In the past three weeks, there have been some major developments in the Indian maritime domain, in both the military and private sectors.
- August 23, 2024: US clearance for Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys
- August 29, 2024: INS Arighat commissioned
- September 5, 2024: Decision was made to establish the headquarters of the maritime theatre command in Thiruvanthapuram.
- September 11, 2024: Decision taken to produce 25 submarines over the next decade
- September 11, 2024: Approval granted to build 100-tonne unmanned underwater vehicles
- September 14, 2024: India will set up two operational mega shipbuilding parks by 2030
Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys: US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has approved a possible foreign military sale to India for Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.8 million. These include AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys, technical and publications and data documentation, US Government and contractor engineering and technical support, and other related elements of logistics and program services and support. India will be employing these sonobuoys on its Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawks and Boeing P8Is once US Congress grants clearance for the ASW sonobuoys by the end of September 2024.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has approved a possible foreign military sale to India for Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.8 million. India will be employing these sonobuoys on its Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawks and Boeing P8Is once US Congress grants clearance for the ASW sonobuoys by the end of September 2024.
INS Arighat: It is India’s second indigenous nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). It acts as a deterrent in the form of a nuclear second strike platform for the nuclear triad’s sea leg. Arighat’s 83 megawatt-class CLWR-B1 pressurised water reactor will enable it to remain underwater for more than 50 days without surfacing. It carries an offensive payload of four nuclear-capable K-4 SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometres or 12 K-15 SLBMs with a range of around 750 kilometres, along with torpedoes. The SSBN has advanced sonar systems, quiet propulsion, and upgraded acoustic dampening for stealth.
Maritime Theatre Command, Thiruvananthapuram: This integrated theatre command (ITC) is being established to implement maritime battle strategy for all scenarios as a maritime theatre command (MTC). It would be supported by Air Defence, Space, Cyber, and Special Forces commands. The motivation for establishing such a command is to adopt the ‘one border, one force’ concept. Therefore, the MTC would be responsible for a coastline of more than 7,500 kilometres. In this regard, perhaps Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) will fall under the jurisdiction of the MTC. Currently, India’s only joint command is the ANC. There will also be two additional ITCs: the Western Theatre Command at Jaipur, focussing on Pakistan, and the Eastern Theatre Command at Lucknow, focussing on China.
The Indian Navy’s plan is to both acquire and indigenously develop 25 submarines over the next decade at a cost of more than $31 billion. The aim is to strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence with second-strike capabilities.
25 Submarines over the next decade: The Indian Navy’s plan is to both acquire and indigenously develop 25 submarines over the next decade at a cost of more than $31 billion. The aim is to strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence with second-strike capabilities. These 25 submarines will also include the acquisition of three Kalvari-class submarines, the development of six next-generation conventional submarines under Project 75I, another six indigenously-developed conventional submarines under Project 76, the development of six larger S5-class SSBNs with a likely payload of long-range K-5 and K-6 SLBMs and the development of two indigenous nuclear-attack submarines (Submersible Ship Nuclear: SSN).
Build 100-tonne unmanned underwater vehicles: The Indian Ministry of Defence has approved an Indian Navy plan to build 100-tonne unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) for more than Rs. 2,500 crores. They would serve as strike platforms against both surface and sub-surface vessels, which could be tasked with laying and clearing mines, surveillance, and deploying weapons. These UUVs would be deployed in deep-sea areas far from Indian territory to provide maritime overwatch, deterrence, and attack options. They will serve as an independent underwater vessel capable of a diverse mission set: from covert operations to espionage in enemy territory.
Establish two mega shipbuilding parks by 2030: With the global shipbuilding market worth $100 billion, India too seeks to cash in by building two mega parks by 2030, one each in East and West India. The next step is to have two more in East and West India, perhaps in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. This project will follow the public-private partnership model, with the government developing basic infrastructure (roads and land development) and utilities (power and water), while the private firm will ensure critical equipment (cranes and machines for lifting, cutting, and dry-dock making) and manpower.
With the global shipbuilding market worth $100 billion, India too seeks to cash in by building two mega parks by 2030, one each in East and West India. The next step is to have two more in East and West India, perhaps in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
Conclusion
The ASW sonobuoys will enable India to strengthen its underwater surveillance activities as China continues to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), especially in the sub-surface domain with its submarines,‘research vessels’ and underwater unmanned vehicles.
INS Arighat is a potent platform capable of detecting evasion and surviving a nuclear firststrike. It also brings India a step closer to second-strike capability. Two SSBNs will enable India to conduct more frequent deterrent patrols while also providing greater flexibility. On the flip side, it is capital-intensive to protect SSBNs as an array of naval assets are deployed for this tasking, potentially taking away resources from less strategic deployments.
The MTC is a much-needed step for India’s strategic calculus, especially given China’s unlikeliness to lower its aggressive forays into the IOR. It is important from an internal point of view as well because the Indian Navy has ambitious expansion and development plans and so it is logical to have a maritime theatre command to administer all naval assets, especially in times of war or strategic signalling.
The MTC is a much-needed step for India’s strategic calculus, especially given China’s unlikeliness to lower its aggressive forays into the IOR. It is important from an internal point of view as well because the Indian Navy has ambitious expansion and development plans and so it is logical to have a maritime theatre command to administer all naval assets, especially in times of war or strategic signalling.
The plan for 25 new submarines in the next decade as a combination of procurement and indigenous development is just one of several methods by which the Indian Navy is and will expand. It is important to have such a target as it enthuses both the public and private sectors to collaborate and deliver the project in a timely fashion, keeping policy planning in mind. The manpower for these 25 new submarines raises a few questions: “Are there enough personnel? Are more personnel required? Are there sufficient trained personnel? If not, how long does training take?”
The changing nature of warfare is a key reason India is investing in unmanned underwater vehicles. It also enables low-risk deep-sea operations, absence of human exposure to direct conflict, and low operational costs, among others.
–The writer is a 2024 Non-resident Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative and contributes for Indian and international platforms. He has also discussed India-Taiwan relations on Taiwanese national radio.
Siddhant Hira is a 2024 Non-resident Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative and contributes for Indian and international platforms. He has also discussed India-Taiwan relations on Taiwanese national radio.
