Explain the various submarine technologies of Indian defence system with special emphasis on Air Independent Propulsion system.
India currently has 15 conventional diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) and one nuclear-powered ballistic submarine (SSBN). The majority of India’s submarines are over 25 years old, and many are now undergoing refurbishment.
Submarine technologies of Indian defence system
Diesel Electric
- To move, diesel-electric submarines use electric motors that are powered by diesel engines. Because these engines require air and fuel to operate, they must resurface more frequently, making them more visible.
- Four of the SSKs are Shishumar Class, which were purchased and manufactured in India in the 1980s in partnership with the Germans.
- Between 1984 and 2000, eight Kilo Class or Sindhughosh Class aircraft were purchased from Russia (including the former Soviet Union).
- Three Kalvari Class Scorpene submarines (P-75) were built in collaboration with France’s Naval Group at India’s Mazagon Dock.
Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSN)
- SSNs can stay and function under water for practically limitless periods of time; their endurance is only limited by the crew’s food supply. They’re also armed with torpedoes, anti-ship cruise missiles, and land-attack cruise missiles, among other things.
- Along with the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China, India is one of six countries with SSNs. Russia has leased the INS Chakra 2 SSN submarine to India till 2022.
Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
- A covert launch platform for nuclear weapons and a slow-moving ‘bomber.’
- The Arihant is part of the Strategic Forces Command, which is also building three additional SSBNs.
AIP
- AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance of the boat several folds. Fuel cell-based AIP has merits in performance compared to other technologies
- AIP technology allows a conventional submarine to remain submerged for much longer than ordinary diesel-electric submarines.
- All conventional submarines have to surface to run their generators that recharge the batteries that allow the boat to function under water.
- More frequently a submarine surfaces, the higher the chances of it being detected. AIP allows a submarine to remain submerged for more than a fortnight, compared to two to three days for diesel-electric boats.
Challenges
- Despite the fact that the high seas are the only arena in which India may checkmate China due to its natural geographic advantages, India’s submarine fleet continues to lack the necessary fangs.
- India’s Modernisation Delay
- Other critical capabilities lacking in the Indian Navy include “Advanced Towed Array Sonars (ATAS) to detect enemy submarines, heavyweight torpedoes to neutralise them, and a variety of air defence systems, all of which are critical not only to their survivability, but also to their overall offensive capability.
Way forward
- India would be severely hamstrung in resisting China’s aim to dominate the Indian Ocean unless the gap in naval capabilities is closed fast.
- If India wants to walk the talk on the Quad (India, Australia, the United States, and Japan) and its Indo-Pacific objectives, the defence bureaucracy must solve the modernization backlog fast.
- To stop the decline in its relative capabilities, India must reform its decision-making procedures and its convoluted acquisitions process.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/submarine-tech-that-india-wants-aip-technology-7900043/
How to structure
- Give a brief intro on India’s submarines
- Explain the various submarine technologies
- Explain in detail about AIP
- Mention challenges and write way forward
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