Nuclear attack submarine programme will lift defence ecosystem, says Navy chief

Puri: The recently approved proposal to construct India's first nuclear-powered attack submarines is a game changer that will not only give the Indian Navy a unique operational capability, but also lift the defence manufacturing ecosystem, with a breakthrough moment expected for the 'Make in India' initiative within the next five years, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said.

In an interview with ET on the occasion of Navy Day, which was celebrated in Odisha for the first time on Wednesday with an operational demonstration, he said indigenous nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) will add a significant new capability, with the first of the new boats expected to join service by 2036.

Adm Tripathi said the plan for the project (estimated to cost ₹35,000 crore for the first two boats) is likely to be in line with the construction of India's nuclear missile submarines (SSBNs) in which the Navy had the lead on design and took assistance of the defence industry in manufacturing.


"I am indeed grateful to the government for having trust in our in-house capability to design and build nuclear powered attack submarines. This is borne out of our demonstrated capability in the strategic program (SSBN). And we are going to follow almost a similar model. It is not going to be any different," he said, referring to the Arihant nuclear submarine programme that led to the construction of two nuclear armed submarines.

The top officer added that the first meeting for the high value project has taken place and a roadmap to construct the two nuclear attack submarines has been put in place.

"There are many other stakeholders, all obviously indigenous. So, whether it is BARC, whether it is our ship building centre or our design agencies and the other private partners, they are all going to be in the mix when we start this project. I had the inaugural meeting with all actors present last month, and we have developed a plan of action on how to ensure that we have the first nuclear attack submarine in our arsenal by 2036-37," he said, adding the private sector will be deeply involved in the project and there will be an impact at the secondary and tertiary levels of industry.

"I have got a great, great hope that the next five years are going to be breakthrough years for us in terms of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. And the Indian Navy has already committed, and we are convinced that by 2047, we will be fully Aatmanirbhar force," he said.

The Navy chief said negotiations to acquire three additional Kalvari class submarines as well as Rafale M jets are in the final stages, with a procurement contract likely to be inked shortly. He said several major warship and submarine construction programmes are underway and the Navy is on the path to be a 175-warship strong force.