What is the use of a gun without bullets? Or a shark, even if a metal one, without teeth? Using this logic, the Navy has sought a waiver from the government to ink the Rs 1,800 crore deal with Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica for torpedoes to arm its Scorpene submarines.
With the first Scorpene INS Kalvari set to head for year-long extensive trials this August, Navy has pressed the panic button of “critical operational necessity” for the acquisition of ‘Black Shark’ torpedoes from Finmeccanica subsidiary Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquel (WASS).
India has 13 old diesel-electric submarines ::
India has 13 old diesel-electric submarines.
Project-75: First of six Scorpene submarines to delivered by September 2016. Rest five by 2020
Cost: Rs 23,562 crore.
First Scorpene was undocked on April 6 ::
The ongoing Rs 23,562 crore construction of six French Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks (Mumbai) is running four years behind schedule.
The first Scorpene, which was finally ‘undocked’ on April 6, is now to be commissioned in September 2016. The other five will be delivered by 2020, at intervals of nine months each.
Toothless without heavyweight torpedoes ::
The Scorpenes will be toothless without heavyweight torpedoes.
Project-75-India ::
Tender yet to be issued. Will take 10 years for first of six stealth submarines to roll out.
Cost: Likely to be over Rs 80,000 crore.
INS Arihant ::
Three nuclear submarines being constructed at Vizag. INS Arihant began its 18-month sea trials in December 2014. INS Aridhaman now ready for ‘launch’ into water, while third being fabricated.
China has 51 conventional submarines ::
China has five nuclear and 51 conventional submarines.
Pakistan has five diesel-electric submarines and has ordered eight more from China.
Source from India Defence News.
