In the one of the first big decisions after assuming charge for the second term, the NDA Government has issued a tender worth over Rs 45,000 crore for manufacturing six submarines in India. These submarine will be made under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model as part of an initiative of “Make in India” to propel Indian industry into the front league of nations capable of manufacturing front line fighter jets, submarines, warships, tanks and helicopters.
The tender or expression of interest was issued by the Defence Ministry on Thursday for shortlisting potential Indian Strategic Partners for construction of six conventional submarines as part of Project-75I. At present, the Navy has nearly 15 submarines with more than half of them on their last legs of the operational life. The first Scorpene class submarine built with French collaboration joined the forces last year while the remaining five will be inducted over the course of next one and half years. The Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL), Mumbai, is building these submarines.
Giving details of the latest tender, officials said here as a major initiative towards Make in India, the Government immediately has issued the Expression of Interest(s) for shortlisting of potential Indian Strategic Partners (SPs) for “Construction of six Conventional Submarines” for P-75(I) Project of the Navy.
This is the second project being undertaken under the latest SP Model, with the first being the procurement of 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH). This would provide a major boost to the indigenous design and construction capability of submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine design and technologies as part of the project. The case was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council on January 31. The tender for shortlisting of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be issued in two weeks. Most of the submarine builders are foreigners.
The SPs in collaboration with OEMs have been mandated to set up dedicated manufacturing lines for these submarines in India and make India the global hub for submarine design and production. All six submarines under this project will be built in India by the selected Indian Strategic Partner in collaboration with the selected OEM.
In addition, the Indian Navy would have the option to manufacture six more submarines under the project. The project would not only aid in boosting the core submarine/ship building industry but would also greatly enhance manufacturing/industrial sector, especially the medium scale industries by development of an industrial eco-system for manufacture of associated spares/systems/equipment related to submarines.
