MDL-TKMS Emerges as Frontrunner for P75i Submarine Deal as Indian Navy Nears Final Decision This Month
P75i Submarine deal - What is so special about P75i submarine deal ?
The P-75I project aims to build six advanced submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which allows the submarines to stay underwater for longer periods of time for at least 2 weeks . The cost of the project is INR 43000 crore. During the implementation stage of project 75i, MDL would absorb the technology from its foreign partner and then follows project 76 in which 12 more next generation submarines would be built indigenously for which MDL would be well placed on its own without foreign collaboration / partners.
After extensive field trial in Spain and Germany shipyards, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), and the German naval giant, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany (TKMS) are front runners to manufacture the advanced diesel-electric submarines with Air independent propulsion system in India. (AIP)
The other bidder was Navantia of Spain in collaboration with L&T.
During an extensive field trial evaluation process, while the Germans proved their AIP on board a submarine, the Spanish could not because their first submarine with AIP will likely be operational only sometime in 2026.