In pursuit of overhauling its conventional submarine fleet, the Indian Navy has embarked on trials for the development of advanced submarines through the launch of a Rs 60,000 crore tender. The trials, involving competing teams such as Larsen and Toubro and Mazagaon Dockyard Limited, mark a significant step towards modernizing the country’s maritime defense capabilities.
Under the lucrative Rs 60,000 crore contract, the Indian Navy aims to construct six stealth submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, facilitating extended underwater missions. Recent trials of the German submarine’s AIP system, conducted in Kiel, Germany, underscore the global collaboration essential for this ambitious endeavor. Notably, the German consortium has partnered with India’s state-owned Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL), signaling a strategic alliance in pursuit of technological excellence.
Further trials are slated to take place in June at the Spanish Navy facility, indicating the international scope of the project. In this venture, Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia and India’s Larsen and Toubro stand as key partners, poised to contribute their expertise to the construction of these state-of-the-art submarines. Importantly, India’s emphasis on indigenous manufacturing, as part of the Make In India initiative, promises substantial business opportunities for domestic firms, with an estimated value exceeding Rs 30,000 crore in the defense sector.