SOURCE: AFI
The evolution of submarine forces in the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the Indian Navy presents a stark contrast, reflecting the divergent approaches taken by China and India since their respective submarine forces’ inception. While both nations embarked on submarine development with Soviet assistance, China’s rapid industrialization and domestic production capabilities have led to a formidable underwater fleet. In contrast, India’s cautious approach and reliance on foreign designs have resulted in a slower pace of submarine force development.
China’s journey into submarine development began during the height of Sino-Soviet cooperation. In 1954, just three years after receiving its first submarine from the USSR, the PLAN commissioned its first domestically produced W-class submarine (Type 6603) in 1957. This marked a significant milestone for China, demonstrating its capability to license-produce submarines domestically. By 1962, China had built a total of 21 Type 6603 submarines, showcasing its rapidly growing industrial capacity.
Building on this success, China began commissioning the more advanced R-class submarines (Type 033) in 1963, also under a Soviet license. The Type 033 was a significant upgrade over the W-class, and China eventually built over 100 of these submarines. This period marked the beginning of China’s ambition to develop a robust and self-sufficient submarine force.
In contrast, the Indian Navy’s entry into the submarine domain was marked by delays and strategic hesitations. Although plans to acquire submarines were formulated as early as 1947, it wasn’t until 1968 that India received its first submarine, largely as a reaction to Pakistan acquiring its submarine, PNS Ghazi (formerly USS Diablo). India’s first submarines were four F-class submarines from the USSR, known locally as the Kalvari-class. These were followed by another four in 1971, known as the Vela-class.
However, unlike China, India did not pursue domestic production of submarines during this period. The Indian Navy deemed the eight F-class submarines sufficient to counter Pakistan’s naval capabilities. It wasn’t until the late 1970s, when the F-class submarines began to show their age, that India started exploring options for acquiring Western submarines.
By the 1980s, both India and China were looking to modernize their submarine forces, but their approaches differed significantly. In 1981, India signed a contract with West Germany for four Type 209 submarines, with two to be built in Germany and the other two in India’s Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). Around the same time, the USSR offered India its latest Kilo-class (877) submarines, leading to the arrival of both the Type 209 and Kilo-class submarines in India by 1986.
During this period, China was still building the Type 035 submarines, an improved version of the older R-class, based on 1950s and 1960s designs. However, China’s rapid modernization began in earnest after the fall of the USSR. China quickly acquired two older Kilo-class submarines (Type 877) from Russia, followed by ten newer Kilo-class (Type 636/636M) submarines. Leveraging the technologies and design philosophies from the Kilo-class, China developed the Type 039A, which has since seen multiple improved versions, all equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems.
While the PLAN rapidly modernized its submarine fleet, the Indian Navy’s efforts, though significant, have been slower in comparison. India’s Project 75, which aimed to develop the Kalvari-class submarines based on the French Scorpene design, marked a step forward in domestic production capabilities. However, despite the lead boat’s construction beginning in 2007, it was only in 2017 that the first Kalvari-class submarine was commissioned.
India’s Project 75 highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to build a domestic submarine industry, yet it also underscores the challenges India faces in keeping pace with China’s rapid advancements. The Kalvari-class submarines, though domestically produced, are still reliant on foreign designs, reflecting India’s cautious approach to submarine development.
India’s Project 76 will see development of Indigenous class of conventional submarines but before that Project 75-I will take place where Indian Navy will procure six advance submarines based on offers from TKSM or Navantia.