Amidst a numbers crisis, India to refit an ageing Type 209 submarine
INS Shankush was the second Type 209 built for the Indian Navy. It was commissioned on 20 November 1986. (Photo: MDL)
With no apparent progress in place for obtaining new batches of submarines, India is resorting to upgrading its older boats.
On 30 June, the Indian MoD awarded Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) an INR27.25 billion ($332 million) contract for a medium refit of INS Shankush. This Type 209/1500 submarine, built by HDW in Kiel in 1984, is to return to service in 2026.
The Indian Navy’s (IN) shrinking submarine fleet, while neighbours China and Pakistan expand theirs, has shaken the MoD from its state of apathy.
However, the decision to retrofit Shankush has left many nervous, given that the life of a conventional submarine is typically 24-28 years. Over time, compression and decompression result in structural weakness.
While
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity]()
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
