Project 75

18 May 2023 Project 75

Project 75

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Project 75”. The topic “Project 75” has relevance in the Security section for the UPSC CSE exam.

Relevance of the topic “Project 75”

For Prelims:
What is Project 75?
What are the names of submarines under Project 75?

For Mains:
GS 3: Security
What is the significance of Project 75?
Way Forward

Why in the news?

The sixth submarine of Project 75, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class commenced her sea trials on 18 May 23.

What is Project 75?

“Project 75” refers to a series of submarine construction programs undertaken by the Indian Navy. These programs aim to enhance India’s naval capabilities by constructing advanced submarines domestically.

The Indian Navy’s Project 75 involves the construction of six diesel-electric submarines in collaboration with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). 

The objective is to acquire and develop advanced submarine technology and capabilities for the Indian Navy.

Under Project 75, the Indian Navy has pursued the following submarine programs:

1. Project 75: Scorpene-class submarines: This program is a collaboration between India’s Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and French shipbuilding company Naval Group. It involves building six Scorpène-class submarines in India, with technology transfer from France. These submarines are designed for various roles, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, mine laying, and intelligence gathering.
2. Project 75(I): Next-generation submarines: This program aims to build six advanced submarines with superior capabilities compared to the Scorpene class. The Indian Navy has initiated a competitive process to select an OEM for this project, with several global companies participating.

What are the names of submarines under Project 75?
Project 75 aimed to construct six conventional Scorpene-class attack submarines for the Indian Navy. The current status of the submarines is as follows:

1. INS Kalvari: The first submarine under Project 75, INS Kalvari, was delivered in 2015 and joined the service in December 2017.
2. INS Khanderi: The second submarine, INS Khanderi, was deployed in September 2019, just two years after the delivery of INS Kalvari.
3. INS Karanj: The third submarine, INS Karanj, was inducted into the Indian Navy’s fleet in March 2021.
4. INS Vela: The fourth submarine, INS Vela, joined the fleet in November 2021.
5. INS Vagir: The construction of the fifth submarine, INS Vagir, commenced in November 2020. It is expected to be commissioned by the latter quarter of 2022.
6. INS Vagsheer: The sixth submarine completed under the project is INS Vagsheer. It is a reincarnation of the original Vagsheer, which was withdrawn from service in April 1997. The vessel, named after a deadly deep-sea hunter in the Indian Ocean, was launched in April 2022

What is the significance of Project 75?
Project 75 holds significant importance for the Indian Navy and India as a whole due to the following reasons:

1. Indigenous Submarine Construction: One of the main objectives of Project 75 is to strengthen India’s indigenous submarine construction capabilities. By collaborating with foreign OEMs and leveraging technology transfer, the project aims to enhance domestic shipbuilding expertise and reduce India’s dependence on foreign imports for submarines. 
2. Naval Modernization: Project 75 plays a vital role in the modernization of the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet. The construction of advanced submarines with cutting-edge technologies and capabilities significantly enhances India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
3. Regional Security: India’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean region necessitates a robust naval presence to safeguard its maritime interests and maintain regional security.
4. Technological Advancements: Through collaboration with foreign OEMs and technology transfer, Project 75 facilitates the acquisition and assimilation of advanced submarine technologies.

Overall, Project 75 holds significant strategic, technological, and economic importance for India. It strengthens the country’s naval capabilities, promotes self-reliance in defense manufacturing, and enhances regional security in the Indian Ocean region.

Source:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1925363

Mohit Pratap Singh