Indian nuclear attack submarines (SSN) and security calculus in Indian Ocean: Pak Media

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 4/17/2021 11:20:21 AM


Islamabad, Apr 16 In March 2021, as reported in the media, the Indian Navy is all set to acquire three indigenously built nuclear-powered submersible ships (SSN), commonly known as nuclear- powered attack submarines. Diplomat magazine has reported that the Indian Navy has prioritized the acquisition of the SSNs over the indigenously built aircraft carriers. Currently, India is operating only one aircraft carrier, “INS Vikramaditya“, which is a revamped Soviet origin “Kiev-Class Ship” that was acquired in 2014. Further, India is operating only one SSN, ‘Chakra’, which it got on lease from Russia in 2012. Likewise, the nuclear-powered and ballistic missile capable submersible ship (SSBN) ‘Arihant’ which has been operational since 2018 has significantly enhanced India’s deterrent capability at sea. Indian focus on enhancing its naval capability is premised on a view of itself as the sole custodian of the Indian Ocean. India considers Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as its backyard since it is one of the biggest littoral states to the Indian Ocean. Therefore, geography is one important factor for the Indian naval strategy. Analysis of Indian naval strategy reveals that its objective for the Indian Ocean is to seek and attain sea denial ability and capability, which would bring about Indian territorial claims with its neighbour China and Pakistan to IOR as well. In this regard, the fleet to hunter-attack submarines would not only provide India with the ability to hunt, tail, and attack submarines and vessels of other countries. But, these submarines would provide security to its SSBN from attack submarines of other states. The plan to build and acquire SSN by India was under discussion for quite some time but recent border clashes with its neighbours and the interest of its military elite have paved the way for SSNs instead of naval carriers. Last year, Gen. Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, and former army chief in his interview to Times of India voiced his opinion in support of submarines instead of carriers by stating that anything which is on the surface would be an easy target. In this plan, India is set to build 6 nuclear-powered hunter-attack submarines, which would weigh around 6000 tons at Vizag Shipbuilding Centre. But, initially, India’s cabinet committee on security would approve the production of only three SSNs and the first of these three would be deployed by 2032. However, if one keeps in mind the process of Indian naval build-ups and their deployment and operationalization, it is expected that deployment will take more time than 2032. It was also reported in the media that India would commission its second- nuclear powered ballistic missile capable submarine (SSBN) “Arighat”, this year. Unlike SSNs, SSBNs are of strategic importance and carry out strategic missions. Both Arihant and Arighat are capable of carrying and firing the advanced K-15 sealaunched ballistic missiles with a range of 750 km. Although India claims that its naval nuclear deterrence is to provide it with second-strike capability against two front threats.

 

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