Project 77 Alpha Class SSN: News & Discussion

[Aditya G]

Chakra-II had a lot of maintainability problems, with was making it operationally very costly to manage. Cheaper to just lease a new submarine.

Chakra-III is reportedly coming in with a number of Indian sub-systems on-board. So like a test bed for the first pair of Project 75/77 SSNs.

I don't know how feasible Chakra-II (Nerpa) is. The last I heard she was docked in Russia, but reportedly awaiting disposal. Used extensively by the Indian navy during the 10 year lease period.

Do we know which sub is the Chakra-3? Last reports suggested Bratsk but that was denied by Saturnax

[Snehashis]

Do we know which sub is the Chakra-3? Last reports suggested Bratsk but that was denied by Saturnax

K-331 Magadan will most probably become Chakra-3.

On 10 October 2019, a decision was made instead of K-322, India plans to lease K-331 Magadan.[12] The transfer, after repair and modernization, to the lease of the Indian Navy was scheduled for 2022.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/livefist/status/1886404968711962842 ---> Much-needed clarity as India drops '3 aircraft carrier' plans, clears decks for BIG focus on homegrown nuclear-powered attack submarines.

3-Carrier Plan Shelved, India Wants Sharks ASAP
https://www.livefistdefence.com/3-carri ... arks-asap/
03 Feb 2025

The decision to throw everything at the SSN program signals a major doctrinal shift. Nuclear submarines provide greater stealth and endurance, making them more effective for power projection and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region. Unlike aircraft carriers, SSNs are less vulnerable to anti-ship missiles and asymmetric threats such as drones and hypersonic weapons.

The green-lighting of India’s SSN project suggests that naval planners see submarines as a more cost-effective and survivable option for securing sea lanes and countering China’s expanding naval presence. This aligns with global trends where many modern navies are increasing their submarine fleets while reconsidering the viability of large aircraft carrier groups. With India commissioning its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Arighaat in August last year, there is confidence that the SSN program will build on the difficult gains made over decades on those programs.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/livefist/status/1886404968711962842 ---> Much-needed clarity as India drops '3 aircraft carrier' plans, clears decks for BIG focus on homegrown nuclear-powered attack submarines.

https://x.com/Firezstarter1/status/1886472730121261567 ---> Prioritisation for once.

[Ankit Desai]

India clears two nuclear-powered attack submarines armed with supersonic, hypersonic missiles

India has cleared the development of two nuclear-powered attack submarines under Project-77, with L&T playing a key role. These next-gen submarines will be armed with BrahMos and upcoming hypersonic missile systems, enhancing India’s maritime strike capabilities.

-Ankit

[SRajesh]

Admiral Saar
The above ones are they true blue home grown variety or
are they Elaichi Souffle!!

[Rakesh]

Elaichi Souffle Saar

My post from last September...

Below is *MY* Guess:

Indian Origin Kit - Reactor + Sonar (updated USHUS) + Weapons (Varunastra Torpedo; BrahMos-S, SLCM, etc in VLS Cell)..
French Origin Kit - Propeller Design, Pump Jet Propulsion, Hull Design, X-Shaped Rudder, Combat Management System, etc, etc, etc....

[SRajesh]

^^
La vache!!!
Aprenons le français!!

[Rakesh]

Le français est facile à apprendre!

[Rakesh]

The lead boat in the Suffren Class - the Suffren - visited India in January 2025. Port calls like these are not just mere visits. You can clearly see the X-shaped rudder in the pictures below.

https://x.com/IN_WNC/status/1875584933663854654 ---> French Carrier Strike Group, which includes nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle along with its escort vessels, a frigate, a submarine and supply ships, is visiting Goa from 03 - 09 Jan 25. The purpose of this visit is to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding & strengthen ties between the two navies.

[Prem Kumar]

Below is *MY* Guess:

Indian Origin Kit - Reactor + Sonar (updated USHUS) + Weapons (Varunastra Torpedo; BrahMos-S, SLCM, etc in VLS Cell)..
French Origin Kit - Propeller Design, Pump Jet Propulsion, Hull Design, X-Shaped Rudder, Combat Management System, etc, etc, etc....

Rakesh: any particular reason why we need French assistance for propeller, hull design or CMS? We have the Arihant class which was homegrown

Is it because we want the latest tech from the French to jump a few generations?

[maitya]

Below is *MY* Guess:

Indian Origin Kit - Reactor + Sonar (updated USHUS) + Weapons (Varunastra Torpedo; BrahMos-S, SLCM, etc in VLS Cell)..
French Origin Kit - Propeller Design, Pump Jet Propulsion, Hull Design, X-Shaped Rudder, Combat Management System, etc, etc, etc....

Rakesh: any particular reason why we need French assistance for propeller, hull design or CMS? We have the Arihant class which was homegrown

Is it because we want the latest tech from the French to jump a few generations?

I can be completely wrong, and Admiral obviously will know better, but isn't the propeller rpm regimes vastly different between SSNs and those on SSBNs?
And since rpm heavily influences amount of Cavitation (primary source of noise, impacting stealth), so careful propeller design is paramount, and needs to be tailored for the relevant use-case (dash-with-somewhat-compromise-to-stealth of SSNs vs stealth-and-only-stealth of SSBNs design considerations).

Also IIRC, there was some news-item, quite a few months back wrt indigenous capability of pump-jet tech etc - not sure what happened to that.

[Prem Kumar]

Our indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft that was commissioned recently, uses a water-jet propulsion. Wiki tells me there is a difference between water-jet and pump-jet propulsion