List of submarines of the Indian Navy

Last updated

This is a list of known submarines of the Indian Navy , grouped by class, and pennant numbers within the class. [1]

Contents

1999 Submarine-building Perspective Plan

This section is an excerpt from Project 76 submarine § Background.[ edit ]

In 1997, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) - the highest-decision making body of India's Ministry of Defence (MoD), approved the construction of two Type 209/1500 attack submarines (SSK) at a then-estimated cost of INR ₹700 crore. This effort, which was conceived in the wake of an international corruption scandal related to India's acquisition of the Shishumar-class submarines, called for the construction of two Type 209/1500 SSKs at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) with the assistance of a foreign naval firm in a corroborative role. In accordance with the scheme, the Indian Navy (IN) and MDL approached several naval enterprises for assistance; however, the French-based Thomson-CSF (TCSF) was the only firm willing to participate. [2]

Two years later, on 12 July 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a two-phase plan to build 24 submarines over a span of 30 years. [3] [4] The plan was named 'Project for Series Construction of Submarines for the Indian Navy and Acquisition of National Competence in Submarine Building', also referred as 'Submarine-building Perspective Plan'. For the first phase, six submarines each were to be built at MDL under Project 75 (P-75) along with a parallel production line of another public/private shipyard [5] under Project-75 (India) or P-75(I) with technology transfer. Under the second phase, twelve submarines would be built including complete indigenous design, development and construction of submarines in India. [2] [6] While the first phase was scheduled for completion within 2012, the second phase would be executed in 2012–2030. [7]

For the Project-75 , two options emerged. The first being construction of the Type 209/1500 at MDL initially with the combat suite of TCSF with the rest being based on modified Scorpène submarine design based on Naval requirements. The second option recommended the construction of all the SSKs based on the newer Scorpène design. Ultimately, the Naval Heqadquarters chose the latter, reasoning that the Scorpène, which had been offered with a provision of technology transfer (TOT), was more advanced than the Type 209/1500. The initial plan to ally with TCSF was dropped in April 2001 and negotiations for the procurement of the Scorpène design under the first phase, dubbed Project-75 (P-75), began in November 2001. The Scorpène design was offered by another French-based naval firm, Armaris (later DCNS, now Naval Group). [2] The P-75 contract signed on 6 October 2005 [8] resulted in the construction of six Kalvari-class submarines [6] beginning 23 May 2009. [9] The final unit, INS Vagsheer (S26), was commissioned in January 2025. [10]

Though the second batch of six submarines, under Project-75 (India), was to be executed simultaneously alongside P-75, financial constraints within the MoD led to P-75 being the only project sanctioned for six submarines. [11] Proposals to move ahead with the acquisition failed twice after the project was approved in 2010 and 2014. [12] [13] Following delays, the Navy mandated the presence of an operational air-independent propulsion (AIP) plant with the submarine design. This was done to maintain the submarine's relevance in future as the boats' induction timeline was already delayed to 2022. [13] [14] The third approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Indian Minister of Defence, was accorded in January 2019. [15] [16] In January 2025, the bid by Larsen & Toubro to build S-80 Plus-class submarine, in collaboration with Spain's Navantia, was disqualified. [17] [18] Mazagon Dock's partnership with TKMS remained the only bidder who were thereafter invited for techno-commercial negotiations with the Indian Ministry of Defence. [19] Negotiations were reported to have began in July 2025 [20] while the deal could be signed in January 2026. [21] [22]

The second phase of the plan was amended midway to maintain the relevance of the submarine fleets as per evolving threats. [7] The program to construct and deploy a fleet of nuclear submarines was first envisaged in late 1990s was fast-tracked following growing patrols by the People's Liberation Army Navy ships. This included a solitary two-month "anti-piracy" patrol by a Type 093 submarine in the Indian Ocean before returning to Yulin Naval Base on 13 December 2013. On 12 February 2014, R&AW evaluations described the deployment as having significantly intensified India’s security concerns. [23] The Navy has already acquired experience of operating nuclear submarines after leasing of INS Chakra (1987) and INS Chakra (2011) for three and nine years, respectively. [24] [25] [26] The force has also ordered a third Chakra submarine for a lease of 10 years starting 2025. [27] [28] The submarine is expected to be delivered to India in 2028 following delays. [29] [30]

In February 2015, the Government of India through a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval, gave rise to another indigenous submarine project — the Project 75 Alpha (now Project 77). A fleet of six nuclear attack submarines, with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes, were to be built under the project. [31] The design phase had begun by December 2017 [32] with constructions to commence by 2023–24 and first unit to enter service in 2032. [33] The preliminary design phase was completed by February 2020. [34] In October 2024, the CCS cleared the construction of first two units in the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam, of the Ministry of Defence where the Arihant-class submarines were built. [35] The displacement was increased to 9,800 tonnes [36] and equipped with 200 MWe-rated nuclear reactor. [37]

With the approval of the Project 77, the number of boats under Project-76 was reduced to six units. The design was expected to inherit elements from the Project-75 and Project-75(I) designs. [7] The development was cleared by defence ministry in June 2024 followed by a feasibility study conducted by DRDO. [38] An approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the further detailed design of the submarine is due as of February 2025. [39]

Both Project 76 and Project 77 are being led by the Advanced Technology Vessel headquarters which is responsible for the development and construction of India's nuclear-powered, ballistic missile submarine fleet including Arihant class and S5-class submarines. [38] [23] While the final two submarines from the Arihant class is expected to be commissioned in early 2026 and 2027, respectively, the construction of first two units of S5 submarines has also begun in the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Visakhapatnam. [40] [41] [42]

In service

This section is an excerpt from List of active Indian Navy ships § Submarine fleet.[ edit ]
Nuclear Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) (2 in service)
Class ImageBoatNo.Disp. (t)Comm.OriginHomeportNote
Arihant class
Arihant 1.svg
INS Arihant S26,0002016Flag of India.svg  India Visakhapatnam First ever indigenously-built class of nuclear ballistic missile submarines. [43]
INS Arighaat S32024
Attack submarine (SSK) (16 in service)
Class ImageBoatNo.Disp. (t)Comm.OriginHomeportNote
Kalvari class
Trio of Kalvari class submairne during an exercise.jpg
INS Kalvari S211,8002017Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of India.svg  India 		Mumbai Indian-specific variant of the Scorpène-class submarine. [44]
INS Khanderi S222019 Karwar [45]
INS Karanj S232021
INS Vela S242021 Mumbai
INS Vagir S252023
INS Vagsheer S262025
Sindhughosh class
Indian Navy submarines on Submarine Day 2022 01.jpg
INS Sindhuraj S573,0761987Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 		Mumbai Indian-specific variant of the Kilo-class submarine (P.877). [46]
INS Sindhuratna S591988
INS Sindhukesari S601988 Visakhapatnam
INS Sindhukirti S611989
INS Sindhuvijay S621991
INS Sindhurashtra S652000
Shishumar class
INS Shishumar enters Port of Duqm Oman.jpg
INS Shishumar S441,8501986Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany
Flag of India.svg  India 		Mumbai Indian-specific variant of the Type 209/1500 submarine. [47]
INS Shankush S451986
INS Shalki S461992
INS Shankul S471994

Under construction

Planned

ClassPictureTypeBoatsOriginDisplacementStatusNote
Nuclear submarines (11-13)
S5 class An artistic drawing of the S5-class SSBN.png Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) 4-6Flag of India.svg  India 13,500 tonnes4-6 plannedProject was approved with a budget of ₹10,000 crore (US$1.2 billion). [48] [49] [50]
Project 75 Alpha Attack submarine (SSN) 6Flag of India.svg  India 10,000 tonnes6 planned6 boats are planned and are expected to be constructed at the Shipbuilding Centre (SBC) at Visakhapatnam. [51] Project clearance was granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security in February 2015. [52]
Akula class Indian Navy's TROPEX-2014 (8).JPG Attack submarine (SSN) 1Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 12,770 tonnes1 plannedIn March 2019, India signed a US$3 billion agreement with Russia to lease another Akula-class submarine, which is expected to join the Indian Navy by 2025. [53]
Diesel-electric submarines (21)
Project 75I-class submarine Attack submarine (SSK); possibly cruise missile submarine (SSG)6Flag of India.svg  India Unspecified6 plannedIt had been approved by the government worth ₹43,000 crore in June 2020. As of 2024, contestants include German Type 214 class submarine [54] and Spanish S-80 plus class submarine. [55]
Kalvari class Attack submarine 3 Flag of India.svg India/ Flag of France.svg France Above 2000 tonne3 plannedNew plug module that would give the submarine AIP capability. These units will be larger in size and it is planned that all previous units will be upgraded during their next overhaul cycle. [56]
Project 76 class Attack submarine 12Flag of India.svg  India Unspecified12 plannedTo be designed, developed and built in India [57] [58]

Decommissioned

INS Kursura museum ship INS KURSURA 1204.JPG
INS Kursura museum ship
INS Chakra (S71), a leased Soviet Charlie-class nuclear submarine DN-SC-89-03179 INS Chakra submarine.jpg
INS Chakra (S71), a leased Soviet Charlie-class nuclear submarine
This section is an excerpt from List of historical ships of the Indian Navy § Submarines.[ edit ]
BoatPennantClassCommissionedDecommissionedFateNotes
Nuclear Submarines
INS Chakra S71 Charlie class 1 September 1987Returned to Soviet Union in January 1991Scrapped in Russia.Leased from the Soviet Union.
INS Chakra S71 Akula class 4 April 2012Returned to Russia June 2021Returned to Russia before 10-year lease completed, due to extensive damage suffered in service. [59] [60]
Conventional Submarines
INS Khanderi S22 Kalvari class 6 December 196818 October 1989 [61] Scrapped but sail fin on display
INS Kalvari S23 Kalvari class 8 December 196731 May 1996 [61] Scrapped but sail fin on display
INS Kursura S20 Kalvari class 18 December 196927 September 2001 [61] Converted to Museum Ship at Ramakrishna Mission Beach, Visakhapatnam.
INS Karanj S21 Kalvari class 4 September 19691 August 2003 [61]
INS Vagsheer S43 Vela class 26 December 197430 April 1997 [61]
INS Vagir S41 Vela class 3 November 19737 June 2001 [61]
INS Vela S40 Vela class 31 August 197325 June 2010
INS Vagli S42 Vela class 10 August 19749 December 2010To be preserved as a museum in Tamil Nadu. [62]
INS Sindhurakshak S63 Sindhughosh class 24 December 19976 March 2017SunkExploded and sank on 14 August 2013. After being salvaged in June 2014, [63] she was decommissioned in March 2017 and disposed of at sea that June. [64]
INS Sindhuvir S58 Sindhughosh class 26 August 1988March 2020Transferred to Myanmar Navy
INS Sindhudhvaj S56 Sindhughosh class 12 June 198716 July 2022Decommissioned
INS Sindhughosh S55 Sindhughosh class 30 April 198619 December 2025 [65]

See also

Indian navy related lists
Indian military related

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Submarines active". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
    2. 1 2 3 "Undue favour to vendor in acquisition of submarines - Ministry Of Defence - Public Accounts Committee (2009-10)" (PDF). eparlib.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 December 2023.
    3. ↑ "Submarine Construction Project" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 12 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
    4. ↑ "Navy seeks amendment to 30-year submarine plan, wants six nuclear boats". Hindustan Times. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
    5. ↑ "24 Submarines in 30 Years?". www.spsnavalforces.com. February 2018.
    6. 1 2 Vavasseur, Xavier (10 November 2021). "MDL Delivers 4th Scorpene Submarine to the Indian Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
    7. 1 2 3 Linganna, Girish (18 August 2022). "Will India's New Submarine Fleet Be Ready by 2030?". The National Interest. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
    8. ↑ "Envisaging more defence ties". The Hindu Business Line. 20 February 2006. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018.
    9. ↑ "First of six Scorpene subs country bought in 2005 to be commissioned". The Times of India. 10 January 2017. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 10 January 2026.
    10. ↑ "PM Modi commissions INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer: Key points". The Times of India. 15 January 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 15 January 2025.
    11. ↑ "Scorpene Submarines — An Edge for Indian Navy's Submarine Fleet Build-up". www.spsnavalforces.com. February 2022.
    12. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (11 July 2010). "Biggest military deal: Six subs for Rs 50,000 crore". The Times of India. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
    13. 1 2 "6 Made-in-India Submarines for Navy for 53,000 Crores". NDTV.com. 26 October 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2026. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
    14. ↑ Siddiqui, Huma (9 March 2015). "Narendra Modi government shortlists Larsen & Toubro, Pipavav for Rs 60,000 crore submarine contract". The Financial Express.
    15. ↑ "Government clears Rs 40,000 crore project to construct six submarines". The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 31 January 2019.
    16. ↑ "MoD approves construction of 6 submarines for 40K crore". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
    17. ↑ "Defence Ministry finds L&T proposal non-compliant in Rs 70,000 crore submarine deal". ANI . 22 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
    18. ↑ "Mazagon Dock shares rise 6% as defence ministry accepts bid for P75 submarine project". Business Today. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
    19. ↑ "Defence ministry to hold talks with Mazagon Docks, German co for 6 submarines". The Times of India. 24 January 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 24 January 2025.
    20. ↑ Bhattacharjya, Satarupa; Kumar, Bhaswar (27 July 2025). "India eyes stealth edge with new submarines amid China's growing presence". Business Standard . Retrieved 28 July 2025.
    21. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (1 December 2025). "India hopes to seal submarine contract with Germany this fiscal, MDL pares down cost 'significantly'". ThePrint. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
    22. ↑ "India, Germany set to cement biggest military contract to make six subs". The Tribune. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
    23. 1 2 Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019.
    24. ↑ "India to get Russian nuclear submarine after 17 years". India Today . 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
    25. ↑ "INS Chakra: Govt inducts Russian-origin Akula II class Nerpa into Navy". The Economic Times . 4 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
    26. ↑ "Navy's Only Nuclear Attack Submarine Returns To Russia Before Lease Expires". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    27. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (5 March 2019). "India, Russia To Sign $3 Billion Nuclear Sub Deal This Week". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
    28. ↑ Pubby, Manu (4 March 2019). "India, Russia to ink $3 billion nuclear submarine deal this week". The Economic Times. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
    29. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (5 March 2019). "India, Russia To Sign $3 Billion Nuclear Sub Deal This Week". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
    30. ↑ "Govt fact checks report claiming India, Russia sealed USD 2-billion submarine deal". India Today. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
    31. ↑ "Government clears construction of 7 stealth frigates, 6 nuclear-powered attack submarines". The Economic Times . 18 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
    32. ↑ Unnithan, Sandeep (10 December 2017). "A peek into India's top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019.
    33. ↑ "INS Arighaat: How a second nuclear submarine boosts India's strategic reach". India Today. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
    34. ↑ Pubby, Manu (21 February 2020). "India's Rs 1.2 lakh crore nuclear submarine project closer to realisation". The Economic Times. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
    35. ↑ "India clears two mega defence projects for 2 indigenous nuclear submarines & 31 Predator drones". The Times of India. 9 October 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 12 October 2024.
    36. ↑ "Navy setting up base to control submarines on long-range patrols". The Times of India. 14 October 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 14 October 2024.
    37. ↑ "Bhabha Atomic Research Centre making reactor for Navy's next-generation nuclear-submarines". The Times of India. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 September 2025.
    38. 1 2 Peri, Dinakar (30 June 2024). "DRDO takes up preliminary study on development of indigenous conventional submarine". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 22 February 2025.
    39. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (22 February 2025). "DRDO indigenous submarine proposal to go for CCS approval in couple of months; eight years for first sub". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 22 February 2025.
    40. ↑ Sharma, Shivani; Negi, Manjeet (2 December 2025). "Navy to get INS Aridhaman, third Indian-made nuclear submarine". India Today. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
    41. ↑ "CHAKRA EXCLUSIVE: India's fourth SSBN sails out for sea trials". Chakranewz. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
    42. ↑ "Arihant class nuclear-powered submarine S4* likely to be named INS Arisudan". Hindustan Times. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
    43. ↑ Pubby, Manu. "India's first nuclear submarine INS Arihant ready for operations, passes deep sea tests". The Economic Times. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
    44. ↑ Shukla, Tarun (14 December 2017). "INS Kalvari, India's first Scorpene submarine, commissioned by Narendra Modi". Livemint. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
    45. ↑ "Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh undertakes sea sortie on stealth submarine 'INS Khanderi' at Karwar". Press Information Bureau . 27 May 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
    46. ↑ "Submarines of Indian Navy". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
    47. ↑ "Submarines of Indian Navy". Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
    48. ↑ Unnithan, Sandeep (7 December 2017). "From India Today magazine: A peek into Indias top secret and costliest defence project, nuclear submarines". India Today. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
    49. ↑ Diplomat, Saurav Jha, The. "India's Undersea Deterrent". The Diplomat. Retrieved 19 May 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    50. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (27 January 2019). "India is Building a Deadly Force of Nuclear-Missile Submarines". The National Interest. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
    51. ↑ "Move to fast-track two submarine projects gathers steam". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015.
    52. ↑ "Rs 1.2 lakh crore nuclear submarine project closer to realisation".
    53. ↑ "Russia to lease nuclear submarine to Indian Navy in $3 billion deal". The Week. Press Trust of India. 8 March 2019.
    54. ↑ "Germany Offers India New Stealth Submarines". thediplomat.com. 6 May 2016.
    55. ↑ Pubby, Manu (8 March 2024). "Trials for submarines to start in a few months, want to work together on ammo: Spain". The Economic Times. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 9 March 2024.
    56. ↑ Menon, Adithya Krishna (14 July 2023). "India to Procure Rafale M, More Scorpene Submarines". Naval News. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
    57. ↑ "Indian P76 submarines impeded by rudderless P75I programme | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
    58. ↑ Linganna, Girish (18 August 2022). "Will India's New Submarine Fleet Be Ready by 2030?". The National Interest. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
    59. ↑ "Explosion forced Indian Navy to return nuclear submarine to Russia". The Week . 9 June 2021.
    60. ↑ "Navy's Only Nuclear Attack Submarine Returns To Russia Before Lease Expires". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    61. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hiranandani G.M, Transition to Eminence - The Indian Navy 1976 – 90; pub Lancer New Delhi 2005, ISBN   978-81-7062-266-6
    62. ↑ "Sea Dredging Mooted to Take Sub to Mamallapuram Shores". The New Indian Express. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
    63. ↑ Manish K Pathak (7 June 2014). "INS Sindhurakshak finally brought to surface". DNA. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
    64. ↑ Rajput, Rashmi (5 September 2017). "Navy sinks 'graveyard' INS Sindhurakshak". The Indian Express. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
    65. ↑ @IN_WNC (19 December 2025). "INS Sindhughosh, the lead submarine of her class in service with the #IndianNavy, was decommissioned at sunset on 19 Dec 25..." (Tweet). Retrieved 20 December 2025– via Twitter.
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