India approves construction of nuclear attack submarines and purchase of MQ-9B drones

According to Indian media reports, the Indian government has approved the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) and the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B drones from the US.

The submarine construction will take place at the Ship Building Center in Visakhapatnam at a cost of 450 billion Indian rupees (US$5.36 billion). Asian News International reportedciting sources.

Indian shipbuilders will be involved in the project, with four more submersibles planned for the future as part of the Advanced Technology Vessel project.

India’s nuclear submarines

India is separately building nuclear ballistic missile attack submarines (SSBN) under the 900 billion Indian rupees ($11 billion) Advanced Technology Vessel project.

Two Arihant-class SSBNs have already entered service with the Indian Navy, with three more planned for construction.

The smaller SSN lacks ballistic missiles in its arsenal and is used for speed and maneuverability. These submarines are used for short-range attack, surveillance and intelligence missions.

MQ-9B drones

Meanwhile, India will purchase two variants of General Atomics’ MQ-9 unmanned aircraft: 16 SkyGuardian and 15 SeaGuardian long-range high-altitude drones.

The US State Department approved the $4 billion sale in FebruaryThis was followed by approval from India’s Defense Acquisition Council in June.

The plane will be assembled in India and are intended to improve the surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

The US sales authorization also includes 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and 310 GBU-39B/B small-diameter laser bombs, suggesting a possible kinetic role for the aircraft.