Pointing the beacon at India’s undersea warfare power

Sub: Sci

Sec: Defence

Context:

The Indian Navy began 2024 with significant operational and strategic advancements, marked by the expansion of Operation Sankalp to the Red Sea to counter piracy and secure international shipping.
Alongside its continued leadership as a maritime security partner, the Navy made notable progress in undersea warfare capabilities.

Key Developments:

INS Arighaat, India’s second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned in August 2024, enhancing the nuclear triad and deterrence capabilities.
The successful test of the K-4 SLBM with a 3,500-km range positions most of China within striking distance.
The Cabinet approved Project-77 to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at ₹40,000 crore, slated for delivery by 2036-37, with over 90% indigenous content.
The sixth Scorpene submarine, INS Vaghsheer, under Project-75, will soon be commissioned.
Plans to order three more Scorpene-class boats and implement Project-75(I) for air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled submarines are underway.
Approved the construction of 100-tonne Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) at ₹2,500 crore. UUVs offer low-cost, high-return options for augmenting undersea capabilities.

Strategic Implications:

A balanced blue water navy is essential to ensure maritime stability and security.
Cooperation with strategic partners aligns with India’s maritime vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Supports a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific

Blue water navy:

A blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally, essentially across the deep waters of open oceans.