Thread: Indian Navy second line of submarines.

With the scorpions under construction, and hopefully on the right track with out delays, the Navy is going to start another line of subs.

India to acquire six more submarines: Naval Chief
9 May, 2008, 1356 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: India will soon float global tenders to acquire six submarines but would like to see indigenous development of this technology in the future, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said on Friday.

These six submarines would be in addition to the Scorpene submarines, which the Indian navy is expected to acquire soon.

"In accordance with the plan to keep a certain number of submarines in the force, we will be acquiring six of one type (Scorpene) and six of another type," Mehta said at a press conference, marking the end of a two-day-long naval commanders' conference held here.

The development of Scorpene submarines had been delayed and it was now time to look for a second type of submarine, he said.(???)

Mehta said, "We need to have indigenous capability for building these submarines and Indian Navy has been a strong proponent of indigenous development. Therefore, we would expect that our shipyards take over the technology from some of these companies and thereafter build it themselves."

The submarines for which tenders would be floated could also have vertical missile launch capabilities, he added.

The Indian Navy's requirement was small and, therefore, it presently could obtain the submarines from abroad, the admiral said, adding the navy was also hopeful of obtaining nuclear powered submarines in the future.

"The nuclear powered submarines could be equipped either with nuclear or conventional weapons. The present nuclear submarine project was being developed by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO)," he added.

India to acquire six more submarines: Naval Chief- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

Now soon could translate into 2010-2015 in the Indian scenario.

this when compared with another news report from some months ago.

Navy eyes new submarines for blue-water capability
Sun, Feb 17 06:25 PM

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has set the ball rolling for acquisition of new warships and submarines.

India has made it clear that it wants more muscle at sea and has kick-started the process of acquiring six new hunter-killer submarines and seven new frigates.

Of particular significance is its decision to go in for a new line of submarines, which will for the first time give India an assured capability to attack targets on land from under the sea.

Request for information have recently been issued to the French DCNS, Spanish Navantia, Russian Rubin and German HDW.

"It is a new submarine. It is not the Scorpene and it is a bigger submarine with specific features," Alain Fougeron, Executive VP, DCNS says about its new submarines.The key differentiator from its existing fleet of 16 submarines will be a new class of missiles, which will establish India as the leading naval power in the region.

"The missile component of the Submarine weapon is very important and it should be very powerful," Andrey V Efimov, Manager, Rubin Design Bureau, says.

By considering four options India has sent a message that it wants to diversify its weapons procurement beyond traditional arms supplier Russia.

Navy eyes new submarines for blue-water capability - Yahoo! India News

This is going to be a lot of type of submarines in the coming decade.

Sindhugosh (Kilo) Class
Shishumar (HDW 209) Class
Project 75 - Scorpene SSK
Project 76 - the follow on to the Scorpene.
ATV-SSBN
ATV-SSN (or Russian nuclear subs on lease)

Is this going to be a pain in the ass for the Indian Navy?

Going by the

"It is a new submarine. It is not the Scorpene and it is a bigger submarine with specific features," Alain Fougeron, Executive VP, DCNS says about its new submarines.

Will it be better for the navy to go with these submarines with "specific features" and something common for the 12 new submarines?