Navy is going to ask the government for three assault submarines with AIP

For approval of the requirement for three air independent propulsion (AIP) equipped diesel attack submarines to be manufactured at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in cooperation with the French Naval Group, the Indian Navy is anticipated to approach the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).According to information obtained, MDL will receive the contract to construct three AIP submarines based on the Indian Navy’s specific needs. The sixth Kalveri class submarine, INS Vagsheer, is anticipated to be commissioned into the Indian Navy before March 2024. The Kalveri class is based on the French Scorpene class of submarines. The French Naval Group will test and evaluate the AIP before it is installed in the three submarines, which will be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization. When the Kalveri class submarines arrive at MDL for a mid-life overhaul, the same AIP will then be retrofitted in those submarines.

India is looking to upgrade its submarine fleet with three nuclear-powered conventional weapon-armed submarines in collaboration with France on the lines of the most recent 4765-ton Barracuda class, against the backdrop of the AUKUS alliance, which will see US and UK nuclear-powered submarines patrolling the west coast of Australia and beyond as early as 2027. In accordance with the AUKUS agreement, the US will sell Australia three Virginia class submarines in the 2030s with the option of purchasing two more, while concurrently designing and developing AUKUS class submarines with the British. The Virginia class submarine weighs more than 10200 tonnes and is propelled by a nuclear reactor that is powered by uranium that has been enriched to weapons-grade levels by 97%.