Ministry of Defence moves ahead with submarine plan, MDL qualifies for next round

The defence ministry has moved ahead with a multi-billion dollar plan to construct next-generation conventional submarines in India, with Mazagaon Dockyards Limited (MDL) qualifying after technical trials and moving to the next stage of techno-commercial negotiations.

Sources said the bid by MDL in partnership with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been given the go ahead by a technical oversight committee that looked into the bidding process and trials carried out last year.As reported earlier, the Navy had conveyed some shortcomings in the latter offering after a round of trials that pertained to the requirement of a sea proven air independent propulsion system. As per the procurement process, the next stage will be to open the commercial bids that had been submitted by MDL. After going through the offer, detailed discussions on technical aspects and commercial terms will be carried out before the estimated ₹43,000 crore proposal will be moved for approvals to the competent authorities.

Given the enormity of the project-six submarines have to be built in India with a high degree of technology transfer-the first of the new boats is expected to enter service almost seven years after signing of a contract. A key capability the new submarines will bring is the AIP system that will give the boats the ability to stay underwater for up to two weeks, greatly enhancing stealth.