SOURCE: AFI
The strategic waters of the Indian Ocean are witnessing a significant shift in naval capabilities, particularly in submarine warfare, as the Pakistani Navy is poised to take a lead in possessing more submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems in the near future.
Currently, the Pakistani Navy boasts three Agosta-90B-class submarines, which are equipped with the French-supplied MESMA (Module d’Energie Sous-Marin Autonome) AIP system. These submarines offer enhanced underwater endurance, a critical advantage in modern naval warfare. Adding to this fleet, Pakistan is set to receive eight Hangor-class submarines from China, which will feature the advanced Stirling-powered AIP system, further expanding its underwater strategic capabilities. This means that by the end of the current schedule, Pakistan will have eleven AIP-equipped submarines in operation.
In contrast, the Indian Navy’s journey towards AIP-equipped submarines has been slower. The Indian Navy operates the Kalvari-class submarines, derived from the French Scorpène design. However, these submarines do not initially come with AIP systems. The integration of the indigenously developed AIP by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) into these submarines is anticipated to begin with the first Scorpène submarine, INS Kalvari, receiving this upgrade by late 2027. The entire retrofit of all six Kalvari-class submarines is expected to be completed over subsequent years, with plans to equip three more submarines with this AIP technology, bringing the total to nine AIP-equipped submarines.
The timeline for the Indian Navy extends further with Project-75I, which envisages the construction of six additional submarines with AIP systems. However, these submarines are not expected to join the fleet until after 2033, posing a significant gap in capability compared to the Pakistani Navy’s more immediate advancements.
This disparity in the timeline for AIP-equipped submarines reflects not only on the operational readiness but also on the strategic posture of both navies in the region. Pakistan’s quicker integration of AIP technology into its submarine fleet could provide it with a tactical advantage in terms of stealth and endurance, crucial elements in naval strategy. The ability to stay submerged for longer periods without surfacing for air significantly enhances a submarine’s survivability and operational effectiveness.
The Indian Navy’s plans to catch up involve not just the retrofitting of existing vessels but also the development of new ones under Project-75I, emphasizing indigenous technology and reducing reliance on foreign systems. However, this development and integration process will take time, leaving the Indian Navy playing catch-up in the AIP domain for the foreseeable future.