Four contenders are now left in fray for building submarines worth USD 10.9 billion for the Indian Navy, after two Japanese and Spanish companies opted out of the project.
Naval Group-DCNS (France), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Rosoboronexport Rubin Design Bureau (Russia) and Saab Kockums (Sweden) are the four submarine makers still in fray, according to a report in The Economic Times. They have responded to the initial request for information (RFI) issued by the Indian Navy for the project.
Project 75 (India) is a long pending conventional submarine programme.
What is Project 75 (India)?
The Project 75 (I)-submarine class project is a follow-on for the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarines.
Under this project, Indian Navy plans to acquire six diesel-electric submarines. The submarines will feature advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems which will allow them to stay underwater for longer duration and increase their operational range substantially.
They will have Vertical Launch System (VLS) which will allow them to carry multiple Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles. This will make the submarines capable of anti-surface and anti-ship warfare operations.
The submarines will be built under collaboration between a foreign ship-builder and an Indian shipyard. They are expected to be built in Indian shipyards, under the Make in India initiative.
Scorpene class submarine (France), A26 submarine (Sweden), Amur-class submarine (Russia) and Type 214 submarine (Germany) are the four models in contention.
The project cost is estimated to be Rs 70,000 crore (USD 10.9 billion).
The current status
The first Request for Information (RFI) was sent out to a number foreign shipyards and design firms in October 2008.
Later, the project was fast-tracked and was given clearance by the Defence Acquisition Council in October 2014. The project is expected to complete by 2022.
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