India's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by the Prime Minister, has given the go-ahead for the construction of two indigenous nuclear submarines. This initiative is set to enhance the strategic and offensive capabilities of the Indian Navy, particularly in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
The submarines will be crafted at the Shipbuilding Centre in Visakhapatnam, with potential contributions from private players like Larsen & Toubro. The submarines will boast up to 95% indigenous components and will differ from the Arihant class, being developed under the Advanced Technology Vessel project.
Source: aajtak
Currently, two submarines are approved, with a potential increase to four more. This comes on the heels of India's commissioning of its second SSBN, INS Arighat. Within the next year, the Navy will acquire various warships and submarines of different capabilities.
Upcoming Warships...
The Indian Navy is set to include 12 warships, incorporating frigates, corvettes, destroyers, submarines, and survey vessels. As these units integrate, security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) will see significant enhancement.
Destroyers
INS Visakhapatnam...
The flagship of the Visakhapatnam class, INS Visakhapatnam is one of four warships set to join the Navy by December. Upgrades are currently underway. INS Surat from the same class will also be inducted by year's end.
Source: aajtak
The destroyers are armed with 32 Barak 8 missiles, 16 BrahMos anti-ship missiles, 4 torpedo tubes, 2 anti-submarine rocket launchers, and 7 types of guns. They accommodate Dhruv and Sea King helicopters and are used to test-fire BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Submarines
INS Vagsheer...
A diesel-electric attack submarine from the Kalvari or Scorpene class, INS Vagsheer is set for deployment by December. It's adept in anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, gathering intelligence and laying mines, and is designed for all operational environments.
Source: aajtak
With a length of around 221 feet, beam of 20 feet, and height of 40 feet, this submarine reaches speeds of 20 KM/hour on the surface and 37 KM/hour underwater, operating up to 50 days at depths of 350 feet. It hosts 8 military officers and 35 sailors.
Equipped with an anti-torpedo countermeasure system and 6 torpedo tubes capable of launching 18 SUT torpedoes or SM.39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, it can lay 30 underwater mines.
Survey Vessels
INS Sanshodhak...
Joining the Navy in June next year, the INS Sanshodhak is a survey ship from the Sandhayak class, conducting research and surveys below and above the sea.
INS Nirdeshak...
This Sandhayak-class survey vessel, featuring advanced hydrographic survey abilities, was inducted in August this year, aiding maritime operations and navigation.
INS Iskshak...
Another Sandhayak-class survey vessel, arriving next March, will enable the Navy to conduct hydrographic surveys and gather maritime data.
Corvettes
INS Arnala...
Set to be delivered this November, the Arnala boasts a 900-ton displacement and measures about 255 feet in length, reaching speeds of 46 km/hr with a range of 3300 km, hosting 7 officers and 57 sailors.
Source: aajtak
Equipped with ASW combat suites to prepare for adversary attacks, it features RBU-6000 rocket launchers for anti-submarine operations.
Additionally, it houses 6 lightweight ASW torpedoes, anti-submarine sea mines, a 30mm CRN-91 naval gun, and 2 OFT 12.7mm stabilize-controlled guns, being the largest waterjet-propelled warship powered by the Indian Navy.
INS Mahe...
Scheduled for August next year, this ASW-SWC corvette mine-sweeper will share many features with the Arnala.
Frigates
INS Tamala...
Part of the Talwar class, INS Tamala will join the Navy in February 2025 with a displacement of 3850 tons, length of 409.5 feet, beam of 49.10 feet, and draught of 13.9 feet, sailing at speeds up to 59 km/hr.
This formidable warship accommodates 18 officers and 180 soldiers, being equipped with electronic warfare systems, KT-216 decoy launchers, and 24 Shtil-1 medium-range missiles.
Source: aajtak
Armed with Igla-1E, vertical launch anti-ship and land-attack BrahMos missiles, it features two naval guns and torpedo tubes in addition to Kamov-28, Kamov-31, or Dhruv helicopters.
INS Nilgiri...
This guided missile frigate is set to be delivered this December, with subsequent vessels INS Udaygiri in March and INS Himgiri in August, made by Mazagon Dock and Garden Reach Shipbuilders under a project constructing seven warships in total.
Once launched, these frigates, with a displacement of 6670 tons, will join the Navy by 2025, boasting 32 Barak-8 missiles, BrahMos missiles, Varunastra torpedoes, anti-submarine rocket launchers, and accommodation for helicopters like Dhruv and Sea King.
