Russia has confirmed that it will not participate in the tender for India’s Project 75I due to technical reasons. They have confirmed that the Indian government has been communicated their decision, as per a report by the Economic Times (ET).
“The Russian side has previously confirmed its interest in participation in this programme and suggested a platform based on the design of Project 677E submarine Amur-1650. However, after receiving and studying the RFP finalising terms and conditions of the tender, the Russian side has decided not to participate in the tender for technical reasons,” the ET report quoted a Rosoboronexport spokesperson as saying.
The Russian side has, however, offered to export its Kilo-class conventional submarines. “To reinforce the Indian submarine fleet, the Russian side has offered both supply of new diesel-electric submarines of time-tested Project 636, and supply of Project 877 submarines after their withdrawal from service with the Russian Navy and upgrade,” the spokesperson told ET.
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Project 75I is a planned class of 6 diesel-electric submarines at the cost of ₹43,000 crore. In July 2021, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued by the government of India for the manufacturing of the submarines under a “strategic partnership” model. Larsen & Tourbo (L&T) and Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) were two Indian finalists shortlisted by the government for the project. For the selection for the foreign vendor, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) (Germany), Navantia of Spain, Naval Group of France, and Daewoo Shipping & Marine Engineering (DSME) (South Korea) and Russia’s Rubin Design Bureau were originally listed as contenders. However, the project has been hit by delays, including Indian and foreign companies asking for extended time to finalise their proposals.
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Contenders from Germany and South Korea have raised technical concerns related to liability clauses, transfer of technology (over Air Independent Propulsion system) and budgetary allocations with the government, the ET report further says. TKMS reportedly withdrew from the race last year.
