New Delhi: The Indian Navy is preparing to give a big boost to its underwater capabilities by planning to build 18 conventional submarines and also six nuclear attack submarines. The Standing Committee on Defence announced this decision in its report tabled in Parliament.
The Navy will develop six nuclear attack submarines along with the Arihant class nuclear-powered submarines equipped with nuclear missiles. The plan is to build the submarines indigenously in partnership with private and public industries.
The present strength of conventional submarines in Indian Navy is fifteen. The Navy is now operating Russian Kilo Class, German HDW class and French Scorpene class submarines. We also have one Russian made nuclear submarine.
From 2024 the submarines will be fitted with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The AIP system will make the submarines more stealthy than the nuclear powered ones.
