Three Additional Kalvari Submarines Set to Enhance Indian Navy's Underwater Capabilities.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a state-owned shipyard in India, is currently in advanced discussions with the Indian Ministry of Defense for a potential $419 million deal as reported by Economic Times on 24 June 2024. These submarines, which are an extension of the existing contract for Scorpene-class (Kalvari-class) vessels signed in 2005, will be larger and equipped with more advanced technology than their predecessors. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The sixth submarine in the Indian Navy’s Project 75 Kalvari class is nearing commissioning in 2022 (Picture source: Indian MoD)

The new submarines aim to expand the operational range beyond the capabilities of the current fleet, which includes submarines capable of reaching as far as Australia during missions. MDL has committed to ensuring at least 60% of the submarines' content is sourced locally, involving substantial participation from local suppliers and the small and medium enterprise sector. This move is expected to lead to significant technology transfers and pave the way for the future development of fully indigenous submarines.

Negotiations on the final pricing of the three submarines are ongoing, with the contract expected to align with international costs for similarly advanced vessels. The project is part of India's Project 75, under which MDL is building these vessels with French collaboration, with the final submarine of the current tranche expected to be delivered by the end of this year. Concurrently, the Indian Navy is advancing Project 75I, aiming to build six more conventional submarines in India.

Project 75 is a significant initiative by the Indian Navy to modernize its underwater fleet through the indigenous construction of six Scorpene-class submarines. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, in collaboration with France's Naval Group. The project underscores India's move towards self-reliance in defense capabilities under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

The submarines included in Project 75 are diesel-electric attack submarines that enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, among other operational needs. They are equipped with advanced technology that allows them to perform a wide range of missions, including surveillance, intelligence, and area denial. As of now, five of these submarines have been launched and are at various stages of commissioning and trials, with the latest, the Vagir, having been launched in 2020 and undergoing sea trials​.

Moreover, under the Strategic Partnership (SP) policy, which was adopted to further develop India's defense manufacturing sector, MDL and other Indian shipyards are encouraged to collaborate with foreign original equipment manufacturers to enhance local capabilities and ensure significant indigenous content in such defense projects.

This program not only aims to bolster India's maritime security but also supports the domestic defense industry by involving a large network of Indian suppliers, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The successful implementation of Project 75 would represent a major step forward in India's ability to design, develop, and manufacture advanced military technologies domestically.