The Indian Navy has initiated the process for the domestic construction of six state-of-the-art submarines through a tender valued at Rs 60,000 crore, marking a significant step in the enhancement of its traditional submarine fleet. The tender, released to indigenous shipbuilding entities Mazagaon Dockyards Limited and Larsen & Toubro, seeks collaboration with international partners for this endeavor.
Commencing in March, representatives from the Indian Navy embarked on a visit to Kiel, Germany, to scrutinize the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems engineered by the German naval constructor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems at a facility operated by the German Navy, as reported by defense sector spokespeople to ANI. This German enterprise is collaborating with India’s Defence Ministry-affiliated Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for this substantial bid.
MDL stands as the foremost collaborator in this tender, asserting that over 60 percent of the vessel’s components will be sourced indigenously. A subsequent segment of the evaluation will transpire in Spain, with the Spanish firm Navantia and Larsen & Toubro showcasing their AIP technology by the end of June, as per the officials.
The requisition for an AIP system by the Indian Navy is paramount, as it would substantially augment the duration the submarines could remain submerged. Additionally, the Spanish entity will leverage facilities of the Spanish Navy to accommodate the Indian delegation.
A Teaming Agreement (TA) was forged between Spain’s Navantia and Larsen & Toubro, aiming to submit a combined techno-commercial proposal for the Indian Navy’s P75 (India) submarine initiative. Project-75 (India) is poised to acquire diesel-electric assault submarines equipped with fuel cells and an Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP), aiming for vessels that surpass the size and capabilities of the current fleet due to the incorporation of the AIP.
