Kalvari-class submarine (2015) explained

The Kalvari-class submarines, formally classified as the Project-75 submarines (P-75), is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines operated by the Indian Navy (IN).[1] Currently being constructed by a syndicate of French and Indian shipyards, namely, Naval Group and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) respectively, the class is an export derivative of the French-origin, originally designed by Naval Group.[2]

A namesake of the former Foxtrot-class submarines that the IN operated between 1967 and 2010, the class was originally planned in the late-1990s as an initial phase of a 30-year long naval rearmament roadmap to replace the IN's conventional submarine fleet, namely the Sindhughosh-class and Shishumar-class submarines.[3] [2] India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered an introductory batch of six submarines in 2005, at an initially-estimated cost of ; of the ordered six, five are currently in operational service.[4] In addition to the first batch, a proposal for the purchase of three more submarines was approved in 2023, at an estimated cost of .[5]

First introduced to operational service in 2017, the submarines are currently operated by the IN for a variety of missions, namely, littoral surveillance, intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and minelaying operations.[1]

History

Origins

In 1997, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the highest-decision making body of India's Ministry of Defence (MoD), approved a proposal for the purchase of two Type 209/1500 attack submarines (SSK) for the Indian Navy (IN), at a then-estimated cost of INR ₹700 crore.[6] The two examples of the design, originally conceived by the German-based Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, were proposed to be built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), located in Mumbai, with the assistance of a foreign naval firm in a corroborative role.[6]

In accordance with the scheme, the IN and MDL approached several naval enterprises for assistance; however, the French-based Thomson-CSF (TCSF) was the only firm willing to participate.[6] Two years later, in 1999, the MoD approved a two-phase plan to build 24 submarines over a 30-year period.[6] For the first phase, which called for the construction of SSKs at MDL, two options were proposed: the former option recommending the construction of the Type 209/1500 at MDL with the assistance of TCSF; the latter option recommending the construction of SSKs based on the newer Scorpène submarine design, conceived by the French-based Armaris (later DCNS, now Naval Group).[6]

Ultimately, the IN chose the latter, reasoning that the Scorpène, which had been offered with a provision of technology transfer (TOT), was more advanced than the Type 209/1500.[6] Another reason for choosing the Scorpène design was because of the IN’s interest in acquiring submarine-launched missiles.[6] At the time, the French-designed Exocet, the US-designed Harpoon and the Russian-designed Kalibr were the only such missiles that were commercially obtainable; however, the Harpoon was unavailable to the IN and the Kalibr was incompatible with the Type 209/1500's torpedo tubes.[6] This led to the Exocet being preferred and subsequently, the Scorpène design.[6] It was also thought that the Scorpène design won the deal because of its capability to fire Exocet anti-ship missiles and an agreement on the air-independent propulsion.[7]

Orders

Batch-I:
On 6 October 2005, India signed a series of contracts for transfer of technology to construct six submarines at MDL with Armaris, along with the supply of SM39 Exocet missiles manufactured by MBDA. DCN International was designated as the prime contractor in partnership with Navantia. Armaris was responsible for supply of combat systems and technical advisors for construction of submarines at MDL. Valued at a then-total cost of €2.4 billion,[8] the deal included a 30% offset clause and a delivery timeline wherein the six ordered units were to be delivered between 2012 and 2017.[8] [9]

Batch-II:
On 10 July 2023, the MoD's Defence Procurement Board (DPB) greenlighted the acquisition of three additional submarines, which was further cleared the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) three days later, on 13 July.[10]

In December 2023, MDL submitted a bid of over to construct the three submarines, equipped with higher measures of indigenously-developed technology along with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) module for enhanced underwater endurance.[11] By June 2024, the price negotiation for acquiring 3 additional submarines were in advanced stages. Three submarines would have more than 60% of indigenous content and were expected to cost around .[12] It is expected that the price negotiations will start by July-August and the final deal of Batch II of the submarines will be signed by year end.[13] The entire combat management system of the Batch II submarines will be indigenously developed by Bharat Electronics Limited. The first submarine shall be delivered after 6 years of contract signing.[14]

Construction

Batch-I construction timeline

2006-07: The steel cutting for the first submarine, the Kalvari, commences on 14 December 2006, with its hull construction beginning on 23 May 2007.[15] However, work stalls when public disclosures reveal that the 2005 agreement had omitted the procurement of specific components, including engines, generator and raw materials.[16] The issue prompts the MoD to establish a public entity, the Mazagaon Procured Materials (MPM), to directly procure the aforementioned materials.[17] Protracted negotiations between the MoD and DCNS for the components lead to the additional sanctioning of ₹4,764 crore by the CCS, which further delays the project by two years.[18]

2011: The project suffers another setback following a breach and flooding at MDL’s dockyard in which components, including sections of the already fabricated hull of at least one of the six units, are submerged under seawater; however, the incident is dismissed by the IN as a "minor obstacle".[16]

2015: The project suffers further delays when Navantia exits the project.[19] After eight years in construction, Kalvari is finally launched in October 2015 and commences sea trials a year later, on 1 May 2016.

2016: In June, initial plans to purchase ninety-eight Black Shark torpedoes from the Italian-based munitions manufacturer Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) was cancelled in response to corruption allegations against WASS's sister company, AgustaWestland.[20] [21] Although alternatives, such as the SeaHake torpedoes from Germany's Atlas Elektronik and the F21 torpedoes France's Naval Group were considered, the MoD resorts to install its existing inventory of older AEG SUT 264 torpedoes on the submarines as a stopgap measure.[22] [23]

2017-19: The second unit, the Khanderi, is launched in January 2017, which is soon followed by the commissioning of Kalvari in December 2017.[24] The third and fourth units, the Karanj and the Vela respectively, are launched between January 2018 and May 2019, while Khanderi is commissioned in September 2019.

2020-21: The fifth unit, the Vagir, is launched in November 2020, while Karanj and Vela are commissioned between March and November 2021, respectively.

2022-23: The sixth and final unit of the class, the Vagsheer, is launched in April 2022, which is soon followed by the commissioning of Vagir in January 2023. The same month, India's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) and Naval Group reach an agreement to integrate NMRL's locally-developed AIP technology on the six submarines.[25] Vagsheer commences its maiden sea sortie in May 2023, with delivery scheduled for early-2024.[26] [27]

2024: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) grants an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in February 2024 for the purchase of forty-eight heavyweight torpedoes for the submarines under a global tender as a stopgap measure until an indigenous option, supposedly a submarine-launched version of Varunastra torpedo, becomes available.[28] [29]

2025: Expected integration of DRDO AIP modules on INS Kalvari the first submarine.[30]

Design

Hull

The Kalvari class is capable of offensive operations across the entire spectrum of naval warfare including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance. It has a length of 67.5m (221.5feet), height of 12.3m (40.4feet), overall beam of 6.2m (20.3feet) and a draught of 5.8m (19feet). It can reach a top speed of 20kn when submerged and a maximum speed of when surfaced.

The hull, fin and hydroplanes are designed for minimum underwater resistance and all equipment inside the pressure hull is mounted on shock absorbing cradles for enhanced stealth.[31] Special steel was used in its construction which has high tensile strength, capable of withstanding high yield stress and hydro-static force. Each submarine has of cabling and of piping.[32]

The class displaces 1615tonnes when surfaced and 1775tonnes when submerged.[33]

Propulsion

The submarine is powered by two 1,250kW MAN diesel engines, which are complemented 360 battery cells (each) that powers a Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor for extremely-silent underwater operation, thus allowing it have an operational range of around 6500nmi at when surfaced.[34]

In addition to surfaced operations, the six submarines will be equipped with fuel-cell air-independent propulsion (AIP) modules for extended endurance during submerged operations. The modules, which have been originally designed by India's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), are powered by ruggedized phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC). They will provide an enhanced submerged endurance of estimated 14 days to the submarines.[35] [36] As of 2024, the AIP module is being manufactured in L&T's AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex in Hazira, Gujarat. After manufacturing, the module will undergo testing in AIP Integration and Testing facility which was inaugurated in July 2024.

The six Batch-I submarines are expected to retro-fitted with the AIP modules during their respective mid-life refits, the first of which begins in September 2025, while the three Batch-II submarines that yet to be purchased will be equipped with the AIP modules during the construction phase with technological oversight from Naval Group.[37] [38]

Armament

This class is equipped with six torpedo tubes for a combination of 18 heavyweight wire-guided German-made Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes and SM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles or 30 mines in place of both.[39] [40]

Sensors

The class is also fitted with mobile C303/S anti-torpedo decoys for self-defence.[21] [31] The weapon systems and sensors are integrated with Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS). It has a sonar system is capable of Low Frequency Analysis and Ranging (LOFAR) enabling long range detection and classification.[31] Each submarine has a complement of 8 officers and 35 sailors.[41]

Operational history

In June 2023, INS Vagir was deployed on an extended patrol in the Indian Ocean. As a part of the deployment, the submarine reached Colombo, Sri Lanka on 19 June 2023. Then, it covered nearly 7,000 kilometres to reach Fremantle, Australia on 20 August 2023.[42] [43] This is the first time that a submarine of this class was on a long-range deployment.[44]

On 24 March 2024, a Kalvari class submarine reached, the Campbell Bay, the southernmost port of India in the Nicobar Islands, for the first time.[45] [46]

Ships of the class

NamePennantYardBuilderLaunchedCommissionedHomeportStatus
Batch-I
S2111875Mazagon Dock Limited27 October 201514 December 2017[47] Active
[48] S22[49] 1187612 January 2017[50] 28 September 2019[51]
S2311877[52] 31 January 2018[53] 10 March 2021[54] [55] [56]
[57] S2411878[58] 6 May 2019[59] 25 November 2021[60]
[61] S2511879[62] 12 November 202023 January 2023[63] Mumbai
S261188020 April 2022[64] November 2024 (expected)[65] Sea trials
Batch-II
TBDMazagon Dock LimitedTo be ordered
TBD
TBD

See also

Notes and References

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  2. Web site: Explained: India's Kalvari class of submarines, and its strategic significance. indianexpress.com. 19 November 2020.
  3. Web site: The Indian Navy's Potent Conventional Submarine Capability. www.forbes.com. 1 April 2020.
  4. Web site: The Scorpene deal. frontline.thehindu.com. 7 October 2005.
  5. Web site: Modi in France, Navy gets €10 bn boost as proposal for 26 Rafale-Ms, 3 Scorpenes cleared. theprint.in. 13 July 2023.
  6. Web site: UNDUE FAVOUR TO VENDOR IN ACQUISITION OF SUBMARINES - MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (2009-10). eparlib.nic.in.
  7. Web site: Exocet Missiles, AIP Swing India Submarine Order . defense-aerospace.com . 13 September 2005 . 8 April 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150412183443/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/feature/62798/exocet-missiles,-aip-swing-india-submarine-order.html . 12 April 2015.
  8. Mohanty. Deba. 30. 2. 2006. 34–36. India and France Ink SCORPÈNE Deal. Military Technology. Bonne. Mönch Publishing Group. 0722-3226.
  9. News: Envisaging more defence ties. The Hindu Business Line. 20 February 2006. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180430015835/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-others/tp-states/Envisaging-more-defence-ties/article20199367.ece. 30 April 2018.
  10. News: India Likely To Buy 26 Rafales, 3 Scorpene Subs During PM's France Visit. NDTV. 2023-07-10.
  11. News: MDL Submits Bid For Over Rs 20,000 Cr Project To Build 3 New Kalvari Class Submarines. ANI. Business World. 2023-12-13.
  12. News: Pubby . Manu . 2024-06-24 . MDL in advanced talks with Defence Ministry for Rs 35,000 crore Kalvari submarine deal . 2024-06-24 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.
  13. Web site: alphadefense.in . 2024-07-15 . Govt looks to conclude Rs 35,000 crore Scorpene submarine deal with MDL by year end, price bids to open soon . 2024-07-15 . alphadefense.in . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2024-07-29 . Indian Navy's new Scorpene submarines to have Made in India 'Heart' by BEL with French architecture: French Naval Group . 2024-07-29 . ANI.
  15. News: Bhatt. Arunkumar. Scorpene construction work begins in Mumbai. The Hindu. 24 May 2007. en-IN. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180430015834/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Scorpene-construction-work-begins-in-Mumbai/article14767981.ece. 30 April 2018.
  16. Web site: The Unsavoury History of India’s Long-Delayed Submarine Augmentation Programme. thewire.in. 25 January 2023.
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  18. Web site: Govt sanctions additional Rs 4764 crore for submarine project. economictimes.indiatimes.com. 11 August 2010.
  19. Web site: Scorpene submarine project to miss target again as Spanish consultants quit. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 15 April 2013.
  20. News: Unnithan. Sandeep. Contract for 98 Black Shark torpedoes scrapped, Indian nuclear submarine programme further delayed. India Today. 1 June 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180215024017/https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/torpedo-hits-nuclear-indian-submarine-programme-11707-2016-06-01. 15 February 2018.
  21. Web site: Bedi. Rahul. India's first Scorpene boat begins sea trials without primary weapons. IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. 3 May 2016. 5 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160504102932/http://www.janes.com/article/59944/india-s-first-scorpene-boat-begins-sea-trials-without-primary-weapons. 4 May 2016.
  22. Web site: Exclusive: Handicapped by red tape, Indian Navy to fit old weapons on brand new submarine. www.indiatoday.in. 23 August 201.
  23. Web site: India Has Alternative For Finmeccanica Torpedoes Says Parrikar . Businessworld.in . 2016-05-29 . 2017-01-02. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161008141716/http://businessworld.in/article/India-Has-Alternative-For-Finmeccanica-Torpedos-Says-Parrikar/29-05-2016-98541/ . 8 October 2016 .
  24. News: Scorpene-class submarine likely to be commissioned by November-December. The Economic Times . 14 July 2018.
  25. Web site: DRDO's Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion system to soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari, significantly enhancing its submerged endurance. www.naval-group.com. 23 January 2021.
  26. Last submarine of Kalvari class launched - Vagsheer, Yard-11880.jpg. PIB. 2023-05-19.
  27. Web site: First sea sortie of sixth scorpene submarine Vaghsheer. Lokmat Times. 2023-05-19.
  28. Web site: Aatmanirbhar Bharat: DAC clears capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 84,560 crore to boost the capabilities of the Armed Forces & Indian Coast Guard . 2024-02-18 . pib.gov.in.
  29. Web site: Krishna Menon . Adithya . 2024-02-18 . Indian Navy, Coast Guard To Get 15 Maritime Patrol Aircraft Based On Airbus C-295 . 2024-02-18 . Naval News.
  30. News: Pubby . Manu . 2024-07-07 . Indian submarines set for indigenous edge in open seas . 2024-07-08 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.
  31. Web site: Curtain Raiser : Kalvari to be Commissioned Tomorrow at Mumbai. 13 December 2017. pib.nic.in. 2017-12-13. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214071348/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174299. 14 December 2017.
  32. Web site: Maiden Sea Trial of Kalvari – First Scorpene Class Submarine. pib.nic.in. 1 May 2016. 2017-12-15. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053934/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=143613. 15 December 2017.
  33. Web site: Bedi. Rahul. Indian Navy commissions first licence-built Scorpène-class submarine. Jane's Defence Weekly. https://archive.today/20171228134046/http://www.janes.com/article/76404/indian-navy-commissions-first-licence-built-scorp%E8ne-class-submarine. 28 December 2017. live. 14 December 2017.
  34. Web site: India launches fourth Scorpene / Kalvari-class submarine. www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com. 8 May 2019.
  35. Web site: DRDO successfully tests its new, air-independent propulsion (AIP), to be fitted in six Scorpenes. www.ajaishukla.com. 10 March 2021.
  36. Web site: Why Navy plan to fit Scorpene subs with made-in-India propulsion tech won't materialise before 2024. theprint.in. 10 February 2023.
  37. Web site: Scorpene subs to be retro-fitted with the DRDO's air-independent propulsion (AIP), under Naval Group's oversight. www.ajaishukla.com. 24 January 2023.
  38. Web site: Three New Scorpene Submarines That India Is Buying From France To Get AIP Propulsion As Naval Group Commences Integration. bharatshakti.in. 19 July 2023.
  39. Bonsignore. Luca. 26. 1. 2005. 135. "Carrera": The first real Spanish export-submarine floated. 18 torpedoes and missiles can be carried otherwise 30 mines.. Naval Forces. Aldershot. Monch Publications. 0722-8880.
  40. Web site: MDL delivers first of six Scorpène-class submarines to Indian Navy. Dominguez. Gabriel. 22 September 2017. Jane's Defence Weekly. https://archive.today/20171228135036/http://www.janes.com/article/74325/mdl-delivers-first-of-six-scorp%E8ne-class-submarines-to-indian-navy. 28 December 2017. live.
  41. Web site: Road to development in the 21st century goes through the Indian ocean – Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister. pib.nic.in. 2017-12-15. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215054021/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=174311. 15 December 2017.
  42. INS VAGIR ON AN EXTENDED RANGE DEPLOYMENT TO FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA . PIB . 2023-08-19.
  43. Web site: 2023-06-19 . Indian naval submarine and Pakistani ship visit Sri Lanka at same time . PIB.
  44. Web site: Philip . Snehesh Alex . 2023-08-19 . India's Scorpene submarine carries out its longest deployment, travels 7,000 kms to Australia . 2023-09-02 . ThePrint . en-US.
  45. Web site: 2024-03-24 . A Kalvari class submarine makes history with its inaugural visit to Campbell Bay, the southernmost Port of India in the #Nicobar group of islands. . 2024-03-31 . @INHQENC, Twitter.
  46. Web site: Sharma . Ritu . 2024-03-26 . Outmatched 4:1, Indian Submarine Surfaces Near China Chokepoint; Expert Says 'Woefully Short Of Subs' . 2024-03-31 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  47. News: Shukla. Tarun. INS Kalvari, India's first Scorpene submarine, commissioned by Narendra Modi. Livemint. 14 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044720/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/uPIyd9PAN0KhwVJPbXHmOK/PM-Modi-commissions-Scorpeneclass-submarine-INS-Kalvari-int.html. 2 March 2018.
  48. Web site: 2019-09-20. INS Khanderi: A Scorpene class submarine, handed over to Navy. 2020-11-12. Jagranjosh.com.
  49. Web site: Submarines Active Indian Navy . indiannavy.nic.in . Indian Navy . 18 October 2019.
  50. News: Second Scorpene class submarine Khanderi to be launched on Jan 12. The Economic Times. 2017-01-09. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170112194733/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/second-scorpene-class-submarine-khanderi-to-be-launched-on-jan-12/articleshow/56421928.cms. 12 January 2017. dmy-all.
  51. Web site: Rajnath commissions INS Khanderi attack submarine. 28 September 2019. The Times of India. en. 2019-09-29.
  52. News: Third Scorpene-class submarine to be launched . Deccan Herald . 29 January 2018 . en.
  53. Web site: Third Scorpene submarine 'Karanj' Launched at Mazagon Docks. pib.nic.in. 2018-01-31. 2018-01-31. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075149/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176011. 1 February 2018.
  54. Web site: INS Karanj - third Kalvari class Submarine commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. PIB. 10 March 2021.
  55. News: Manasvi Shanker. Sharma. 11 March 2021. India commissions third Kalvari-class submarine. 2021-03-14. Janes. en.
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  58. Web site: Launch of Fourth Scorpene Class Submarine - Vela. 6 May 2019. 15 July 2019.
  59. Web site: INS Vela: Indian Navy's 4th Scorpene-class made in India submarine launched. 6 May 2019 . The Financial Express. 6 May 2019.
  60. News: 2021-11-25 . INS Vela commissioned into Indian Navy in Mumbai . 2024-06-04 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  61. Web site: Desk. India com News. 2020-11-12. Indian Navy's Fifth Scorpene-Class Submarine INS Vagir Launched. 2020-11-12. India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News India.com. en.
  62. navalgroup_IN. 1326750164812402689. INS Vagir-fifth Kalvari class submarine in collaboration with navalgroup launched today. 12 November 2020.
  63. Web site: INS Vagir, 5th submarine of Kalvari class, commissioned into Indian Navy. www.hindustantimes.com. 23 January 2023.
  64. LAUNCH OF SIXTH SCORPENE SUBMARINE 'VAGSHEER' AT MAZAGON DOCK LIMITED (MDL), MUMBAI. PIB. 2022-04-20.
  65. Web site: 2024-08-18 . INS Vagsheer's Induction Delayed to November, Indigenous Tech Likely Culprit . 2024-08-19 . Defence.in . en-US.