India currently has 15 conventional and two nuclear submarines (Representational)
New Delhi:
India is ready to launch the bidding process for a Rs 55,000 crore megaproject to build six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy to bridge the gap with China’s growing naval prowess, government sources said on Sunday.
The submarines will be built in India under the much-talked about strategic partnership model that enables domestic companies to join with leading foreign defense companies to produce high-end military platforms domestically and reduce dependence on imports.
The sources said that groundwork, such as submarine specifications and other critical requirements for issuing the RFP (Request for Proposal) for the mega project, dubbed P-75 I, has been completed by separate teams from the Ministry of Defense. Defense and India. Navy.
The RFP will be issued in October, they added.
The Defense Ministry has already shortlisted two Indian shipyards and five large foreign defense companies for the project, which is billed as one of the largest “Make in India” companies.
The shortlisted Indian entities are the L&T group and the state-owned Mazagaon Docks Limited (MDL), while the selected foreign entities include ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France).
Initially, the Defense Ministry will issue RFPs to MDL and L&T and the two firms will have to submit their detailed offer after receiving the document. The two will then have to select a foreign partner from the five shortlisted entities, the sources said.
The Indian Navy plans to acquire 24 new submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, to reinforce its submarine combat capability. It currently has 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines.
The Navy has focused on significantly strengthening its overall capabilities in light of China’s growing efforts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is central to the strategic interests of the country.
According to global naval analysts, the Chinese navy currently has more than 50 submarines and around 350 ships. The total number of ships and submarines is projected to exceed 500 in the next 8 to 10 years.
The Indian Navy is also in the process of acquiring 57 carrier-carried fighter jets, 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) and 123 multifunction helicopters under the strategic partnership model.
The policy envisages the establishment of long-term strategic partnerships with leading Indian defense companies through a transparent and competitive process in which they would liaise with global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to seek technology transfers.
Initially, strategic partners will be selected in four segments: fighter jets, helicopters, submarines, and armored fighting vehicles / main battle tanks. It is expected to expand to other segments.
India is one of the largest arms importers in the world. According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are expected to spend around $ 130 billion on capital purchases over the next five years.
The government now wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support national defense manufacturing.
The Ministry of Defense has set a turnover goal of $ 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defense manufacturing over the next five years, including an export target of $ 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) of military hardware. .
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