India to build 2 nuclear-powered attack submarines. Why are they crucial as China Navy expands in region?

India is set to build two nuclear-powered attack submarines or SSNs, as China, the world’s biggest Navy, flexes its Naval power in the region’s maritime waters.  The two SSNs will have a combined cost of around $3.6 billion.

Building of these two vessels at the Ship Building Centre in the southern port of Vishakhapatnam will be done on a public-private partnership deal, which will see involvement of firms like Larsen and Toubro.

The SSNs are part of India’s Advanced Technology Vessel project and will be in addition to the five nuclear submarines being built under the Arihant class at the same port. 

The two SSNs will have 90 per cent local components and are not expected to be operational till at least 2040. 

How India compares with China on submarines

China is the largest Navy in the world at present, with at least 370 ships. It has 70 submarines, of which 12 are SSNs. China is continuing to expand its nuclear submarines for regional dominance in waters ranging from Indian Ocean to Taiwan to South China Sea and beyond.

Clearly, there is an imbalance in Naval power when one compares India and China.

India has 18 submarines, two of them nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines or SSBNs. Out of these, 16 submarines in the Kalvari, Sindhugosh and Shishumar class are diesel-electric powered. The two SSBNs belonging to the Arihant class are powered by enriched uranium.

Watch: US Approves $175 Million Defence Deal To India, India To Get Lightweight Torpedoes

India’s cabinet committee on security approved the new SSNs on Wednesday (Oct 9) to address this issue, five years after the Indian Navy proposed the building of these war machines domestically. 

It comes after the lease expired in 2021 for the Russian Akula-class submarines. India and Russia could not reach a deal on leasing another Akula submarine due to the war in Ukraine and changing geopolitical equations in the Eruasian region.

Currently, besides China, only a few nations have nuclear attack submarines, including the US, Russia, and France.

SSNs have better endurance and stealth capabilities as opposed to legacy submarines that are diesel-electric powered.

They are faster, quieter, difficult to detect and can remain under water for long periods of time.

They have better tactical capabilities, being able to engage enemy vessels effectively both in offensive and defensive situations.

The addition of the SSNs will be a boost to the ageing submarine fleet of the South Asian nation, whose acquisitions began in the 1980s.

India is also reportedly seeking technology cooperation with France for its nuclear-powered submarines, specifically on nuclear reactors.

Having the attack submarines powered by nuclear energy will enhance India’s deterrence and operational capacity, as well as bolster its underwater fighting power.

(With inputs from agencies)