The Indian Navy will get three more Kalvari-class submarines under a possible Rs 35,000-crore deal with state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). These submarines will be larger and more sophisticated than the six that India had previously acquired.
MDL has offered the defense ministry a detailed techno-commercial bid that includes a pledge to use at least 60% indigenous material into the new ships. Through this program, a significant amount of work would be directed towards Indian sub-suppliers and the MSME sector, thereby promoting a strong indigenous defense ecosystem.
The projected contract value of about ₹35,000 crore is in line with international standards for submarines of this class, while final price is still up for negotiation. In addition, the project is anticipated to create close to 5,000 employment and keep a sizeable chunk of the contract value in the Indian economy.
Under Project 75, MDL is currently building the Kalvari-class submarines; the sixth and last ship is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. The Navy urgently needs conventional submarines as its current fleet of Russian-origin Kilo-class vessels approaches the end of its service life. MDL’s proposal states that the new submarines can be supplied within six years.
This agreement supports the Navy’s concurrent efforts to build six more conventional submarines domestically through Project 75I. Since 1960, MDL has built total 802 vessels including 28 warships, from advanced destroyers to missile boats and 7 submarines. MDL had also delivered cargo ships, passenger ships, supply vessels, multipurpose support vessel, water tankers, tugs, dredgers, fishing trawlers, barges & border out posts for various customers in India as well as abroad.
