India Builds New VLF Radio Station to Enhance Control of Indian Ocean
New Delhi,India – India is bolstering its control over the Indian Ocean with theinauguration of a new Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio communication station, designed to enhance communication with its growing fleet of nuclear submarines. The station, located inthe state of Telangana, is expected to be commissioned on October 15th, coinciding with the induction of India’s second indigenously built nuclear submarine.
The new VLF station is a critical addition to India’s submarine communication capabilities, particularly as its nuclear submarine program continues to expand. Modern anti-submarine warfare tactics often necessitate submarines to remain submerged for extended periods to avoid detection. However, conventional radio waves quickly lose their strength in water, making communication with submerged vessels a challenge. VLF radio waves, with their lower frequency, can penetrate deeper into the ocean, enabling communication with submarines operating at significant depths.
This facility is essential for commanding nuclear submarines on long-range deterrent patrols, stated an article in the Indian newspaper, The Times of India. Currently, only a handful of countries possess this capability.
The United States Navy, for instance, has established a global network of VLF communication stations since the 1950s, strategically located in the United States, Panama, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Australia. India’s existing VLF station in Tamil Nadu, operational since 1990, has a limited range and power output, primarily supporting conventional submarines.
The new VLF station, with itsincreased power, will provide enhanced communication with both nuclear and conventional submarines, particularly those equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, which allow for extended underwater operations.
This facility will be crucial in keeping an eye on the Chinese Navy’s ambitions in the Indian Ocean, the Times of India article further noted.
India’s submarine fleet is undergoing a significant modernization process. The recent induction of the second 6,000-ton nuclear submarine, capable of carrying K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with a range of 750 kilometers, is a testament to this. The country is also constructing a third7,000-ton nuclear submarine and developing a larger 13,500-ton nuclear submarine equipped with the K-4 ballistic missile, boasting a range of 3,500 kilometers.
Furthermore, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved the construction of two attack nuclearsubmarines, each with a 190-megawatt reactor and a displacement of 9,800 tons. These submarines will be equipped with a variety of anti-submarine, anti-ship, and land-attack weapons.
The development of the new VLF communication station, coupled with the ongoingexpansion of India’s submarine fleet, signals a clear intent to strengthen its naval presence and assert its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
References:
- The Times of India (2024, October 14). India builds new VLF radio station to enhance control of Indian Ocean. Retrieved from[link to article]
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