India's Kalvari Submarines Get a Boost with France's 800-km MdCN Upgrade

France Offers India's Kalvari Submarines a Game-Changing Upgrade

India's Kalvari-class submarines are set to receive a significant boost in their capabilities, thanks to a proposal from France to equip them with the submarine-launched MdCN cruise missile. The MdCN, a variant of France's SCALP cruise missile, boasts a range of 800 km and a 250 kg warhead, surpassing the capabilities of current torpedoes.

The proposal, which involves equipping the six Kalvari submarines built at Mazagon Dock and the three additional projects under consideration, is part of a broader effort to transform India's fleet of conventional submarines into a sea-based striking force capable of targeting distant and vital installations.

The MdCN, which has been used in combat in Syria in April 2018, is a streamlined cylinder launched from a 533-mm torpedo tube. Its range of 800 km is significantly longer than the several tens of kilometers offered by currently available torpedoes carried by the Kalvari-class submarines.

While the MdCN falls under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which restricts countries from transferring ballistic missiles, space launch vehicles, and integrated guidance systems, France is a member of the MTCR and has a strategic partnership with India. This has paved the way for the transfer of the MdCN, despite its range exceeding the limit set by the MTCR.

India's DRDO is also working on a submarine-launched cruise missile based on the Nirbhay design, which has been test-fired from a submerged platform and has a range of 600 kms. However, the development of this missile has been severely delayed, and even the ground-launched variant is yet to enter service.

Another project under development by DRDO is BrahMos-NG, which is planned to have the same torpedo tube launch as the Nirbhay cruise missile. BrahMos-NG is designed to fly at a speed of Mach 3 and will have a range of up to 290 km, limited by the size of the missile. This missile will also be suitable for launching from the Kalvari, but it will only be able to reach coastal and lake targets.

In the race to develop long-range weapons for its subsurface ships, India has three options: waiting for the development and deployment of the domestic DRDO cruise missile, which will likely be delayed until the 2030s; using the BrahMos-NG, which will also be delayed for several years; or turning to France for a solution, despite the accompanying political hurdles.

For now, France is ready to help India achieve its goal of transforming its fleet's conventional submarines into a sea-based striking force. However, the question of time remains relevant, as the DRDO's independent project is expected to be delayed for several more years.

The Indian Navy is not planning to wait for the French solution, and is instead exploring other options to fill the strategic gap. The Kalvari-class submarines will have to be decommissioned by the 2030s, and it is crucial that India has a reliable and long-range missile system in place by then.

In conclusion, the proposed upgrade of India's Kalvari submarines with the MdCN cruise missile is a significant step towards achieving the country's goal of transforming its fleet's conventional submarines into a sea-based striking force. The MdCN's range and capabilities make it an attractive option, and France's willingness to transfer the missile has paved the way for a potential partnership.

The Indian Navy must now carefully consider its options and make a decision that will ensure the country's subsurface ships remain a credible threat to its adversaries. The clock is ticking, and the fate of India's Kalvari-class submarines hangs in the balance.