German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) on Wednesday made a fresh pitch to equip the Indian Navy with a variant of its HDW Class 214 submarine, with a focus on the new technologies it integrates, technology transfer and indigenisation to push the country’s self-reliance agenda, and the navy’s proven track record of operating the yard’s Class 209/1500 vessels.
It faces competition from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia that has offered its S-80 submarine to India for the ₹43,000-crore P-75I programme to build six advanced vessels with an air independent propulsion (AIP) system in partnership with local yards. AIP significantly increases a submarine’s underwater endurance and reduces the risk of detection.
The tkMS push comes at a time when India’s hunt for new attack submarines is set to enter a critical phase, with the navy finalising its technical report on the recent field evaluation trials of the HDW Class 214 and S-80 submarines. The trials focused on evaluating their AIP systems.
“Technically we are in a strong position. tkMS fully demonstrated the AIP system during the trials (in March). We will transfer the submarine’s design and technology to India, enabling the goal of self-reliance,” tkMS India CEO Khalil Rahman said at a media briefing.
While tkMS has tied up with the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the project, Navantia has teamed with engineering major Larsen & Toubro. The evaluation of the S-80’s AIP system was done at a shipyard in Cartagena in June. It demonstrated the AIP system operating on the surface and its performance while submerged would be shown soon, as previously reported by HT.
{{/usCountry}}While tkMS has tied up with the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the project, Navantia has teamed with engineering major Larsen & Toubro. The evaluation of the S-80’s AIP system was done at a shipyard in Cartagena in June. It demonstrated the AIP system operating on the surface and its performance while submerged would be shown soon, as previously reported by HT.
{{/usCountry}}Rahman said the tkMS platform will be tailored to meet the Indian Navy’s requirements, its angular design will make it stealthy, and a new lithium-ion battery system (instead of lead-acid battery) will be installed on board to give the submarine greater dived endurance at higher speeds.
“A combination of AIP and lithium-ion battery will enhance the operational capabilities of the submarine,” he said.
The first submarine under P-75I must have a minimum of 45% indigenisation, with the local content going up to 60% in the sixth.
To be sure, Navantia and L&T have also said they are fully committed to meeting India’s transfer of technology requirements and the stipulations for indigenous content in line with New Delhi’s goal of achieving self-reliance in manufacturing defence hardware.
The project will take time to mature. If all goes well after a contract is awarded, the first submarine will be delivered to the navy only after seven years with the rest at the rate of one per year.