India's Underwater Upgrade: INS Khanderi To Get Long-Missing AIP System

The Indian Navy will soon cut INS Khanderi, one of its most modern submarines (it's barely six years old), literally in half, in the Hazira shipyard in Gujarat. And this is because the Pakistan Navy has something India lacks: AIP or air-independent propulsion system. A submarine with an AIP system can be underwater for a fortnight, a huge strategic benefit. Pakistan has three Agosta-class submarines with AIP. India does not have any. The INS Khanderi will be India's first submarine with AIP; work will begin later this year and is likely to continue for another two years. The AI will be installed roughly in the middle of the submarine, increasing its size by about 20 metres. It has a length of more than 60 metres and weighs 1,600-1,700 tons.

Everyone involved, DRDO (which has built the system), the French designers of the submarine, Mazagon Dock officials, and others, have been consulted and will be involved. After INS Khanderi is ready, the other five French-designed Scorpene class submarines will also be fitted with the AIP system. The six German submarines that India will build will have AIP systems. The issue could be placed before the next Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, likely later this month.Meanwhile, the refit of the INS Sindhuvijay, the Russian-built KILO-class submarine, will begin at the Hindustan Shipyard soon. The submarine was commissioned in 1991 and, after the refit, can continue in service for another two decades. Another mid-life update is being readied: the INS Betwa, a 4,000-ton indigenously built frigate. This, too, is about 20 years old, and the DAC may clear it at the next meeting. More Scorpenes on hold.India's plan to build three more French-designed Scorpene submarines is now on hold. When French President Emmanuel Macron was here to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he raised the issue in the meetings, and India's response was "We'll look into it." India had provisionally accepted the offer of three Scorpenes, but after a relook, has accepted the German submarine deal, valued at 9 billion euros. The 30 billion-euro deal for 114 Rafales is on, as is the one for the Safran engines. Highly placed officials confirmed that the French raised the issue. The Indian response was a statement about a future review.