The Indian Navy is predicted to method Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for acceptance of the need for 3 air unbiased propulsion (AIP) outfitted diesel assault submarines to be constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with the French Naval Group.

It is learnt that the contract to construct three AIP submarines will probably be given to MDL based mostly on particular necessities of the Indian Navy. MDL has already constructed six Kalveri class, based mostly on the French Scorpene class, submarines for the Indian Navy with the sixth INS Vagsheer anticipated to be commissioned into the Navy earlier than March 2024.

The AIP fitted into the three submarines will probably be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization however examined and validated by the French Naval Group. The identical AIP will then be retrofitted within the Kalveri class submarines after they come for mid-life overhaul at MDL.

In the backdrop of the AUKUS alliance involving US and UK nuclear-powered submarines patrolling the west coast of Australia and past as quickly as 2027, India is seeking to improve its submarine fleet with three nuclear-powered typical weapon-armed submarines in collaboration with France on traces of the most recent 4765-ton Barracuda class. As per the AUKUS deal, the US will promote three Virginia class submarines to Australia in the2030s with the choice of shopping for two extra, and parallelly design and develop AUKUS class submarines in collaboration with the British. The Virginia class submarine has displacement of over 10200 ton and is powered with a nuclear reactor utilizing 97 per cent weapons-grade enriched uranium.

While the choice to go for nuclear assault submarines might take procedural time, India is predicted to get one nuclear assault submarine from Russia on lease as a part of the previous contract to exchange the beforehand leased INS Chakra in 2025. This deal was signed a lot earlier than the Ukraine battle with India adhering to the fee routine.

India must improve its sea-based deterrence within the context of the quickly increasing Chinese Navy with the current energy of eight Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines and 12 Shang and Han class nuclear assault submarines. With the PLA Navy working two plane carriers with the third Fujian on the verge of being launched, it is just a matter of time when Chinese provider strike forces will begin patrolling the Indo-Pacific and resort to gunboat diplomacy within the area.