NEW DELHI: In line with India’s recent commissioning of its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat, the Navy is setting up a new advanced facility to enhance communication with submarines on long-range patrols.
The Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmitting station in Vikarabad, Telangana, is set to be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 15. Once operational in two to three years, this strategically important facility will provide round-the-clock encrypted communication to submerged submarines across India’s area of interest, according to sources.
VLF radio waves, operating between 3 to 30 kilohertz, can penetrate seawater to a certain depth, making them vital for the command and control of nuclear submarines on long-range deterrent patrols. Currently, the Navy operates a VLF station in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, established in 1990. The new facility at Vikarabad is essential for maintaining continuous communication as India expands its fleet of diesel-electric and nuclear submarines, particularly in response to China’s growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
On August 29, India inducted INS Arighaat, a 6,000-tonne SSBN (nuclear-powered submarine armed with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles) capable of carrying K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 km. Its predecessor, INS Arihant, is equipped with K-15 missiles that have a range of 750 km. India plans to introduce a third SSBN, INS Aridhaman, early next year, with a fourth currently under construction as part of the advanced technology vessel (ATV) project. Future plans include the development of larger 13,500-tonne SSBNs featuring powerful 190 MW pressurized light-water reactors.
Additionally, on October 9, the cabinet committee on security approved the long-awaited Rs 40,000 crore ‘Project-77’ to construct two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), expected to take 10-12 years for completion.
On the diesel-electric front, the Navy will commission the sixth French-origin Scorpene submarine, ‘Vagsheer,’ in December under the Rs 23,000 crore ‘Project-75’ at Mazagon Docks. While operating six old Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW submarines, India is finalizing plans with France for three more Scorpenes for over Rs 30,000 crore. Germany and Spain are also contenders for the long-pending Rs 42,000 crore Project-75-India to build six advanced diesel-electric submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) for enhanced underwater endurance and land-attack capabilities.
