3 days ago
Rs 1000000000000 defence deal: What is Project 75I which is set to give sleepless nights to Pakistan, China as India gets ready to...
(File)
New Delhi: A few days ago, INS Tamal warship was included in the Indian Navy fleet. This warship has been developed under partnership with Russia. INS Tamal is also equipped with BrahMos cruise missile. The Indian Navy's submarine fleet currently has 16 traditional submarines, out of which the original Project-75 programme was completed recently with the inclusion of INS Vagsheer in January 2025. What is Project-75?
Under Project-75, 8 submarines of Kalvari class are currently the biggest strength of the Indian Navy. These submarines are a big weapon against China and Pakistan in the Asia-Pacific, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region. Its importance increases significantly especially in curbing the increasing activities of China in the Indian Ocean. The Chinese PLA-Navy operates 355 warships and submarines, which makes it the world's largest naval power. Pakistan is continuously developing its submarine capability with the help of China. What is Project-75I?
In view of the constantly changing situation in marine security, India has also become active and under Project-75I, continuous efforts are being made to increase the submarine capacity of the Indian Navy. Now a big development has taken place in this regard. Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is very close to getting an advanced and traditional submarine contract worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore. After implementing the defense deal, the Indian Navy will become the world's biggest naval power in 6 to 7 years.
The government is set to award contracts worth Rs 1.06 lakh crore to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for two major submarine projects by the end of the next financial year. The Rs 70,000 crore Advanced Submarine Project under Project-75I is expected to be finalised soon. Under this mega deal, 6 state-of-the-art submarines will be built at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore. MDL will partner with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in this project. The proposed submarines will be based on the HDW Class 214 design, equipped with state-of-the-art features and highest stealth capability. What are HDW Class 214 submarines?
The HDW Class 214 submarines are 72 meters long, weigh about 2,000 tons with 8 weapon tubes. These submarines can carry 27 crew members and have a special Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which will give them the ability to operate underwater for two weeks without surfacing. This system generates electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, making noiseless and secret operations possible. Under Project-75I, the use of 45% indigenous equipment has been made mandatory in the first submarine, which will increase to 60% by the sixth submarine. India will get the capability to build indigenous submarines in the future through technology transfer from TKMS.
