Indian Submarine Fleet To Grow

Cross-posted from The Stupid Shall Be Punished:

Winds of Change has a good article, with lots of links, on the growing Indian submarine fleet, and in particular their recent decision to build six French/Spanish-designed Scorpene subs. The current Indian submarine force consists of either imported or indigeniously-produced Type 209 (German) or Kilo Class (Russian) boats; they got rid of their old Foxtrot-class boats a few years ago.
Of special interest is the stated Indian intention of constructing their own nuclear submarine. This would put them in select company, since currently only five countries (U.S., Great Britain, France, Russia, and China) build nuke boats.
If current rumors from Bellona (an anti-nuclear group) are true, India is planning to lease two Akulas to train their crews to run an eventual Indian-built nuke boat. The fact that India has leased a nuclear boat from Russia before lends credence to these reports.

Expect the first generation Indian nuclear boats to be very loud...

posted by Bubblehead @ 9:52 PM