Indian Navy Reconsiders Blacklisted Italian "Black Shark" Torpedo for Kalvari-Class Submarines

In a move that marks a potential shift in India's defence procurement landscape, the Indian Navy is reportedly reconsidering the Italian-made "Black Shark" torpedo for its Kalvari-class submarines.

This comes after the Italian defence company Leonardo, formerly Finmeccanica, was removed from a blacklist that had prevented it from participating in Indian defence contracts.

The Navy is seeking to procure 48 heavyweight torpedoes, with the contract estimated to be worth ₹3,000 crore (approximately $365 million USD).

The Black Shark, known for its advanced homing capabilities and long-range performance, was previously considered the frontrunner for a larger torpedo contract in 2008-09.

However, allegations of corruption linked to a separate helicopter deal with Finmeccanica led to the company's blacklisting and the torpedo project being dropped in 2013.

With Leonardo now back in contention, the Black Shark faces competition from German and French companies. Germany's SeaHake torpedo, renowned for its reliability and precision, and France's F21 torpedo, developed by Naval Group, are also vying for the contract.

Each torpedo offers unique advantages: the F21 boasts high stealth and targeting accuracy, the Black Shark excels in challenging underwater environments with its quiet propulsion, and the SeaHake offers extended operational range and high precision.

The selection of the torpedo is crucial for the Kalvari-class submarines, which are a key component of India's underwater capabilities. These submarines, built under Project-75, are designed for a range of missions, including intelligence gathering, anti-ship warfare, and anti-submarine warfare. India currently has six Kalvari-class submarines operational or under construction, with negotiations underway for three more.

This renewed interest in the Black Shark highlights the evolving nature of India's defence procurement policies. While the country has strengthened anti-corruption measures, it is also actively seeking to diversify its supplier base.

However, the tender process reportedly does not specify field evaluation trials. It remains unclear whether the Navy will rely on past data or solely on technical information to evaluate the competing torpedoes.

This development has generated considerable interest within the defence industry, with experts closely watching the Navy's decision. The outcome of this competition could have significant implications for future defence collaborations and highlight India's evolving approach to balancing its security needs with its commitment to transparency and accountability in defence procurement.

 

[GMR]

Seems DRDO is struck in developing sub launched version of Varunastra

 

[sanket]

Built under License production,By the Time Indigenous is Developed, with Folow-on order for kalvari class is expected to sign soon more will required, Black shark Torpedos are best in its class & I think thats why the ban has been Lifted.

 

[Abhishek Kumar]

we already have varunastera then why this importing behavior again?

 

[GMR]

we already have varunastera then why this importing behavior again?

We have ship launched version, not sub launched.

 

[Anant]

we already have varunastera then why this importing behavior again?

The Varunastra is surface-launched. A submarine version has been in the works, but may be delayed if we are proceeding for interim acquisitions.

 

[NSR]

The new deal for 48 Blackshark torpedoes is a wrong one by all means.
Let it not become another 36 Rafale deal.

Remember that India is going to acquire another 3 Scorpene submarines with Indian AIPs, and upgrading all the 6 older Scorpenes with Indian AIPs, for a total of 9 Scorpene submarines.

Oringinal Blackshark contract called for 98 or 100 Blackshark torpedoes deal with full TOT and license building of rest in India.
First 18 were off the shelf import of 18 from Italian company and rest to be manufactured in India.
But corruption issues scuttle the whole deal.

India must go for the original deal and get technology too to help future Indian torpedoes development, and also adequately manning 9 Scorpenes.
Blacksharks costs about $10 millions each only.
India can import same machinery, tools, and test equipment and use them to produce world class torpedoes of its own in future.

Keep getting disappointed at Indian defense acquisition process.
Seems to be that there are no competent persons there to think and act wisely.

 

[Banjo Strings]

Aircraft carriers without aircraft. Submarines without torpedoes.
What is wrong with Indian defence planning?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

In 2023 sub launched test of Varunastra by IN was successful. May be they want to shore up numbers due to production issue. We don't need more imports or screwdriving arrangements.

 

[apoorv gupta]

Just a newbie asking noob question "is torpedo making a very technically advanced process"

 

[GMR]

Aircraft carriers without aircraft. Submarines without torpedoes.
What is wrong with Indian defence planning?

U forgot Prachand without ATGM 😁

 

[NSR]

In 2023 sub launched test of Varunastra by IN was successful. May be they want to shore up numbers due to production issue. We don't need more imports or screwdriving arrangements.

For whatever purposes IN have decided, India is not yet ready at Blackshark level of sophistication and performance and stealth.
Leonardo offered 100% TOT and it is definitely not a screw driving and welding job at all.

But Austa Westland helicopter corruption made all of Italian companies to go into blacklist.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Just a newbie asking noob question "is torpedo making a very technically advanced process"

India has made varunastra torpedo that has recently passed tests and some have been ordered. This request to buy black shark is an old order that is being finalized. Black shark is faster, longer range and more heavyweight than varunastra. Black shark can integrate to all scorpene submarines. So we have 2 torpedoes to meet the heavyweight reqmt.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

It is not possible to integrate the black shark torpedo to the kalvari class scorpene submarine in india for the simple fact is the battle management system aboard the scorpene is basicaly french. The hardware and the software of the black hawk cannot be compatible to the scorpene BMS battle management system that integrates various sensors and comand and control for a firing solution. Pakistan ordered the german DM2A4 torpedos for its agosta class subs as it was cutting edge at that time > it had to pay extra for the integration of the german torpedo and the hardware was installed while building the Agosta sub . There is no literature to suggest the italian torpedo was chosen before hand as we see it. Its a competitior to the french F21 which is cutting edge as well.
Its a real goof up that the indian submarines dont have a state of the art torpedo to match the submarine. real sad state of planning . That shud have been decided in the planning stage itself. Who is to balme fro this . THe pakistanis infact have a later version of the SUT german torpedos ie the DM2A4. Scopenes use older versions of torpedos from germany SUT 264 that was designed in the late 60s. !!
So there is no other alternative than the French F21 torpedoes which is cutting edge and is deployed on their nuke submarines.

 

[Sandeep]

U forgot Prachand without ATGM 😁

Prachand has already tested the Dhruvastra/Helina and passed the tests. When an order for the helicopters are given then so will the missiles.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s highly unlikely that we will buy them from the same company that got caught bribing the corrupt party. While we might have removed them from the black list it doesn’t mean that a deal will be made as the opposition parties will try and blame the PM of making a corrupt deal.

We need to focus on developing a submarine launched torpedo based on varunastra so we don’t need to make any more expensive imports.

 

[Parthasarathi DasGupta]

Seems DRDO is struck in developing sub launched version of Varunastra

Even if they make It, it won't be compatible with Scorpene. As just firing a torpedo is not enough! You have to guide it continuously till it's own sensors are finding the vessel within range. So DRDO made torpedo is out of question.

 

[Rajeev Anantaram]

EACH Scorpene is designed to carry 16 heavy torpedoes. That makes it 96 for the Scorpenes alone! Plus the Arihant class submarines can carry a similar number. We need to have a combination of 'off the shelf' and built under license of at least 160 torpedoes.

 

[Vivek M. R]

We must remove the Italian company from blacklist yet simultaneously pursue purchase of adequate number of black shark torpedo for our Kalvary class submarines as three more are under construction. As government has political mandate and as intentions are in the integrate of national security and deals are G-G without any brokers we must go ahead with it, yet we should not dilute old corruption cases as it was by our brokers who sought commission. When our varunastra is battle ready we can opt for Indian torpedos.

 

[Vivek M. R]

EACH Scorpene is designed to carry 16 heavy torpedoes. That makes it 96 for the Scorpenes alone! Plus the Arihant class submarines can carry a similar number. We need to have a combination of 'off the shelf' and built under license of at least 160 torpedoes.

I don't know about quantity required but we must have it because we may not Indian torpedos soon and we will have 3 more Kalvary class subs with drdo AIP under construction soon.