PROJECT-75I
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a recent statement, J.D. Patil, CEO and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) expressed the company’s readiness to undertake the simultaneous construction of submarines under the Project-75I program, should the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy deem it necessary. This commitment is contingent on L&T winning the prestigious tender, which aims to bolster the Indian Navy’s underwater combat capabilities with next-generation submarines.
L&T, in collaboration with Spain’s Navantia, has submitted a proposal for the Project-75I submarine program, offering a platform based on Navantia’s advanced S-80 class submarine design. The S-80 class is renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, stealth capabilities, and endurance, making it a strong contender for India’s submarine modernization efforts.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy’s ageing Kilo-class submarine fleet, once the backbone of its underwater force, has now dwindled to seven from its original strength of ten submarines. The fleet, officially designated as the Sindhughosh class, has been a critical part of India’s naval capabilities for over three decades. However, with advancements in submarine technology and the increasing challenges posed by modern naval warfare, the Indian Navy is now preparing for the gradual phase-out of these vessels.
The reduction in the Kilo-class fleet began with the retirement of INS Sindhudhvaj in July 2022, a submarine that had served the Navy since 1987. Another significant loss was the tragic sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in 2013, which was caused by an onboard explosion that claimed the lives of 18 sailors. Further, the INS Sindhuvir was transferred to Myanmar in 2020 as part of defence cooperation between the two nations, reducing the fleet size.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The exit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021 paved the way for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to make a strong comeback in India’s prestigious P75I submarine project.
During Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure as Chancellor, TKMS, despite being a frontrunner for India’s P75I submarine project, faced several obstacles. These challenges included stringent export controls and high demands for technology transfer (ToT) from the Indian Navy. TKMS raised concerns that some of the requirements, such as the high indigenous content percentage and almost unlimited liability for the foreign technology partner, were nearly impossible to meet.
Continue reading