Where to now for India’s P75I submarine programme?
This is ROKS Lee Beom-seok, a KSS-II/Type 214 submarine built under licence in South Korea. (Gordon Arthur)
India has some hard decisions to make over its conventional submarine programme, with its current efforts stagnated and the clock ticking.
The Indian Navy (IN) is seeking six Indian-manufactured Project 75I submarines that employ air-independent propulsion (AIP). However, this estimated INR430 billion ($5.6 billion) effort has devolved into a shambles, with no company lodging a response to an RfP issued in July 2021.
Essentially, the wording of the RfP had reduced possible contenders down to only two, despite five foreign shipbuilders being shortlisted to respond.
The document specified that a ‘sea-proven’ fuel cell AIP was to be fitted in the P75I boats. Only ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Germany and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea could hypothetically
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US tests the newest QUICKSINK maritime weapon variant in the Norwegian Sea]()
US tests the newest QUICKSINK maritime weapon variant in the Norwegian Sea
The low-cost, anti-ship, precision-guided 500lb class capability was launched by a USAF B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
-
![US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class]()
US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
With ongoing market research to find potential shipyards for building LCUs, NAVSEA intends to issue a request for proposals for the programme next year.
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
