Naval vessels are armed to the teeth, with a wide-range of anti-surface, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft firearms. Although frigates and corvettes are often termed as support vessels, these are powerful ships to combat any armed conflicts at sea. With a growing number of countries adopting strategies and tactics for strengthening their combat capabilities, naval warfare has witnessed massive changes over the past decade.
The focus on procuring highly advanced and state-of-the-art ships which comply with modern-day battlefield strategies has gained importance among maritime nations of the world. Countries are preserving their naval supremacy by investing in the unmatched strike capabilities of naval submarines. Laced with the latest and high-end technologies, submarines massively augment the combat capabilities of their respective naval units.
Types of submarines: Profile of a certified WMD
Submarines have become an indispensable requirement for navies. Several countries such as the US, Russia, China, Japan, and the UK, are investing considerably in developing and procuring them. Submarines can be broadly classified into diesel-electric and nuclear-powered based on their propulsion system. Nuclear-powered submarines are further classified into nuclear attack submarines (known as SSN), which are meant to attack enemy submarines and ballistic missile submarines (known as SSBN) that can fire ballistic missiles.
Evolution in line with combat readiness
To make them more operationally flexible, vendors are developing submarines that can perform multiple functions. Submarines like the ones belonging to the US’s Virginia-class have a flexible design for future enhancements. They are designed for improved littoral warfare, surveillance, and open ocean capabilities. The masts of the submarines are designed to provide superior imaging capabilities with regards to their warfighting performance.
Another example of a multi-mission submarine project is of Saab Kockums. This submarine is incorporated with holistic quieting technology (acoustic, heat, hydrodynamics) and advanced sensors enabling the submarine to become a high-end intelligence gathering platform.
Future trends : Room for new prospects, and effective technology
The global submarine market is a highly competitive environment. Vendors primarily compete based on product quality, manufacturing cost, reliability, and aftermarket service. It is crucial for vendors to market cost-effective and high-quality submarines, equipped with the latest technologies, to survive and succeed in an intensely competitive market environment. Government organizations, such as the US Department of Defense and the UK MoD, serve as certification bodies and encourage the development of such undersea vehicles as they add more teeth to their own ongoing naval operations. As a result, vendors invest in creating new, cost-efficient, and effective submarines for naval forces.
The market has the presence of a few established players that are focusing on developing their research capabilities. There is an equal opportunity for existing and prospective players to secure tenders from their respective governments, thereby intensifying the competition in the market. Technavio’s market research report about the global submarine market offers current trends, market insights, geographic summation and listing of top vendors, active in the globally influential industry. Source the advantage by downloading your own free sample copy.
