Mazagon Dock to build 6 submarines worth ₹60,000 crore with German collaboration
The Indian Navy needs a minimum of 24 conventional submarines as of yesterday. However presently the Navy has to do with only 16 only with 17th one undergoing pre commissioning trials. Three more under construction will bring the total to 20 by 2030. However by then at least six of the older ones should be retiring.
India plans to acquire six advanced conventional submarines equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing them to stay underwater longer than previous models without AIP. Project 75 India aims to acquire diesel-electric attack submarines with AIP technology, making them larger and more advanced than current models.
Therefore the approval given to the state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) to build six submarines with the project worth ₹60,000 crore was required urgently. The decision follows the completion of trials for submarines under Project 75 India.
MDL, in partnership with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp, was competing against Larsen & Toubro and Navantia. The Indian government is focused on enhancing public sector units for job creation and technology development.
In a major development, the Indian Navy has cleared the state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) to build six submarines with the projected cost up to ₹60,000 crore. The decision follows the completion of trials for submarines under Project 75 India, according to defence sources. The deal is crucial for India to counter the increasing influence of China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region.
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia was also competing fir te project. Though currently it is facing significant challenges in its bid to supply submarines to the Indian Navy, particularly regarding its Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. Recent trials have revealed that Navantia’s offering does not meet the mandatory requirements set by the Indian Navy, specifically the need for a sea-proven AIP system.
During the competitive bidding process, it was noted that Navantia lacked a submarine equipped with an operational AIP at this time. This has raised concerns, as the Indian Navy requires a proven technology to ensure the submarines can operate effectively underwater for extended periods without surfacing.
Although Navantia has conducted successful land-based trials of its AIP technology, the integration of this system onto submarines is still in progress, with the first operational deployment not expected until 2025.
In fact India needs to start another submarine construction programme as Make in India for another six submarines at the earliest.
Earlier, India’s nuclear submarine programme has been advancing with the imminent commissioning of its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the INS Arighat.
The INS Arighat, India’s second indigenously built SSBN, is currently in the final stages of trials and upgrades as required by the Indian Navy. According to sources, the submarine is expected to be officially commissioned into service within the next two months.
