Latest news with #Project-75
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
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.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Record Rs 1.06 Lakh Crore Submarine Deal To Make Indian Navy A Global Undersea Power
Last Updated: The landmark deal, part of the ambitious Project 75I, will significantly elevate India's maritime strength and drive a new chapter in indigenous defence manufacturing India is preparing to execute its largest-ever defence contract, a Rs 1.06 lakh crore mega deal poised to transform the Indian Navy into a formidable undersea force within the next decade. As geopolitical tensions intensify in the Indo-Pacific, especially with China's growing footprint in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan's expanding naval ambitions, this move signals India's most ambitious naval modernisation effort yet. The defence ministry is likely to award the twin submarine contracts to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) by the end of the next financial year, sources indicate. This landmark deal, part of the ambitious Project 75I, will significantly elevate India's maritime strength and drive a new chapter in indigenous defence manufacturing. India's submarine arsenal currently comprises 16 conventional submarines, recently reinforced by the addition of INS Vagsheer under the original Project-75. This project saw the successful induction of six Kalvari-class Scorpene submarines, now regarded as the backbone of India's underwater combat capability. The Indian Navy's newest warship, INS Tamal, was also recently inducted. Built in collaboration with Russia and armed with the lethal BrahMos cruise missile, it adds another sharp edge to India's surface fleet. But while these developments mark progress, officials believe India must scale up quickly to counter regional threats. China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) operates a staggering 355 warships and submarines, making it the world's largest naval force. Pakistan, meanwhile, is also enhancing its undersea warfare capabilities with China's support. Germany's TKMS To Partner In The Rs 70,000 Crore Project Under Project-75I, MDL will collaborate with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to build six state-of-the-art submarines based on the HDW Class 214 design. These will be fitted with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling them to remain submerged for up to two weeks without surfacing, a significant tactical advantage. These submarines, 72 metres in length and weighing 2,000 tonnes, will carry eight weapon tubes and accommodate a 27-member crew. The AIP system generates electricity from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, allowing stealth operations without detectable engine noise. A key clause in the deal mandates 45% indigenous content in the first submarine, rising to 60% by the sixth. Technology transfer from TKMS will eventually empower India to manufacture future submarines independently. The first vessel is expected seven years after the contract is signed, with the remaining delivered annually. Rs 36,000 Crore Boost For Next-Gen Submarines In parallel, the government is also poised to greenlight a second submarine contract worth Rs 36,000 crore for building three next-generation Scorpene-class submarines. These will be an upgraded version of the existing Kalvari class and will carry 60% indigenous content. The design will be similar to those delivered to the Brazilian Navy. The first submarine under this program will be delivered in six years, followed by two more at yearly intervals. Together with the HDW-class, these additions are set to massively upgrade the Indian Navy's undersea strike capabilities. Indigenous AIP System And Weaponry India's thrust toward self-reliance is further underlined by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully developing an indigenous AIP system. In December 2024, the government signed a Rs 1,990 crore deal with MDL to install this system on existing Kalvari-class submarines, starting with INS Kalvari during its major refit in September 2025. In a separate deal worth Rs 877 crore, India has partnered with France's Naval Group to equip Kalvari-class submarines with electronic heavyweight torpedoes, enhancing their lethality under the sea. Employment, Industrial Growth And Naval Expansion The scale of these defence projects is expected to generate significant employment. The AIP initiative alone will create an estimated three lakh man-days of work. MDL has already partnered with over 50 Indian companies, while the Indian arm of Naval Group is training more than 70 Indian engineers on advanced submarine technologies. MDL's current manufacturing infrastructure supports the construction of 11 submarines and 10 destroyers simultaneously. The company has already proven its capability by successfully delivering all six submarines under the original Project-75. India's long-term maritime strategy involves developing a 175-ship strong navy by 2035. At present, the Navy has over 130 vessels, with 61 new warships in various stages of construction. Strategic Significance In Asia-Pacific The renewed push under Project-75I and the Scorpene expansion is not just about numbers – it's a strategic imperative. India must maintain a credible undersea deterrent and power projection capability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond, especially as China and Pakistan aim to assert influence in critical sea lanes. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : China defence deals indian navy indian ocean pakistan submarine view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 11, 2025, 16:26 IST News india Record Rs 1.06 Lakh Crore Submarine Deal To Make Indian Navy A Global Undersea Power Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
