DRDO’s Indigenous Submarine Development: Project-76

Sub: Sci

Sec: Defence

Why in News

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to seek Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval for an indigenous conventional submarine development program under Project-76.
Indigenous Conventional Submarine Development Program: Enhance India’s self-reliance in submarine technology by developing and constructing advanced conventional submarines domestically.

Project-76:

An initiative to develop a new class of indigenous diesel-electric attack submarines for the Indian Navy.
Aim for high indigenous content to minimize reliance on foreign components.
Inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing, and CCS approval is expected in the next two months.
Design phase: Estimated to take 2-3 years.
Total time for first submarine delivery: Approximately 8 years post-approval.
The submarine is expected to have a displacement of 3,000 tonnes.
It will be equipped with Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs), currently under development by DRDO.
Project-76 will continue advancements made in the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, which developed Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
The submarine will incorporate advanced combat management systems, sonar, electronic warfare suite, mast, and periscope, with minimal reliance on imported components such as chips and tubes.

Project-75I:

A procurement initiative to acquire six next-generation diesel-electric submarines equipped with advanced technologies.
Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP): Allows submarines to remain submerged longer without surfacing, enhancing stealth and operational range.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) in collaboration with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has cleared the technical evaluation stage.
The deal is valued at ₹70,000 crore, significantly higher than the earlier benchmark of ₹43,000 crore.
The indigenous SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine) program is also in the design phase, expected to take 4-5 years, followed by 5 years for construction and validation.

About Nuclear Submarines:

SSNs have infinite capacity to stay dived. As they are not propelled by batteries, they need not emerge for charging by a diesel engine.
Propelled by a nuclear-powered engine, these submarines only need to come to the surface for replenishing supplies for the crew.
SSNs are also able to move faster underwater than conventional submarines. They are like the fighter jets of the underwater world.
India is among six nations that have SSNs, alongside the US, the UK, Russia, France and China.
India got its first SSN in 1987 from the Soviet Navy, which it rechristened INS Chakra, which was decommissioned in 1991.
In 2012, India got another Russian SSN on a ten-year lease, called INS Chakra 2, which has since been returned to Russia.
The government has also decided that of the 12 submarines to be built indigenously after the P75 and P75i projects, six would be SSNs instead of SSK.
Types of nuclear submarines:
- Ship Submersible Nuclear (SSN): one that carries conventional weapons.
- Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN): capable of carrying guided missiles with conventional warheads.
- Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN): can carry ballistic missiles that may be nuclear armed.