The Indian Navy has initiated trials to construct six cutting-edge submarines domestically, under a Rs 60,000 crore tender, marking a significant step in its efforts to modernize its conventional submarine fleet.
In a move towards self-reliance, the Navy has enlisted Indian shipyards Mazagaon Dockyards Limited and Larsen and Toubro, in collaboration with foreign vendors. These trials commenced in March, with an Indian Navy delegation visiting Kiel, Germany, to scrutinize the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems at a German Navy facility, as reported by defense industry sources to ANI.
The involvement of the German company, in partnership with the Indian Defense Ministry’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), underscores a commitment to substantial indigenous content in the vessels, surpassing 60%.
The subsequent phase of trials is slated to take place in Spain, where Navantia and Larsen and Toubro will showcase their AIP systems by the end of June, addressing a pivotal requirement outlined by the Indian Navy in the tender — the ability to sustain extended underwater operations.
It’s worth noting that the Spanish firm will facilitate the Indian team’s access to Spanish Navy facilities. Navantia and Larsen & Toubro had previously formalized a Teaming Agreement (TA) to jointly submit a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s P75 (India) submarine program.
This program seeks to procure diesel-electric attack submarines equipped with fuel cells and an Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP), enhancing the Navy’s operational capabilities. These submarines are envisioned to be larger and more technologically advanced compared to the existing fleet, thanks to the incorporation of AIP technology.