India’s growing underwater capability : Important Topics for UPSC Exams
India’s growing underwater capability
Introduction
- According to Spykman theory of rim land those who control the littorals can control the world. So for India to be a global power it needs to strengthen its capability in Indian Ocean Region.
- This year Indian Navy is celebrating golden jubilee of its Submarine arms.
India's growing underwater Capability
- Recently INS Kalvari, was handed over to the Indian Navy for its commissioning it would be a significant milestone in the navy's submarine-building programme.
- Khanderi the second of the Scorpenes class submarine under construction, is undergoing rigorous phase of sea trials.
- India operates a fleet of 16 submarines, including INS Kalvari, INS Chakra and INS Arihant.
- INS Arihant was commissioned last year which completed India's nuclear triad or the ability to launch strategic weapons from land, air and sea.
- The Navy is also building conventional boats in India through partnership programmes with foreign suppliers.
- Navy has developed required skills to build warships suitable for tropical conditions which are export-worthy to other Indian Ocean littoral countries.
- The Indian Navy is an instrument of maritime diplomacy. It involves goodwill visits by warships to foreign ports, naval exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- Two deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) systems which is to be inducted next year are contracted from the British JFD and will fill a major capability gap before the Indian
- Navy inducts the sophisticated nuclear submarines which are currently under construction.
Commissioned submarines (source- Wikipedia)
Why Strengthening of Navy's Capability is needed
- Peace and stability: as the biggest nation in the Indian Ocean region, it becomes responsibility of India to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Chinese presence: the strengthening of Navy's capability is important due to increasing Chinese Navy ships and submarine deployments in the Indian Ocean Region every year.
- Confront with china: the Indian and Chinese navies come into contact with each other either in the waters of the Indian Ocean or the South China Sea.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: to increase efficiency in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to littoral state and for own country also.
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Concerns/Challenges for Indian Navy
- Delay in commissioning - for example commissioning of INS Kalvari into Indian Navy's fleet was after a delay of five years.
- India's underwater fleet is way behind China which has far superior underwater capability and also China outnumbers India in Submarines and warships.
- Also India’s submarines cannot live for long time underwater, they periodically need to come to surface which make them susceptible to enemy.
- As far as Project-751 is concerned, little progress has been made in the past 10 years.
- Indian Navy lack a dedicated deep submergence rescue vessel (DSRV) even as it enters its 51st year.
- The long-delayed DSRV acquisition symbolizes India's systemic incompetence
- Constraints related to recruitment significantly impact the modernization and acquisition process.
About INS Kalvari
- The first of a six scorpene submarine, Kalvari, was handed over to the Indian Navy for its commissioning.
- Kalvari is named after Tiger Shark a deadly deep sea predator of Indian Ocean.
- Kalvari is built indigenously under Project 75, at Mumbai's Mazagon Docks in collaboration with DCNS which is a French firm.
- It can dive up to a depth of 300 metres to elude enemy detection.
- It has superior stealth and the ability to launch crippling attacks with precision-guided weapons.
- The attack can be carried out underwater or from the surface.
Way forward
- On the 50th anniversary of the Navy's submarine arm, it's a wake-up call on acquiring dedicated rescue vessel.
- India have to focus on using our underwater capabilities in a more innovative manner to meet the desired political objectives.
- India must have a robust and credible underwater capability with a judicious mix of conventional and nuclear-propelled submarines.
- India needs to work hard to meet the target of building 24 submarines by the year 2030.
- Capacity to remain underwater for a long time needs to be augmented.
- Collaboration with countries having comparative advantage in building submarines.
MODEL QUESTION
Consider the following statements about INS Arihant
- It is nuclear powered submarines of India
- It is fitted with the India’s own K-15 ballistic missile that can be launched from under water.
- It has bought India into league of top 3 countries that possess nuclear powered submarines.
Which of the statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 and 3
(b) Only 2 and 3
(c) Only 1 and 2
(d) Only 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: c