billions to buy a foreign one.