The Indian Navy, as part of its capability-building initiatives, is in talks with a few Indian shipbuilders and foreign manufacturers to procure at least two Special Operations Vessels (SOVs) and Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs).
According to a report in The Print, the Indian Navy wants these midget submarines for the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) for covert missions.
It is to be noted that Pakistan operates three Cosmos-class mini submarines.
Midget submarines (also known as submersibles or compact submarines) are small submarines designed for special operations, covert missions and operations in coastal or shallow waters. They are significantly smaller than conventional attack submarines and are usually operated by a small crew of just two to 20 personnel.
For quite some time, the Indian Navy wanted to acquire such submarines.
The Print report quoted sources as saying that discussions are underway with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which has been showcasing its design of a midget submarine at various forums, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). Both these companies have come up with their own midget submarine concepts.
According to the report, the Navy is also in talks with a few European defence manufacturers who have midget submarines.
The Navy is reportedly looking to acquire midget submarines with a displacement of roughly 500 tonnes and the capacity to accommodate around 20 personnel.
The small size and lower acoustic signature of these mini submarines make them harder to detect than conventional submarines, especially in crowded coastal waters. They can also operate in shallow coastal regions and narrow waterways where manoeuvrability is critical.
