Indian Navy’s Project-77 SSNs to rival 12,000-ton U.S. Virginia-class in a major upgrade from earlier 8,000-ton plan

Source : IgMp Bureau

India’s nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) program is set for a transformative leap, aligning itself with the world’s most advanced underwater platforms. According to seasoned defence journalist Sandeep Unnithan, the upcoming Indian SSNs under Project-77 are expected to feature a submerged displacement of nearly 12,000 tons, placing them on par with the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class Block V submarines. This represents a major evolution from the previously envisioned 8,000-ton class, signalling a significant boost in range, firepower, and underwater dominance for the Indian Navy.

Initial reports had indicated that the Directorate of Naval Design (Submarine Design Group) was scaling up the original 6,000-ton SSN design to 8,000 tons. However, with plans for a more powerful nuclear reactor—meant for the future S5 class SSBN—momentum has shifted toward an SSN platform comparable in size and capability to the S5-class itself.

At the core of this next-generation platform will be the 190 MW CLWR-B2 (Compact Light Water Reactor – B2 variant) propulsion system, originally developed to power S5 class SSBN. This state-of-the-art reactor offers a considerable improvement over the power plants in India’s Arihant-class SSBNs, enabling higher speeds, extended endurance, and support for complex combat systems. The propulsion system will be coupled with pump-jet technology, enhancing stealth, acoustic signature management, and survivability—critical features for missions like special operations delivery, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), and anti-submarine warfare.

A standout feature of the new SSNs will be their Vertical Launch System (VLS) with capacity for at least 40 missiles. This would enable the submarines to deploy:

• Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCMs) such as BrahMos or Nirbhay

• Next-gen land attack missiles under development by DRDO

• Hypersonic weapons when operational

This blend of stealth and strike capability will allow India to execute deep-penetration missions across the Indo-Pacific, complementing carrier battle groups and offering a powerful deterrence posture against both conventional and nuclear threats.

At 12,000 tons submerged, these submarines will rival or surpass the capabilities of major international SSNs, including:

• Virginia-class Block V (USA): ~10,200 tons submerged, 65+ weapons

• Astute-class (UK): ~7,800 tons submerged

• Yasen-class (Russia): ~13,800 tons submerged

• Type 095 (China – projected): ~11,000–12,000 tons submerged

The Indian SSN program is being spearheaded by the Directorate of Naval Design, in collaboration with BARC and DRDO laboratories. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2015, the project involves building six nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Construction of the first unit is expected to begin shortly at the Shipbuilding Centre in Visakhapatnam, with reports confirming that metal cutting has already commenced. The first submarine is projected to enter service by the early to mid-2030s, marking a monumental milestone in India’s journey to establish a blue-water nuclear-powered submarine fleet capable of strategic operations far beyond its shores.

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