SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s maritime defense, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is poised to sign a contract in June 2025 for the construction of three additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines for the Indian Navy. This deal, valued at approximately ?38,000 crore (US$4.5 billion), marks a critical step in strengthening India’s underwater capabilities and advancing its self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The new submarines, to be built in collaboration with France’s Naval Group, will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including an indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, making them more potent than their predecessors.
The Kalvari-class submarines, based on the French Scorpene design, are diesel-electric attack submarines known for their stealth, versatility, and advanced combat capabilities. Equipped with long-range guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, these submarines excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, and littoral surveillance. The Indian Navy has already commissioned five of the six submarines ordered in 2005 under Project 75, with the sixth, INS Vagsheer, commissioned on January 15, 2025. The addition of three more advanced Kalvari-class submarines will significantly enhance the Navy’s operational reach and deterrence, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, where strategic competition with China and Pakistan is intensifying.
The urgency of this acquisition is driven by the Navy’s need to modernize its aging fleet, as the Russian-origin Kilo-class submarines are nearing the end of their service life. With Pakistan’s navy operating a fleet of 114 assets and China expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s investment in advanced submarines is a strategic necessity to maintain regional maritime dominance.
The three additional Kalvari-class submarines will be larger and more advanced than the existing fleet, featuring significant upgrades in design and technology. A key enhancement is the integration of a fuel-cell-based AIP system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This system, which generates hydrogen on demand to eliminate the need for onboard storage, extends the submarines’ underwater endurance from 48 hours to 14-21 days, a critical advantage for covert operations. The AIP module will be incorporated during construction, unlike the existing six submarines, which will be retrofitted with AIP during mid-life refits starting with INS Kalvari in September 2025.
Additionally, the new submarines will feature advanced electronics, upgraded navigation and communication systems, and an indigenously developed combat management system by Bharat Electronics Limited. With at least 60% indigenous content, the project will involve significant contributions from Indian suppliers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), fostering local industry growth and technology transfer. The submarines’ larger size, comparable to Brazil’s Riachuelo-class, and the use of lithium-ion batteries will further enhance their range and endurance, enabling missions as far as Australia.
MDL has committed to delivering the first of the three submarines within six years of contract signing, with construction expected to begin 18 months after the agreement, projecting a rollout by 2030. This accelerated timeline, compared to the 10 years required for earlier submarines, reflects MDL’s growing expertise and streamlined processes. The deal, finalized after tough negotiations with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), is expected to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security by late January or early February 2025, with the contract signing anticipated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on February 11-12, 2025.
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