India / India clears 43000 rs crore project to build 6 high tech submarines

New Delhi: Now India has made preparations to increase its strength even in the sea to quell the nefarious plans of the enemies. The Defense Ministry on Friday approved the construction of six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore. This important decision has been taken with the aim of increasing India's capability in view of China's rapidly growing naval capabilities. Defense Acquisition Council (DAAC) has approved the issue of letter of request or tender for the project. This will be the first purchase under the strategic partnership model.

These submarines will be built as part of a strategic partnership that allows domestic defense equipment manufacturers to build state-of-the-art military platforms in partnership with leading foreign defense manufacturing companies to reduce their dependence on imports. According to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's office, the Defense Ministry has also approved a proposal to procure various military weapons and equipment for the Indian Army at a cost of about Rs 6,800 crore.

In the meeting of the DAC chaired by the Defense Minister, it was decided to give permission to this project named 'P-75 India'. The DAC is the apex body of the Ministry of Defense to take procurement decisions. About the naval project, the ministry said, "In this project six conventional submarines with state-of-the-art propulsion systems will be built in the country at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000 crore."

"This is a significant approval as the first case under the Strategic Partnership Model," a statement said. This will be one of the biggest 'Make in India projects' and will give a boost to the technology and industrial infrastructure for submarine manufacturing in India. The ministry said that the project will reduce dependence on imports and increase dependence on supplies from indigenous sources and help in becoming self-reliant.

"With this approval, the country will achieve national capability in submarine manufacturing," the statement said. Simultaneously, it will help in achieving the target of 30 years submarine building program envisaged by the government in respect of design, construction of submarines in the country for Indian industry.

Under the strategic partnership model, domestic defense manufacturers will be allowed to join hands with leading foreign defense companies to reduce their dependence on imports to produce state-of-the-art military equipment.

Officials said the project would be implemented over a period of 12 years and the final cost could go up depending on the weapons systems that would be included in the radar-capable submarines. Sources said the DAC has approved issuance of letter of request or tender to shipbuilder Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). With which foreign company these two companies want to join hands for the project, it will be their own decision. For this five foreign companies Rosoboronexport (Russia), Daiwu (South Korea), Thysinkrupp Marine System (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France) have been listed.

It is expected that the RFP will be issued within a month and the contract will be awarded after assessing the response of L&T and MDL in detail thereon. Separate teams of Ministry of Defense and Navy have completed all the ground work including all the requirements and specifications of the submarines required for the release of RPF for this project.