How Many Submarines Does India Have? Arihant, Kalvari and Kilo
India operates three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the Arihant class and about 16 conventional diesel-electric submarines, including six modern French-designed Kalvari-class boats. But much of its conventional fleet is more than 30 years old, and India has no nuclear-powered attack submarine in service. Two long-delayed programmes, Project 75I for six new conventional boats and Project 77 for nuclear attack submarines, are meant to close the gap.
This guide covers India’s submarine fleet, its plans and how it compares with China and Pakistan.
How many submarines does India have?
The Indian Navy has operated submarines since 1967, when it received its first Soviet Foxtrot-class boat. Its fleet today mixes Russian, German and French designs with home-built nuclear submarines. Many older boats spend long periods in refit, so the number available for operations at any time is lower than the total.
| Class | Type | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arihant class (Arihant, Arighaat, Aridhaman) | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine | 3 | K-15 and K-4 missiles; Aridhaman commissioned April 2026 |
| Kalvari class (Scorpène) | Diesel-electric attack submarine | 6 | Built by Mazagon Dock with France’s Naval Group |
| Sindhughosh class (Kilo) | Diesel-electric attack submarine | About 6 | Russian-built from the 1980s; being retired |
| Shishumar class (Type 209) | Diesel-electric attack submarine | 4 | German design from the 1980s |
| Project 75I | Diesel-electric with air-independent propulsion | 6 planned | German TKMS design with Mazagon Dock |
| Project 77 | Nuclear attack submarine | 2 approved | Indigenous design; first boats in the 2030s |
Arihant class: the nuclear deterrent at sea
India’s ballistic missile submarines are its most important boats. INS Arihant, launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016, completed India’s first nuclear deterrence patrol in 2018. INS Arighaat followed in August 2024 and the larger INS Aridhaman in April 2026; Aridhaman can carry eight K-4 missiles with a range of about 3,500 kilometres. These boats give India a nuclear force that is very hard to destroy in a first strike, as explained in our guide to India’s nuclear weapons. A fourth boat is under construction at Visakhapatnam.
Kalvari and the ageing conventional fleet
The six Kalvari-class submarines, a version of the French Scorpène built by Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, are the most modern conventional boats in the fleet. The sixth, INS Vagsheer, entered service in January 2025. The rest of the conventional fleet is old: the Russian-built Kilo-class and German-designed Shishumar-class boats date from the 1980s and early 1990s and are being upgraded or retired. India also leased a Russian Akula-class nuclear attack submarine, INS Chakra, from 2012 to 2021.
Project 75I and Project 77
Project 75I, for six larger submarines with air-independent propulsion that lets them stay submerged for weeks, has been delayed for almost two decades. In 2025 the German company TKMS and Mazagon Dock emerged as the preferred bidders, and in 2026 the deal, worth about 700 billion rupees, was heading for final government approval. Separately, in October 2024 the government approved Project 77, under which India will design and build two nuclear-powered attack submarines, with more to follow. They are not expected before the mid-2030s.
How does India compare?
China has more than 60 submarines, including about 14 nuclear-powered boats, and is building more every year, as our guide to Chinese submarines shows. Pakistan is receiving eight Chinese Hangor-class submarines with air-independent propulsion. India’s surface fleet, which its submarines support, is covered in our guide to Indian warships.
Frequently asked questions
How many submarines does India have?
About 19: three Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines and about 16 conventional diesel-electric boats.
Does India have nuclear submarines?
Yes. India has three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines: Arihant, Arighaat and Aridhaman. It has no nuclear attack submarine in service.
What is the Kalvari class?
A class of six diesel-electric submarines based on the French Scorpène design, built in Mumbai and completed in 2025.
What is Project 75I?
A programme to build six new conventional submarines with air-independent propulsion, with Germany’s TKMS and Mazagon Dock as the chosen partners.
What is Project 77?
India’s programme to design and build nuclear-powered attack submarines, approved in October 2024.
Does India have more submarines than Pakistan?
Yes, but Pakistan is receiving eight modern Chinese submarines, and China has more than three times as many as India.
- Wikipedia – INS Aridhaman (summary of official announcements): en.wikipedia.org
- Army Recognition – India prepares final approval for Project 75(I) submarine deal with Germany (2026): armyrecognition.com
- Nuclear Threat Initiative – India submarine capabilities: nti.org
- Wikipedia – Kalvari-class submarine (summary of public reporting): en.wikipedia.org
