The ₹70,000 crore P75(I) submarine project by India’s Ministry of Defence, aimed at enhancing the Indian Navy’s underwater capabilities, has entered a pivotal evaluation phase. Sources indicate that the bid from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany is the only one that meets the project’s eligibility criteria.
The bid submitted by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Spain’s Navantia did not qualify according to the project’s specifications. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, is expected to make a decision soon regarding the selection of the winning bidder.
The P75(I) project forms part of India’s broader defense strategy to build six advanced submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, bolstering the Navy’s operational strength in the Indo-Pacific region. While the final decision is yet to be made, this evaluation process is a critical step in advancing the ambitious program, which is essential to India’s national security and strategic objectives.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, often referred to as the “Shipbuilder to the Nation,” is a premier public sector defense shipyard in India. Based in Mumbai, MDL specializes in constructing warships, submarines, and other vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
The company is renowned for its advanced engineering capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities, which have enabled it to build complex and technologically sophisticated platforms like stealth frigates and Scorpene-class submarines. Mazagon Dock is instrumental in strengthening India’s maritime defense capabilities, aligning with the nation’s goal of achieving self-reliance in defense production through the “Make in India” initiative.
