Central Idea

Procurement Announcement: The three additional Scorpene submarines will be procured under the Buy (Indian) category. The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai will build the submarines.

Scorpene Submarines and Project-75

Project-75: MDL is already building six Scorpene class submarines under Project-75, with technology transfer from the French defense firm.
Commissioned Submarines: Five out of the six Scorpene submarines have been commissioned, with the final one expected to be commissioned early next year.
Delays and Challenges: Project-75 faced significant delays, as the first submarine was originally scheduled for delivery in 2012.

Addressing Delays and Fleet Strength: The procurement of three additional submarines is necessary to compensate for the delayed deliveries under Project-75 and strengthen India’s submarine fleet.
Current Fleet Status: The Indian Navy currently operates 16 conventional submarines, but it needs a minimum of 18 submarines to carry out its full spectrum of operations.
Refit Challenges: Around 30% of submarines are under refit at any given time, further reducing the number of operational submarines.
Employment Opportunities: Procuring additional submarines with higher indigenous content will create employment opportunities and enhance MDL’s submarine construction capabilities.

Attack Submarines: Scorpene submarines are designed as conventional attack submarines to target and sink enemy naval vessels.
Weapons and Surveillance: They can launch a variety of torpedoes and missiles, equipped with surveillance and intelligence-gathering systems.
Specifications: Scorpene submarines are approximately 220 feet long, with a height of about 40 feet. They have a top speed of 11 knots when surfaced and 20 knots when submerged.
Diesel-Electric Propulsion: These submarines use diesel-electric propulsion systems, providing an endurance of around 50 days.

India’s Current Nuclear Submarines: India currently operates two nuclear-powered submarines (SSBMs) of the Arihant class.
Endurance and Speed: Nuclear submarines have theoretically unlimited endurance and can operate for up to 30 years without refuelling. They can also achieve higher speeds.
Cost and Expertise: Nuclear submarines are expensive and require specialized expertise to operate.
Advancements in Conventional Submarines: Diesel-electric technology has significantly improved the range and stealth of conventional submarines.
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP): Retrofitting Scorpene submarines with AIP systems will enhance their endurance and stealth capabilities.

India’s decision to procure three additional Scorpene submarines enhances its naval capabilities and strengthens the indigenous manufacturing sector.
The addition of these submarines will help meet the requirements of a growing fleet and improve operational readiness.