Project-75I submarine tender faces yet another setback; Spain’s Navantia opposes any selection based on Proven AIP, urges MoD for a Price-focused decision

Source : IgMp Bureau

The competition for India's prestigious P-75(I) submarine tender has encountered a new hurdle as Spain's Navantia has challenged the current frontrunner, Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Navantia has called on the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to determine the winner based on price rather than on the results of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system field evaluation trials (FET). This could potentially alter the outcome of the tender for six submarines, which is key to modernizing the Indian Navy’s underwater fleet.

Navantia advocates using a price discovery method, which relies on market dynamics between buyers and sellers to establish the asset's value. This push for a price-focused decision suggests Navantia believes their S-80 Plus submarines could be offered at a lower cost than TKMS’s submarines. While this approach could save India money, it shifts the focus away from the technical assessments, particularly regarding the AIP systems that provide submarines with longer endurance and improved stealth while submerged.

Spanish firm Navantia offered S-80Plus submarine

The Indian Navy has already conducted thorough assessments of the AIP systems offered by both competitors, uncovering several issues. Navantia presented its Bio Ethanol Stealth Technology (BEST) AIP system, but only in the form of a land-based prototype. They plan to integrate the AIP system into their submarines beginning with the third vessel, which isn’t expected to be operational until 2028. The Indian Navy raised concerns about this delay, as they were hoping for a more mature, sea-proven solution.

Conversely, TKMS showcased an AIP system that is already in use on some of their submarines. However, the version offered for the P-75(I) tender has not yet been tested to meet the specific power generation requirements of the Indian Navy. Although TKMS has operational experience with AIP technology, the exact system proposed for India still lacks the full trials requested during evaluations.

Earlier reports suggested that the Indian Navy was favoring the TKMS proposal due to the company’s proven experience with AIP systems on existing submarines. However, according to idrw.org, TKMS's submarines might be considerably more expensive than Navantia’s. Navantia's push for a cost-based decision seems to exploit this difference, positioning cost-effectiveness over technical readiness.

German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) offered Type-212CD submarine

Neither company has presented a fully proven AIP system that aligns with the tender’s requirements. Navantia’s AIP system remains in early stages of submarine integration, and TKMS’s offer has yet to meet the Indian Navy's exact technical criteria. This has left the door open for other players, such as Russia and France, to potentially re-enter the competition.

Russia, which had previously withdrawn from the P-75(I) tender due to its lack of a proven AIP system, has recently returned with its Amur 1650 submarine featuring a new AIP design. Meanwhile, France, which is working with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to integrate a fuel-cell-based AIP system into the existing Kalvari-class submarines, has offered assistance in developing a new submarine for India if necessary. These developments add further complexity to an already competitive tender process.

The P-75(I) tender now encompasses both performance evaluations and financial factors. Navantia’s push for a price-based decision could influence the MoD if budget concerns become a major issue. Nonetheless, the Indian Navy's primary focus remains on securing a proven, reliable AIP system, which may give TKMS an advantage, despite the potential for higher costs. With Russia and France offering alternatives, it is unlikely that India will reopen the tender at such an advanced stage.

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