Defence Ministry amends and gives green signal to USD 7 billion submarine tender
The submarine tender for six new submarines named Project 75 India is being processed under the Strategic Partnership policy as per which the boats would be constructed jointly by a foreign vendor in tie up with an Indian firm.
Total Views |
New Delhi, Aug 8: Taking forward the USD 7 billion deal for the submarine project of the Indian Navy, that includes building six new submarines, the Defence Ministry has given its approval for amendments in the ongoing tender that would allow the project to move forward. As per sources, the Defence Ministry had received a proposal for the removal of the clause for "joint and severe liability" from the tender.
Along with the approvals taken in terms and conditions for the programme, the Indian Navy has given a commitment to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) that the next line of submarines would be designed in India and would be cleared for exports too. The approvals for amendments to the ongoing tender were given in a high-level defence ministry meeting held recently. These would allow the tender to move forward for indigenous submarine construction.
The qualitative requirements of the programme have not been changed and would continue to remain so in future. The Defence Ministry had also taken proper and detailed legal advice before finalizing the changes to the tender. As per the defence acquisition procedure in India, for any changes to be made in the ongoing tenders, approval has to be taken from the Defence Ministry only. The tender for six new submarines named Project 75 India is being processed under the Strategic Partnership policy as per which the boats would be constructed jointly by a foreign vendor in tie up with an Indian firm.
The foreign partner would be known as the collaborator or supporter while the Indian partner would be known as the strategic partner. As per the proposal considered by the Defence Ministry, the Strategic Partner would be held responsible for its work share whereas earlier this responsibility was also to be taken by the foreign partner. The foreign partner would now be responsible and liable only for its share of work in the project. There is also a plan for signing a government-to-government contract with the country of the foreign partner selected as the lowest bidder in the programme.
The Navy under Project-75 India had planned to involve vendors from France, Russia, Germany, Spain and South Korea to be involved along with Indian shipyards Larsen and Toubro and government-owned Mazagon Dockyards Limited.