Govt Greenlights Construction of Two Indigenous Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines (SSNs), Aiming for Six to Counter China

In a significant move to bolster its naval capabilities and counter China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific, India has approved the construction of two indigenously designed nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).

This decision, made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a major step forward in India's quest for strategic deterrence.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 45,000 crore, will see the submarines built at the Ship Building Centre in Vishakhapatnam. This initiative is separate from the ongoing construction of five nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) of the Arihant class at the same facility. While both SSNs and SSBNs are nuclear-powered, they serve distinct roles.

SSNs are designed for offensive operations, including hunting enemy submarines and surface vessels, intelligence gathering, and supporting naval task forces. Armed with torpedoes and potentially cruise missiles, they excel in tactical warfare. SSBNs, on the other hand, are strategic assets built for nuclear deterrence, carrying and launching nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.

The need for SSNs has become increasingly critical for India, especially with China already operating six Shang class nuclear-powered attack submarines. The Indian Navy has been advocating for this project, highlighting the urgent need to address underwater capability gaps and maintain a credible deterrent against regional adversaries.

The government initially greenlit the SSN project in 2015, with design work commencing at the Submarine Design Centre in Gurgaon around 2017.

Significant progress has been made since then, including the development of a special alloy for the submarines' hulls by Mishra Dhatu Nigam, enabling them to dive deeper than the Arihant-class boats. The SSNs will also be equipped with more powerful nuclear reactors.

This development comes at a time when the lease of an Akula class nuclear attack submarine from Russia has been delayed to 2028. India's long-term plan is to induct six SSNs as part of its broader submarine development strategy.

The construction of these two indigenous SSNs is a crucial step towards achieving that goal and ensuring India's maritime security in the face of growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

[R. Singh]

Name these SSNs Sindhughosh class ! make as many as 10 SSNs ! First SSN-INS SIndhudhvaj, 2) INS- INS -SIndhuvir, third should also be made,INS-Sindhurakshak ! Till these three launched remaining seven Kilo 's will retire !

 

[PKPRS]

So lets just import Pump jet propulsion alone and make our own design and develop.

 

[Anant]

So lets just import Pump jet propulsion alone and make our own design and develop.

Boss, I would say that while we are working on our pumpjet system, we shouldn't hold P-77 to that development. If absolutely necessary, let the first two boats be built with a conventional propeller, and by the time the next batch is green-lit (2030 or so, I'd guess), we should have a pumpjet ready to go.

 

[Olef hitler]

So lets just import Pump jet propulsion alone and make our own design and develop.

You better read the publications from DRDO (their bimonthly magazine) . They have demonstrated 535 kw rated pumpjet and can scale it upto 35MW . Also our HWT's do use pumpjet .

 

[NSR]

A great day to start with such wonderful news about very much needed Indian SSN approval.

Indian Navy must install proper sized silos to carry SLBMs with at least 7000+ kms to bring every corner of china into its sights to create a great DETERRENT against its adventurisms in future.

BARC already developed 190+ MW miniature nuclear reactor for SSN propulsion.

All in all great development and pray for its complete success.

 

[Rajesh]

Given the displacement is close to the 6,500 of Arihant, is that a sign that design uses that as a base (I've actually posted prior suggestions on how to modify SSBN to SSGN)?

 

[M S Chatterji]

Is the 185 MW nuclear reactor needed for the attack submarine ready?. That is the minimum power needed for the attack submarine.

 

[Dredd]

Is the 185 MW nuclear reactor needed for the attack submarine ready?. That is the minimum power needed for the attack submarine.

yes, a variant is already available and integrated in S4 class ssbn

 

[Anant]

Indian Navy must install proper sized silos to carry SLBMs with at least 7000+ kms to bring every corner of china into its sights to create a great DETERRENT against its adventurisms in future.

Um, minor correction: We are referring to SSNs here, so SLBMs are out of the question. That'd make these SSBNs, which, as you well know, is something we already possess and are working on.

 

[Anant]

Given the displacement is close to the 6,500 of Arihant, is that a sign that design uses that as a base (I've actually posted prior suggestions on how to modify SSBN to SSGN)?

Fairly possible that the design will remove the SLBM module, maybe slot in a smaller VLS module for SLCMs (though I think that such a module is more likely in the next batch), and optimise the design.

 

[Anant]

yes, a variant is already available and integrated in S4 class ssbn

Arihant and Arighat still have the 83 MW reactor. That said, the S4 and other boats may have an upgraded reactor. Perhaps even the 190 MW reactor. Who is to say?

 

[desigandu]

Arihant and Arighat still have the 83 MW reactor. That said, the S4 and other boats may have an upgraded reactor. Perhaps even the 190 MW reactor. Who is to say?

Are there any major changes in a reactor besides power output in an SSN vs an SSBN?
My understanding was our 83mw reactor was the constraint for SSNs due to limited power thus we needed a more powerful 190mw reactor…Now if we have the 190mw reactor it could power the 6000 ton SSNs and the S5s which are likely to be 13000tons!
Hopefully after 2030, we build a 250mw reactor that can power future SSNs on 11000 ton and SSBNs on 20000 ton and our nuclear propulsion carriers!

 

[desigandu]

Fairly possible that the design will remove the SLBM module, maybe slot in a smaller VLS module for SLCMs (though I think that such a module is more likely in the next batch), and optimise the design.

US actually converted some of its Ohio class SSBNs to 4 SSGNs carrying 22 VLS tubes of 154 tomahawks, instead of the 20 SLBMs…So going by that Arihant if converted to an SSGNs could have say 6 VLS tubes with 8-12 LRLACMs…Thoughts?