Submarine Developments in India

Project 75 (The Foreign Procurement Route)

• Procurement of six diesel electric submarines.
• Contract negotiations to begin between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) and Germany’s TKMS.
• Expected cost is ₹70,000 crore (increased from the benchmark of ₹43,000 crore).
• The first submarine will be delivered not before seven years from the contract finalization.

Project 76 (Indigenous Submarine Development)

• DRDO is preparing to submit the proposal for Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval within two months.
• Design phase: 2–3 years
• Construction: 5 years → first submarine delivered in ~8 years.
• Specifications
  • 3,000 tonne displacement

Capable of launching Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs)

• 90-95% indigenous content, only electronics and some tubes will be imported.
• The design is based on the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project: Arihant class of nuclear submarines.

Scorpene Class Expansion

• Contract for three more Scorpene class submarines to be signed soon.
• First delivery is expected by 2030.

Indigenous SSN (Nuclear Attack Submarine) Programme

• Individually, it is in the design phase (4-5 years).
• Construction and validation: another 5 years.

Present Status of the Submarine Fleet of the Indian Navy

• There are 17 conventional submarines, most of which are ageing.
• There is an urgent requirement for new submarines to sustain the force levels.
• With Project 75 and Project 76 progressing almost in parallel, India is pushing for self reliance in submarine technology, while supplementing its fleet with foreign built units.