The govt has cleared the P75I plan under the strategic partnership model. The project envisions India building 6 conventional submarines.
New Delhi: The Nirmala Sitharaman-headed Defence Acquisition Council cleared the much-awaited Project 75 India (P75I), which envisages the construction of six conventional submarines with better sensors and weapons and the Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP). The project has been cleared under the strategic partnership model.
India’s current arsenal consists of 14 conventional submarines and two nuclear-powered submarines.
Under the strategic partnership model, an Indian shipyard will be selected by the government, which will also nominate the foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) under the overall arch of ‘Make in India’.
P75I was first cleared in 2007, but lay dormant until now after undergoing numerous changes.
India’s 30-year plan
The P75I project is part of a 30-year submarine building plan that ends in 2030. As part of this plan, India was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) — as an effective deterrent against China and Pakistan.
Former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said in 2016 that the submarine plan should continue till 2050, and that India should look to build more than 24 such vessels.
Of the 14 conventional submarines India currently possesses, including the Scorpene, only half are operational at any given point of time. India also has two nuclear-powered submarines — INS Arihant (SSBN, a ballistic missile submarine) and INS Chakra (SSN, a nuclear-powered one) leased from Russia.
Also read: India misses the deadline for issuing tenders to procure submarines & naval helicopters
Firms in contention for P75I
Four foreign firms have so far responded to the Indian government’s request for proposal for the project.
These are French firm Naval Group, Russia’s Rosoboronexport Rubin Design Bureau, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Sweden’s Saab.
Indian shipyards in contention
The Ministry of Defence had appointed a high-powered committee to assess the eight Indian shipyards and select the one eligible for the project.
The eight-member committee, which studied both public and private shipyards, is believed to have cleared all eight shipyards.
However, it is expected that the state-run Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL), which manufactures the Scorpene submarines, is likely to bag the deal.
Private player Larsen & Toubro may be also be in contention for the project.
Also read: Defence ministry approves indigenous construction of 6 submarines
Submarine strength of China and Pakistan
The Pakistan Navy is estimated to have 10 submarines, of which five French-origin Agosta 90B class (Khalid class) conventional vessels are fully operational, according to the Indian Navy.
Pakistan has signed a deal for eight conventional submarines with China, after it failed to get the vessels from France and Germany due to price and technology transfer issues.
It is estimated that China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has four Jin-class SSBNs and nine SSNs.
Estimates also suggest China has a fleet of 40-plus diesel-electric submarines beset by maintenance issues.
The one’s who crib about defence expenditure should realise that India has Hostile Nations around and Traitors within. We should have gratitude towards defence forces for the sacrifices they are making in keeping us safe and support them in every possible way. Ordinary mortals working in cozy confines of home or air-conditioned offices should stop complaining.
It is surprising that these so called ‘not represented’ do not consider that they are part of mainland being defended by the forces? Why is this grudge about defence expenditure when we have powerful next door neighbouring countries with ill motives?
This is a much needed acquisition. Nuclear submarines are strategic assets where as diesel electric submarines are tactical submarines. People with no idea of defense matters can question such aquisition. We spend the lowest percentage of GDP than any South Asian country. Our surface fleet will needs to be complemented by a powerful undersea fleet to open the sea ways because thats where the most trade flows in.
Were you living in a cave all this while? No its not enough and don’t worry about Taxpayer money being invested for defense. Do you even PAY any taxes?
Which states funds are being used to prop up such massive defence and what is their representation in our armed forces? Those states/communities who pay almost next to nothing to national exchequer and are present in the armed forces in large numbers due to their support to the British, will support such idiotic expenditure.
Its one fine project to waste tax payers money on useless defense material. India has already accumulated largest number of weapons and war machinery. Its still world’s leading arms importer and its nuclear powered submarine has just brought nuclear weapons to the oceans. What strikes our minds is that isn’t all this enough for India to protect its mainlaind? How much we will pour money into defense but ignore social sector?
Correct. Almost 40% of our nation’s budget is hogged by defence and allied activities where people from south, east, north east and central India hardly have any representation but are made to foot the bill.