India's Project-76 Submarine Design Finalization Expected Within A Year with Focus on Stealth, AIP and Cruise Missile Strike Capabilities

In a significant step towards bolstering its naval power and achieving self-reliance in underwater warfare, India is on track to finalize the design for its next-generation Project-76 conventional submarines within the next year.

This ambitious programme aims to deliver the nation's first indigenously designed submarines, integrating advanced stealth features and formidable strike capabilities.

J.D. Patil, founder of the private sector giant L&T Defence, confirmed that design work is progressing rapidly. The company is collaborating closely with the Indian Navy to develop the new class of submarines, which will be a successor to the previously planned Project-75I that faced significant delays.

The finalization of Project-76 marks a pivotal shift in India's naval strategy, moving away from reliance on foreign technology and fostering a domestic ecosystem for complex military manufacturing.

The Indian Navy plans to acquire 12 of these state-of-the-art submarines, to be built in two separate batches of six. While both batches will share the same fundamental hull design, the second set of six will incorporate significant internal advancements in weaponry, sensors, and other systems to counter future threats.

This modular approach ensures that the fleet can be easily upgraded with emerging technologies throughout its service life, maintaining its operational edge.

According to current timelines, construction on the first submarine is expected to commence around 2030, with a targeted launch by 2037.

The programme is central to India's long-term goal of addressing the depleting strength of its submarine arm and establishing a robust industrial base for submarine construction.

The successful implementation of Project-76 is seen as crucial for the Indian Navy to maintain its strategic advantage in the increasingly contested waters of the Indian Ocean Region.

These new vessels will be equipped with cutting-edge technology, drawing upon the operational experience gained from the French-designed Kalvari-class submarines built under Project-75.

A key feature will be the integration of an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, developed indigenously by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The AIP system will allow the submarines to remain submerged for much longer periods, drastically reducing their vulnerability and enhancing their stealth.

Furthermore, the design will feature advanced sonar systems for superior detection and will be armed with cruise missiles for long-range land and sea attack missions.

The advancement of Project-76 highlights the Indian Navy's focus on modernising its fleet, with underwater dominance identified as a critical priority. A successful outcome will not only strengthen national security but could also position India as a potential exporter of sophisticated defence platforms to friendly nations in the future.

 

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[sanket]

Nice. Local private players are involved from the initial design stage in collaboration with the Indian Navy. That will help gain expertise in the long-term building of indigenous submarines according to needs. The 12 numbers too sound good. Nice approach of inducting 12 subs in two batches with internal upgradation. It will have contemporary tech over time without wasting time for the addition/induction of new subs, with most of the components being the same. Only a few new add-on features, which will be developed, will be integrated without the production line going idle, even the ecosystem around it.

 

[Flanker]

We should have 20 P76-class submarines.

 

[Ajax]

The time line for getting Project 76 up and running is too long. At the most, once the design is finalised, the first sub should be launched within 6 years and commisioned with in 2 years( considering it being a new design and expecting teething problems). 12 years from now is way too long. Technology gets redundant within 4 to 5 years. The submarine would be old tech by the time it becomes operational even with planned modular design and updations. The chinese have shown capital systems can be brought operational at a much faster pace.

 

[Abhijit Roy]

By 2038-40,Indian Navy should have a fleet of:

• 9 Scorpene SSK with AIP
• 9 Type 214 SSK with AIP
• 12 Type 76 SSK with AIP, 8-12 VLS tubes, Lithium Ion Battery.
• 6-8 SSN
• 8-12 SSBN
• 12 Coastal SSK inspired by Amur 650/950 Class with 8 533mm Torpedo tubes, 6 VLS tubes, Lithium Ion Battery which will patrol EEZ & territorial waters to free larger assets.
• For ASW purposes
• 12 P8 I Poseidon
• 12 Kawasaki P1 MPA
• 64 ASW Helicopters of MH 60 R Class (24 MH60 R + 40 AW158/AW101 Merlin)
• 64 Utility Helicopters similar to A565 Panther
• 48 Drone Based ASW Platforms

 

[Anant]

By 2038-40,Indian Navy should have a fleet of:

• 9 Scorpene SSK with AIP
• 9 Type 214 SSK with AIP
• 12 Type 76 SSK with AIP, 8-12 VLS tubes, Lithium Ion Battery.
• 6-8 SSN
• 8-12 SSBN
• 12 Coastal SSK inspired by Amur 650/950 Class with 8 533mm Torpedo tubes, 6 VLS tubes, Lithium Ion Battery which will patrol EEZ & territorial waters to free larger assets.
• For ASW purposes
• 12 P8 I Poseidon
• 12 Kawasaki P1 MPA
• 64 ASW Helicopters of MH 60 R Class (24 MH60 R + 40 AW158/AW101 Merlin)
• 64 Utility Helicopters similar to A565 Panther
• 48 Drone Based ASW Platforms

Calm down. Looking at the categories you mentioned, by 2040, we will have 15-18 SSKs (9 Scorpenes, 6 Type 214NGs, and up to 3 more SSKs, these being either the P-76s or more Type 214NGs, with a further 9-12 on the wy), 2 SSNs (with 4-6 more on the way), 4-5 SSBNs (with 2-3 more on the way), 16-18 P-8Is, 40-60 ASW helicopters (comprising a mix of MH-60Rs and a DBMRH variant), plus utility helicopters and drones.

Now, we most certainly do not need coastal SSKs. UUVs would be sufficient for that. Also, why should we get the AW101? No point in that, when we can simply get more MH-60Rs and eventually a DBMRH variant.

 

[Anant]

We should have 20 P76-class submarines.

Perhaps, but more likely not. It would be wiser to instead get 12 P-76s, and then work on a new design that we can eventually use to replace the Scorpenes as well as augment numbers.

 

[Flanker]

Perhaps, but more likely not. It would be wiser to instead get 12 P-76s, and then work on a new design that we can eventually use to replace the Scorpenes as well as augment numbers.

We need numbers against China man. 18 isn’t enough we need to have around 50 subs to dominate the IOR.

 

[Online Class]

We should have 20 P76-class submarines.

Maybe increase by that time because the Indian economy will touch $11.5 trillion at that time in 2037 onwards.

 

[Vivek M. R]

Can any one please tell me are we fitting drdo designed Indian AIP systems to the super scorpean class Kalvary subs either on the soon to be acquired 3 from France or existing scorpene? Thanks

 

[Sandeep]

P76 is a very critical and important submarine that we have to develop and manufacture 100% indigenously. What’s important is that we reduce the development and manufacturing timeliness so we can induct more submarines to meet the growing threat. We should also ensure that it has a VLS which will allow us to fire long range cruise and hypersonic missiles.

At the same time we should quickly complete developing the S5 class submarines as we need to increase our nuclear attack submarine capability. We should also complete developing and manufacturing the Arihant submarines with longer range nuclear missiles installed.

 

[Hari Sud]

We need numbers against China man. 18 isn’t enough we need to have around 50 subs to dominate the IOR.

For Chinese submarines to travel 3,000 Km and then sustain action in Indian Ocean area is next to impossible. Most of Chinese submarines supplied to Pakistan & Bangladesh are under repairs most of the time less at sea. Their quality is bad.

 

[Prince singh Rawat]

For Chinese submarines to travel 3,000 Km and then sustain action in Indian Ocean area is next to impossible. Most of Chinese submarines supplied to Pakistan & Bangladesh are under repairs most of the time less at sea. Their quality is bad.

Exactly, and China's own 80% subs are diesel-electric powered. Only the latest ones like Type 094 are a real threat in IOR; other Chinese subs have a displacement of 2-5k tons and can't operate beyond SCS.

 

[Enforcer]

Conventional Submarines are best because you can actually use them to fight.

I understand the benefits of nuclear submarines but the risk of radioactive leak in the ocean/seafood can be devastating if one of them is torpedoed or something.

I hope all nations decide to ban atleast the nuclear attack version. But its just wishful thinking.