“Indian Navy Sets Sail on Ambitious Submarine Acquisition Journey”
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NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy has released a request for information regarding six air-independent propulsion-enabled submarines as part of Project 75I, a venture projected to exceed $12 billion. Nevertheless, experts indicate that this procedure will require some time since the acquisition will occur under the new Strategic Partners policy.
The RFI was dispatched to six international shipyards, encompassing Rubin Design Bureau of Russia, Naval Group (formerly DCNS) of France, Navantia of Spain, Saab of Sweden, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan, and ThyssenKrupp of Germany, soliciting insights on AIP-enabled submarine functionalities.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is an unexpected entrant, according to an Indian Ministry of Defence representative, as Japanese submarines tend to be costly.
Upon receiving responses from the international shipyards to the RFI, a formal request for proposal will be initiated. Following the RFP responses, the MoD will shortlist the participating shipyards, a process that may require at least two years, as noted by the MoD representative.
A strategic collaborator will be chosen from domestic shipyards, and the firms will unite to compete for the initiative under the Strategic Partners policy.
“According to the policy document, international shipyards will be shortlisted based on the range, depth, and scope of technology transfer offered in designated areas, the extent of indigenous content proposed, and the extent of an ecosystem of Indian vendors/manufacturers,” stated Jayant Damodar Patil, the head of Larsen & Toubro’s defense and aerospace sector.
”The MoD will narrow down three to four foreign shipyards from the six based on the aforementioned criteria,” Patil added.
The Indian Navy is searching for “a reliable, effective, cutting-edge, electric heavyweight torpedo; a land attack missile; and possibly even an underwater-to-air missile for targeting enemy helicopters and mines,” according to Anil Jai Singh, a defense expert and retired Indian Navy commodore.
Among the companies that have shown interest in the P75I program and are anticipated to respond to the RFI include:
- Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ HDW Class 214 submarine
- Rubin Design Bureau’s Amur-1650 sub
- Navantia’s S-80 class submarine
- Naval Group’s Scorpene platform
- Saab’s subsidiary Kockums’ A26 submarine
“Japan had offered its 4,000-ton Soryu-class diesel-electric attack stealth submarine equipped with a new lithium-ion battery propulsion system for the Australian program. Based on media reports, the lithium-ion battery propulsion system is notably higher in cost compared to the AIP,” states Patil.
“The P75I program will likely necessitate a fuel cell-based AIP system,” Patil observed.
Gurnad Sodhi, the managing director at Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems India, mentioned that the company is “actively preparing to address the RFI within the stipulated timeframe.”
Regarding technology transfer, Sodhi added: “We are open to partnering with any Indian shipyard that the Indian government designates as the strategic partner.”
Bernard Buisson, the managing director of the Naval Group’s division in India, stated: “We believe that future opportunities to partner as a foreign OEM [original equipment manufacturer] with a potential strategic partner for any significant naval project will result in seamless collaboration with real added value,” particularly in terms of naval craft and submarine production.
”The timeline will align with the planning of the MoD and Indian Navy.”
The strategic collaborator will be selected from local shipyards, which are expected to participate in the program and include state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited, along with private sector firms Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited.
”We anticipate the selection of a strategic partner by 2019,” stated Patil of Larsen & Toubro.
“The shortlisted Indian firms will need to partner with the selected international shipyards and ultimately submit a singular bid. Therefore, a competitive bid process is crucial before the final selection,” remarked the MoD representative.
The acquisition process is regarded as tedious by several officials and analysts.
Given the involvement of numerous countries, “there are likely to be delays at every phase, including joint ventures with Indian firms. It will take approximately seven to eight years following the signing of a deal for the first P75I to be delivered,” noted Probal Ghosh, a defense analyst and retired Indian Navy captain.
Singh, the retired naval officer, expresses concern that the submarine program may not materialize due to the nascent nature of the Strategic Partners policy. “That risk (of not coming to fruition) is very much present.”
The most recent RFI is the third of its type, with one released in 2006 and another in 2014, neither resulting in any outcomes.
Defense News
http://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/07/26/indian-navy-formally-launches-submarine-acquisition-program/
