Spain's S-80 Plus Submarine Emerges as Top Choice to Replace Indian Kilo-Class

A potential replacement for the Indian Navy's aging fleet of Kilo-class submarines has emerged. An unnamed Navy official revealed that the Spanish-designed S-80 Plus class submarine is a strong contender to fulfill this need.

The Kilo-class submarines, initially acquired by India in the 1980s, have been a backbone of the country's maritime defense capabilities for many years. While extensive maintenance has kept them operational, their time is drawing to a close, and the Navy is actively seeking replacements. The Project-75I tender aims to induct six new stealth submarines as a long-term replacement.

The S-80 Plus offers several compelling advantages for the Indian Navy. Its larger submerged displacement compared to competitors like the German U-214 allows it to carry more fuel and undertake extended missions – vital for patrolling India's expansive maritime borders. The Kilo-class submarines also possess a similar submerged displacement.

Sources indicate the S-80 Plus may also be more cost-effective than comparable submarines. While exact pricing is confidential, industry speculation suggests it could be a more budget-friendly choice than the U-214.

India has an established relationship with German submarine manufacturer TKMS, having acquired T-209 submarines in the past. However, the S-80 Plus represents a new generation of submarines while potentially providing superior capabilities. Interestingly, TKMS lost out on Project-75 to a French-Spanish consortium because their Scorpène-class submarines were much less expensive than German offerings.

Additionally, India's current operation of Scorpène-class submarines (a Franco-Spanish design) gives the S-80 Plus an extra edge. Existing familiarity with Navantia, one of the shipyards responsible for the S-80 Plus, may streamline potential procurement and logistical processes.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that this report is based on statements from an unnamed source and details of submarine procurements are often shrouded in secrecy.

 

[SK]

I think it's better to order for additional 3 to 9 Kalvari-SSKs with DRDO's AIP system & then just invest in Project P-76.

This will insure greater Logistical synergy & Economy of Scales for the Indian Navy & Shipbuilding industry.

 

[NSR]

If Navantia can supply S-80+ submarines at cost-effective rate, and full TOT as promised, then India should sign a G2G contract with it and start the design activities in India ASAP.
P-75I contract requires vendors to do everything in India and source sub-assemblies from India too.

India can learn a great deal from this advanced S-80+ and apply it to its indigenous P-76 project.

Worth accelerating the evaluations of technologies and cost structure before sign-off.

The only biggest drawback is S-80+ does not come with non-magnetic technology but it has its own drawbacks of maintenance too.

Trust but verify!!!

 

[Bharat007]

I think it's better to order for additional 3 to 9 Kalvari-SSKs with DRDO's AIP system & then just invest in Project P-76.

This will insure greater Logistical synergy & Economy of Scales for the Indian Navy & Shipbuilding industry.

Only the possible operators knew which one will be most suitable. Navy knew better than you and me. So, let them decide.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

If Navantia can supply S-80+ submarines at cost-effective rate, and full TOT as promised, then India should sign a G2G contract with it and start the design activities in India ASAP.
P-75I contract requires vendors to do everything in India and source sub-assemblies from India too.

India can learn a great deal from this advanced S-80+ and apply it to its indigenous P-76 project.

Worth accelerating the evaluations of technologies and cost structure before sign-off.

The only biggest drawback is S-80+ does not come with non-magnetic technology but it has its own drawbacks of maintenance too.

Trust but verify!!!

This is the last batch of diesel electric ssks what India is going to import from foreign oems. More than cost what India should be looking for is tots in areas where we lack. Spain has not got any export orders for s80, meaning they can be desperate for orders, looking to do tot more. But negative thing about s80 is its parts are heavily imported from various countries like us,uk, germany just like tejas mk1,during development s80 had several problems so they had to take consultation of usa and its a completely new sub just entering service last year december, so what long term problem may arise noone knows. It is not a full indigenous system of spain yet. Whereas german one is full indigenous system because they have so much experience in sub making.so they should be careful while selecting this.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

The best is the middle route i.e. bow to midship is S-80 and midship to stern is Type-212/-218 or vice-versa. Aatmanirbharta is the middle. Weld them both. Get best in three like Burger.

🤷🏻‍♂️🍔

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Only the possible operators knew which one will be most suitable. Navy knew better than you and me. So, let them decide.

Exactly. I trust navy a lot. They are much more trustworthy when it comes to procurement when compared to army or IAF

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Lets wait for the assessment of the 2 subs by navy. It is underway. I also believe that S80 will win since it is cheaper. german diesel electric subs are top of the line but are super expensive. Germans are also unreliable partners. They look down on countries like India. I dont like germany

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Germany is an extremely unreliable arms partner as shown in its dealings with India over and over again be it in the case of small arms supply.
German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch in on record in Nov 2016 saying that will no longer sell weapons to countries which are corrupt, undemocratic, or not affiliated in some way to Nato clubbing India with Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, and even Nato member Turkey.
The German government withheld BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) clearance for engine exports to India, impacting the indigenous Zorawar light tank prototype. Consequently, India was compelled to turn to American company Cummins for tank engines in October 2023. At that time, Germany had not provided specific clarification on the reasons behind the decision to withhold the supply of tank engines to India.
It is no secret that Germany held up approvals for Eurofighter supply to Saudi Arabia for years before finally relenting after severe criticism from the Eurofighter consortium for loss of business and jobs in Europe due to the decision.
India cannot rely on whims and fancies of a country like Germany for critical items like Submarines. So it makes no sense at all for India to go in for Germany’s TKMS offer when equally good alternatives are available at a much cheaper price.

 

[Sandeep]

Lets wait for the assessment of the 2 subs by navy. It is underway. I also believe that S80 will win since it is cheaper. german diesel electric subs are top of the line but are super expensive. Germans are also unreliable partners. They look down on countries like India. I dont like germany

Both of the submarines have passed the naval requirements and capabilities. Now it comes down to the amount of critical technology they transfer and the amount of local production they allow along with the final cost of each submarine.

 

[Akshat]

Both of the submarines have passed the naval requirements and capabilities. Now it comes down to the amount of critical technology they transfer and the amount of local production they allow along with the final cost of each submarine.

Not yet. As of now Navy has not conducted any trials. But these are the only 2 who have participated in the tender. That means they are the only ones who have claimed that they can provide the capabilities asked for and also are ready to meet other requirements regarding local production, ToT etc.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Both of the submarines have passed the naval requirements and capabilities. Now it comes down to the amount of critical technology they transfer and the amount of local production they allow along with the final cost of each submarine.

Last I heard, the navy teams ahd gone to spain and germany to assess these subs personally. Also, there is less clarity on what submarine has been offered by germany. 214, 218 etc.

 

[Rajesh]

More than the cost it should be the tot (which we don't have) than the cost which should be considered. Hope the deal don't become similar to kalveri one. Meanwhile we should also order 3-6 kalveri with more indigenised contents to the previous batch and aip to maintain numbers to those which will be retired. Conventional submarine construction is an area where there is only MDL and competition is required from another shipyard.

 

[SURESH RAO]

The Project 75i drama has been going on for the last 10 years

 

[Sandeep]

Both submarines have passed the navy's technology and capability requirements. Who wins will depend on the amount of critical technology they give, the amount of local production they allow and the final price for the submarines.

The Spanish submarines might be cheaper but they use a lot of technology, sensors, components from other countries like France and the USA. This will be a headache and problem in maintaining the technology and foreign parts because that country can refuse to support us and it leaves us trapped with paying for foreign expensive parts and technology for the next 40+ years until it finishes its expiry date.

The German submarines will be more expensive but all of the technology, parts, components and equipment will be supplied by Germany only. The German submarine is much better, effective, has a long range, fuel efficient and a reliable performance.

Currently India should of chosen the South Korean submarine because it was much cheaper, had a more advanced technology, parts, components and had a VLS which would of allowed us to launch longer range missiles to attack ships or land targets. That is no longer available as South Korea withdrew from the competition because of the long delays from the navy. Now India has to make another 3 upgraded Kalvari submarines with a higher amount of technology given and the higher amount of local production allowed. This deal should also have a much lower price compared to before but should install our indigenous AIP on all submarines which will be a major boost. At the same time we need to quickly finish of designing our own indigenous P76 submarine program which is what we definitely need to build as it has a higher amount of indigenous submarines that we need to build and operate.

 

[Sridhar]

Only the possible operators knew which one will be most suitable. Navy knew better than you and me. So, let them decide.

That would be the appropriate way.

 

[Sridhar]

If Navantia can supply S-80+ submarines at cost-effective rate, and full TOT as promised, then India should sign a G2G contract with it and start the design activities in India ASAP.
P-75I contract requires vendors to do everything in India and source sub-assemblies from India too.

India can learn a great deal from this advanced S-80+ and apply it to its indigenous P-76 project.

Worth accelerating the evaluations of technologies and cost structure before sign-off.

The only biggest drawback is S-80+ does not come with non-magnetic technology but it has its own drawbacks of maintenance too.

Trust but verify!!!

Another factor is the Torpedos. India earlier finalised the Blackshark Torpedos but never materialised. Subs and Torpedos from the same country can tilt the deal in it's favour.

 

[Anant]

Both submarines have passed the navy's technology and capability requirements. Who wins will depend on the amount of critical technology they give, the amount of local production they allow and the final price for the submarines.

The Spanish submarines might be cheaper but they use a lot of technology, sensors, components from other countries like France and the USA. This will be a headache and problem in maintaining the technology and foreign parts because that country can refuse to support us and it leaves us trapped with paying for foreign expensive parts and technology for the next 40+ years until it finishes its expiry date.

The German submarines will be more expensive but all of the technology, parts, components and equipment will be supplied by Germany only. The German submarine is much better, effective, has a long range, fuel efficient and a reliable performance.

Currently India should of chosen the South Korean submarine because it was much cheaper, had a more advanced technology, parts, components and had a VLS which would of allowed us to launch longer range missiles to attack ships or land targets. That is no longer available as South Korea withdrew from the competition because of the long delays from the navy. Now India has to make another 3 upgraded Kalvari submarines with a higher amount of technology given and the higher amount of local production allowed. This deal should also have a much lower price compared to before but should install our indigenous AIP on all submarines which will be a major boost. At the same time we need to quickly finish of designing our own indigenous P76 submarine program which is what we definitely need to build as it has a higher amount of indigenous submarines that we need to build and operate.

Just to provide some context, the KSS-III offering by South Korea was for the submarine without the VLS module. As their offering stood, the VLS module would not be present. That said, they had said a few years back that if the KSS-III were selected, they would be open for discussions to include the VLS module as well on Indian submarines.

 

[Sandeep]

Last I heard, the navy teams ahd gone to spain and germany to assess these subs personally. Also, there is less clarity on what submarine has been offered by germany. 214, 218 etc.

They navy finished going through all of the details, parts, equipment and technology etc that they go through to make sure they meet the navy's requirements and both submarines do. With the German submarine it's unclear if they have gone with the 214 or 218. The 218 is a customised variant of the the 214 with changes to the parts, technology and equipment but it's unclear if the 218 is only for the Singaporean navy or available to others. Both are still very similar so it might be ideal to choose a Indian variant of the original 214.

 

[Pramkumar]

for india it will be better to go for additonal 6 Kavari and go for the P-76 and P75-A and if the P-76 is not in near future then must conclude the P-75I within 12 months