AK Antony admits to limitations in deploying submarines

[Ashoka The Great]

With the navy’s submarine force levels slated to reach their lowest ever by 2015, defence minister AK Antony on Tuesday acknowledged limitations in the country’s ability to deploy its entire fleet.

The navy currently operates 14 submarines, including a nuclear-powered attack submarine leased from Russia. However, the viable strength of its submarine arm is much less, factoring in the operational availability of the boats.
“There are some operational constraints regarding conventional submarines,” Antony said, in his address to the navy’s top commanders.

As reported first by HT on April 9, a confidential defence ministry report had warned that India had never before been poised in such a vulnerable situation and its undersea force levels were “at a highly precarious state.”

In contrast to India’s humble fleet, China operates close to 45 submarines, including two ballistic missile submarines. It also plans to construct 15 additional Yuan-class attack submarines, based on German diesel engine purchases.

The size of India’s submarine fleet will roughly be the same as that of the Pakistani Navy in two years.

By 2015, the navy will be left with merely six to seven submarines, including India’s first and only nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant, as it begins phasing out the Russian Kilo class and German HDW Type 209 submarines next year.

Antony said, “Funds will never be a constraint for capital acquisition, but must be utilized judiciously.”

The navy has asked the government to float a global tender immediately to acquire six next-generation subs worth Rs. 55,000 crore under a project called P-75I.

Shipbuilders DCNS of France, HDW of Germany, Rosoboronexport of Russia and Navantia of Spain are expected to make a beeline for that order.

Six Scorpene submarines are currently being built at the Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai with technology from French firm DCNS under a Rs. 23,562-crore project codenamed P-75.

The first of these boats, however, will not be ready for induction before 2016-17, although originally it should have been commissioned into the navy last year.

India’s underwater edge is getting blunted at a time when an increasing number of Chinese submarines are venturing into the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), posing a danger to the country’s security interests, the classified document said.

In a first, top officials from other naval commands joined in the discussions through videoconferencing.

AK Antony admits to limitations in deploying submarines | idrw.org

 

[kaykay]

so 7-8 submarines will be retired in just 2 years??? Is that possible??

 

[J-30]

India does not have a 20 year future roadmap which leads into this situation..China plans ahead in the game always..if India new it will be left with just 6-7 submarines as compared to China or pakistan..it should have planned already..

 

[senkakudefender]

India does not have a 20 year future roadmap which leads into this situation..China plans ahead in the game always..if India new it will be left with just 6-7 submarines as compared to China or pakistan..it should have planned already..

China operates Ming for 50 yrs. We operated for barely 20, you think we'll decomission so easily? He's talkin about availability rate not decommision, cause recently new kilo improved subs are arrivin in India.

 

[senkakudefender]

INDIGENOUS WARSHIPS STATUS ENTRY INTO SERVICE
Project 15A ‘Kolkata’ class Destroyer
All three 6,800 tonne destroyers are significantly behind schedule. First of class INS Kolkata, expected this year.
INS Kochi and INS Chennai to be delivered by 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Project 15B Destroyer
Follow on class to Project 15A and has already been sanctioned.
Delivery of first of class INS Bengaluru expected in 2018 with all 4 ships delivered by 2022.

Project 17 ‘Shivalik’ class Frigate
INS Sahyadri, the third and last of the Shivalik-class was delivered this year
First two ships, INS Shivalik and INS Satpura already on active duty with Indian Navy

Project 17 A Frigate
Will consist of seven frigates.
First of class expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy post 2018.

Project 28 ‘Kamorta’ class ASW Corvette
Total of four in class. Keel of the third ASW corvette ‘Kiltan’ was laid in August 2010. Fourth and last of class named ‘Kavaratti.’
INS Kamorta to be delivered to the Indian Navy this year and INS Kadmatt in 2013.

AIRCRAFT CARRIER STATUS ENTRY INTO SERVICE
INS VIKRAMADITYA
4 years past original delivery date. Latest Sea trials failed as a result of problems with the ship’s boilers.
Expected to be delivered in 4th quarter of 2013 after completion of trials.

Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1)
Launch of the aircraft carrier delayed to 2013
Delivery of the aircraft carrier to the Indian Navy now scheduled for 2018

Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 2 (IAC-2)
Second aircraft carrier will be built after IAC-1 becomes operational with Indian Navy
Delivery of the IAC-2 would be around the year 2022

SUBMARINES STATUS ENTRY INTO SERVICE
Project 75 ‘Scorpene’
Six on order and delayed by at least 3 years
First Scorpene submarine will join the Indian Navy only in 2016 or 2017.

Project 75 I
Request for Information (RFI) issued in 2008 and Request for Proposal (RFP) is awaited for a total of 6 submarines
Deliveries of the first Project 75 I class submarines likely only by 2020

Sindhugosh-class Type 877 EKM (Kilo Class)
Mid Life Refit of seven submarines completed in Russia and one in India
Mid Life Refit of remaining two submarines underway in India. Remaining are operational

Shishumar-class HDW Type 209/1500
Upgrades planned to refit newer INS Shalki and Shankul with Harpoon missiles.
NA

Nuclear Submarine (foreign)
Akula II class ‘Nerpa’ called INS Chakra in the Indian Navy
Operational with the Indian Navy since this year

Nuclear Submarine (indigenous)
First of class named INS Arihant. Total of three submarines to be built with second submarine scheduled for launch next year
Expected to enter operational service with the Indian Navy by 2014

NAVAL AIR ARM STATUS ENTRY INTO SERVICE
Boeing P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR)
Eight aircraft on order with options for four more
First P-8I to be delivered in May next year and three aircraft will be with the Indian Navy by end 2012

Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR)
Request For Information (RFI) has been sent out for eight aircraft
Will likely take place only after 2015

MiG-29K
All 16 from first order have been delivered. Follow on order for 29 more aircraft placed with deliveries expected shortly.
First batch of 16 aircraft are operational with the Indian Navy

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Navy
Behind Schedule. Unlikely to meet target of Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by 2014
IOC likely to be achieved by 2016 with entry into service towards 2020.

Naval Utility Helicopter
Request for Proposal (RFP) for 56 helicopters issued this year.
Induction planned from 2016 onwards, though likely to begin 2018

Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Helicopter
Tender for 16 helicopters between Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk and NH Industries NH-90
Winning type would be inducted into Indian Navy by 2016

 

[GR!FF!N]

@Abingdonboy @sancho

isn't India upgraded all the kilos and will operate both Arihant and Chakra??then is our force will be really around 7-8??
@Topic...

yes,during 2015,our sub fleet will be weaker,but after that we'll start to receive the Scorpenes..so,number will be increase again,as well as we'll receive our 2nd Arihant class subs just after that...

 

[senkakudefender]

I don't understand? HDW ok but kilo was recently upgrade?

 

[sancho]

so 7-8 submarines will be retired in just 2 years??? Is that possible??

No, 2 Foxtrot subs are already phased out and the 4 x U209s are the next, all of them should be replaced by Scorpenes which is delayed now. The problem is, that the Kilos are going through upgrades at the same time, which makes them not available for some time too. So the operational number will fall in the coming years and so far we still have not decided about the Kilo replacements, which again will take time and the Kilos will retain service as long as possible.

 

[kaykay]

No, 2 Foxtrot subs are already phased out and the 4 x U209s are the next, all of them should be replaced by Scorpenes which is delayed now. The problem is, that the Kilos are going through upgrades at the same time, which makes them not available for some time too. So the operational number will fall in the coming years and so far we still have not decided about the Kilo replacements, which again will take time and the Kilos will retain service as long as possible.

Thanks big bro....anyway can you tell us about current status of Ins Aridaman?? If I am not wrong then it was set to go for trials in early this year..will it go for trials atleast by this year end??