Indian Navy's Submarine Acquisition Plan
The Indian Navy is poised to acquire nine new advanced submarines, pending approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The acquisition is part of the Project 75 (India), or P75(I) programme, aimed at enhancing stealth capabilities.
Strategic Importance
- The acquisition is crucial due to increasing naval activities by China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean region and Arabian Sea.
- India aims to strengthen its naval presence as a member of the Quad, alongside the US, Japan, and Australia.
Partnerships and Technological Focus
- The P75(I) project encourages strategic partnerships between Indian and foreign shipyards.
- It focuses on submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to enhance stealth.
- A joint bid by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is the only contender after other firms failed technical evaluations.
Implications for Existing Programmes
- The shift from France to Germany in foreign partnerships will impact the ongoing Project 75 Kalvari-class programme.
- The existing Scorpene submarines, built between 2006 and 2015, may not receive further orders for additional units.
- The Navy must eventually retire older Russian-made submarines, affecting future fleet composition.
The P75(I) programme is expected to modernize the Indian Navy in the long term, despite potential delays and implications for domestic shipyards.
