Project 75I-class submarine

The Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarine for the Indian navy. Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire 6 diesel-electric submarines, which will also feature advanced Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range. In October 2014, the project got clearance from Defence Acquisition Council. All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.

History
In October 2008, the Indian Navy issued a Request for Information (RFI) to a number of foreign shipyards and design firms for construction of a class of advanced diesel-electric submarines. The RFIs were sent to Rosoboronexport, Armaris and HDW, among others. Originally the navy intended to purchase two submarines directly from the foreign vendor, with four licence-built at chosen locaI Indian shipyards in order to save time. Acceptance of Necessity was accorded to the project by the Defence Acquisition Council in August 2011. In December 2014, the new NDA government fast-tracked the bidding process for Project 75I due to mounting concerns over increasing People's Liberation Army Navy activities in the Indian Ocean region. and diminishing submarine strength of the Indian navy. Later it was decided to construct all six submarines in Indian shipyards in accordance with the Make in India initiative of the government.

Design
The Project 75I-class submarines will have a vertical launch system(VLS) to enable them to carry multiple Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, making the submarines fully capable of anti-surface and anti-ship warfare missions. Project 75i submarines will also be armed with torpedoes and will feature advanced stealth capabilities such as a greater ability to suppress noise and acoustic signatures. Submarines will also be outfitted with Air-independent propulsion (AIP) fuel cells which can significantly increase submerged endurance and operational range.

Progress
After years of delays, in October 2014, Project 75l was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council. inr 530000000000 was allocated for the acquisition of 6 advanced attack submarines. During the bidding process, a high-level committee was set up by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to inspect and assess the capabilities of different local shipyards to undertake the building of six submarines. The committee shortlisted 5 shipyards which include Hindustan Shipyard, Mazagon Dock, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Larsen & Toubro and Pipavav Shipyard. These shipyards are expected to be submitting their bids in partnership with an international shipyard and the Indian navy will choose a design and shipyard which meets its specifications.