Concerns are growing over the depleted state of the Indian Navy's (IN's) diesel-electric submarine (SSK) fleet, which can currently only muster 11 boats: 13 fewer than the sanctioned strength of 24 boats projected by the navy's Maritime Capacity Perspective Plan 2012-27.
"The situation with the IN's submarine fleet is worrisome as the second submarine line [the long-deferred Project 75I under which six new boats are to be procured] has not yet taken off," said Vice Admiral (rtd) Anoop Singh. "Besides, the existing submarine fleet is at its tethered end as far as its extended life is concerned."
The IN currently has operational seven Russian-designed 'Kilo'-class Type 877EKM boats and four German-designed Type 209/1500 SSKs, the last of which entered service in the late 1990s.
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