It has been reported that the Indian Navy (IN) is expected to approach Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for Acceptance of the Necessity (AoN) for three Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) equipped diesel attack submarines to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with the France based Naval Group.
According to the circulating media reports, the contract to build three AIP submarines will be given to MDL based on specific requirements of the IN.
The AIP fitted into the three diesel attack submarines will be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) but tested and validated by the French Naval Group.
The same AIP will then be retrofitted in the Kalvari class submarines when they come for mid-life overhaul at MDL.
Notably, MDL has already built six Kalvari class under Project-75, based on the French Scorpene class, submarines for the Indian Navy under a $3.75 Billion contact signed in October 2005 with France’s Naval Group to build six Scorpene-class submarines.
As of now, IN has already commissioned the first five vessels: INS Kalvari (2017), INS Khanderi (2019), INS Karanj (2021), INS Vela (2021), and INS Vagir (2023).
About Scorpene Submarines – Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e. Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.
The Submarine is designed to operate in all theatres of operation, showcasing interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force.
It is a potent platform, marking a transformational shift in submarine operations.
