Indian Navy May Retire Up To Three Kilo-Class Submarines Within 5 Years

The Indian Navy may retire up to three Kilo-class submarines over the next two to five years as the ageing boats become harder and more costly to maintain, according to sources cited by IDRW.

India now has six Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines. It originally bought 10 Russian-built Project 877EKM Kilo-class submarines between the late 1980s and early 2000s. Four have been retired in recent years.

If three more are retired, the Navy could be left with only three Kilo-class submarines. This could reduce the size of India’s conventional submarine fleet for some time.

The Navy is also waiting for new submarines under Project-75(I). The first submarine under the programme is not expected to enter service before the early 2030s.

Kilo-Class Submarines Are Ageing

Several of the six remaining Kilo-class submarines are close to 35 years old.

The Navy has upgraded the submarines during their service. The upgrades include new hull-mounted sonars, electronic warfare systems, combat management systems, and Club-S cruise missiles.

These upgrades have improved their sensors and weapons. But the submarines still use a hull design that has been in service for more than four decades.

Maintaining old diesel-electric submarines is becoming more difficult. Spare parts are harder to get, the hulls are getting older, and overhaul costs are increasing.

Because of this, keeping some of the older submarines in service is becoming more expensive.

Russia Offered Three Refurbished Kilo Submarines

Russia has offered India three refurbished Kilo-class submarines with newer weapons, according to the source material.

However, these submarines have already served for more than 25 years.

India has not accepted the offer. According to the report, the Navy does not believe the submarines would remain combat-worthy for a long period of service.

New Submarines Under Project-75(I)

The Indian Navy is working on Project-75(I) to get a new class of conventional submarines.

The new submarines will have improved stealth features and air-independent propulsion. The programme involves German company TKMS, according to the source material.

But contract talks and construction are expected to continue into the next decade.

The first Project-75(I) submarine is unlikely to be commissioned before the early 2030s.

This means some Kilo-class submarines could retire before the new submarines are ready.

References: cnbctv18, idrw