MDL Prepares to Build Six German U-214NG and Three Enhanced Scorpene Submarines Concurrently for Indian Navy

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a major Indian shipyard, is set to simultaneously construct six advanced German U-214NG submarines and three enhanced Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy.

This ambitious undertaking follows recent approval from the Indian Ministry of Defence, signaling a major boost to India's naval strength.

The U-214NG submarines will be built in partnership with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). MDL confirmed that the construction will take place in its existing drydocks.

The shipyard has stated that it possesses sufficient infrastructure and does not require any further expansion. MDL stated it currently has the capacity to build and refit up to 11 submarines at the same time.

This includes both building new submarines and upgrading existing ones, such as the Scorpene-class submarines, which are scheduled to receive Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. AIP systems significantly enhance a submarine's underwater endurance by allowing it to stay submerged for longer periods without needing to surface to recharge its batteries.

MDL anticipates a very busy period starting in 2025, when construction on all nine submarines is slated to begin. The existing tooling used for the development of prior Scorpene-class submarines is expected to accelerate the production of the three enhanced Scorpene-class vessels. The U-214NG project, while leveraging German design, is expected to take longer to kickstart.

The agreement with TKMS stipulates that the U-214NG submarines must be completed and delivered within seven years, setting a target date of 2032. This projected completion date is similar with the anticipated sea trials completion of the first of the three new enhanced Scorpene submarines, demonstrating MDL's efficient operational planning.

A significant portion of the U-214NG submarines' components are expected to be sourced locally, fostering growth within the Indian defence industry. The collaboration with TKMS also strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Germany in the naval sector.

Beyond these current projects, MDL has expressed its intention to be the primary shipyard for India's future naval initiative, known as Project-76. MDL aims to utilize its present accomplishments and facilities to make a substantial contribution to this upcoming project.

The simultaneous construction of these nine submarines will not only modernize the Indian Navy's fleet but will also solidify MDL's reputation as a leading global shipbuilder, capable of managing large-scale, technologically complex projects. The projects highlights the strength of MDL are its well-established infrastructure, a highly trained workforce, and expertise in naval engineering.

 

[P2S2]

Proactive criteria encouraging investment in additional large scale commercial ship building infrastructure awarding public naval contracts to larger shipyards would cover up the lag of Indian Shipyards breaking Korean and Chinese domination of the industry.

 

[sanket]

How can they build 11 subs simultaneously at the same time........??? That means they will deliver all 9 subs (6 TKMS + 3 Scorpene class) at the same time.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Why only MDL always...India can split it between MDL and L&T or GSL...India can not rely only on one shipyard...If India needs fast delivery then many shipyards should have capability and competition...

 

[sanket]

Why only MDL always...India can split it between MDL and L&T or GSL...India can not rely only on one shipyard...If India needs fast delivery then many shipyards should have capability and competition...

I think L&T was partnering with Navantia of Spain, but unfortunately, they fell short of meeting the tech parameters set for project 75i, while MDL was partnering with TKMS. Similarly, TASL is partnering with LM for its fighter jets in MRFA. If F-21 falls short of meeting the criteria of MRFA, why blame others? It has to blame the OEM, LM. They haven't even made a prototype for the F-21. They have made a video full of animation and expect to win MRFA by putting pressure with an F-35 offer attached to the F-21.

 

[GMR]

Sincerely hope that both agreements are signed in the first half of the year.

 

[Anant]

Why only MDL always...India can split it between MDL and L&T or GSL...India can not rely only on one shipyard...If India needs fast delivery then many shipyards should have capability and competition...

Because we only have two shipyards in India capable of building submarines in any capacity: MDL and L&T. Both competed for P-75I, and as MDL won, they get to build the boats.

 

[ryan]

For capability building & non-repetition of Scorpene mistakes, MDL should build 6 & L&T 3 U214NG subs, as P76 might get delayed by a few years from the proposed dates. To counter China's growing navy, 2 state-of-the-art submarine production lines need to be maintained.

 

[The Presence]

Only the 1st P-75I sub is set to be delivered by 2032, not all.

Of course, this timeline will inevitably get shifted to 2035, hence the additional Scorpene orders.

 

[Vipul Kumar]

Only the 1st P-75I sub is set to be delivered by 2032, not all.

Of course, this timeline will inevitably get shifted to 2035, hence the additional Scorpene orders.

No additional Scorpene submarines as of 2035.
2 German-class submarines will be delivered.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Not a right decision. The three additional Scorpene submarines should be transferred to L&T.

 

[Anant]

For capability building & non-repetition of Scorpene mistakes, MDL should build 6 & L&T 3 U214NG subs, as P76 might get delayed by a few years from the proposed dates. To counter China's growing navy, 2 state-of-the-art submarine production lines need to be maintained.

Unfortunately, we cannot get L&T to work on P-75I, atleast not at this time. Since L&T was a rival contender for P-75I, and considering that we had not mentioned any split order thing before the RfP was released, trying to give any orders to L&T now will only cause unnecessary litigation and slow down the whole process.

 

[Anant]

No additional Scorpene submarines as of 2035.
2 German-class submarines will be delivered.

The additional Scorpenes being referred to here are the three additional Scorpenes we are getting, and not more boats beyond that.

 

[P10]

MDL should not be given the P76 program - it should be given to L&T. This will build some performance and delivery pressure on MDL.

 

[Sandeep]

This is brilliant news as India is focusing a lot more money and resources in its submarine program which has taken a new priority.

So far India is going to soon start manufacturing 12 diesel submarines under P76, manufacturing 3 upgraded Kalvari, 6 P75I submarines with Germany, 6 P77 nuclear attack submarines, 3-6 S5 nuclear ballistic submarine and also 1 Akula submarine on a long term lease. We also need to make sure that we are manufacturing them at the same time so that we can build the different type of submarines.

We also need to build up our underwater fire power capability and we need to research and focus more on underwater drones or gliders which can be used for a variety of reasons for surveillance, search for resources, EW and ESM, kamikaze bombs etc.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

If they make both TKMS and Scorpene, then for Project 76, L&T could be a serious contender.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

How can they build 11 subs simultaneously at the same time........??? That means they will deliver all 9 subs (6 TKMS + 3 Scorpene class) at the same time.

Couple of months ago, they started work on a second assembly line.

 

[WarTech]

Not a right decision. The three additional Scorpene submarines should be transferred to L&T.

No. If anyone bids against you, you can't just give them some of your order if they lose. There will be litigation by MDL. L&T can make Scorpene, though.

 

[WarTech]

I know everyone wants L&T to get some orders as well, but you can't just give your opponent in a bid some of your orders after they lose. Doesn't work like that. There might be complaints from MDL and TKMS as proper rules are not being followed. L&T can try to get the Scorpene order, but ToT should be done by MDL for that.

 

[Rajesh]

Because we only have two shipyards in India capable of building submarines in any capacity: MDL and L&T. Both competed for P-75I, and as MDL won, they get to build the boats.

Last I checked, Waltair shipyard (which built Arihant class) isn't owned by L&T and isn't MDL...

 

[kumar]

Private players like L&T must be involved significantly in P76. It will create a good ecosystem and foolproof us from depending too much on one company/entity. We don't need 11 submarine lines, but plan properly such that we don't lose sub-building skills in the future.

 

[Anant]

Last I checked, Waltair shipyard (which built Arihant class) isn't owned by L&T and isn't MDL...

Not too sure what Waltair Shipyard is, but I assume it is some old name of HSL in Visakhapatnam. Anyways, L&T didn't build the submarines per se, but L&T Shipbuilding did play a role in the design and hull fabrication of the Arihant-class, which technically means they can build a submarine with some assistance.

Oh, and in any case, even HSL didn't build the Arihant-class, to be very technical. It was the Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, which is something of a collaboration between HSL and L&T.

 

[Anant]

This is brilliant news as India is focusing a lot more money and resources in its submarine program which has taken a new priority.

So far India is going to soon start manufacturing 12 diesel submarines under P76, manufacturing 3 upgraded Kalvari, 6 P75I submarines with Germany, 6 P77 nuclear attack submarines, 3-6 S5 nuclear ballistic submarine and also 1 Akula submarine on a long term lease. We also need to make sure that we are manufacturing them at the same time so that we can build the different type of submarines.

We also need to build up our underwater fire power capability and we need to research and focus more on underwater drones or gliders which can be used for a variety of reasons for surveillance, search for resources, EW and ESM, kamikaze bombs etc.

I am going to modify the numbers you gave a bit.

We have 6-12 P-76 boats (the officially announced number is 6, but it is kind of known that 12 are to be approved).

You are correct with the 3 upgraded Kalvaris and 6 P-75Is.

While 6 P-77 submarines will be built, it is speculated that this will be in a 2+4 manner, that is, we have two boats green-lit now, and a further 4 (or by some sources a further 6) will be green-lit in a few years to a slightly modified design.

The S5-class is probably going to comprise 3 or 4 boats only, and not 6. The Navy's long-term goal is 6 SSBNs, and this number does not include Arihant or Arighat. Therefore, with 2-3 more Arihant-class boats, that leaves a requirement of 3-4 larger S5-class SSBNs.

Now, unless the Navy decides to either increase the target to 8, or maybe eventually rebuild the entirety of the Arihant-class (with the possible exception of Arihant herself) into SSGNs, I don't see more than 4 S5s happening. We will, however, probably see 6 boats in whatever class succeeds the S5s. I also do not think the Navy will be wanting to go for 8 SSBNs due to economics.

Finally, that Akula lease is highly unlikely, and the simple reason is common sense. The Russian Navy has a stated need of atleast 16-18 "strike-type submarines" (which is their way of grouping SSNs and SSGNs). They presently have 23 such boats on paper, but 4 of them are in long-term refit (that is, the boats have in refit for between 11 and 28 years). It is fairly likely most of them are not coming out of these refits. That leaves them with 19-20 boats. Still, let's assume for a minute that all these boats will complete their refits.

Now, the Russians are not going to lease a SSGN, so that removes a further 11 boats. Of the remaining ships, 2 are old Sierra IIs and a further 2 are equally old Victor IIIs, all of which are due for retirement by the decades end. That just leaves the Akula-class, which comprises 1 old Akula I, 5 old Improved Akula Is, 1 Akula II, and 1 Akula III. The Akula I and Improved Akula Is are all 30 years or older, and so are near the end of their lives (with the exception of three boats that are in refits or have been refitted, so these could theoretically have another decade). The Akula II and Akula III are 25-29 years old, and Russia wants these boats to maintain their numbers, so they aren't going to lease these (most likely).

That means that of the submarines that can theoretically be leased, we have one old worn out Akula I (the Narval, commissioned in 1990), or one of the five Improved Akula Is (Kuzbass and Volk from 1992, Leopard from 1993, Tigr from 1994, and Samara from 1995). Of these five, Volk has been in refit since 2014, and Samara since 2013. It is further not too likely that Russia would lease a recently-refitted Akula, so that, in my opinion, just leaves three contenders: Narval, Kuzbass, or Tigr. All three of these boats are old and are of dubious usability now.

Either of these three boats would not be too much beyond a harbour queen, considering that by the time the proposed ten-year lease ended, Narval would be 48 years old, Kuzbass would be 46, and Tigr 44.

Oh, and if you want an idea of Russian "long-term refits", Russia delivered two Improved Akula Is (Samara and Bratsk) for refit in 2014, spent seven years working on them, and then discovered Bratsk was beyond repair. Another example would be the destroyer Burnyy, which they tried to refit between 2005 and 2019, only to find that the damned thing had rusted beyond repair while work was being done. Another example is the Kuznetsov, which is probably the only carrier globally that has spent more time in refit than she has in service, and as last heard, has suffered catastrophic rusting while awaiting refit. Similarly, the Russians are now completing the refit of the cruiser Admiral Nakhimov after a period of 19 years, with a further 7 years spent in reserve. Heck, the Nakhimov's refit took so long that a planned refit for the cruiser Pyotr Velikiy (Nakhimov's sister) has been cancelled due to cost and the fact that the Velikiy is now old enough and worn out to the point a refit simply isn't economical. These examples will show you why I don't quite trust the Russians with ship refits. Moreover, another example closer to home would be the Vikramaditya, where the Russians went some 200% over the budget, and delivered the ship that will have a 25-ish year life rather than a promised 40-year life. That is a loss of a whopping 370% in time-money terms for us.