In what may come as a major enhancement to the stealth capabilities of the Indian Navy's submarine programmes, an advanced pumpjet propulsion technology has been offered by France for the planned next-generation diesel-electric attack submarines, known as Project 66, and Project 77, which is the initiative to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
The pumpset propulsion technology, a sophisticated alternative to traditional propeller systems, is already operational in the French Barracuda-class submarine. The technology significantly decreases the acoustic signature of submarines, allowing for quieter operations and improved stealth capabilities. If the deal goes through, the submarines of India may become some of the quietest in the Indian Ocean Region, offering a major advantage for the Indian Navy in underwater warfare.
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Stealth is of extreme importance to submarines operating in hostile waters.
Apart from helping minimize the noise produced during operation, this cutting-edge tech will also offer enhanced maneuverability to submarines, giving them an added edge while navigating complex waters.
“In a comparison between two otherwise identical submarines, the one with the pumpjet will always have a lower dived endurance, a lower dived range, a worse indiscretion ratio, a lower overall endurance, and a lower overall range, than the one with a propeller. This will confer a substantial tactical and strategic advantage on the conventionally-propelled submarine in a very broad range of operational scenarios," a report titled 'Australia’s Future Submarine: Getting this Key Capability Right' read.
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The adoption of this technology will help India's operational effectiveness of its submarine fleet, making it a formidable power in the Indo-Pacific region. France's willingness to offer this advanced technology to India demonstrates the growing defence ties between the two countries, which also involves joint military exercises across air, sea, and land domains and co-design, co-development, and co-production of military hardware.