India to Get Indigenously Designed Nuclear Attack Submarines by 2036: Navy Chief
In a significant stride towards strengthening its maritime defense, India is set to deliver its first indigenously designed nuclear attack submarine by 2036, marking a transformative milestone in its defense capabilities. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has confirmed that the project, which envisages six such submarines, underscores India’s growing self-reliance in designing and manufacturing complex defense platforms. The program reflects a high level of confidence from the government, evident in its October approval of a ₹35,000 crore budget for the initiative.
A New Era of Submarine Warfare
India already boasts nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) under the Arihant-class. These strategic deterrents are equipped with long-range nuclear weapons and serve as the backbone of India's nuclear triad. However, the upcoming nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) are set to introduce a whole new level of capability to the Indian Navy. Unlike the Arihant-class, which focuses on strategic deterrence, SSNs are designed for stealth and aggression, armed with advanced conventional weapons.
One of the defining advantages of nuclear attack submarines is their ability to remain submerged indefinitely, thanks to a nuclear propulsion system. This allows them to operate covertly in sensitive regions, monitor enemy movements, and maintain a sustained presence in areas of strategic interest. In comparison, conventional submarines are limited by their need to surface periodically to recharge batteries, which makes them vulnerable to detection.
Indigenous Capability: A National Triumph
What sets this program apart is its indigenous nature. India has in the past relied on leased nuclear attack submarines from Russia, such as the Akula-class. The new project, however, will be a purely Indian effort, showcasing advancements in critical technologies such as miniaturized nuclear reactors, stealth systems, and weapon integration. These submarines will have minimal foreign components, reinforcing India's technological prowess and reducing dependency on external suppliers.
The confidence in meeting the ambitious timeline stems from the robust ecosystem that has evolved around India’s defense industry. Admiral Tripathi highlighted that the program would act as a catalyst, energizing ancillary industries and driving innovation across the sector.
Strategic Context: Joining an Elite Club
Upon induction, India will join an exclusive group of nations, including the United States, Russia, and China, that possess nuclear attack submarines. This capability will serve as a force multiplier, significantly enhancing India’s ability to protect its maritime interests in contested waters, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where rival powers are expanding their naval presence.
Parallel Modernization Efforts
The SSN project is not the Indian Navy's only venture into submarine modernization. The process to acquire six Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines under Project 75I is underway, with bids from international players such as MDL-TKMS and L&T-Navantia being evaluated. AIP technology enables conventional submarines to stay submerged longer, narrowing the performance gap with nuclear submarines.
Additionally, India is finalizing a contract for three more Kalvari-class submarines, based on the French-designed Scorpène platform. These diesel-electric submarines have already demonstrated their effectiveness in enhancing India's underwater combat capabilities.
Looking Ahead
As the Indian Navy moves toward realizing its nuclear attack submarine vision, the program symbolizes more than just military advancement. It reflects India's strategic maturity and its readiness to take on challenges in a volatile geopolitical landscape. By 2036, when the first submarine is expected to join the fleet, India will have fortified its maritime defense with a formidable tool, further solidifying its position as a key player in global naval dynamics.
The road ahead is challenging, but the foundations laid by the SSN program and other modernization efforts promise a future where India’s naval ambitions are matched by its capabilities.
