New Delhi: The Indian Navy is nearing a critical decision in its pursuit of bolstering its underwater capabilities, with the MDL-TKMS joint bid emerging as the frontrunner for the highly anticipated Project 75 India (P75I) submarine deal.
The project aims to add six new conventional diesel-electric submarines equipped with proven Air Independent Propulsion Systems (AIP) to the Indian fleet.
Sources within the defence and security establishments indicate that the naval headquarters is poised to send its recommendation to the defence ministry this month, favoring the joint bid from the state-run Indian shipyard, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), and the German naval giant, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This recommendation follows extensive field evaluation trials (FET) conducted by the Indian Navy at shipyards in Germany and Spain.
The selection of the MDL-TKMS offer comes just ahead of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's scheduled visit to India in October, where the submarine deal is expected to feature prominently in inter-governmental discussions. While no formal agreement is anticipated during the visit, the German side will be updated on the progress made by India.
The MDL-TKMS bid's advantage stems from the successful demonstration of their AIP system on board a submarine during the FET, a critical requirement of the RFP.
In contrast, the Spanish competitor, Navantia, was unable to fulfill this requirement as their first AIP-equipped submarine is not expected to be operational until 2026.
The Indian Navy places significant importance on a sea-proven AIP system to mitigate technical and operational risks associated with the program.
The P75I project, part of India's 30-year submarine-building plan, has faced delays over the years. The initial plan to build 24 conventional submarines has been revised under the current government to include 18 conventional and six nuclear-powered submarines.
India currently operates 16 conventional submarines, with the sixth Scorpene-class submarine expected to be inducted later this year.
The selection of the MDL-TKMS bid, if finalized, will mark a significant step forward in India's efforts to modernize its submarine fleet and enhance its maritime capabilities in the face of evolving regional security dynamics.
The project is also expected to contribute to India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, with a requirement for increasing indigenous content in the submarines over time.
