Modi govt must act fast to save India’s depleting submarine fleet

The Navy currently operates only one nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra, acquired on a 10-year lease from Russia for almost $1 billion in 2012, but it’s not equipped with long-range missiles due to international treaties.

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government will have to get cracking on a four-pronged strategy if it wants to rescue the country's underwater combat arm from sinking any further. 

Defence ministry sources say the new political dispensation should ensure there are no further slippages in the ongoing project to build six Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks, the long-delayed global tender for six new-generation submarines is issued, life extension for at least five ageing submarines is fast-tracked, and the long-term plan for nuclear submarines gets the requisite support. 

The finance ministry is often blamed for being a "big obstacle" for military modernisation plans. But with Arun Jaitley straddling both MoF and MoD as of now, there is "hope" the "detailed action plan" for the submarine fleet will be swiftly cleared. Jaitley, on being asked by TOI if there was "a conflict of interest" in handling both the ministries, replied, "Well, I see it as supplementing of interest." 

It is certainly required. Navy is down to just nine operational diesel-electric submarines, with another four stuck in long repairs and refits. All the 13 submarines are over 20 years old, while eight of them have crossed 25. India, in fact, is fast losing its underwater combat superiority over Pakistan, which has eight submarines, and falling further behind China with over 50. 

For starters, there is the long-pending "Project-75India" to acquire six stealth submarines, armed with both land-attack missile capabilities and air-independent propulsion (AIP) for greater underwater endurance. Though this over Rs 50,000 crore project was granted "acceptance of necessity'' in November 2007, the global tender to select the foreign collaborator is yet to be even floated with the file being tossed between the two ministries. 

"Since early-April, it's now again with MoF. The tender or RFP (request for proposal) can be issued only after first the MoF and then the cabinet committee on security approves it," said a source. 

The urgency is required since it will take at least three years to select the foreign collaborator, and another seven to eight years after that for the first submarine to roll out. The first two submarines will be directly imported to save time, while three will be constructed at MDL in Mumbai, and the sixth at Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam. 

Then, there is the ongoing Rs 23,562 crore Scorpene project at MDL, already running over four years behind schedule. The first Scorpene is now slated for delivery by November 2016, with the other five rolling out thereafter every 8-10 months. The Rs 1,800 crore contract to buy 98 heavy-weight torpedoes to arm the submarines is also yet to be inked. 

On the nuclear front, Navy wants three SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles) and six SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines but without ballistic missiles) in the long term. 

The force currently operates only one nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra, acquired on a 10-year lease from Russia for almost $1 billion in 2012, but it's not equipped with long-range missiles due to international treaties. 

India's first indigenously produced nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, is yet to head for extensive sea trials after its reactor went "critical" last August. Two follow-on SSBNs, one already named INS Aridhaman, are being constructed under this advanced technology vessel project.

Article By The Times of India

K Chandrasekhar Rao sworn in as first CM of Telangana, India's 29th state

"Congrats to K Chandrasekhar Rao Garu on taking oath as Telangana's 1st CM. My best wishes to people for the state's development journey.Telangana's birth comes after years of struggle and sacrifices by several people. We pay our respects to them today. Centre assures complete support to the people & Government of Telangana in taking the state to newer heights of progress."

- PM Narendra Modi

This is not the nation waking up to freedom at midnight but today is certainly a new dawn as we wake up in two states. For the 3.3 crore denizens of Telangana, there is a feeling of new hope. Whether it is the farmer, businessman, teacher, employee, professional or the youth, everybody is dreaming of a bright future where all their aspirations are fulfilled. Telangana has broken out in festivities with cities, towns and countryside decked up as brightly as a bride. The new colours and lights have ushered in Holi and Diwali together. But for the 5.3 crore inhabitants of Seemandhra, this is a sombre occasion. There is however a quiet resolve among them to carve out their own destiny through hard work and tireless striving. And build a state that is second to none.

In our opinion both the Telugu states have a bright future: Telangana is headed for agricultural prosperity and development of high tech services sector that will be the cynosure of all eyes. Hyderabad will remain the crown jewel of Telangana, but other prosperous cities will soon develop. Seemandhra, which will be officially known as Andhra Pradesh, is poised for an industrial resurgence with the coast likely to be dotted with ports and manufacturing hubs inland. Who knows Andhra Pradesh may in course of time become a world class manufacturing centre with huge exports that will defray a large part of India's bourgeoning import bill. Both the states will continue to churn out engineers and best software professionals and doctors. We hope that there will be healthy competition and cooperation between the two states. 

For a dream to become a reality all interest groups have to work together. It is the duty of the government to embark on the path of development taking all sections of people along. Rapid sustained inclusive growth is the need of the hour. Growth has to be high and balanced across all districts and regions. It is essential that the people and rulers of both the Telugu states ensure, in Tagore's words, the "world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls," and that "the mind is led forward into ever widening thought and action." Chandrababu Naidu already has a proven track record of development but Chandrasekhar Rao is also a man with potential. There is no substitute for hard work and there is no place for short cuts and both will work hard to satisfy the electorate. Both are aware of the rising aspirations of the citizens. 

The Times of India that is the integral part of the two states, pledges to work closely with the people to articulate their concerns and aspirations and assist in the development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. There are promises to keep, as Robert Frost wrote in his immortal words: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep; But I have promises to keep; And miles to go before I sleep; And miles to go beforeI sleep. 

Article From Times of India