Spain Hopes Final Decision on India’s P-75I Project Imminent with Possible Selection of Navantia’s S-80 Plus Submarine

Sources close to the Spanish government suggest that a decision on India's P-75I submarine project may be announced soon. This follows high-level discussions between Spanish officials and the Indian Ministry of Defence, with Spain's Navantia emerging as a strong contender for the significant contract.

Navantia has offered its S-80 Plus submarine, equipped with advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, to fulfill the Indian Navy's requirements for Project-75I, a program crucial for bolstering India's underwater combat capabilities.

India's P-75I program is a key element of the country's ongoing initiative to modernize and expand its submarine fleet. The program aims to acquire six advanced diesel-electric submarines with AIP systems, enabling them to remain submerged for extended periods – a critical capability for stealth operations in contested environments.

Project-75I is designed to enhance India's security by increasing its ability to deter and respond to underwater threats, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

As one of India's largest defence tenders, the project requires not only cutting-edge technology but also emphasizes technology transfer, local manufacturing, and ongoing logistical support. This makes P-75I a significant investment in defence cooperation and industrial collaboration for the chosen international partner.

Spain's Navantia has put forward its S-80 Plus submarine design, which features advanced AIP capabilities and a range of modern features tailored to the Indian Navy's specifications.

Navantia's bid for P-75I is part of its wider global strategy to expand its presence in the defence sector and demonstrate the capabilities of the S-80 Plus, a submarine originally developed for the Spanish Navy.

The S-80 Plus design is recognized for its endurance, operational range, and stealth capabilities. Its AIP system allows for prolonged submerged operations, offering the Indian Navy significant advantages in stealth and combat readiness.

Furthermore, Navantia has proposed technology transfer and potential co-production arrangements with Indian industry, aligning with India's "Make in India" initiative.

This potential deal comes at a time of increasing geopolitical importance for the Indian Ocean Region, with many countries seeking to bolster their naval capabilities.

India's P-75I program has attracted interest from several major submarine manufacturers globally, including Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The final decision will have significant implications for India's defence posture and its strategic partnerships in the international arena.

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

order both subs German as well spanish Bharat can add 12 subs in short span of time

We may not have the budget for 12 subs immediately, will it be better if we add indigenous AIP to existing Kalvary class submarine? . Though S80 looks good as it has bio ethanol based AIP but it is not sea proven.Thanks

 

[sanket]

order both subs German as well spanish Bharat can add 12 subs in short span of time

 

[NSR]

German U-212+ submarines are of highest quality and reliable SSK submarine and the only unknown is if they are also offering any non-magnetized Hull or not.

Go with German 6 SSK U-212+ P-75I deal with 60% TOT and ironclad guarantees against sanctions and supply of spares and armaments.
And add 6 additional U-212+ SSK Options for 100% TOT so India will have all of the TOT to build and even export in future to other countries.

Only drawback is that MDL ability to execute 6 older Scorpene AIP upgrades, and 3 new Scorpenes with AIPs, and 6 P-75I German U-212+ SSKs.

Way too much workload for a company which failed to indigenize much of Scorpene at all and starts singing about 60% TOTs for 3 more new Scorpenes.

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

German U-212+ submarines are of highest quality and reliable SSK submarine and the only unknown is if they are also offering any non-magnetized Hull or not.

Can you please give some information on can they provide Vertical launch tube just like dakar series which Israel bought? Thanks

 

[NSR]

Can you please give some information on can they provide Vertical launch tube just like dakar series which Israel bought? Thanks

I do not think VLS tube installations are part of this contract as it will need whole re-design and create unknown delays according to the TKMS.
It may delay the first submarine production for sure.

 

[SURESH RAO]

Can you please give some information on can they provide Vertical launch tube just like dakar series which Israel bought? Thanks

It is part of project P 76

 

[GMR]

Only drawback is that MDL ability to execute 6 older Scorpene AIP upgrades, and 3 new Scorpenes with AIPs, and 6 P-75I German U-212+ SSKs.

German subs are technically the best but can there be a surprise in store for everybody??? just a feeling... Both vendors failed to provide a sea proven AIP...

 

[Percy kakalia]

India should build it own autonomous 'manta ray ' project like how (DRAPA) has made. It should be easily attachable and unattainable to our current submarines in short time & economical.

 

[Soumyakanti Chakraborty]

German U-212+ submarines are of highest quality and reliable SSK submarine and the only unknown is if they are also offering any non-magnetized Hull or not.

Go with German 6 SSK U-212+ P-75I deal with 60% TOT and ironclad guarantees against sanctions and supply of spares and armaments.
And add 6 additional U-212+ SSK Options for 100% TOT so India will have all of the TOT to build and even export in future to other countries.

The German political class isn't very sympathetic to the geopolitical threats that India faces. They make barbed comments on Kashmir and other issues quite frequently. There is a possibility of them stopping spares and other parts during times of conflict. Although the German tech is of superior quality, it would be useless if they stop critical supplies on a whim. I would be very apprehensive taking such expensive military equipment from the Germans

 

[RK]

The German political class isn't very sympathetic to the geopolitical threats that India faces. They make barbed comments on Kashmir and other issues quite frequently. There is a possibility of them stopping spares and other parts during times of conflict. Although the German tech is of superior quality, it would be useless if they stop critical supplies on a whim. I would be very apprehensive taking such expensive military equipment from the Germans

Merkel's pro-islamic era is over and now Germany wants Indias business badly. We should chose German equipments not just for its quality but also for its influence in Europe.

 

[A K Tiwari]

Best to order 4 subs on Thysenkrupp and 2nos on Navantia. After they demonstrate AIP in submerged position, we can order 2 more. So total 8subs to start.

 

[Dagger]

Merkel's pro-islamic era is over and now Germany wants Indias business badly. We should chose German equipments not just for its quality but also for its influence in Europe.

All it takes to go back to a pro-islamic one is 5-10 years. Those submarines will be with us for atleast 30-40 years. As a rule of thumb, never be critically dependent on your known past adversaries.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s clear that Germany will win as they have a lot of experience and have developed a lot of the technology indigenously.

Spain on the other hand have never designed and developed a submarine themselves. A lot of the parts, components and technology are from foreign western companies like the USA or Europe which has hit the smallest businesses the most and won’t be able to expand and grow quickly.

 

[NSR]

German subs are technically the best but can there be a surprise in store for everybody??? just a feeling... Both vendors failed to provide a sea proven AIP...

India is still using 40+ year old German HDW209 Shishumar class SSK submarines without issues.

 

[NSR]

The German political class isn't very sympathetic to the geopolitical threats that India faces. They make barbed comments on Kashmir and other issues quite frequently. There is a possibility of them stopping spares and other parts during times of conflict. Although the German tech is of superior quality, it would be useless if they stop critical supplies on a whim. I would be very apprehensive taking such expensive military equipment from the Germans

I wrote --- " ironclad guarantees against sanctions and supply of spares and armaments. "

Remember that India is still using 40+ year old German HDW209 Shishumar class SSK submarines without issues.

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

The German political class isn't very sympathetic to the geopolitical threats that India faces. They make barbed comments on Kashmir and other issues quite frequently. There is a possibility of them stopping spares and other parts during times of conflict. Although the German tech is of superior quality, it would be useless if they stop critical supplies on a whim. I would be very apprehensive taking such expensive military equipment from the Germans

I agree with you on this. German economy is not doing well, News is TKMS is planning to sell submarine division to USA based firm,at the same time I read Navntia has many USA based systems. As it is yet to prove in a sea trial that is big worry. I don't know in this Geo political game who wants sabotage India from acquiring an AIP based submarine. Indian initial conditions were very tough which ended in all contenders but for south Korea leaving the project. Hope CCS and Navvy will take a right decision.

 

[vivek manjeshwar]

Merkel's pro-islamic era is over and now Germany wants Indias business badly. We should chose German equipments not just for its quality but also for its influence in Europe.

Yes moreover TKMS has a huge presence in India on other sectors but some of its subunits are manufactured in China. Recently I saw a news item on which our minister was airiing grivences of not getting Boreing machine required for metro or railways. The issue was TKMS depends on China for that machine. To what extent Germany can help us to be seen