Indian Navy Plans for Upto 4,000-Ton Stealthier Submarines Under Project-76, Boosting its Operational Reach Considerably

The Indian Navy is embarking on an ambitious plan to significantly enhance its underwater capabilities with Project-76. This project aims to indigenously manufacture six advanced diesel-electric submarines, each featuring an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for increased underwater endurance.

Sources indicate that these submarines are expected to displace between 3,000 and 4,000 tons, marking a substantial leap in size and capability compared to earlier submarine classes in the Indian Navy.

While the final design specifications are still under development, a submarine of this size would suggest a greater capacity for weapons, sensors, and crew accommodations. This enhanced capability would allow for longer patrols, improved operational flexibility, and a greater ability to operate in contested environments.

The design phase is anticipated to be finalized by 2028, providing a clearer picture of the submarine's specifications and capabilities.

Project-76 is a crucial step towards India's pursuit of self-reliance in submarine construction. These submarines will be entirely designed and built in India, including the integration of an indigenously developed AIP system.

AIP systems allow conventional submarines to operate submerged for extended periods, reducing the need to surface frequently and minimizing their vulnerability to detection.

This project will leverage the technological advancements gained from Project-77, under which India is developing two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). One key technology likely to be incorporated into Project-76 is the pump-jet propulsion system, renowned for its quiet operation and efficiency.

This system, currently being developed for India's SSNs, could be adapted for the conventional submarines under Project-76, further enhancing their stealth capabilities.

By drawing upon the experience and technology from the nuclear submarine program, Project-76 aims to incorporate the latest advancements in submarine stealth, propulsion, and combat systems.

The development of larger displacement submarines with advanced capabilities like AIP and pump-jet propulsion will significantly bolster the Indian Navy's ability to project power and maintain a strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region. This enhanced underwater capability will be crucial for safeguarding India's maritime interests and ensuring regional stability in the coming decades.

 

[Ronin]

Even more displacement is welcome.

 

[Anant]

4,000 tons suggests one of two things: The ships are either going to be heavily derived from the Arihant-class design. Alternatively, they will have VLS cells for SLCMs. Essentially, this might make them SSGKs rather than SSKs.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Project 76 is a replacement for Kilo Class Submarines (Sindughosh Class)

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Good joke. First, complete Project 75i which is delayed by many years and still under process. India is very good at talking only and numbering different projects. "We will do that, this, etc., etc." But the present scenario is we are lagging in numbers from Pakistan, forget China.

 

[Mango_Indian]

“Planning” for 10 years now.

Wasn’t this enough time to make an experimental submarine and try to improve it. Given that MDL has “made” Scorpenes for last 20+ years and HDW submarines as well !!!

Korea did it while “making” the HDW submarines at the same time MDL was…

Guess not!!

 

[swatkats_razor]

4,000 tons suggests one of two things: The ships are either going to be heavily derived from the Arihant-class design. Alternatively, they will have VLS cells for SLCMs. Essentially, this might make them SSGKs rather than SSKs.

I recollect the one reason IN wanted to operate a big fleet of diesel-electric submarines was that the Bay of Bengal is on average a shallower waterbody than the Indian Ocean, and it makes operating large nuclear submarines prone to detection. The Arabian Sea, on the other hand, is not only deeper than the Bay of Bengal, it also appears much darker due to higher sedimentation and salinity. So I believe these heavier attack submarines will be posted towards the west coast rather than in the Bay of Bengal. The Scorpenes and Project 75i might then be moved east, and that would leave the Indian Ocean as a playing ground for deployment of the future SSNs.

 

[Dredd]

I recollect the one reason IN wanted to operate a big fleet of diesel-electric submarines was that the Bay of Bengal is on average a shallower waterbody than the Indian Ocean, and it makes operating large nuclear submarines prone to detection. The Arabian Sea, on the other hand, is not only deeper than the Bay of Bengal, it also appears much darker due to higher sedimentation and salinity. So I believe these heavier attack submarines will be posted towards the west coast rather than in the Bay of Bengal. The Scorpenes and Project 75i might then be moved east, and that would leave the Indian Ocean as a playing ground for deployment of the future SSNs.

The Bay of Bengal on average is more than 2000 meters deep, which is quite deep compared to shallow seas like the South China Sea. The reasoning you are giving is not valid here. In any case, submarines usually don't go below 300 meters.

 

[A K Tiwari]

Like it's Air Force, the submarine arm of the Indian Navy is becoming a holy mess.

 

[Sandeep]

Good joke. First, complete Project 75i which is delayed by many years and still under process. India is very good at talking only and numbering different projects. "We will do that, this, etc., etc." But the present scenario is we are lagging in numbers from Pakistan, forget China.

Actually not really. The Chinese submarines have major defects, poor technology, unreliable, software errors, equipment failures and they don’t perform or do what they claim it can.

 

[GMR]

To bridge the huge capability gap in conventional sub field, IN must start p-76 along with P-75I or max within 2-3 yrs. Gap with dual OEM way..

 

[laldo]

Go for the Soryu class Japanese submarines

 

[Anant]

Project 76 is a replacement for Kilo Class Submarines (Sindughosh Class)

Not exactly. The Project 76 submarines will be a replacement for the newest Kilo-class and Type 209-1500 submarines. The older Kilo-class boats and maybe one of the Type 209-1500s will be replaced by the additional Scorpenes and Project 75I.

 

[Anant]

Go for the Soryu class Japanese submarines

Not on offer, and P-76 will be indigenous boats.

 

[Anant]

Like it's Air Force, the submarine arm of the Indian Navy is becoming a holy mess.

Not exactly. India has been operating submarines from two sources for almost four decades now. P-75I will have a lot of Indian subsystems, and with P-76, a pretty large degree of commonality will be achieved.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a crucial submarine program that we need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture it using our own Indian raw materials as we need to boost our underwater fighting capabilities.

The original plan is to manufacture about 12 in two batches so that we can upgrade and improve the technology, equipment and capabilities in the second batch of the submarine. We need to make sure that the technology is advanced, modern and capable of achieving our objectives. We will also need to make major improvements like installing our indigenous AIP module, install lithium ion batteries, increase stealth capabilities and materials, new and faster engine, more longer indigenous torpedo and missiles, new and better sensors, improve anti mine detection and capabilities, better acoustic sensors, better infrared detection, anti torpedo protection, install underwater surveillance drones, install underwater swarm drones, install anti metallic hull, redesign propellor to reduce noise etc.

 

[kumar]

Finally, SSK design is moving seriously. And as usual, IN leads the way in indigenization.

 

[Sudha]

Not on offer, and P-76 will be indigenous boats.

One hopes so. P75i was also supposed to be indigenous boats to be developed by the private sector. See the fate now?

 

[Sudha]

To bridge the huge capability gap in conventional sub field, IN must start p-76 along with P-75I or max within 2-3 yrs. Gap with dual OEM way..

With P75i going to be bagged by the MDL, one cannot hope for P76 to be completely indigenous.

 

[GMR]

Like it's Air Force, the submarine arm of the Indian Navy is becoming a holy mess.

Rather IN is following a clear roadmap, except for P75I Delay, but the speed with which it is moving towards conclusion since IN had 2 vendors, is very commendable..

 

[Anant]

One hopes so. P75i was also supposed to be indigenous boats to be developed by the private sector. See the fate now?

No, P-75I was never meant to be an indigenous design. Even going back to the 1999 plan, P-75 and P-75I were to be two foreign-origin designs, with the main factor at that time being that the P-75I boats were to be customised for Indian requirements, while P-75 boats could be off-the-shelf designs. The indigenous design was always going to be P-76.

 

[Ravindra Kapoor]

The superior said that we are lacking funds for the Navy. Why are we delaying the submarine-making process? The Chinese Navy has nearly 60 submarines, and they are just too good and fast. Also, they are dealing with giving the Pakistan Navy 8 Hangor Class AIP submarines, which are more advanced than the Indian Kalvari Class, because the Scorpene class is delectable, and EKM is the best, not delectable. Russia is always best in Submarine arms. We had nearly 18-20 submarines, but it's on paper. There are EKM Class submarines that are nearly 50 years old in service, and SSK Class submarines are almost 30 years old. Then there are Kalvari Class 6 latest submarines. Nuclear is only 2. We need to increase our submarine arm as fast as possible. If China gives Pakistan 8 AIP submarines before 2030, then they will get command in the Arabian Sea. We need 20-30 latest, newly advanced submarines by the end of 2040.