Korea and Spain defence majors ready to participate in 75 (I) submarine project

Even though the Defence Ministry has again extended the deadline for submitting the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the advanced submarine project to November 30, South Korean Daewoo and Spanish Navantia has shown interest in building the long endurance diesel submarine under the strategic partnership model with India. 

The RFP was first issued in July 2021 and extended to November 30, 2022, from June 30, 2022, deadline.

The decision to extend the deadline was taken as certain clauses relating to "joint and several penalties" needs to be amended in the RFP document. 

The amended clauses will be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) for approval shortly. 

Under the strategic partnership model, India has identified Mazagoan Docks Limited (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to tie up with foreign defence majors in South Korea, Spain, Germany, France, and Russia to build six air independent propulsion (AIP) diesel attack submarines for the Indian Navy at the cost of over ₹40,000 crore.

As of now, South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering and Spanish company Navantia, who have proven AIP technology has shown interest in building the submarines under Project 75 India of the Indian Navy.