The Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi’s administration has invited proposals from leading global warship manufacturers and Indian shipyards for building 6 conventional submarines for U.S. $ 6.6 billion.
The move will augment the local shipyard capability and improve the navy’s underwater warfare fleet. The foreign warship manufacturers who have been approached are Naval Group SA (France), Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmBH (Germany), Saab Kockums (Sweden), Navantia SA (Spain), and Russian Rosoboronexport OJSC (Russia). They are now supposed to demonstrate capabilities using transferring technology in building diesel-electric powered submarines.
The Indian shipyards approached include Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Reliance Naval & Engineering Ltd., Mazagon Docks & Engineers, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., Goa Shipyard Ltd., Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. and Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
The selected Foreign and Indian manufacturer would then tie-up and work in collaboration to establish dedicated manufacturing lines for the submarines in India. Besides, there would be an optional clause in the agreement for building 6 more submarines. The request for Expression of Interest (EoI) was placed in July 2019. However, it could take 3 years before the final contract is awarded to the selected warship manufacturer.
The Central Government intends to manufacture its own submarines through technology transfer and equip its fleet with the state-of-the-art submarines.
For the records, when compared with its neighbour, People’s Republic of China, India lacks underwater fighting capabilities. Presently, the Indian Navy possess 14 conventional submarines, 1 nuclear-powered attack submarine and 1 Ballistic missile submarine. All the conventional attack submarines are more than 20 years old. These consist of the Kalvari (French Scorpene-class submarine design), the Sindhughosh (Russian Kilo-class submarine design) and the Shishumar (German Type 209/1500 design) classes.
India also possesses a single Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, ‘INS Chakra’. It was borrowed from Russia on 10 years lease for U.S. $ 1 billion. More than 300 Indian Navy personnel were trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. Negotiations are on with Russia for the lease of the 2nd Akula-class submarine.
As per the expansion plan approved in 2000, the Indian Navy intends to have 24 conventional submarines by 2030.
Talking about China, it owns a huge fleet of 50 conventionally powered, 4 nuclear armed and 6 nuclear powered attack submarines. It is to be noted that China is working to increase its fleet by 65-70% by 2020.
