Indian Nuclear Attack Submarines to Outmatch Chinese Counterparts, Rivalling U.S. SSNs
India’s nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program has achieved a significant milestone with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approving the construction of two new SSNs. This approval represents a crucial advancement in bolstering the country's maritime defense. According to recent reports from the Times of India (TOI), these submarines will have a displacement close to 10,000 tons, surpassing earlier estimates of 6,000-7,000 tons.
This larger displacement aligns India's upcoming nuclear attack submarines with the American Virginia-class SSN-774 Block V variant, which weighs around 10,200 tons. This similarity in size places India’s SSNs among the world’s most advanced submarines in terms of potential capability and size.
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| A United States Navy Virginia class Nuclear Attack Submarine (SSN) |
In contrast to China’s Type 093 Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, which displace about 6,400 tons, India’s SSNs are significantly larger, approximately 40% bigger. This increased size hints at enhanced capabilities in endurance and firepower, positioning India favorably to assert naval dominance in the increasingly contested Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
A significant feature of India’s SSN program is the inclusion of Vertical Payload Tubes (VPTs), which are expected to house advanced weapons systems. While the exact number of VPTs is yet to be confirmed, it is expected that each tube could accommodate 4-6 subsonic cruise missiles, like the Nirbhay, or a single hypersonic cruise missile such as the BrahMos-II(K) or Project Vishnu. Hypersonic missiles provide a tremendous advantage in modern warfare, with speeds exceeding Mach 5, and in the case of BrahMos-II(K), reaching Mach 9, making them nearly impossible to intercept with current naval defense systems. This capability offers India a strategic upper hand in both deterrence and first-strike scenarios.
Additionally, these nuclear-powered submarines will be equipped with heavyweight torpedoes, enhancing their capabilities in anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare. Their role as formidable underwater platforms capable of neutralizing both surface and subsurface threats will make them a cornerstone of India's naval strength.
The submarines will likely feature advanced acoustic stealth technology to minimize sonar signatures, making them hard to detect. Stealth remains a critical aspect of modern submarine warfare, allowing submarines to approach enemy targets undetected, significantly improving their first-strike potential.
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| A Chinese People's Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) Type-093 Shang class Nuclear Attack Submarine (SSN) |
With China’s expanding naval presence in the IOR, showcased by its Type 093 Shang-class SSNs and increased deployments of nuclear submarines in the area, India’s development of these larger, more capable SSNs reflects its efforts to counter China’s influence and ensure maritime dominance in the region.
Following the induction of these 10,000-ton SSNs, India also sets the stage for the development of the 13,000-ton S5 class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). This next step will follow the S4 and S4* (Star) SSBNs, which displace around 7,000 tons. Both the Project-77 SSN and S5 class SSBN programs will feature 190-megawatt Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) and new pump-jet propulsion systems, highlighting India’s commitment to building a strong and technologically advanced underwater fleet.
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