Indian Navy Submarine Arm

• A Status Report and the Way Ahead

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CDR VIJAY SAKHUJA (RETD)

SUBMARINE IS an important constituent of any modern naval order of battle (ORBAT) and navies see several benefits in acquiring such platforms. The conventional diesel-electric (SS) variety can operate undetected and unobserved and provide credible conventional capability against enemy surface forces. The attack submarines (SSKs) carry both torpedoes and missiles and offer the best-submerged offensive capability against a major force as also against targets on land. it is a force multiplier in naval operations.

However, these platforms suffer from a major vulnerability; the submarine must come up ‘just below the surface of the water’ for recharging batteries and at that point it can be detected by aircraft, ships and other surveillance and monitoring systems which imposes severe limitations on their endurance for operations. This has now been overcome by the air independent Propulsion (AIP) system which provides greater endurance. it can also serve as a platform to deliver nuclear payload and is often termed as the ‘poor man’s nuclear sub’.

Nuclear propelled submarines are strategic platforms and feature stealth, endurance, survivability and credibility of assured retaliatory nuclear strikes by launching nuclear-tipped missiles. Today six countries possess and operate nuclear-propelled strategic submarines: United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, People’s republic of China, and India and of these only five (excluding India) have positioned nuclear weapons onboard.

SUBMARINES IN INDIAN NAVY