Project-75 (I)

Why in news?

• France’s Naval Group, one of five shortlisted Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for the Navy’s P-75 India(P-75I) project to build six conventional submarines within the country, has announced that it would not bid for the project.

Background:

• In 1999, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved a 30-year plan for the Navy to indigenously build and induct 24 submarines by 2030.
• In the first phase, two lines of production were to be established:
  • The first, P-75
  • The second, P-75I
• Each line was to produce six submarines.

About Project 75:

• Project – 75 includes the construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.
• These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
• Among them, three submarines namely INS Karanj, INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi are functional. The fourth one INS Vela was delivered now.
• The fifth one INS Vagir was launched in 2020 and the sixth one, INS Vagsheer is launched in 2022.

About Project 75(I):

• The six submarines under Project-75I will be built under the strategic partnership model.
  • Strategic Partnership Model is a part of the Defence Procurement Procedure. The model envisages indigenous manufacturing of major defence platforms by an Indian strategic partner. Indian partner will collaborate with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to set up production facilities in the country.
• Features: The submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion(AIP) systems that will enable the vessels to stay underwater for longer periods and enhance their combat capabilities.
• The first submarine built under the project is likely to be delivered by 2030.
• Two Indian companies shortlisted as strategic partners are Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro.
• The foreign manufacturers selected for the project are:
  • French Naval Group, German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Russia’s Rubin Design Bureau, Spain’s Navantia etc.
• This is the first project to be approved under the Strategic Partnership Model.
• This would be one of the largest ‘Make in India’ projects. It will create an industrial ecosystem for submarine construction in India.
• From a strategic perspective, Project-75I will help reduce current dependence on imports and gradually ensure greater self-reliance.

Current status of the P-75I:

• P-75I Project is running slightly behind the schedule due to the following reasons:
  • Firstly, the project requires the Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEM) to demonstrate a sea-proven fuel cell Air-independent propulsion(AIP). While some manufacturers may have the technology, it may not have been proven at sea yet.
  • Secondly, the other problem for the OEMs is the transfer of technology which is built into the process under the Strategic Partnership(SP) model. OEMs are unwilling to share all their expertise, especially the niche technologies that they have built.

What are Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) Systems?

• AIP technology allows a conventional submarine to remain submerged for much longer than ordinary diesel-electric submarines.
• All conventional submarines have to surface to run their generators that recharge the batteries that allow the boat to function underwater
• However, the more frequently a submarine surfaces, the higher the chances of it being detected.
• AIP allows a submarine to remain submerged for more than a fortnight compared to two to three days for diesel-electric boats.
• Types of AIPs:
  • There are different types of AIP mechanisms available; what India is looking for under the P-75I project is AIP based on fuel cells.
  • These cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy, recharging the batteries of the submarine.
• Drawbacks:
  • Installing AIP increases the length and weight of the boats as it requires pressurized Liquid Oxygen (LOX) storage onboard and supplies for all three technologies.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Project 75(I), sometimes discussed in news, is associated with:

(a) Defence manufacturing

(b) Telecom connectivity

(c) Genome sequencing

(d) Space exploration

Answer