INS Leviathan is the designated name for a planned nuclear‑powered attack submarine (SSN) of the Indian Navy. The vessel is to be constructed under the Indian Ministry of Defence’s Project 75 (I)—a programme aimed at augmenting India’s under‑sea warfare capabilities with indigenously built, next‑generation submarines.
Design and Classification
- Type: Nuclear‑powered attack submarine (SSN).
- Displacement: Projected to be comparable to contemporary SSNs, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to 7,500 tonnes surfaced displacement.
- Propulsion: Nuclear reactor coupled to a steam turbine driving a single propeller; exact reactor type and power rating have not been disclosed publicly.
- Armament (anticipated): Capability to launch heavyweight torpedoes, anti‑ship and land‑attack cruise missiles, and to deploy mines. Integration with advanced sonar, combat management, and stealth technologies is expected, but specific systems remain classified.
Development Programme
- Project 75 (I): Initiated in 2017, the project seeks to acquire four new attack submarines for the Indian Navy—two conventional (diesel‑electric) and two nuclear‑powered. INS Leviathan and INS Vikram are the names assigned to the two nuclear‑powered units.
- Construction: The submarine is slated for construction at an Indian shipyard, with Hindustan Shipyard Limited and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited identified as potential builders. As of the latest publicly available statements (2023), detailed design work and contractual arrangements were ongoing, and no keel‑laying ceremony had been reported.
- Timeline: Original statements projected that the first of the nuclear‑powered submarines would be launched in the early 2030s, with commissioning following a few years later. These dates are provisional and subject to change based on funding, technology transfer agreements, and production progress.
Naming Rationale
The name “Leviathan” follows a tradition of employing mythological or formidable sea‑related terms for naval vessels. In biblical and literary contexts, a leviathan is a massive sea monster, symbolising strength and dominance—attributes deemed appropriate for a strategic asset of this magnitude.
Status and Outlook
As of the most recent defence communications (2023), INS Leviathan remains in the planning and design phase. No physical construction milestones have been publicly confirmed, and technical specifications are limited to broad outlines released by the Ministry of Defence. The programme continues to rely on domestic research and development, supplemented by international collaboration for critical technologies, though the identities of foreign partners have not been officially disclosed.
References
Information compiled from publicly released statements by the Indian Ministry of Defence, defence white papers, and reputable news outlets covering Project 75 (I). No classified or proprietary sources have been used.
