Project 75I-class Submarine: History
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The Project 75 (India)-class submarines, or P-75I, for short, are a planned class of diesel-electric submarines, which are to be built for the Indian Navy. The P-75I class is a follow-on of the P-75 class submarines of the Indian Navy. Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six conventional, diesel-electric attack submarines, which will also feature advanced capabilities - including air-independent propulsion (AIP), ISR, special operations forces (SOF), anti-ship warfare (AShW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), land-attack capabilities and other features. All six submarines are expected to be constructed in India, under the Make in India initiative.

  • anti-submarine warfare
  • p-75
  • p-75i

1. History

In 1997, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved a plan to acquire 24 submarines under Project 75.[1] After the Kargil War in 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) - India's top decision-making body on issues related to defense and national security, approved a 30-year submarine building plan, that called for two parallel production lines, each constructing six submarines. The older Project-75 (P-75) was brought under the new plan, with the two production lines to be built under P-75 and P-75I using transfer of technology (ToT) from different foreign manufacturers.[2]

In 2008, it was reported that a Request for Information (RFI) had been issued to Armaris (now Naval Group), HDW and Rosoboronexport for six submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) and land-attack capability, that were to be built in India .[3][4]

In July 2010, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) - the MoD's top arms acquisition body, decided to import two submarines, build three at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) and one at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), with a budget of ₹50,000 crore (equivalent to ₹900 billion or US$13 billion in 2019).[5] After the project was approved by the DAC in August 2010, an RFI was issued again in September 2010.[6][7] However, the RFP was not approved by the CCS due to conflicting opinions between the Indian Navy and the MoD, over the involvement of privately-owned shipyards in the project. Consequently, the approval lapsed and was renewed multiple times till 2013.[8][9]

In October 2014, the DAC decided to construct all six submarines in India and approved a budget of ₹53,000 crore (equivalent to ₹680 billion or US$9.6 billion in 2019).[10] Along with the state-owned MDL, HSL, and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), privately-owned L&T Shipbuilding and Pipavav Shipyard (R-Naval) were allowed to bid for the project in collaboration with a foreign shipyard.[11]

In 2017, the Indian Navy issued another RFI, to Naval Group, Rosoboronexport, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Saab Kockums, Navantia and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).[12] Out of the aforementioned six - only Naval Group, Rosoboronexport, TKMS and Saab responded, while Navantia and Mitsubishi failed to respond within the deadline.[13][14]

In June 2017, it was reported that the contract for construction would be awarded under a "Strategic Partnership" (SP) policy, which would eliminate state-owned shipyards from contention.[15] After the approval lapsed in February 2018, the DAC renewed the approval with a budget of ₹40,000 crore (US$5.6 billion) in January 2019.[16][17]

In April 2019, an Expression of Interest (EOI) was issued for six submarines capable of firing land-attack missiles (LAM) and anti-ship cruise missiles.[18] In June 2019, South Korea's Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering (DSME), was allowed to enter the project, after the EOI had expired, in response to a late invitation extended by the MoD, thus making a late entrance into the competition.[19][20] Navantia responded to the EOI in July 2019, affirming the company's re-entrance into the competition (after their absence from the RFI issued in 2017).[21][22] Shortly after, in September 2019, Saab withdrew from the competition, citing concerns about the rules defined in the "Strategic Partnership" policy.[20] Saab's withdrawal left five firms as the only contestants in P-75I - Naval Group, Rosoboronexport, TKMS, Navantia and DSME; the five firms were later officially shortlisted as the finalists of the competition, in 2020.[23]

2. Finalists

On 21 January 2020, the Government of India (GoI) shortlisted two Indian shipyards - Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), as the two Indian finalists in P-75I.[24] Concurrently, the GoI also shortlisted five foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), as finalists in P-75I - ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany, Rubin Design Bureau of Russia, Navantia of Spain, Naval Group of France, and Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea.[23]

The two Indian shipyards respectively, would have to collaborate with the five foreign shortlisted OEM's, for competing in the project.[25] In July, 2021, the MoD formally issued an RFP, for the construction of the six designated submarines, worth ₹43,000 crore (US$6.0 billion), under a "Strategic Partnership" model.[26][27]

At the time of the issuing the RFP, five OEM's were competing in P-75I -

  • Naval Group (France ) :- Offered a diesel-electric variant of the Barracuda-class nuclear-powered submarine.[28]Other reports have indicated that France may also be offering an advanced variant of the Scorpene-class.[29]
  • ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany ) :- Offered the Type-214.[30]
  • Rubin Design Bureau (Russia ) :- Offered a variant of the Amur-class, known as the Amur-1650.[31]
  • Navantia (Spain ) :- Offered the S-80 class.[32]
  • Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (South Korea ) :- Offered a 3000-ton variant of the KSS-III class, known as the DSME-3000.[33]

The two Indian shipyards shortlisted in P-75I were -

  • L&T Shipbuilding (L&T)[27][34]
  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)[27][34]

3. Developments

In July 2021, MDL - one of the two Indian shipyards in the competition, issued an RFI to the five shortlisted OEM's, attempting to forge a partnership for competing in the tender; the RFI had stipulated the OEM should have a functioning AIP system, that has been tested and proven on an operational submarine. Reportedly, three nations - France, Russia and Spain, did not have any functioning submarine with an AIP system, leaving Germany (TKMS) and South Korea (DSME) as the only eligible contenders.[35][36][37]

In September 2021, TKMS reportedly withdrew from the competition, expressing reservations about "restrictive conditions" in the tender - reportedly a "restrictive" liability clause, a high "indigenous content percentage" (the amount of Indian-manufactured content desired on the submarines), and a "lack of clarity" on the transfer of technology.[38][39][40] The reported move by TKMS, left DSME (South Korea), as the sole eligible contender in P-75I.[40]

The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Engineering:Project_75I-class_submarine

References

  1. Saw, David (2005). "The World Submarine Situation". Armada International (Gurgaon: Media Transasia India Ltd) 29 (6): 52–58. ISSN 0252-9793.  http://www.worldcat.org/issn/0252-9793
  2. Singh, Sushant (13 November 2015). "Explained: India's submarine story in deep waters, long way to go". The Indian Express. http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-indias-submarine-story-in-deep-waters-long-way-to-go/. 
  3. Thapar, Vishal (17 February 2008). "Indian Navy eyes new submarines". CNN-IBN. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/navy-eyes-new-submarines-for-bluewater-capability/59174-3.html. 
  4. Pandit, Rajat (20 October 2008). "Navy hunts for hi-tech submarines". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-hunts-for-hi-tech-submarines/articleshow/3616503.cms. 
  5. Pandit, Rajat (11 July 2010). "Biggest military deal: Six subs for Rs 50,000 crore". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Biggest-military-deal-Six-subs-zfor-Rs-50000-crore/articleshow/6152862.cms. 
  6. N. C. Bipendra (7 September 2010). "India to Select Shipyard for Next Line of Submarines". Outlook. https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/india-to-select-shipyard-for-next-line-of-submarines/692742. 
  7. "Procurement of Submarines". Press Information Bureau. 19 December 2011. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78957. 
  8. N. C. Bipindra (16 August 2013). "Three years on, Navy awaits Cabinet nod for 6 new subs". The New Indian Express. http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2013/aug/16/Three-years-on-Navy-awaits-Cabinet-nod-for-6-new-subs-507305.html. 
  9. Pandit, Rajat (9 June 2013). "Tangled in red tape, India's submarine fleet sinking". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tangled-in-red-tape-Indias-submarine-fleet-sinking/articleshow/20500247.cms. 
  10. Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (26 October 2014). "6 Made-in-India Submarines for Navy for 53,000 Crores". NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-made-in-india-submarines-for-navy-for-53-000-crores-684137. 
  11. Thapar, Vishal (4 April 2015). "5 shipyards earmarked for Rs 53,000 crore sub project". Sunday Guardian. http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/5-shipyards-earmarked-for-rs-53000-crore-sub-project. 
  12. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/six-in-fray-for-navys-83billion-advanced-submarine-project/article9779029.ece
  13. 4 contenders left in fray for India's mega submarine project after Japan, Spain opt out | India News - Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/4-contenders-left-in-fray-for-indias-mega-submarine-project-after-japan-spain-opt-out/articleshow/61147852.cms
  14. Submarine: Four foreign firms in contention for submarine project P-75(I) - The Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/four-foreign-firms-in-contention-for-submarine-project-p-75i/articleshow/61156174.cms
  15. Basu, Nayanima (8 June 2017). "P75(I) submarine to be first deal under 'Strategic Partnership'" (in en). The Hindu Business Line. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/p75i-submarine-to-be-first-deal-under-strategic-partnership/article9723040.ece. 
  16. Nair-Ghaswalla, Amrita (5 February 2018). "Indigenous submarine project still a non-starter" (in en). The Hindu Business Line. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/indigenous-submarine-project-still-a-non-starter/article22661104.ece. 
  17. "Government clears Rs 40,000 crore project to construct six submarines" (in en-IN). The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. 31 January 2019. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-navy-submarines-defence-ministry-dac-nirmala-sitharaman-5563576/. 
  18. "Indian Navy kicks off Rs 50,000 crore lethal submarine project, wants 500 km strike range cruise missiles on them". The Economic Times. Asian News International. 4 April 2019. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-navy-kicks-off-rs-50000-crore-lethal-submarine-project-wants-500-km-strike-range-cruise-missiles-on-them/articleshow/68718982.cms. 
  19. SAAB out, South Korean Company in for the conventional submarines for the Indian Navy - The Financial Express https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/saab-out-south-korean-company-in-for-the-conventional-submarines-for-the-indian-navy/1719545/
  20. https://theprint.in/defence/swedish-major-saab-pulls-out-of-p75i-race-cites-unbalance-in-strategic-partnership-policy/297232/
  21. Indian Navy: Spain wants to be part of Rs 45,000 crore submarine project https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/spain-wants-to-be-part-of-rs-45000-crore-submarine-project/articleshow/70034032.cms?from=mdr
  22. Submarine Project: Sweden out, South Korea in for Rs 45,000 crore submarine project https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sweden-out-south-korea-in-for-rs-45000-crore-submarine-project/articleshow/71303887.cms
  23. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/01/22/india-makes-initial-bid-selections-for-7-billion-submarine-project/
  24. https://www.livefistdefence.com/with-2-indian-shipyards-5-submarine-cos-approved-crucial-step-in-project-75-india/
  25. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-shortlists-lt-and-mdl-to-build-six-conventional-submarines/article30621557.ece
  26. MoD issues RFP for construction of six P-75(I) AIP submarines for Indian Navy for $6 bn – India Strategic https://www.indiastrategic.in/mod-issues-rfp-for-construction-of-six-p-75i-aip-submarines-for-indian-navy-for-6-bn/
  27. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1737191
  28. The 4 Submarines Competing For The Indian Navy's P-75I Program - Naval News https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/10/the-4-submarines-competing-for-the-indian-navys-p-75i-program/
  29. Video: Naval Group Proposal for Indian Navy P-75I Submarine Project - Naval News https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/02/video-naval-group-proposal-for-indian-navy-p-75i-submarine-project/
  30. https://thediplomat.com/2016/05/germany-offers-india-new-stealth-submarines/
  31. Russia offers Amur class submarines to India https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-russia-offers-amur-class-submarines-to-india-1474468
  32. Navantia Pitching S80 Plus Submarine for India's P-75I during UDS 2020 - Naval News https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/03/navantia-pitching-s80-plus-submarine-for-indias-p75i-during-uds-2020/
  33. MADEX 2021: DSME Sheds Light on Submarine Offer to India for P-75I - Naval News https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/madex-2021/2021/06/madex-2021-dsme-sheds-light-on-submarine-offer-to-india-for-p-75i/
  34. Indian MoD Issues a Request For Proposal For The Construction Of Six P-75(I) Submarines - Naval News https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/07/indian-mod-issues-a-request-for-proposal-for-the-construction-of-six-p-75i-submarines/
  35. Submarine building project: MDL’s extended underwater tech clause to oust most global bidders - The Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/mdls-extended-underwater-tech-clause-to-oust-most-global-bidders/articleshow/84420583.cms
  36. P-75I: MDL's AIP Clause Could Make only 2 OEM’s Eligible for Submarine Contract - ELE Times https://www.eletimes.com/p-75i-mdls-aip-clause-could-make-only-2-oems-eligible-for-submarine-contract
  37. Indian Navy and the impending issue of AIP import for Project 75 (I) subs - The Financial Express https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-navy-and-the-impending-issue-of-aip-import-for-project-75-i-subs/2290240/
  38. https://eurasiantimes.com/after-saab-the-makers-of-gripen-fighter-jet-another-foreign-firm-could-pull-out-of-indias-submarine-project/
  39. Project 75 (I) hits a huge roadblock, one major contender pulls out; Know more - The Financial Express https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/project-75-i-hits-a-huge-roadblock-one-major-contender-pulls-out-know-more/2313976/
  40. P75i submarine project: Germany may not bid for Navy’s P75I submarine project, leaves South Korean firm as only vendor - The Economic Times https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/germany-may-not-bid-for-navys-p75i-submarine-project-leaves-south-korean-firm-as-only-vendor/articleshow/85447687.cms
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