What Is Indian Navy Project-77? Nuclear Submarines With Hypersonic Missiles To Dominate Indo-Pacific

 

Indian Navy’s Project-77: Nuclear Submarines with Hypersonic Missiles to Dominate the Indo-Pacific

India’s maritime ambitions are reaching new heights with Project-77, an audacious program to build a fleet of six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) armed with advanced supersonic and hypersonic missile systems. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on October 9, 2024, this ₹40,000 crore (US$4.7 billion) initiative is set to bolster India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, countering the growing naval influence of adversaries like China. Let’s explore what Project-77 entails, its cutting-edge features, and its significance for India’s maritime dominance.

What Is Project-77?

Project-77, formerly known as Project-75 Alpha, is an Indian Navy acquisition program aimed at designing and constructing six nuclear-powered attack submarines. Unlike the Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), which focus on strategic nuclear deterrence, Project-77 SSNs are tactical assets designed for versatile roles, including hunting enemy vessels, conducting precision strikes, and dominating forward ocean zones. The program, first envisioned in the late 1990s, gained momentum in response to increasing patrols by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

On October 9, 2024, the CCS greenlit the construction of the first two SSNs, with an estimated completion timeline of 2036–37 for the first boat. These submarines will be built at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, with significant contributions from private sector giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The project emphasizes self-reliance, boasting 95% indigenous content, with foreign assistance limited to design consultancy.

Key Features of Project-77 Submarines

The Project-77 SSNs are designed to be a quantum leap over India’s existing submarine fleet, incorporating advanced technology to meet modern warfare demands. Here are the standout features:

1. Nuclear Propulsion for Unlimited Endurance

• Power Source: Each submarine will be powered by a 190 MW pressurized light-water reactor (PWR), a significant upgrade from the 83 MW reactors used in the Arihant-class SSBNs. This reactor, developed by BARC, enables extended underwater operations, limited only by crew endurance, and supports speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h).
• Stealth and Speed: The larger reactor and a redesigned hull optimize hydrodynamics, reduce drag, and enhance acoustic signature management, making the submarines faster, quieter, and harder to detect.

2. Hypersonic and Supersonic Missile Arsenal

• Hypersonic Missiles: The SSNs will carry hypersonic cruise missiles, such as the DRDO’s Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), a boost-glide vehicle designed for anti-ship and carrier-killing roles. These missiles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making them nearly impossible to intercept.
• Supersonic Missiles: An evolved version of the BrahMos-NG missile, with a range of approximately 300–600 km, will serve as the primary anti-ship weapon. The Navy has prioritized these high-speed missiles over subsonic options like the Nirbhay, which are more vulnerable to modern air defense systems.
• Strategic Advantage: With strike ranges of 1,500–2,000 km, these missiles enable deep-strike missions against high-value targets while keeping the submarines beyond enemy detection ranges.

3. Heavyweight Torpedoes

• Primary Armament: The SSNs will be equipped with next-generation 533mm Heavy-Weight Torpedoes (HWTs), likely the Varunastra or the advanced Electric Heavy-Weight Torpedo (EHWT) with pump-jet propulsors. These torpedoes are critical for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
• Versatility: The submarines’ torpedo tubes will also support the launch of cruise missiles, enhancing their multi-role capabilities.

4. Advanced Hull Design

• Expanded Dimensions: The new hull, distinct from the Arihant-class, accommodates the larger reactor, additional vertical launch systems (VLS) for missiles, and improved crew facilities for prolonged missions.
• Stealth Enhancements: Innovations in hull coatings and noise-dampening measures reduce the acoustic signature, ensuring the submarines remain undetectable in contested waters.

5. Indigenous Design and Construction

• Self-Reliance: With 95% indigenous content, the submarines are designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (formerly Directorate of Naval Design) in Gurugram, with hull fabrication by L&T in Hazira and assembly at SBC Visakhapatnam.
• Industry Collaboration: The involvement of private sector firms like L&T, which has prior experience with Arihant-class hulls, underscores India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative for self-reliant defense production.

Strategic Importance in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific is a critical theater for India, given the increasing presence of Chinese submarines, including Yuan-class conventional and Jin-class SSBNs, and Pakistan’s Hangor-class submarines, built with Chinese assistance. Project-77 SSNs address several strategic imperatives:

• Countering China’s Naval Expansion: China’s PLAN operates over 50 submarines, including 10 nuclear-powered vessels, posing a significant challenge in the IOR. Project-77 SSNs, with their speed, stealth, and hypersonic missile capabilities, will enable India to track and counter these threats effectively.
• Securing Maritime Corridors: Operating from the INS Varsha base in the Bay of Bengal, these SSNs will protect vital sea lanes, escort SSBNs like INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, and ensure India’s dominance in its maritime backyard.
• Tactical Flexibility: Unlike SSBNs, which focus on nuclear deterrence, Project-77 SSNs are designed for conventional conflict scenarios, including precision strikes, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering.
• Regional Deterrence: The ability to strike high-value targets from safe standoff distances enhances India’s deterrence posture against both China and Pakistan, particularly in light of tensions along the Line of Actual Control and in the IOR.

Challenges and Timeline

While Project-77 is a bold step forward, it faces significant challenges:

• Development Timeline: The design phase is expected to take 4–5 years, with construction of the first SSN taking another 5 years, pushing induction to 2036–37.
• Technological Complexity: Integrating a 190 MW reactor and hypersonic missile systems requires overcoming significant engineering hurdles, though lessons from the Arihant program will aid development.
• Budgetary Constraints: The ₹40,000 crore cost for the first two submarines is substantial, and funding the remaining four will require sustained investment.

Despite these challenges, the Indian Navy’s prioritization of Project-77 over a third aircraft carrier reflects its focus on undersea warfare as a key domain for countering China’s naval power.

Public Sentiment and Future Prospects

Posts on X reflect strong national pride in Project-77, with users highlighting the indigenous reactor, hypersonic missiles, and Varunastra torpedoes as milestones in India’s defense capabilities. Some have called for faster timelines, noting that the 2036–37 induction date leaves India lagging behind China’s current fleet.

Looking ahead, Project-77 is part of a broader modernization effort. The commissioning of INS Arighaat in August 2024, the launch of the S4* SSBN in October 2024, and the planned induction of INS Aridhaman in 2025 strengthen India’s nuclear triad. The development of INS Varsha, a dedicated submarine base, will further enhance operational readiness. The Navy also plans to integrate Project-77 with other programs, such as Project-75(I) for diesel-electric submarines, to create a balanced and formidable fleet.

Conclusion

Project-77 represents a transformative leap for the Indian Navy, equipping it with nuclear-powered attack submarines armed with hypersonic and supersonic missiles to dominate the Indo-Pacific. With a 190 MW reactor, advanced hull design, and 95% indigenous content, these SSNs will enhance India’s maritime deterrence, counter regional threats, and secure vital sea lanes. While challenges like long development timelines and budgetary constraints remain, Project-77 underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance and strategic power projection. As the first submarines take shape over the next decade, they will solidify India’s position as a maritime powerhouse in a contested region.