India is making significant strides in its defense capabilities as it finalizes major contracts with France worth around Rs 1 lakh crore for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and three additional Scorpene submarines. This development follows the successful establishment of a Rs 32,350 crore agreement with the United States for the acquisition of 31 armed MQ-9B Predator drones. Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi announced on Monday that both the Rafale and Scorpene deals are in the final stages, with expectations that they could be signed as early as next month.
Admiral Tripathi highlighted the recent bolstering of India’s underwater capabilities with the induction of the INS Arighaat, the nation’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). He indicated that this enhancement plays a vital role in India’s nuclear triad. On November 27, INS Arighaat successfully test-fired the K-4 missile, which has a striking range of 3,500 kilometers. Tripathi confirmed that the results of the missile launch are currently being analyzed by relevant agencies. Once it completes its trials, INS Arighaat will join its predecessor, INS Arihant, which is equipped with 750-km K-15 missiles, on deterrent patrols.
Looking ahead to conventional warfare, India is set to begin the induction process for the first of two 9,800-tonne nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), which are part of a Rs 40,000 crore initiative that received approval from the Prime Minister-led cabinet committee on security in October. The first of these submarines is projected to be ready for service by 2036-37, with the second following a few years later.
Currently, the Indian Navy is actively engaged in constructing 63 ships and vessels at domestic shipyards, alongside two guided-missile frigates produced in Russia. This effort aligns with India’s strategic goal of developing a robust blue-water navy to safeguard its expansive geostrategic interests and counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Navy consists of over 130 warships, 150 aircraft, and 130 helicopters, with preliminary approval for the addition of 31 more vessels, which includes seven new-generation frigates, eight corvettes, and six stealth diesel-electric submarines, alongside the three additional Scorpene submarines.
Despite these advancements, projections suggest that the Navy will reach a strength of only about 155-160 warships by 2030. This is attributed to the slow pace of shipbuilding in Indian shipyards and the ongoing decommissioning of older vessels. The anticipated Rs 63,000 crore agreement for the direct procurement of 22 single-seat Rafale jets and four twin-seat trainer aircraft, along with associated weapons systems, simulators, and logistics support, is on track for final consideration by the cabinet committee on security. Admiral Tripathi emphasized that since this is a government-to-government deal, the approval process should proceed swiftly.
The contract for the three additional Scorpene submarines, valued at around Rs 36,000 crore, will be executed at the Mazagon Docks in Mumbai. The first of these submarines is expected to launch in six years, with subsequent units following at one-year intervals. This initiative will bolster the existing fleet of six Scorpene submarines, known as the Kalvari-class, which were constructed under the Rs 23,000 crore Project-75. The sixth and final submarine of this class, named Vagsheer, is poised for imminent commissioning.
