New Delhi: India’s long-delayed Project 75(I) submarine programme could finally see some light of the day. The proposal is likely to be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security, sources said, as reported by NDTV.
The project involves construction of six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 70,000 crore.
These submarines are to be built primarily in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai, in collaboration with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TMKS).
The deal has been under negotiation for years. The talks had been stalled repeatedly over commercial conditions and technical specs.
A CCS nod would finally clear the way for the contract.
According to the report, the TKMS has been quietly building a network of Indian partners. This indicates that it is taking a longer-term approach in India’s underwater warfare space.
What’s the big deal?
For India, it wasn’t only about about buying six submarines. The bigger goal is to boost the domestic capabilities, including construction, maintenance, upgrades, and even design capabilities of its own.
The boats are likely to be equipped with air-independent propulsion. This means that these can stay submerged far longer than conventional diesel-electric subs. They may also have modern sensors, torpedoes, missiles and electronic warfare systems on board.
Indian officials still have to work out whether the deal gives domestic shipyards and companies enough to actually absorb and build on. They have to find out if this is not just about assembling parts for the domestic shipyards and rather they understand and eventually improve the technology themselves.