Naval Group has confirmed to Janes that it has withdrawn from India's project to procure six new diesel-electric submarines. The programme is a follow-on to the P-75 project in which the French shipbuilder is collaborating with Mazagon Dock on the construction of Kalvari (Scorpène)-class submarines for the Indian Navy (the fourth of which is pictured above). (Indian Navy)
Naval Group has withdrawn its bid from the Indian Navy's long-deferred Project 75(I) programme to acquire six diesel-electric attack submarines, the company has confirmed.
The French shipbuilder told Janes on 23 May that it is unable to compete for the INR400 billion (USD5.15 billion) programme because of conditions contained in the project's request for proposals (RFP) document.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued the Project 75(I) RFP in July 2021 and called on two Indian firms – state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and private-sector Larsen & Toubro (L&T) – to act as ‘strategic partners' and build the submarines in collaboration with a foreign submarine manufacturer.
“Naval Group has always been ready to offer the best-in-class and adapted solution for [the] Indian Navy's P75(I) project, being fully in line with AatmaNirbhar Bharat principle,” said a spokesperson for Naval Group referring to India's drive to achieve self-reliance.
The spokesperson added, “However, some conditions in the RFP did not allow us to participate. Our focus and efforts are towards continuation of our collaboration with Indian industry in realising the vision of Government of India by supporting Indian Navy for other future developments and projects.”
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