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Shishumar-class (Type 209/1500) submarines
OngoingINS Shankul surfaced in the Indian Navy formation during the International Fleet Review off Visakhapatnam on 2026-02-18.
INS Shankul surfaced during the International Fleet Review off Visakhapatnam on 18 February 2026, providing the newest public evidence that a Shishumar-class boat remains operational. INS Shalki made a formal Colombo visit in August 2024, while INS Shankush entered a Rs 2,725 crore medium refit and life certification programme contracted in June 2023 for post-refit delivery in 2026. The four Type 209/1500 submarines entered service between 1986 and 1994, with the first pair built in West Germany and Shalki and Shankul built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai. Shalki's 1992 commissioning established India as a submarine-building nation. These ageing but life-extended boats matter because they bridge the gap to replacement submarines while preserving Indian Navy operating and maintenance expertise.
Updated 18 Feb 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Design | Type 209/1500 ↗ |
| Boats | 4: INS Shishumar, INS Shankush, INS Shalki and INS Shankul ↗ |
| Displacement | 1,660 metric tons surfaced; 1,850 metric tons submerged ↗ |
| Dimensions | 64.4 m long; 6.5 m beam; 6.0 m draught ↗ |
| Main machinery | Diesel-electric ↗ |
| Speed | 13 knots surfaced; 22.5 knots submerged ↗ |
| Range | 18,000 miles at 4.5 knots surfaced; 8,200 miles at 8 knots snorkeling; 524 miles at 4 knots submerged ↗ |
| Complement | 40, including 8 officers ↗ |
| Diving depth | 260 m ↗ |
| Endurance | 50 days ↗ |
| Weapons | 14 torpedoes; eight 533 mm tubes; 24 mines on an external mine-laying belt ↗ |
Spec sources: nti.org ↗ · indiannavy.gov.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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INS Shankul surfaced with INS Sindhukirti and INS Sindhukesari during the International Fleet Review off Visakhapatnam.
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INS Shalki arrived at Colombo for a formal visit, carrying a crew of 40 and hosting a Sri Lanka Navy familiarisation programme.
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The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 2,725 crore contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for INS Shankush's medium refit and life certification, with post-refit delivery planned for 2026.
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Mazagon Dock contracted TKMS for INS Shishumar's medium refit and life certification, including new equipment, system maintenance and pressure-hull certification for another decade.
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Mazagon Dock-built INS Shankul was commissioned as the fourth Shishumar-class submarine.
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Mazagon Dock-built INS Shalki was commissioned as India's first domestically built submarine.
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INS Shankush, the second German-built Type 209/1500 boat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
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INS Shishumar, the first Type 209/1500 boat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
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India signed the HDW contract that initiated the Type 209/1500 programme and transfer-of-technology plan for construction at Mazagon Dock.
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