SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its naval capabilities, receiving approval to build two indigenously designed nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a new submarine facility in Visakhapatnam. The project, which is part of India’s long-term vision to strengthen its underwater fleet, will commence by the end of 2029, with the steel-cutting process marking the official start of construction.
While the initiation of the construction process is a key milestone, the road to induction will be a long one. The nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program is expected to require at least seven years before the first vessel can be rolled out for harbour and sea trials, which would bring the timeline to around 2035.
Following the initial rollout, it will take an additional four to five years for the submarine to complete all necessary trials, including extensive weapons testing before it can be inducted into the Indian Navy. This means that the first indigenous SSN is unlikely to enter service before 2036.
The new nuclear-powered attack submarines will incorporate cutting-edge technology, much of which is being developed for the first time by Indian defence scientists. A major technological advancement in the program will be the introduction of a new 190 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), which will power the SSNs, significantly improving the endurance and operational capabilities of the submarine fleet.
The development of these submarines is seen as a leap forward in India’s nuclear submarine program, which has until now been focused on the Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Unlike SSBNs, which are designed primarily for strategic deterrence, SSNs are built for offensive capabilities, specializing in hunting enemy submarines and surface ships, conducting surveillance, and ensuring dominance in contested maritime zones.
Given the complexity of the SSN program, it is expected to face several challenges, particularly in the testing and validation phases. Like the Arihant-class SSBN program, which took many years to complete, the SSN program will undergo rigorous testing to ensure all systems, including propulsion, stealth capabilities, and weapons integration, function as required.
These submarines will undergo multiple phases of sea trials, including extensive tests of their sonar systems, torpedoes, and cruise missile launch platforms. The trials will also test the endurance of the new 190 MWe reactor under various operational conditions, including extended submersion at high speeds. Each phase will aim to validate different elements of the submarine’s design and capability, further extending the timeline toward induction.
While the timeline for the SSN program is long and complex, it marks a crucial advancement in India’s naval capabilities. Post-2035, the Indian Navy will have at its disposal some of the most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarines in the region, designed to meet the unique strategic requirements of the IOR.
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