Indian Navy Expresses Requirement For Six Nuclear Powered Attack Submarines

The Indian Navy has informed the central government of its requirement to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), Hindustan Times has reported.

The Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh had conveyed the same to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting at the latter's residence on 3 May.

The nuclear powered attack submarines are a key part of mobilising deterrent patrols in the Indo-Pacific. China had recently added 12 SSNs to its fleet.

SSNs are equipped with conventional missiles along with weapons and can efficiently go for long-distance patrols. They only need to come to the surface for food supplies and other logistical purposes.

Furthermore, India is considering countries like the US, UK, France and Russia as potential partners to jointly develop the SSNs in India under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program.

However, the Indian Navy is yet to approach the Union Defence Ministry to get the acceptance of necessity for their purchase.

As of now, India has one Akura class SSN - INS Chakra which has been leased from Russia. The Navy also has an indigenously build ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the second of which will join the strategic forces command in the coming year.