You dont have javascript enabled! Please enable it!
Archives

SOURCE: AFI

The recently finalized Project-75I submarine program, under which Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) will construct all six German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)-designed submarines, highlights India’s commitment to bolstering its underwater fleet. However, this winner-takes-it-all approach has sparked a debate about missed opportunities for fostering competitive and parallel submarine construction capabilities in the country.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), an Indian private sector defense and engineering giant, has demonstrated its expertise in complex defense projects, including nuclear submarines and other naval platforms. Allowing L&T to manufacture at least two of the six submarines under Project-75I could have delivered several strategic and economic benefits.

By granting MDL exclusive rights to build all six submarines, the government has effectively reinforced a monopoly in conventional submarine construction. Introducing L&T into the program would have created a competitive environment, driving efficiency and innovation.

Developing parallel manufacturing capabilities at L&T’s state-of-the-art shipyard would have diversified India’s submarine production base. This could prove critical for future programs like Project-76, which envisions 12 next-generation conventional submarines.

With two manufacturers working simultaneously, the submarines could be delivered at an accelerated pace, addressing the Indian Navy’s urgent requirements to counter growing maritime threats. Encouraging private sector participation in critical defense programs aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to boost indigenous defense production and reduce reliance on imports.

India’s experience with Project-75 Scorpene submarines, under which MDL built six French-designed submarines, underscores the risks of a centralized manufacturing model. Despite receiving technology transfer (ToT), MDL faced delays and challenges in mastering the processes, which impacted timelines and cost efficiency.

Looking forward, Project-76 will require a large-scale effort to design and build 12 next-generation conventional submarines tailored to Indian Navy requirements. Ensuring balanced participation between MDL and L&T in an 8:4 ratio or similar split would not only accelerate production .

Critics of dual production models often cite challenges such as fragmented workflows, inconsistencies in quality, and the complexities of managing multiple production lines. However, these issues can be mitigated through robust project management, stringent quality controls, and coordinated oversight by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy.

While the decision to grant MDL exclusive manufacturing rights under Project-75I may streamline operations in the short term, it risks stifling India’s broader ambitions to establish a competitive and self-reliant defense industrial base. By involving L&T in submarine production, the government could have laid the groundwork for a more diversified and resilient manufacturing ecosystem, ultimately strengthening India’s maritime defense capabilities.

NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.