Russia to keep Brahmos-armed Amur 950 submarine with vertical launch capability as showcase for Indian Navy
Rubin's Central Design Bureau said in a statement: "At the Army-2024 exhibition, the Design Bureau will present the non-nuclear submarine Amur 950 of the sea area with a vertical launcher."
The Brahmos vertical launch capability of the submarine is clearly aimed at the Indian Navy. We recall that the Russian UAC had earlier introduced the AMUR 1650 for the procurement of the Indian Navy's Project 75I submarines.
Submarine Amur-950
The Amur-class submarine is a modernized version of the Kilo-class submarine with improved acoustic stealth, new combat systems and an air-independent propulsion option. The Indian Navy currently operates the 7 Kilo class submarines, locally called the Sindhughosh class. The ships have been purchased by Russia since the late 1980s and have had some life extensions and capability upgrades. Kilo class submarines are known for their low acoustic signature. They feature a double hull: the inner pressure hull is designed to withstand underwater pressure and a light outer shell provides additional mobility and protection.
The space between the two hulls is often used for ballast tanks and other systems. This design improves the survivability and operational capabilities of the submarine. In contrast, Amur-class submarines are single-hull, which reduces displacement and acoustic signature. They are powered by a completely new main electric motor with permanent magnets, which is characterized by high energy conversion efficiency even at low cruising speeds.
As a result, the acoustic signature of the Amur-650 submarine is several times lower than that of the older Kilo-class submarines! Amur submarines can be equipped with a hull extension plug with AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) fuel cells, which significantly improves durability and diving autonomy.
Features
As its name suggests, the Amur-950 displaces 950 tons on the surface and 1,300 tons submerged.
The boat is 56.8 m long and has a width of 7.2 m. It can reach 20 knots while diving and has a range of 350 nm in AIP and 4000 nm in free diving. Adequate armaments
Despite its small size, the Amur-950 is a great punching tool.
The submarine will be equipped with 10 vertical silos for BrahMos missiles, 4 533 mm tubes with 16 torpedoes, missiles and mines. It is capable of firing shots at certain predetermined targets.
Rubin's statement referred to submarines as "a floating naval battery capable of conducting a powerful preemptive strike against enemy ships and coastal infrastructure."
Local production
While proposing the Amur-1650 submarine against India's Project 75I requirements, Russia offered to jointly design and build the flagship design vessel with India.
On July 9, 2019, the deputy director of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Vladimir Drozhzhov told reporters that the ToT during the implementation of the project will be total, allowing India to build a following for yourself. Russia has also proposed that the Project 75I submarine be equipped with either the DRDO-developed AIP or the Rubin-developed AIP.
Interestingly, when procurement of Project 75I began, the QRs (qualitative requirements) included AIP and ground attack capability. (At least 12 LACM with a distance of 500 km).
