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submarines to India through the government-to-government route

Context

• Germany is looking to sell its advanced conventional submarines to India through the government-to-government route.

About

• The Indian Navy is looking to further strengthen its sub-surface fleet, by procuring six advanced diesel-electric submarines under Project-75I which is estimated to cost over ₹45,000 crores.
• In January 2020, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) shortlisted Mazgaon Docks Ltd. (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the Indian partners for the P-75 agreement.
• The Indian Navy currently has 16 conventional submarines in service, which include:
• Seven Russian Kilo-class submarines
• Four German-origin HDW submarines
• Five French Scorpene-class submarines with the sixth Scorpene expected to join service soon
• As the Kilos and the HDWs submarines are ageing, a Medium Refit-cum-Life Certification (MRLC) programme is underway to increase their life.

Defence Acquisition Council

• DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on 'Reforming the National Security System', in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).

About the Project:

• This project envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore.
• Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.
• It will be the first under the strategic partnership model which was promulgated in 2017 to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.
• The strategic partnership model allows domestic defence manufacturers to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence.
• Acquisitions under the Strategic Partnership model refer to participation of private Indian firms along with foreign OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in ‘Make in India’ in defence.

Significance:

• One of the Largest ‘Make in India’ Projects:
• It will serve to facilitate faster and more significant absorption of technology and create a tiered industrial ecosystem for submarine construction in India.

To Ensure Self-Reliance:

• From a strategic perspective, this will help reduce current dependence on imports and gradually ensure greater self-reliance and dependability of supplies from indigenous sources.

To Protect Indo-Pacific:

• This is keeping in mind the rapid increase of nuclear submarine arsenal by People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) (CHINA) and to protect the Indo-Pacific from future domination by the adversary.

About 30-year Submarine Plan:

• The Cabinet Committee on Security, in June 1999, had approved a 30-year submarine-building plan which included construction of 24 conventional submarines indigenously by 2030.
• P75I succeeded the P75 under which six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class, based on the Scorpene class, were being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited) – the third submarine, INS Karanj, was commissioned in March 2021.
• Of the total 24 submarines to be built in India, six will be nuclear-powered.
• India has only one nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, at the moment. The INS Arighat, also a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, is to be commissioned soon.
• INS Chakra, a nuclear submarine, which is taken on lease from Russia, is believed to be on its way back to the country of origin.