India intends to put on hold plans to build three Scorpene-class submarines of French origin at Mazagon Docks (MDL) in favour of more advanced German-origin submarines.
According to a TOI report, the state-run firm is planning to build six diesel-electric stealth submarines of German origin at its facility at a cost of over Rs 70,000 crore.
Government sources told TOI that a final call on scrapping the French-origin submarines is yet to be taken. Sources, however, have indicated that the plan for three Scorpene submarines is not being pursued for now.
The decision to put on hold the French-origin project is in view of the fact that the German submarines are deemed "a generation ahead."
Besides, according to the source, it would be difficult for MDL to handle two different, complex submarine projects at the same time.
According to TOI, the German-origin subs, built under 'Project-75India (P-75I), in partnership with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), will have air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and other such new-gen technologies and will come with transfer of technology. The Scorpene submarines built by MDL do not currently have AIP systems, but will be retrofitted to ensure that they are capable of operating underwater for significantly longer periods of time without needing to surface or snorkel for atmospheric oxygen.
The decision to opt for the German submarines was taken after extensive talks with the defence ministry, the Indian Navy, and Natiional Security Council among others.
"These new-generation boats under P-75I will come with design ToT (transfer of technology) and a greater indigenisation level of around 60 per cent. The project will serve as a bridge to the future P-76, under which conventional submarines will be constructed based on totally indigenous design,” TOI quoted a source as saying.