INDIA. Mumbai: As a major initiative towards ‘Make in India’, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the first acquisition program under the Strategic Partnership Model for the construction of six AIP fitted Conventional Submarines named Project 75(India) [P-75(I)] at a cost of over Rs 40,000 crore, for the Indian Navy, on Tuesday.
The RFP was issued to shortlisted Strategic Partners (SPs) or Indian applicant companies for the project viz, M/s Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and M/s Larsen & Tubro (L&T).
Project-75(I) envisages indigenous construction of six modern conventional submarines (including associated shore support, Engineering Support Package, training, and spares package) with contemporary equipment, weapons & sensors including Fuel-Cell based AIP (Air Independent Propulsion Plant), advanced torpedoes, modern missiles and state of the art countermeasure systems. This would provide a major boost to the indigenous design and construction capability of submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine design and technologies as part of the project.
Post receipt of responses to the Expression of Interest (EoI), a short listing of potential SPs and Foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) was undertaken. The shortlisted SPs to whom the RFP has been issued would be collaborating with any of the shortlisted Foreign OEMs viz, M/s Naval Group-France, M/s TKMS-Germany, M/s JSC ROE-Russia, M/s Daewoo Shipbuilding, and Marine Engineering Co Ltd-South Korea, and M/s Navantia-Spain. These five foreign firms are the world leaders in the field of conventional submarine design, construction, and all other related technologies.
The foreign OEMs will be the technology partner in the SP Model. Foreign OEMs will enable SP for the construction of submarines, achieving high levels of indigenization, and transfer of technologies (ToT). These OEMs would enable the setting up of dedicated manufacturing lines for these submarines in India by providing ToT for submarine design and other technologies and make India the global hub for submarine design and production.
The project would not only aid in boosting the core submarine/shipbuilding industry but would also greatly enhance the manufacturing/industrial sector, especially the MSME by the development of an industrial ecosystem for the manufacture of associated spares/systems/equipment related to submarines. To achieve these objectives, the RFP has key features like mandatory level of indigenous manufacture of platforms, ToT for design/ manufacture/ maintenance of submarines and a few critical equipment and systems, setting up of an eco-system in India for such indigenization and incentivization for other key technologies, etc.
The overall aim would be to progressively build indigenous capabilities in the public/private sector to design, develop and manufacture complex weapon systems for the future needs of the Armed Forces. This will be an important step towards meeting broader national objectives, encouraging self-reliance, and aligning the defence sector with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government, an official statement said.
Guv facilitates Naval Commanding officers
Captain Sachin Sequeira of INS Kochi and Captain Prashant Handu of INS Kolkata were given Certificates of Appreciation by the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday. (Photo credit: Indian Navy).
The Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Tuesday applauded and felicitated the Commanding Officers of INS Kochi and INS Kolkata who were instrumental in saving the lives of hundreds of employees during the accident at Bombay High in May 2021.
Commanding Officers- Captain Sachin Sequeira of INS Kochi and Captain Prashant Handu of INS Kolkata were given Certificates of Appreciation by the Governor at Raj Bhavan in South Mumbai. The Governor patted the officers and their teams for showing exemplary courage in saving the lives of hundreds of people during the accident caused to barge P 365 off Bombay High during cyclone Tauktae on May 17. The Commanding Officer of INS Talwar Captain Partha U Bhatt couldn’t meet the Governor due to operational commitments.
INS Tabar completes maritime partnership exercise
Indian Navy personnel interacting with their counterparts from French Navy during INS Tabar’s port-visit to Brest, France. (Photo credit: Indian Navy)
In another development INS Tabar on completion of the port visit to Brest, France, undertook a maritime partnership exercise with FNS Aquitaine, a French naval Frigate in the Bay of Biscay on July 15 and July 16. A twin-engine helicopter (NH 90) from FNS Aquitaine and four Rafale fighter aircraft from French Navy also participated in the exercise.
A wide range of operations like Anti-Submarine, Surface Manoeuvres, Replenishment at Sea approach, Firing on target, Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS), Steam Past, Air Defence, Air Picture Compilation, Vertical Replenishment, and cross deck operations were exercised by the ships. The exercise was mutually beneficial in enhancing interoperability and towards consolidating combined operations against maritime threats.
