Indian Navy Seeks Indigenous Diesel Engines for Project-76 Submarines, A Private Company Already in Talks

India's ambitious Project-76, focused on developing a new class of diesel-electric attack submarines, is gaining momentum with a strong emphasis on indigenous components.

The Indian Navy is actively seeking locally developed diesel engines to power these submarines, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

A private sector company, already experienced in developing industrial diesel engines, is in discussions with the Navy to provide the engines for Project-76 submarines.

These engines are expected to deliver 1231-1300 kW of maximum power and weigh around 6 tons each. Each submarine will require two such engines, primarily used to recharge lithium-ion batteries while operating at snorkel depth.

The Navy's preference for locally sourced engines stems from a desire to enhance supply chain reliability, reduce dependence on imports, and promote domestic industrial growth in the defence sector.

Once the technical specifications for these engines are finalized, the development phase will commence, marking a crucial milestone in India's naval modernization efforts.

Interestingly, the significance of these indigenous diesel engines extends beyond Project-76. Sources suggest that these engines could also be utilized in the Project-77 nuclear attack submarines (SSNs).

Even in nuclear-powered submarines, diesel engines play a vital role as backup power systems. They provide emergency power for critical systems like reactor cooling and can support emergency propulsion in case of a reactor malfunction. These engines can also supply electrical power for reactor decay heat removal, ensuring the submarine's safety and operability in critical scenarios.

This dual-use potential makes the development of these engines even more strategic. Not only will they power the diesel-electric submarines under Project-76, but they will also serve as a vital safety mechanism for future nuclear submarines under Project-77. This cross-application capability highlights the Navy's long-term vision of creating a reliable, versatile, and indigenous submarine fleet.

By prioritizing local development and production, India is strengthening its defence industrial base and reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers, ultimately enhancing its maritime capabilities and strategic autonomy.

 

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[swatkats_razor]

Wunderbar! That is some good progress. This active participation wouldn't have been possible without the push from the Navy for gradual indigenization.

The Indian Navy is the best wing of the military when it comes to having a vision and driving towards achieving that vision.

The Import Air Force and Patriotic Import Army should learn a thing or two from the Indian Navy.

 

[GMR]

This indeed is a great news.. own powerplants are invaluable for self reliance & that's one area where our visionary IN is lagging. Make it happen,👍👍🤞

 

[Varaaah]

Go for nuclear subs to avoid being dependent on oil. If adjusted, they may even function as desalitation plants.

 

[Nobody In here]

Its such a dismal capacity engine for 6 tons of weight

 

[abhinav srivastava]

These engines can also be used in small ships as well.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Wunderbar! That is some good progress. This active participation wouldn't have been possible without the push from the Navy for gradual indigenization.

The Indian Navy is the best wing of the military when it comes to having a vision and driving towards achieving that vision.

The Import Air Force and Patriotic Import Army should learn a thing or two from the Indian Navy.

Making a fighter aircraft is a different ball game altogether. IAF only gives it's requirement to GOI. Wether to import or buy local products is upto GOI. FYI around 240 Tejas have been ordered. Let's see when HAL hands over these to IAF. People who don't know how defence procurement is done are commenting.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Its such a dismal capacity engine for 6 tons of weight

For comparison, the ~2100KW MTU 16V396TB94 engine weighs around 6.7 tonnes.

 

[Abs29]

Although a good initiative, I am somewhat skeptical of this. Diesel Engines are particularly complex and tricky to design and build. Its not just enough to built the engine, but the hard part is to ensure durability, fuel.effeciency with low noise and vibrations. If the noise and vibrations are beyond a tolerable limit then it will become a major liability for submarine as it increases its noise signature in process eroding its stealth profile.

 

[swatkats_razor]

People who don't know how defence procurement is done are commenting.

Pandeyji, I have seen procurement up close and personal. Furthermore, logistics is my bread and butter, so saying that people do not know how procurement works is an exercise in "phenkology." There are people over here who know their subject.

Let me tell you one thing, vtw, while me and many over here love to bash HAL for the Tejas project mismanagement, most of us also know that the IAF is equally to blame for much of the same muck that gets thrown up at HAL.

The IAF is known to have changed the goalposts throughout the Tejas project. There was a time when the IAF did not even want to induct Tejas. They had made it clear that an order for Tejas would not amount to a reduction in count for MMRCA. They even refused to put in follow-up orders for the HAL Tejas. At one point, Tejas had to be shoved down the IAF's throat. And when the IAF agreed to acquire the HAL Tejas, the feedback was provided in a piecemeal manner instead of any effort put towards a milestone-based approach, which would have helped HAL arrive at a baseline at which point LRU could have been employed to upgrade Tejas in phases. Even for the Tejas Mk1A, if you remember, changes to the radar code were suggested by the IAF at the nick of time.

The fact that HAL is equally incompetent helps take much of the heat away from the IAF, but the fact remains, the IAF is not the brightest kid on the block.

 

[Anant]

Go for nuclear subs to avoid being dependent on oil. If adjusted, they may even function as desalitation plants.

Um, nuclear submarines are also far, far more expensive, and we have nowhere near the sort of money needed for something like two dozen nuclear boats.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

@swatkats_razor
Sir you maybe in the know and I don't doubt that but goalposts are changed when fighters which were to be delivered in 2001 but are delivered in 2025, what do you expect IAF to do? Should they take delivery of fighters which are 30 years behind the curve?

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

@swatkats_razor
I agree that there is faults with IAF too, but we can't simply question them for changing the goalpost when the product was supposed to be delivered 20 years ago.

 

[tasks discussion]

Navy always at its best. Private companies can get assistance from CVRDE as they recently developed DATRAN (V12, 1118 KW, in BEML now).

 

[Sandeep]

There is a lot of potential and it’s essential that we develop our own indigenous engines as that’s a major critical part. It’s also one of the major costs of a submarine and we can’t keep making expensive imports or manufacturing them under license with only 40% of the technology or parts given.

The navy could also issue you a challenge to the public and ask them to innovate a brand new diesel electric engine. There will be loads of people or companies with enough talent who can develop this 100% indigenously.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Good news and go for it. Btw, does it come under PMO, by any chance?