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Submarine-building Perspective Plan

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The lead vessel of the Kalvari-class submarine at sea

The Submarine-building Perspective Plan is a procurement and development plan of the Indian Navy to replace its ageing fleet of attack submarine. The plan was approved in 1999 just following the Kargil War and would result in 24 submarines to be constructed in two phases over a duration of 30 years.

Origins and approval

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In 1997, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) — the final decision-making body of the Government of India on all matters of India's national security chaired by the Prime Minister — approved the construction of two Type 209/1500 attack submarines (SSK) at a then-estimated cost of INR ₹700 crore. This effort, which was conceived in the wake of an international corruption scandal related to India's acquisition of the Shishumar-class submarines, called for the construction of two Type 209/1500 SSKs at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) with the assistance of a foreign naval firm in a corroborative role. In accordance with the scheme, the Indian Navy (IN) and MDL approached several naval enterprises for assistance; however, the French-based Thomson-CSF (TCSF) was the only firm willing to participate.[1]

Two years later, on 12 July 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a two-phase plan to build 24 submarines over a span of 30 years.[2][3] The plan was named 'Project for Series Construction of Submarines for the Indian Navy and Acquisition of National Competence in Submarine Building', also referred as 'Submarine-building Perspective Plan'. For the first phase, six submarines each were to be built at MDL under Project 75 (P-75) along with a parallel production line of another public/private shipyard[4] under Project-75 (India) or P-75(I) with technology transfer. Under the second phase, twelve submarines would be built including complete indigenous design, development and construction of submarines in India.[1][5] While the first phase was scheduled for completion within 2012, the second phase would be executed in 2012–2030.[6]

Phase I

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For the Project-75, two options emerged. The first being construction of the Type 209/1500 at MDL initially with the combat suite of TCSF with the rest being based on modified Scorpène submarine design based on Naval requirements. The second option recommended the construction of all the SSKs based on the newer Scorpène design. Ultimately, the Naval Heqadquarters 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. The initial plan to ally with TCSF was dropped in April 2001 and negotiations for the procurement of the Scorpène design under the first phase, dubbed Project-75 (P-75), began in November 2001. The Scorpène design was offered by another French-based naval firm, Armaris (later DCNS, now Naval Group).[1] The P-75 contract signed on 6 October 2005[7] resulted in the construction of six Kalvari-class submarines[5] beginning 23 May 2009.[8] The final unit, INS Vagsheer (S26), was commissioned in January 2025.[9]

Though the second batch of six submarines, under Project-75 (India), was to be executed simultaneously alongside P-75, financial constraints within the MoD led to P-75 being the only project sanctioned for six submarines.[10] Proposals to move ahead with the acquisition failed twice after the project was approved in 2010 and 2014.[11][12] Following delays, the Navy mandated the presence of an operational air-independent propulsion (AIP) plant with the submarine design. This was done to maintain the submarine's relevance in future as the boats' induction timeline was already delayed to 2022.[12][13] The third approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Indian Minister of Defence, was accorded in January 2019.[14][15] In January 2025, the bid by Larsen & Toubro to build S-80 Plus-class submarine, in collaboration with Spain's Navantia, was disqualified.[16][17] Mazagon Dock's partnership with TKMS remained the only technically compliant bidder who were thereafter invited for techno-commercial negotiations with the Indian Ministry of Defence.[18] Negotiations were reported to have begun in July 2025[19] and the union finance ministry cleared the deal on 28 May 2026. The deal could be signed in September 2026.[20][21]

Phase II

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The second phase of the plan envisioned the complete indigenous design and construction of twelve diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy. The design would incorporate the know-how and experience gained from the phase I projects.[1][5]

However, the plan was amended midway to maintain the relevance of the submarine fleets as per evolving threats.[6] The program to construct and deploy a fleet of nuclear submarines was first envisaged in late 1990s was fast-tracked following growing patrols by the People's Liberation Army Navy ships. This included a solitary two-month "anti-piracy" patrol by a Type 093 submarine in the Indian Ocean before returning to Yulin Naval Base on 13 December 2013. On 12 February 2014, R&AW evaluations described the deployment as having significantly intensified India’s security concerns.[22] The Navy has already acquired experience of operating nuclear submarines after leasing of INS Chakra (1987) and INS Chakra (2011) for three and nine years, respectively.[23][24][25] The force has also ordered a third Chakra submarine for a lease of 10 years starting 2025.[26][27] The submarine is expected to be delivered to India in 2028 following delays.[28][29]

In February 2015, the Government of India through a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval, gave rise to another indigenous submarine project — the Project 75 Alpha (now Project 77). A fleet of six nuclear attack submarines, with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes, were to be built under the project.[30] The design phase had begun by December 2017[31] with constructions to commence by 2023–24 and first unit to enter service in 2032.[32] The preliminary design phase was completed by February 2020.[33] In October 2024, the CCS cleared the construction of first two units in the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam, of the Ministry of Defence where the Arihant-class submarines were built.[34] The displacement was increased to 9,800 tonnes[35] and equipped with 200 MWe-rated nuclear reactor.[36] The first submarines will be inducted in by 2039.[37][38]

With the approval of the Project 77, the number of conventionally-powered boats under Project-76 was reduced to six units. The design was expected to inherit elements from the Project-75 and Project-75(I) designs.[6] The development was cleared by defence ministry in June 2024 followed by a feasibility study conducted by DRDO.[39] An approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the further detailed design of the submarine is due as of February 2025.[40]

Both the Project 76 and the Project 77 are being led by the Advanced Technology Vessel headquarters which is responsible for the development and construction of India's nuclear-powered, ballistic missile submarine fleet including Arihant class and S5-class submarines.[39][22] While the final submarine of the Arihant class is expected to be commissioned in 2027, the construction of first two units of S5 submarines has also begun at the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam.[41][42][43]

See also

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Related Indian military plans and lists

Similar procurement projects

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 "Undue favour to vendor in acquisition of submarines - Ministry Of Defence - Public Accounts Committee (2009-10)" (PDF). eparlib.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Submarine Construction Project" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Navy seeks amendment to 30-year submarine plan, wants six nuclear boats". Hindustan Times. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "24 Submarines in 30 Years?". www.spsnavalforces.com. February 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Vavasseur, Xavier (10 November 2021). "MDL Delivers 4th Scorpene Submarine to the Indian Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ↑ "Envisaging more defence ties". The Hindu Business Line. 20 February 2006. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "First of six Scorpene subs country bought in 2005 to be commissioned". The Times of India. 10 January 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "PM Modi commissions INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer: Key points". The Times of India. 15 January 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Scorpene Submarines — An Edge for Indian Navy's Submarine Fleet Build-up". www.spsnavalforces.com. February 2022.
  11. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (11 July 2010). "Biggest military deal: Six subs for Rs 50,000 crore". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  12. 1 2 "6 Made-in-India Submarines for Navy for 53,000 Crores". NDTV.com. 26 October 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  13. ↑ Siddiqui, Huma (9 March 2015). "Narendra Modi government shortlists Larsen & Toubro, Pipavav for Rs 60,000 crore submarine contract". The Financial Express.
  14. ↑ "Government clears Rs 40,000 crore project to construct six submarines". The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 31 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "MoD approves construction of 6 submarines for 40K crore". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  16. ↑ "Defence Ministry finds L&T proposal non-compliant in Rs 70,000 crore submarine deal". ANI. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  17. ↑ "Mazagon Dock shares rise 6% as defence ministry accepts bid for P75 submarine project". Business Today. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "Defence ministry to hold talks with Mazagon Docks, German co for 6 submarines". The Times of India. 24 January 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  19. ↑ Bhattacharjya, Satarupa; Kumar, Bhaswar (27 July 2025). "India eyes stealth edge with new submarines amid China's growing presence". Business Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  20. ↑ Sharma, Shivani (30 June 2026). "Rs 90,000-crore boost for Navy: India-Germany submarine deal nears final nod". India Today. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Centre okays ₹70,000-crore deal for six made-in-India submarines". Hindustan Times. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
  22. 1 2 Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "India to get Russian nuclear submarine after 17 years". India Today. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "INS Chakra: Govt inducts Russian-origin Akula II class Nerpa into Navy". The Economic Times. 4 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  25. ↑ "Navy's Only Nuclear Attack Submarine Returns To Russia Before Lease Expires". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  26. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (5 March 2019). "India, Russia To Sign $3 Billion Nuclear Sub Deal This Week". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  27. ↑ Pubby, Manu (4 March 2019). "India, Russia to ink $3 billion nuclear submarine deal this week". The Economic Times. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  28. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (5 March 2019). "India, Russia To Sign $3 Billion Nuclear Sub Deal This Week". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  29. ↑ "Govt fact checks report claiming India, Russia sealed USD 2-billion submarine deal". India Today. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Government clears construction of 7 stealth frigates, 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines". The Economic Times. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  31. ↑ Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019.
  32. ↑ "INS Arighaat: How a second nuclear submarine boosts India's strategic reach". India Today. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  33. ↑ Pubby, Manu (21 February 2020). "India's Rs 1.2 lakh crore nuclear submarine project closer to realisation". The Economic Times. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  34. ↑ "India clears two mega defence projects for 2 indigenous nuclear submarines & 31 Predator drones". The Times of India. 9 October 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  35. ↑ "Navy setting up base to control submarines on long-range patrols". The Times of India. 14 October 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  36. ↑ "Bhabha Atomic Research Centre making reactor for Navy's next-generation nuclear-submarines". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  37. ↑ "Navy Chief Dinesh Kumar Tripathi: Deals for Rafale-M jets, three additional Scorpene submarines in advanced stages". The Hindu. 2 December 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  38. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2 December 2024). "Navy chief spells out mega nuclear attack submarine plan. Here's what it is". ThePrint. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  39. 1 2 Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  40. ↑ Cite error: The named reference :12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  41. ↑ Sharma, Shivani; Negi, Manjeet (2 December 2025). "Navy to get INS Aridhaman, third Indian-made nuclear submarine". India Today. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  42. ↑ "CHAKRA EXCLUSIVE: India's fourth SSBN sails out for sea trials". Chakranewz. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  43. ↑ "Arihant class nuclear-powered submarine S4* likely to be named INS Arisudan". Hindustan Times. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
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