The Indian Navy is going to conduct trials to test critical equipment for Project 75 India, for acquiring six advanced submarines by June’s end announced Spanish firm Navantia.
Speaking exclusively to ANI, the chairman of Spanish firm Ricardo Dominguez Garcia-Baquero revealed, that both Spanish government and navy are very enthusiastic for the progress of P75(I) project and will provide support in every way possible.
Responding to an email reply, he also said, ‘This includes expeditious export clearance, signing an umbrella agreement with Indian government etc., like in the case of the recent Airbus deal (for supplying C-295 transport aircraft) with an Indian Company (Tata).’
Talking about the current status of field trial held by Indian navy, the chairman of Navantia announced, that field evaluation tests of Air Independent Propulsion will be conducted by Indian Navy on the last week of June at their shiyard at Cartagena.
‘Our partner L&T and we are fully geared up for these trials and we look forward to showcasing our world class AIP technology to the Indian Navy ‘said Nevantia chairman.
Meanwhile, India is looking to buy six advanced conventional submarines with AIP technology, which will help them in staying underwater for longer period than the boats of earlier generations lacking this system.
Besides these submarines, the Spanish firm is also making an offer of S80 submarine design for Indian navy project. A submarine already inducted by spanish navy in 2023.
As per Navantia, S80 design fulfills all the technical requirements of P75(I) without design or scale up.
‘For example, the AIP designed for S80 produces more than 300 kW of power and, therefore, can be directly used for P75(I) without any redesign or scaling up. This would substantially mitigate major risks of the Indian Navy with respect to the P75(I) project.’
The chairman also claimed, that S80 comes with most modern features and contains latest technology such as third Generation BEST AIP (Bio-ethanol stealth Technology) and advanced sensor suite.
In addition, he also announced, that L&T and Navantia have come together to supply Lithium-ion battery technology for the project, and the company is full ready to transfer technology, as per the requirements mentioned in Request for Proposal and stipulated Indigenous Content.
Moreover, the company is in constant dialogue with Indian suppliers and have also provided technical specifications for different equipment and systems to determine their technical competence.
Later praising their partner Larson & Toubro, the head of Navantia said, ‘Our partner L&T is well known as a champion of indigenisation having led the indigenisation efforts across the defence sector over the past three decades.’
And also added, they are confident that Navantia and L&T working together will easily fulfill the requirements for indigenous content.