News Roundup: Proejct 75I submarines, P-8I LRMRASW Aircraft, Towed AD Guns, Project 11356 Griogorivich Class Frigate

Rubin Design Bureau Amur 1650 (Russia) Project 75I contender

Project-75I Submarine Acquisition Could Involve Multiple Types?

VCNS Vice Admiral P. Murugesan told the press on July 14, 2015 that Project 75I submarines could be built at more than one shipyard, suggesting that multiple types of subs maybe acquired under the project.

"It [Contracted vendor] will not be only one shipyard... there will be a competitive process, the [defense] ministry may agree to all of them, or some of them," he said.

Murugesan said award of contract would follow DPP and estimated construction would start in around 2 years.

It was earlier reported that the MoD has shortlisted 5 Indian shipyards out of the 7 that it evaluated for infrastructure and technical competence to construct Project 75I submarines.

The OEM - submarines combinations in contention are

1. DCNS Scorpene
2. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems HDW Type 214 (Germany)
3. Rubin Design Bureau Amur 1650 (Russia)
4. Navantia S-80
5. Saab Kockum A-26

IDP Sentinel members can read more at Project 75I Submarines (IDP Sentinel)

VCNS Confirms Negotiations to Acquire Project 11356 Grigorivich Class Frigate Construction Tech

VCNS Vice Admiral P. Murugesan confirmed on July 14, 2015 that India was negotiating with Russia to purchase technology to construct Project 11356 Grigorivich class frigates in India.

"As per the maritime perspective plan, we have to build a certain number of ships in a certain time...we are exploring the possibility to expedite (acquisition of) certain number of ships," he told reporters.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at Project 11356 Talwar Class Missile Frigates (IDP Sentinel)

Six Indian Firms to Compete for 428 Towed AD Guns

The DAC on July 14, 2015 approved procurement of 428 towed AD guns at a cost of Rs 16,900 crore.

The guns are to be procured under 'Buy and Make in India' category. A tender is to be issued to 6 private and public sector firms - Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Electronics, Tata Power SED, Punj Lloyd, Ordnance Factory Board and Bharat Forge. 

No Indian firm has yet demonstrated the capability to make the gun, but they are free to tie up with foreign majors holding up to 49 per cent stake in the bidding JV. 

The Indian Army is planning to procure towed Air Defense (AD) Guns and ammunition along with Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MToT). The project involves manufacture of 1,102 AD guns over the next 15 years to replace 1950s vintage L-70 guns acquired from Swedish firm Bofors and Zu-23mm guns acquired from USSR's Podolsky Electromechanical plant.

In the first stage, the manufacturer will have to supply the army with 428 guns over the next five years. Several lakh rounds of ammunition would need to be manufactured in India.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at Towed Air Defense (AD) Guns (IDP Sentinel)

DAC Approves Purchase of 4 Additional P-8Is

The DAC on July 14, 2015 approved a deviation from the offsets policy to exercise the option to purchase four additional P8i maritime surveillance aircraft from the US. 

Earlier, the CNC recently wrapped price negotiations with Boeing for 4 additional P-8Is.  The case will now be progressed to MoD (Finance), and then MoF. 

IDP Sentinel members can read more at P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) Aircraft (IDP Sentinel)