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strengthen its underwater fleet, the Indian Navy plans to build 24
submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, a senior navy
official informs. The Defence Ministry has approved Medium Refit
cum Life Certification or MRLC of six older submarines, so that the [ REPORT ]
force levels do not decline drastically.

Presently, the Indian Navy has 15 conventional submarines and two
nuclear submarines—INS Arihant and INS Chakra, with the latter
being leased from Russia—in its fleet. Majority of the conven-
tional submarines are over 25 years old. Thirteen submarines age
between 17 and 32 years. "Eighteen (conventional) plus six SSN
(nuclear attack submarines) are planned…Contract conclusion for
MRLC of second submarine, Sindhuraj, is held up since the Russian
side has not been able to submit requisite bank guarantees and
integrity pact as a result of the sanctions imposed by the U.S. on
them," the official says.

India’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh also informs that
several steps are being taken to boost the submarine strength. “The
first step is that for the older submarines, we are giving them life
certification and medium refit-cum-life certification. Some are going
to Russia and getting refitted, our SJW or SSK as we call them,
they are also being put through medium refits and life extension,
life certification. So that'll keep them running for some time. We
have commissioned two of our Scorpene-class and the rest, the
remaining four, will keep coming out at short intervals.
The Indian Navy’s Project 75I (P75I) Scorpene submarine devel-
opment for six latest-generation attack boats is expected to be
completed by 2022. The P75I Scorpene class diesel-electric /
air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines are based on the
Scorpene class submarines, which were designed by French naval
shipbuilding firm Naval Group in partnership with Spanish ship-
building firm Navantia.
Last year, India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
had delivered another license-built Kalvari or Scorpene Class die-
sel-electric submarine to the Indian Navy. The vessel will be in
service as INS Khanderi. It is the second of six boats ordered under
an US$3.2 billion contract signed with Naval Group in October 2005
Deep was commissioned in December 2017.
under the programme. The programme’s first-of-class, INS Kalvari,

“The 75 India programme which is being done on the strategic
partnership model, is progressing well. So, our aim is with the com-
Impact bination of medium refits life certification and the new Scorpenes
we'll try to make good the shortages,” the chief says.

Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Programme
The country’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, the future
INS Vikrant, designated IAC-1, is slated to commence basin trials
THE INDIAN NAVY HAS TAKEN sometime this year. The carrier is lead ship of the Indian Navy’s
SEVERAL STEPS TO BOOST ITS Vikrant-class, the first carrier class to be designed and built in India
under Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) program, which in turn is
SUBMARINE STRENGTH part of the India’s Maritime Capability Perspective Plan.

Jay Menon “The IAC which is being built in Cochin shipyard Ltd is on track now.
India is making all efforts to enhance its naval So as of now, we've started the prime movers, that is the engines
capabilities, both in recognition of its own have been started to base the trials on. We expect that we'll take
needs as well as an understanding of evolv- delivery of the IAC in February 2021 and thereafter put her through
ing trends in the strategic environment. To the paces of aviation workup and have her going with the fleet as

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