New Scorpene Class Submarines and the Rafale Marine Jets

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Scorpene Class Submarines in India
• What are the Specifications/Capabilities of the Scorpene Submarines?
• How do they Compare with Nuclear Submarines?
• Need/Significance for procuring 3 New Submarines
• The Rafale jets and their Marine version:
• How is the Marine version Different?
• Need for the Rafale M

 

 Why in News?

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body for the acquisition of military equipment for India’s armed forces, cleared proposals worth thousands of crores.
• The decision, which coincides with the Indian PM’s two-day Paris trip, includes procuring 3 additional Scorpene submarines and 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Navy from France.

 

Scorpene Class Submarines in India

• The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai is building six Scorpene class submarines under the Project-75, as part of a $ 3.75 billion deal signed in 2005.
• This allowed for transfer of technology from the French defence firm, Naval Group.
• The fifth submarine under this project, INS Vagir, was commissioned in January this year.
• The others - INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj and INS Vela were commissioned between 2017 and 2021.
• In May 2023, the sixth submarine Vagsheer began her sea trials.
• This project saw significant delays, with the first submarine originally slated for delivery in 2012.

 

What are the Specifications/Capabilities of the Scorpene Submarines?

• They are ~220 feet long and ~40 feet tall and can reach the top speeds of 11 knots (20 km/h) when surfaced and 20 knots (37 km/h) when submerged.
• They are conventional attack subs, meaning that they are designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.
• Capable of launching a large array of torpedoes and missiles, they are also equipped with a range of surveillance and intelligence-gathering mechanisms.
• They use diesel electric propulsion systems [diesel (for functioning on the surface) and electric (for functioning underwater)], with an endurance - ability to operate independently without refuelling for ~50 days.
• The Indian navy will retrofit all of its Scorpene class submarines with air independent propulsion (AIP) systems, beginning in 2024, to boost their endurance as well as stealth.

 

How do they Compare with Nuclear Submarines?

• Nuclear submarines are coveted due to their theoretically unlimited endurance - a nuclear reactor on a submarine has an operational life of up to 30 years.
• These submarines only need to come to the surface for replenishing supplies for the crew. They are also able to move much faster than conventional submarines.
• Currently, India has 2 nuclear-powered submarines (SSBMs) of the Arihant class in service.
• Despite these advantages, a navy should not only choose to procure nuclear submarines. Because nuclear submarines are -
  • Expensive and require specialised experience to operate.
  • With advancements in diesel electric technology (like AIP), the range of conventional submarines as well as their stealth has gone up significantly.

 

Need/Significance for procuring 3 New Submarines

• The need was felt in the backdrop of the delayed deliveries of submarines under Project 75, as well as to bolster India’s dwindling submarine fleet.
  • Currently, the Indian Navy has 16 conventional submarines in service - 7 of the Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo class), 4 of the Shishumar class (modified German Type 209) and 5 of the Kalvari class (French Scorpene class).
  • However, to carry out its full spectrum of operations the Navy needs at least 18 such submarines.
  • Moreover, around 30% of the submarines are under refit (at any given time), thus further bringing down the strength of operational submarines.
• The procurement of additional submarines with higher indigenous content will -
  • Not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Navy,
  • But also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector.
  • Help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

 

The Rafale jets and their Marine version

• Manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation, the Rafales are advanced twin engine, multirole fighter jets equipped with latest weapon systems, including -
  • Meteor-beyond visual range air-to-air missiles,
  • Hammer air to surface smart weapon system,
  • Scalp cruise missile
• They are fitted with modern sensors and radar to detect and track and attack targets. The jets can carry exceptionally high payloads.
• The Rafale Marine fighters are the naval variant of the Rafale fighter jets, 36 of which are operated by the Indian Air Force.

 

How is the Marine version Different?

• The Marine version of the jets will be slightly different, given that they will operate from aircraft carriers on sea.
• The differences include foldable wings, a longer airframe for landing on carriers, and a tail hook for arrested landing on a carrier.
• The Rafale M nose gear also incorporates the “jump strut technology” in the shock absorber to give the aircraft an angle of attack during catapulting.

 

Need for the Rafale M

• The Navy currently operates the MiG-29Ks from its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
  • The Russian MiG-29Ks are a carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft and can have a maximum speed over twice the speed of sound (about 2,000 kmph) and can climb to an altitude of over 65,000 feet.
• The indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is currently under development by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the DRDO.
• With some of the MiG-29Ks expected to retire in a decade and with the Navy now having two operational aircraft carriers, there is a need to procure additional deck-based fighters to meet its operational requirements.

 

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Q1) What is the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)?

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under Department of Defence Research and Development (DR&D) of India's Ministry of Defence was established at Bangalore, in 1984 to oversee the development of the nation's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

 

Q2) What is the difference between nuclear powered and conventional submarines?

The main difference between conventional submarines and nuclear submarines is the power generation system. Nuclear submarines employ nuclear reactors for this task.

 

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Source: New Scorpene class submarines for the Navy: Why they are a crucial buy | IE