India receives offer for SMX 3.0 VLS-equipped attack submarine from France

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  A CGI of the Naval Group's SMX 3.0 submarine concept. Photo c/o The Defenstar.

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• French shipbuilder Naval Group (NG) confirmed that they have offered their new SMX 3.0 next generation diesel-electric attack submarine to the Indian Navy (IN) to meet requirements under its P-75I submarine project.
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• This offer was made to replace an earlier offer by NG based on an enlarged Scorpene-class design.
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• The new SMX 3.0 is a 3,000-ton diesel-electric submarine design that slots in between NG’s other submarine offerings, including the 4,000-ton Shortfin Barracuda, known as the Attack-class with the Royal Australian Navy, and the 1,800-ton Scorpene which is already in service with the IN as the Kalvari-class.
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• The SMX 3.0 incorporates the latest digital technologies for improved responsiveness and functionality resulting to operational efficiency and versatility. It has better power management with the use of the Air Independent Propulsion Fuel Cell Second Generation (AIP FC2G) anaerobic propulsion system. 
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• The submarine will also be equipped with a vertical launch system (VLS) allowing the launching of both drones and missiles, extending its scope of warfare capabilities. The IN is considering arming its future submarines with the submarine-launched BrahMos NG supersonic and Nirbhay subsonic anti-ship and land attack cruise missiles., as well as French missiles including the submarine-launched Exocet SM39 anti-ship and SCALP land attack cruise missiles.
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• It also has improved capabilities to counter cyber-threats, and improved acoustic discretion due to its hydrodynamic shape and masking coating.
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• Under the IN’s P-75I project, six (6) next generation submarines are to be procured by the IN, and will be constructed locally by state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and privately-owned Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
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• [1] Naval Group
• [2] Indian Defence Research Wing
• [3] The Defenstar