France’s Naval Group pulls out of India’s P-75I submarine project ahead of PM Modi’s visit
The Hindu
RFPs were issued to two shortlisted Indian companies in June last year
French company Naval Group on Tuesday said it is unable to participate in India's P-75I project, under which six conventional submarines are to be domestically built for the Indian Navy, due to conditions mentioned in the request for proposal (RFP) related to air independent propulsion (AIP) system.
Naval Group's announcement comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Paris where he is scheduled meet recently re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. AIP system allows a conventional submarine to stay submerged in water at higher speeds for a longer period of time.
In June last year, the Defence Ministry had cleared the P-75I project and subsequently, RFPs were issued to two shortlisted Indian companies – private company Larsen and Toubro and State-run Mazagaon Docks Limited.
The two Indian companies [called strategic partners] have to tie up with one of the five shortlisted foreign companies – ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France), Daewoo (South Korea) and Rosoboronexport (Russia) – and then respond to the RFP, according to the Defence Ministry.
The ₹43,000 crore-contract will be awarded by the Defence Ministry following a detailed evaluation of the responses sent by the two strategic partners.
In a statement on Tuesday, Laurent Videau, Country and Managing Director, Naval Group India, said, "Due to certain conditions in the RFP, the two strategic partners could not forward the request to us and few other FOEMs (foreign original equipment manufacturers) and thus we have not been able to place an official bid for the project."
Naval Group has always been ready to offer the best in class and adapted solution for Indian Navy's P-75I project, being fully in line with Aatma Nirbhar Bharat principle, he said.
EAM Jaishankar highlights India-Russia ties as among the steadiest globally, emphasising economic engagement and strategic autonomy.
EAM Jaishankar highlights India-Russia ties as among the steadiest globally, emphasising economic engagement and strategic autonomy.
Qatar's Prime Minister highlights the Gaza ceasefire's critical phase, urging international cooperation for lasting peace and stability in the region.
Sudanese paramilitary drone strike kills 50, including 33 children, in Kordofan, escalating violence amid ongoing conflict.
A mass shooting at a Pretoria hostel leaves 11 dead, including a child, highlighting South Africa's escalating gun violence crisis.
Russia launches a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine amid ongoing diplomatic talks to resolve the four-year conflict.
Israeli defence firm IWI plans to supply 40,000 LMGs to India next year, enhancing local production and collaboration.
Pakistan's Punjab Province foils a major terror plot, arresting 24 terrorists and seizing explosives during extensive operations.
Iranian authorities file a criminal case against marathon organizers for allowing women to compete without hijabs, amid rising enforcement calls.
Indian student Sahaja Reddy Udumala dies from severe injuries in a house fire while pursuing her Master’s in Albany, NY.
U.K. sanctions British Sikh businessman Gurpreet Singh Rehal for alleged ties to pro-Khalistan terrorism, freezing his assets and disqualifying him as a director.
New York woman Stacey Taylor charged with smuggling Indian nationals into the U.S. faces severe legal consequences.
Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of Trump's birthright citizenship order impacting children of undocumented immigrants.