SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has confirmed that the ambitious Project-76 program is in its preliminary stages, focusing on the development of a new class of indigenous conventional diesel submarines. This project is poised to be a significant step forward in India’s journey toward self-reliance in submarine technology, incorporating advancements from previous programs like Project-75 and Project-75I.
Sources revealed to idrw.org that the design phase for Project 76 is already underway, with the final blueprint expected to be ready by 2028. Once the design is finalized, the project will seek approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is anticipated around 2033-34, paving the way for construction to commence.
Project-76 will be India’s first submarine class designed entirely in-house, leveraging expertise gained through collaboration and technology transfers under earlier projects. Both the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) are preparing competing designs for the Navy’s evaluation.
While details on the submarines’ submerged displacement remain undisclosed, it is speculated to be around 3,000 tons, aligning with the Navy’s requirement for a robust conventional fleet. This is distinct from the SSN program, which is focused on nuclear-powered submarines with larger displacement.
The Project-76 program envisions the construction of 12 submarines between 2040 and beyond, ensuring a seamless transition as the Navy phases out its ageing Kilo-class submarines. This timeline underscores the Navy’s long-term planning to sustain and modernize its underwater fleet.
The development of Project-76 submarines marks a pivotal moment in India’s naval strategy. With increasing maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, an indigenous submarine fleet will bolster the Navy’s operational capabilities, enhancing deterrence and strategic autonomy.
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