Project 75 India

INS Kalvari at sea

Other than the aircraft carrier, if any platform took a significant role in changing the course of war during World War 2, it is the submarine. Quickly comprehending the importance and potential in maintaining the sovereignty of India, the newly independent Indian Navy focused on rapid modernisation with the induction of aircraft carriers and submarines from the beginning. According to the first 15 year refurbishment plan, a fleet of 16 submarines was desired. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the Indian Navy would get the first submarine only in 1967, when the Soviet Project 641 Foxtrot class got inducted as Kalvari class. In due course, 8 platforms were inducted within 1974. But this was not enough to maintain the security of Indian interests. Sanction of the proposal of procurement of four new and more capable diesel electric submarines was accorded in 1982, which later was increased to a total number of six. HDW Type 209/1500 of the West German origin was selected to serve as Shishumar class in the navy. According to the original plan, two platforms were directly procured from Germany, while the rest four were to be manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) following the transfer of technology (ToT) and material packages. However, only two boats were constructed following political turmoil in the late 1980s. At the same time, India signed a deal with the Soviet Union for the procurement of Project 877EKM Kilo class. Subsequently, a total of 10 such submarines entered into the service as Sindhughosh class. As the older Foxtrot– class platforms came closer to their retirement, India became concerned about the eventual fall of underwater capability. So, India restarted the programme to construct the two left submarines designed by the Submarine Design Group (SDG) of the Indian Navy, based on the Shishumar class under P–75 (Project–75), with the collaboration of a foreign agency for the validation of the design. Eventually, TCDF of France was roped in. France offered SM 39, a submarine launched variant of the Exocet anti–ship missile, provided their combat suite be inducted into the boats. At the same time, approval came for the “Project for Series Construction of Submarines for the Indian Navy and Acquisition of National Competence in Submarine Building.” Under the ambitious project, the Indian Navy was to have 24 advanced SSK’s in 30 years!

Indian Flag and Naval Ensign being hoisted onboard INS Kalvari in 2017.

INS Sindhughosh en route India in 1987

missile, provided their combat suite be inducted into the boats. At the same time, approval came for the “Project for Series Construction of Submarines for the Indian Navy and Acquisition of National Competence in Submarine Building.” Under the ambitious project, the Indian Navy was to have 24 advanced SSK’s in 30 years! Unfortunately, things didn’t move as hoped. France offered Scorpene class. Initially, it was decided that some earlier platforms would be the design developed by the SDG while the rest would be the Scorpene class. But, in the course of events, it was decided that all submarines would be of the Scorpene class under P–75. While there was a lot of movement between 1997 and 1999, it was only in 2005 that P–75I was accorded at a total cost of Rs. 18,798 crore. Scorpene class platforms would be constructed by MDL and eventually would enter into service as Kalvari class. Six such platforms are acquired. But the project took such a long time that older Kalvari class and Vela class platforms made an exit of service life. The Indian Navy faced a grave danger amidst dwindling fleet strength. As the Kalvari class project was going on, in parallel more numbers were required. So, an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted in 2007, followed by issuing the Request for Information (RFI) the next year to four companies: the French DCNS, Spanish Navantia, Russian Rubin and German HDW. Initially known as the Project–75A, all six platforms were required to be equipped with air–independent propulsion (AIP) systems to boost their underwater operational capabilities significantly. Those platforms were to have less acoustic signature than existing platforms then in service and capabilities to launch land attack cruise missiles as well! In 2010, the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by then defence minister A. K. Antony took a decision for the procurement of six new submarines at a potential cost of Rs. 50,000 crores. Two submarines were to be imported directly from the manufacturer, while three submarines were to be constructed at MDL and one at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. It also opened the door to the private shipyards as a potential participant. The idea was to have the first submarine in just six to seven years. While the name of the project got changed to Project–75, the project faced a hiatus by bureaucratic red tape amidst repeated delays in the issue of the Request for Proposal (RFP).

Isaac Peral, a S–80 Plus class submarine.

In October 2014, the DAC again cleared the P–75I with an approved budget of Rs. 53,000 crore. State– owned Mazagon Dock, Hindustan Shipyard and Cochin Shipyard, privately owned Larsen & Toubro, and Pipavav Shipyard were shortlisted to bid for the project in collaboration with a foreign shipyard. Six Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) entered the fray, including MHI from Japan, DCNS of France, RDB of Russia, Navantia of Spain, TKMS of Germany and Saab from Sweden. Soon it was decided that the P–75I would be pursued under the Strategic Partnership (SP) policy. The idea was to shortlist foreign OEMs following their offer, including ToT to their Indian counterpart. Under the SP model, once the RFP was issued, both the OEMs and Indian companies would be shortlisted. Then there would be partnerships between interested OEMs and Indian counterparts. The partnership would then enter the bidding process. But the process didn’t go as smoothly as had been hoped. While Japan didn’t respond to the RFI within the stipulated time period, Saab announced withdrawal, fearing losing control of the project to the prospective Indian partner in the future. DSME of South Korea though would be a new contender. However, quite shockingly, most of the contenders didn’t even have any specific answer to the Indian requirement.

Russia offered Project 677E Amur 1650 as a separate programme and not under the P–75I. No specific offer came afterwards. France reportedly started their journey offering a modified Scorpene class. But gradually changed the course and announced to design a brand new platform with technologies incorporated from Attack Class, Ocean Class and SMX 3.0. Even South Korea didn’t pitch any specific design, though they asserted the platform would be based on their KSS–III submarines but stripped of the vertical launch system (VLS) cells! Russia withdrew, citing technical reasons. However, to woo the Indian side, it offered Project 636 and Project 877 class submarines to enhance the Indian submarine fleet. France also announced their inability to remain further in the race. And ultimately, South Korea was quiet too. To ease the procedure, in 2022, there was an amendment to the tender process. This made only the strategic partner responsible for the work share, while the foreign OEM was liable only for its share of work. Finally, MDL and TKMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), while Navantia teamed up with the L&T. Eventually tenders were issued to the two competitors. Spain offered the existing S–80 Class, while Germany proposed a new design based on the Type 212 submarine. The render of the proposal showcased a much similar platform to Type 212CD, the latest in the family, with stealthier hull and X–shaped rudder. It’s noteworthy to mention that the AIP proposed by the two parties has become a major course decider. Spain claimed to offer theirs at the lowest price possible. The Indian Navy began trials of the German AIP in Kiel in March 2024, which reportedly got cleared only in August. TKMS even has offered a 60% indigenous content (IC) from the first submarine against the desired 45%.

U–34, a Type 212A class submarine

Meanwhile, the trials for the Spanish counterpart did take place in Cartagena in June. However, reportedly none of the contenders could fully satisfy the navy with their existing AIP systems. Nevertheless, both the frontrunners are now trying their best to impress the customer, as the Navy is in the final stage to finalise field evaluation trials (EFT) of AIP systems. As the P–75I is taking a time much longer than expected to keep India’s underwater capability compromised, discussion is going on with the MDL for three additional and improved Kalvari submarines at an estimated cost of Rs. 35,000 crore. The proposed platforms are to be bigger than existing Kalvari class submarines with enhanced stealth capabilities and longer underwater endurance. At the same time, MDL is working on the development of the design of a full scale conventional submarine by 2028. However, at this moment, not much detail is known about this project. The P–75I project now stands at reportedly Rs. 60,000 crore. It’s clear that the proposed construction of the new 9 submarines will take a huge cost, but it is a must take step for the navy. Currently, the Indian Navy has 11 old submarines soon to be retired, other than the existing six Kalvari–class. Eventually, the Kalvari boats will also go through mid–life upgrades with modernisation, including incorporation of indigenous AIP. In fact, the fifth and sixth boats from the beginning will have the capability. Nevertheless, this will increase Indian prowess. But the bigger question is, how long will it take to meet the Indian requirement of a fleet strength necessary to protect Indian interests? The adversaries of India pose a great threat with frequent sailing close to Indian waters. It must not be forgotten that China already has around 50 conventional submarines. They are rapidly replacing the old platforms with the new ones. If this was not enough, the large fleet of nuclear attack submarines (SSN) further enhances the graveness. On the other hand, Pakistan too is upgrading 4 of their old submarines along with 8 new submarines under procurement from China. So, India is facing a two faced saw significantly undermining the security. According to the original plan, by now India should have gotten the majority of the 24 submarines. Instead, the navy is left with just six! As the P–75I has entered the culmination stage, hope lies to exit the tragic phase as fast as possible. But there will remain a question: if this is really enough?

By Sankalan Chattopadhyay (Twitter/X @vinoddx9)