Two Nuclear Submarines and Predator Drone Deal: India Strengthens Defense with US Partnership

India enhances its naval power with the approval of two nuclear submarines and a Predator drone deal with America, strengthening defense ties and boosting maritime capabilitie

INVC NEWS
New Delhi : The Cabinet Committee on Security of India (CCS) has granted approval for two significant defense deals. On Wednesday, the committee sanctioned the construction of two indigenously built nuclear-powered submarines and the purchase of 31 Predator drones from the United States. These acquisitions, which represent an investment of approximately ₹80,000 crore, are poised to significantly enhance India’s maritime and aerial defense capabilities.

Strategic Investment in Nuclear Submarines for the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy will soon be equipped with two nuclear-powered attack submarines. These submarines will be constructed domestically, a major leap forward for India’s defense sector and maritime sovereignty. The deal, which has been long-awaited, comes at a critical time as the Indian Navy has been pushing to bridge its underwater combat capability gap, particularly in the highly strategic Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The construction of these submarines will take place at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam, an established hub for India’s nuclear submarine program. According to sources, the deal is valued at around ₹45,000 crore, and private sector firms like Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will play a pivotal role in this ambitious project. The nuclear-powered submarines will offer superior stealth, endurance, and lethality compared to conventional diesel-electric submarines, ensuring that the Indian Navy can conduct sustained underwater operations for extended periods without surfacing.

Importance of Nuclear Submarines in Strengthening India’s Maritime Defense

These submarines, which will be nuclear-powered, will substantially enhance the Navy’s blue-water capabilities. With their extended operational range, these vessels will allow the Indian Navy to project power across vast distances in the Indian Ocean Region, safeguarding vital shipping lanes and national interests. In the long term, India aims to induct a fleet of six nuclear-powered submarines as part of its indigenization efforts in defense, reinforcing the country’s Advanced Technology Vessel Project (ATVP).

These two new submarines are distinct from the Arihant-class submarines, which are part of India’s strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities. The new submarines will be attack-class, primarily focused on sea-denial operations, including anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence gathering. Their ability to launch cruise missiles and conduct covert operations will significantly increase the Indian Navy’s flexibility and strategic reach.

Delayed but Critical Procurement of Nuclear Submarines

The procurement of these submarines has been on the Navy’s agenda for an extended period. However, various technical and budgetary hurdles had stalled the project. Indian naval officials have consistently highlighted the urgent need to augment the country’s underwater warfare capabilities, particularly given the increasing presence of foreign submarines in the Indian Ocean.

This move is seen as essential for India’s long-term naval strategy, which seeks to maintain a robust and credible submarine fleet. The addition of nuclear-powered attack submarines will provide India with a strategic advantage in the underwater domain, enhancing its ability to deter threats and protect its maritime borders.

India’s Purchase of 31 Predator Drones from the United States

In addition to the submarine deal, the Cabinet Committee on Security has also cleared the purchase of 31 Predator drones from General Atomics, USA. This acquisition is part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement between India and the United States, a clear signal of the deepening defense cooperation between the two nations. The total cost of this drone deal is estimated to be around ₹35,000 crore.

These Predator drones, also known as MQ-9B SeaGuardians, are high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) renowned for their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities. They will be pivotal in boosting India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, particularly in maritime and border regions.

Deployment of Predator Drones Across Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Navy, which will receive 15 of the 31 drones, stands to gain the most from this deal. These drones will enhance the Navy’s ability to conduct long-range surveillance missions across the vast stretches of the Indian Ocean, where monitoring and tracking foreign vessels and submarines is becoming increasingly crucial. The Indian Army and Indian Air Force will each receive eight drones, providing them with a significant edge in their respective domains, whether it be border surveillance, anti-terrorism operations, or intelligence gathering.

The procurement agreement stipulates that India will start receiving these drones four years after signing the contract, meaning the Predator drones are expected to be fully operational by 2028. Once inducted, these drones will offer unmatched surveillance and strike capabilities, being able to stay airborne for over 24 hours and carry precision-guided munitions.

Strategic Importance of Predator Drones

The MQ-9B Predator drones are designed to operate in high-threat environments and have been extensively used by the US military in various conflict zones. For India, these drones will provide real-time intelligence, enhance situational awareness, and support a wide range of missions, including maritime surveillance, counter-terrorism, border security, and anti-piracy operations.

The long-endurance capability of these UAVs will significantly bolster India’s monitoring of critical chokepoints such as the Malacca Strait, Gulf of Aden, and other crucial maritime routes in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, with the ability to carry advanced weaponry, the Predator drones will offer the Indian armed forces a flexible and powerful tool for precision strikes and targeted operations.

Enhancing India’s Defense Capabilities: A Strategic Move

The combined approval for nuclear submarines and Predator drones reflects India’s growing commitment to modernizing its defense forces and enhancing its self-reliant defense manufacturing capabilities. With private sector companies like L&T playing a critical role in the submarine project and the US collaboration on drone technology, these moves underline the importance of international cooperation and indigenous development in India’s defense strategy.

As tensions continue to simmer in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with the increasing naval activities of China, these acquisitions are a crucial step in ensuring India’s readiness to protect its maritime and territorial integrity. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and expanding its defense infrastructure, India is positioning itself as a formidable force in the region.

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