Indian Navy to Equip Kalvari-Class Submarines with Indigenous Combat Management System, Replacing French DCNS SUBTICS

In a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in defence technology, the Indian Navy is set to replace the French-supplied combat management system (CMS) on its Kalvari-class submarines with a domestically developed alternative. This decision comes in response to limitations imposed by the existing system, which hindered India's ability to independently modify and upgrade its submarine fleet.

The current CMS, known as DCNS SUBTICS (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System), was provided by the French Naval Group. However, India was not granted access to its source code. This lack of access has forced the Indian Navy to rely on the French Naval Group for any integration of new weapons systems, especially those developed indigenously, leading to delays and cost escalations.

The need to involve foreign contractors for upgrades and modifications has not only been time-consuming but has also raised concerns about strategic autonomy. Each upgrade has required a cumbersome process, hindering the Indian Navy's ability to quickly adapt its submarines to evolving operational needs.

To address these challenges, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has been entrusted with the development of a new CMS. This indigenous system will be initially deployed on the next three Scorpene submarines planned for induction into the Indian Navy. This initiative aligns with India's broader push to increase the domestic content in its military hardware.

The new CMS, once developed and rigorously tested, will not only be integrated into the upcoming submarines but will also be retrofitted into the existing six Kalvari-class submarines. This will ensure that the entire fleet of Scorpene submarines benefits from the latest indigenous technology and operates on a uniform system.

By gaining control over the CMS, India will have the freedom to independently upgrade its submarines and integrate new weapons and technologies without relying on external assistance. This will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's operational flexibility and responsiveness while contributing to the nation's growing self-reliance in the defence sector.

This move reflects a broader trend within the Indian defence establishment to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and foster indigenous technological development. It is expected that this shift will not only boost India's defence capabilities but also contribute to the growth of its domestic defence industry.

 

[sanket]

That's great. Selling a submarine is a one-time profit, but selling weapons is a profit for the lifespan of the submarine. Even after buying, it will create dependency on the OEM. Now, in the future, weapons, whether indigenous or third-party, can be easily integrated on subs and save a lot of foreign exchange, which is an unwanted expense.

 

[मित्र]

"lack of access to source code" for weapon integration. LoL
Best defense partner or a leech?

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

I saw news a few years back where Russia offered some Kilo-class submarines which were under construction at a very low price. I think India should have gone for it. India needs numbers. Right now China has 60+ submarines, even Pakistan is adding many submarines to their fleet. So India should think about it. Project 75i is very late. The first submarine will not come before 2035. If Russia can give submarines in a short time, India should think about it seriously.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

I saw news a few years back where Russia offered some Kilo-class submarines which were under construction at a very low price. I think India should have gone for it. India needs numbers. Right now China has 60+ submarines, even Pakistan is adding many submarines to their fleet. So India should think about it. Project 75i is very late. The first submarine will not come before 2035. If Russia can give submarines in a short time, India should think about it seriously.

You are correct. Numbers always matters. Sometimes I feel that US does not attack North Korea only because North Korea has more Submarines than US that can launch missiles and reach US.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Indian made CMS is already functional on the Indian nuke submarine. It seems to be a mature system. The torpedoes and other sensors like sonars are all integrated because all are Indian systems.

There are many systems that have to be integrated to the CMS: the display systems, the weapons, torpedoes, sonars, EW, anti-torpedo systems, navigation systems, etc. It is the heart of the submarine.

Even if we replace the SUBTICS with the Indian one (which I heavily doubt the French will agree to), it will be impossible to integrate the weapons and sensors of French origin into the CMS. Again, the source codes of the sensors and weapon systems should also be available to do the integration, and a lot of testing and trials have to be conducted, just like test flights of a new system on an LCA. This is assuming the connectivity uses the same 1533 data bus.

In my opinion, not possible.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

This is how China reduced the monopoly on foreign items and improved indigenous production, and they did it rapidly, not slowly like India. Anyway, it's good to hear that India is slowly catching up.

 

[WarTech]

You are correct. Numbers always matters. Sometimes I feel that US does not attack North Korea only because North Korea has more Submarines than US that can launch missiles and reach US.

Nah, the only reason they don't attack NK is because they have limited nukes which they'll use on SK (which also hosts US troops), which would be politically disastrous to whoever is the president. Us can intercept the limited nukes NK has.

 

[WarTech]

"lack of access to source code" for weapon integration. LoL
Best defense partner or a leech?

Nobody, not even russia gives access to source codes bruh. Why would anyone, after spending billions in R&D, give you their stuff for free?

 

[Sandeep]

This is how China reduced the monopoly on foreign items and improved indigenous production, and they did it rapidly, not slowly like India. Anyway, it's good to hear that India is slowly catching up.

Not really because China never bought any foreign submarines except from Russia. Their submarines and technology capabilities is bad with many errors, defects, unreliable, underperforms and it doesn’t do what they claim it can do.

 

[Sandeep]

Indian made CMS is already functional on the Indian nuke submarine. It seems to be a mature system. The torpedoes and other sensors like sonars are all integrated because all are Indian systems.

There are many systems that have to be integrated to the CMS: the display systems, the weapons, torpedoes, sonars, EW, anti-torpedo systems, navigation systems, etc. It is the heart of the submarine.

Even if we replace the SUBTICS with the Indian one (which I heavily doubt the French will agree to), it will be impossible to integrate the weapons and sensors of French origin into the CMS. Again, the source codes of the sensors and weapon systems should also be available to do the integration, and a lot of testing and trials have to be conducted, just like test flights of a new system on an LCA. This is assuming the connectivity uses the same 1533 data bus.

In my opinion, not possible.

It’s possible by integrating the hardware like sensors, sonars etc with a new software/combat management by replacing the software, technology and how its designed and developed to read those hardware.

 

[Rajesh]

This news was there for the past few years when the proposal to acquire additional Kalvari was put. Seems the condition to acquire additional Kalvari must be one of them. With this, we will have more indigenous components or made in India components and hope we also get the Safran Series 30 optronic surveillance mast instead of the conventional periscope. Li batteries, AIP, our own torpedoes and cruise missiles along with sensors and weapons suits will be a deal. The main point is P75I which again will be years away in getting a sub, so why stop on an additional 3 when we can order say 6 or more till P75I comes, again taking into account the number of subs we will retire and get inducted.

 

[AK S]

Nobody, not even russia gives access to source codes bruh. Why would anyone, after spending billions in R&D, give you their stuff for free?

They do. In fact most of mission computer and weapon management system are indigenous.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s absolutely essential and important that for the next 3 Kalvari class submarine that we not only install a new combat management system but we also make a comprehensive upgrade to the entire technology, equipment, software and weapons capabilities. This upgrade will increase the amount of indigenous content that we use, boost local manufacturing capabilities, increase innovation, increase technology research and reduce the cost and over reliance on foreign expensive imports or changes that we are forced to make without developing any other local alternative improvements that we make.

Also with these changes we can install it on the original 6 submarines that we have manufactured indigenously as it’s time for its refit and its technology is now over 20 years old. We need to make major improvements like installing our indigenous AIP module, install lithium ion batteries, increase stealth capabilities and materials, new and faster engine, 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.

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

Hope they will not repeat the mistakes with German submarines deal!

 

[Sudha]

BEL is one of the few DPSUs which performs well & efficiently. Think it's share price will be between Rs 400-500 within 2-3 years.

 

[Sudha]

This news was there for the past few years when the proposal to acquire additional Kalvari was put. Seems the condition to acquire additional Kalvari must be one of them. With this, we will have more indigenous components or made in India components and hope we also get the Safran Series 30 optronic surveillance mast instead of the conventional periscope. Li batteries, AIP, our own torpedoes and cruise missiles along with sensors and weapons suits will be a deal. The main point is P75I which again will be years away in getting a sub, so why stop on an additional 3 when we can order say 6 or more till P75I comes, again taking into account the number of subs we will retire and get inducted.

Hopefully it will not be limited to 3 additional subs. Bharat is very slowly mastering the sub tech. If given to L&T this would have been still faster. What a letdown on P75i which was supposed to be given to the private sector. Think this atmanirbhar government also likes the inefficient DPSUs like MDL.

 

[Sudha]

You are correct. Numbers always matters. Sometimes I feel that US does not attack North Korea only because North Korea has more Submarines than US that can launch missiles and reach US.

Most probably all chinese & north korean subs canbe tracked by the US.

 

[Sudha]

"lack of access to source code" for weapon integration. LoL
Best defense partner or a leech?

Why will any OEM give the source codes & lose their revenues? Even while exporting they will export equipments which is not as good as their nations use.

 

[WarTech]

They do. In fact most of mission computer and weapon management system are indigenous.

Nah, check the facts.

 

[मित्र]

Nobody, not even russia gives access to source codes bruh. Why would anyone, after spending billions in R&D, give you their stuff for free?

Russian weapons are first for integrating new weapons, that means it's much easier with Russians. Also remember, we are not changing CCM for Russian subs and ships but French.

 

[patriot patriot]

The Navy started with wanting to use the truly indigenous system it has but for reasons unknown have blocked the idea and sought to get the foreign system through BEL - they will now get a foreign system still with dependence on the foreign OEM and pay a surcharge to BEL and all this while keep thinking that they have an indigenous system! If the Navy wanted a foreign system only, they should have bought it directly rather than hiding behind BEL - Loss loss for everyone except the OEM and BEL.

 

[patriot patriot]

Indian made CMS is already functional on the Indian nuke submarine. It seems to be a mature system. The torpedoes and other sensors like sonars are all integrated because all are Indian systems.

There are many systems that have to be integrated to the CMS: the display systems, the weapons, torpedoes, sonars, EW, anti-torpedo systems, navigation systems, etc. It is the heart of the submarine.

Even if we replace the SUBTICS with the Indian one (which I heavily doubt the French will agree to), it will be impossible to integrate the weapons and sensors of French origin into the CMS. Again, the source codes of the sensors and weapon systems should also be available to do the integration, and a lot of testing and trials have to be conducted, just like test flights of a new system on an LCA. This is assuming the connectivity uses the same 1533 data bus.

In my opinion, not possible.

True - they have their program running for a long time now and from whatever is known maturity is there - but strange why they chose this subverted approach to buy a foreign system and mask it as indigenous!