Russia Eyes Return to Project 75I Collaboration with India, Offers Amur 1650 Submarine with 80% Localization and AIP Tech

In a surprising turn of events, Russia has expressed renewed interest in collaborating with India on its ambitious Project 75I submarine program. Igor V. Vilnit, CEO of Rubin Design Bureau, the Russian submarine design firm, recently stated their willingness to partner with Indian industry and the Navy, aligning with India's "Make in India" and "Self-Reliant India" initiatives.

This announcement comes after Russia withdrew from the Project 75I tender in 2022. At the time, Russian officials cited the project's stringent terms and conditions, particularly the demanding timelines and high degree of responsibility placed on the designer, as reasons for their withdrawal.

The estimated cost of the project, which aims to build six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy, is over ₹40,000 crore.

Despite the previous withdrawal, Russia now appears eager to re-engage with the program. They are proposing the Amur 1650, a diesel-electric submarine designed for targeting enemy surface ships and submarines, as the platform for collaboration. Russia has offered to incorporate a high degree of localization, up to 80%, in the construction of these submarines in India.

The Amur 1650 can be equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, significantly extending its underwater endurance. While Russia initially offered a version without a tested AIP system, they later expressed willingness to integrate India's indigenously developed DRDO AIP system if the proposal was accepted.

This renewed interest from Russia adds another dimension to Project 75I. While the Indian Navy has reportedly selected Germany's TKMS and their U-214 submarine for the project, Russia's offer of the Amur 1650 with high localization and potential integration of the indigenous AIP system could be a compelling proposition. It remains to be seen how the Indian Navy will respond to this latest development and how it will impact the future of Project 75I.

This potential collaboration could represent a significant step in Indo-Russian defence cooperation, combining Russia's extensive experience in submarine design and technology with India's growing manufacturing capabilities.

 

[Sivbal]

Already we have developed our in-house SSBN, why cant we remove the nuclear reactor and instead put a diesel engine with batteries and create our own class of attack Submarine(for that matter nuclear attack subs)? This is running in my mind for a long time: All the countries around the world first developed basic submarines and went on to develop nuclear attack subs and then finally SSBNs. But our case is totally reverse. We are able to produce our own SSBN but for a basic diesel electric attack sub we are behind countries....what a shame!!

 

[Sivbal]

Also WRT Project 75I now Spain started protesting. I think this tender will go no where and finally we will ended up developing our own class of attack submarine.