Insta
Indian Navy Looks For Global Partner To Indigenously Build 12 Mine Countermeasure Vessels As Part Of $5 Billion Project
Swarajya Staff
Apr 10, 2019, 01:45 PM | Updated 01:44 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The Indian Navy has begun a renewed search for a global partner to help build 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) at the state-owned Goa Shipyard in western India, reports Sputnik International. MCMVs are a crucial capability for any navy as they help detect and destroy mines laid by the enemy forces to choke a country’s harbours and spread panic.
The search for a global partner comes in the wake of the aggressive and increasing deployment of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean. The stealth attributes of these submarines can lay offensive minefields in Indian waters.
The Chinese Navy has more than 100 MCMVs while the Indian Navy is still on a lookout to add at least 24 of such anti-mine vessels at the cost of $5 billion.
The global request of information which has been issued by the Indian Navy reads "Prospective collaborators need to have proven capability for design and construction of similar GRP Hull MCMVs for transferring the Design and build technology to the production agency. The design offered by the prospective collaborator needs to be based on a proven design of MCMV in active service.”
This is the third such attempt in the last 14 years to indigenously develop minesweepers with a single skin and non-stiffened hull in collaboration and transfer of technology with strategic global partners.
Previously, in 2018, the Indian Government sent out an Expression of Interest (EoI) to Germany's ThyssenKrupp, Russian Shipyards, South Korea's Kangnam Corporation, Italy's Intermarine and Spain's Navantia.
Following the EoI the Indian Government and the state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) tried to partner with South Korean to acquire and build 12 MCMVs. However, the deal fell apart as the parties were unable to reach an understanding with differences on Transfer of Technology (ToT) and costs.
The agreement, if successful, would have been the first major such defence hardware deal between the two countries.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.