Project 75(I)

Why in news?

• Defence Ministry has once again extended the deadline to submit responses to the Request For Proposal (RFP) in the over ?40,000 crore deal for six advanced submarines under Project-75(I) to December 2022.

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.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

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

(a) Defence manufacturing

(b) Telecom connectivity

(c) Genome sequencing

(d) Space exploration

                          A

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