French Naval Group Offers Lithium-Ion Upgrade for India's Scorpene Submarines

French defence contractor Naval Group has proposed a significant upgrade for India's future Scorpene-class submarines. The core of their proposal is the use of advanced lithium-ion batteries, a move that would replace traditional lead-acid technology and offer substantial performance benefits for the Indian Navy.

This collaboration builds upon the existing partnership between Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), the Indian shipyard responsible for constructing the Indian Navy's Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines. The proposed next-generation vessels will feature a higher degree of locally sourced components, aligning with India's push for defense manufacturing self-reliance. The submarines would also incorporate cutting-edge DRDO-developed Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) for extended underwater operations.

The most notable change is the shift to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Compared to legacy lead-acid batteries, LIBs provide increased energy efficiency, reduce the need for surfacing to recharge, and enable faster charging times. Naval Group reports that the Scorpene Evolved, with its full LIB configuration, would offer significant performance improvements, including a potential total endurance of 80 days with an impressive 78 days of submerged operations.

While the Indian Navy is working with private companies like Exide to develop lithium-ion batteries for existing submarines, it may take a while before the technology is fully validated and ready for deployment.

The Naval Group's proposition offers a substantial technological leap for India's expanding submarine fleet. Lithium-ion battery technology could significantly bolster the Indian Navy's underwater capabilities, enhancing both the endurance and stealth of its future Scorpene-class submarines.

 

[sanket]

Very Good development India should go for 6 Follow-on scorpene Submarine instead of 3 , it may take another decade to start project 75i

 

[Hari Sud]

What is Indian Navy’s preference. Mine is Scorpene as India has building base and expertise in it.

 

[Pramkumar]

To arrest in slide in the underwear capacity IN should go for additional 6

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Cancel the P75 process. Go for P76. To fill the gap till P76 is ready, induction another 6 scorpene.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Cancel the P75 process. Go for P76. To fill the gap till P76 is ready, induction another 6 scorpene.

Makes sense to going for this option. Better to go in for six submarines rather than 6. P75 will take a decade at least to fructify, if at all. P76 is probably two decades away.

 

[Sandeep]

By the time a deal is signed and those 3 submarines are made and become operational it will take at least 10 years. In this deal India should increase the indigenous content, increase the technology transferred and make most of it in India as the original deal only allowed 30% of it which was far too low thanks to the corrupt jihadi party and its scams.

In these 3 new submarines India needs to increase its technological capabilities and lethality along with installing more indigenously developed equipment and technology like AIP, combat management suite, use indigenous torpedo or missiles, submarine health management, indigenous software, lithium ion batteries etc. Also India should carry out improving and installing the technology and capabilities of the current six submarines when they go for a mid life refit and upgrade to reduce our reliant on France and the private sector will be able to carry out these changes.

 

[Sridhar]

SSN would be a better bet. Initial investment is high but sub will have long endurance, can carry more weapon carrying capacity and has bigger displacement.

 

[Anant]

To arrest in slide in the underwear capacity IN should go for additional 6

We have Project 75I doing that.

 

[Anant]

SSN would be a better bet. Initial investment is high but sub will have long endurance, can carry more weapon carrying capacity and has bigger displacement.

SSNs are also being worked on. One project is not leading to the cancellation of another here.

 

[Pink Panther]

Very Good development India should go for 6 Follow-on scorpene Submarine instead of 3 , it may take another decade to start project 75i

and keep screw driving for ever.

 

[Pink Panther]

What is Indian Navy’s preference. Mine is Scorpene as India has building base and expertise in it.

Scorpene is small and a old design, we need larger displacement to store more missiles and Torpedo.

 

[desigandu]

Lithium Ion batteries are potentially better than AIP, thus we should convert all P-75s to batteries, and also P-76s should have batteries besides VLS...Just see Japan and South Korea who are in the battery realm as compared to AIPs...P-75Is can go with AIP so we have both capabilities.

 

[desigandu]

The sweet spot for SSKs/subs is 3000-4000 Tons with Lithium Ion batteries, 6-8 VLS, and potentially propulsors, though they may be expensive, and thus better suited to our SSNs (6000 Tons) and SSBNs (13500 Tons)...We need a mix of SSKs with 2000 Tons (Scorpenes) and 3000-4000 (P-75Is and P-76s) along with SSNs/SSBNs...the best sea denial capability to dominate IOR, while threatening Chinese SLOC is quiet and long endurance submarines, combined with 50 Frigates/Destroyers (eventually).

 

[Rajesh]

Good requirement for all subs . Can ask them to partner with an Indian company for this system esp the one which is working on such projects.