MoD sought responses from global giants to construct diesel-electric submarine

The Defence Ministry has issued the much-awaited “request for information” to six international arms majors to construct six conventional diesel-electric submarines under the Project-75I in an Indian shipyard.
 
Those who received the RFI in sealed envelopes are Rosoboronexport (Russia), Navantia (Spain), Saab (Sweden), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (German), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) and Naval Group (formerly French DCNS), sources said.
 
The chosen original equipment manufacturer will have to partner with an Indian company to produce the underwater boat in an Indian shipyard as P-75I is one of the projects selected for execution under the Defence Ministry's new “Strategic Partnership” model that seeks to encourage the Indian private sector to enter the defence manufacturing business.
 
The acceptance of the necessity for a second assembly line of submarines was approved way back in 2007. But the scheme underwent several twists and turns in the last 10 years with the incumbent NDA government finally deciding that all of these boats would be built in an Indian shipyard.
 
The submarines will be fitted with air independent propulsion technology, which will enable these boats to stay longer under the water.
 
An expert panel under the chairmanship of Vice Admiral A V Subhedar (rtd), former controller of warship production and acquisition in the Indian Navy assessed the capabilities of all Indian shipyards – both public and private sectors – and submitted a report to the defence ministry, which is to take a decision on the shipyard based on its findings.
 
Way back in 1999, Indian Navy planned to acquire 24 diesel electric submarines over the next 30 years. The plan was modified twice later to incorporate nuclear-powered submarines and the deadlines were modified. But the targets set up even in the 2008-2022 indigenisation plan is way off the mark as Indian Navy currently operates 13 diesel electric and two nuclear-powered boats.
 
The Rs 18,798 crore project to construct six French-origin Scorpene submarines at Mazgaon Dock is running four years behind schedule. The first submarine INS Kalvari is yet to be commissioned even though all the six submarines are to be inducted by 2019-20. Because of the delay, Navy has undertaken costly refit programmes to extend the life of the existing fleet.