The potential regional maritime threat India faces from a rising China, including in the Indian Ocean, has been well covered in this magazine. So with this in mind, India is reportedly in the market to buy six modern, conventional submarines under Project-75 India.
According to reports, at least four of these submarines will be built in two Indian yards under transfer of technology, while the other two will be imported after being built overseas by a foreign collaborator.
India is set to retire its last two Foxtrot submarines later this year, effectively leaving it with 10 Kilo-class and four HDW submarines.
In July, two 877 EKM attack submarines collided attempting parallel berthing at the Naval Bay in Mumbai, but escaped major damage.
Meanwhile, India has one aircraft carrier, Viraat, and is awaiting another — the refurbished Gorshkov from Russia. It’s also building its own air defence ship, in addition to already having over 40 destroyers, frigates and corvettes.
India is no doubt hoping that any ‘String of Pearls’ China might be planning doesn’t get wrapped too tightly.
