In recent days, the Indian Navy has made frequent moves. After the first domestic aircraft carrier trial, according to a recent public international tender by the Indian Navy, the Indian Navy intends to purchase a new type of P-75I conventional power submarine from around the world, and its purpose is clear, that is, to fully encircle the Chinese Navy.
According to Indian media reports, there are already four countries involved in India's bid for large-sea conventional power submarines, according to Indian media analysis, this P75I project will be used as a "pilot project" of India's future conventional power submarine renewal plan, mainly used to replace 6 Russian-made Kilo-class submarines that have lagged behind.
Indian media believe that among the options participating in the bidding are the Amur-class AIP-powered submarines from Russia, the DSME-3000 submarines from South Korea, the S80 advanced submarines in Spain, and the conventional power scheme of the French Barracuda-class submarines. At present, manufacturers in these countries have submitted design books and proposal descriptions to the relevant departments of the Indian Navy.
India plans to build these submarines in India, which means that India will require that the solutions of these countries must be transferred, but the lucrative profits of the contract will ensure that the successful bidders are willing to pass on the "core technology" to India for this purpose. According to outside analysts, the total contract amount of this submarine technology transaction will be as high as 20 billion US dollars.
Some analysts believe that the conventional power scheme of the French "Barracuda" class submarine in this bidding is most in line with the requirements of the Indian Navy, but the price is also the most expensive. Prior to this, India has signed a contract with France to jointly build 6 "Scorpio" class improved submarines, and in terms of user habits, French submarines are the most in line with India's requirements.
It should be noted that the conventional power scheme of the French "Barracuda" class submarine is also a bid for the Australian submarine project, and the model that won the initial bid was obtained. With an underwater displacement of up to 5,200 tons, the boat is currently one of the largest conventionally powered combat boats in the world. It has a strong maritime maneuverability capability, and due to its new AIP power, it is equivalent to a "small nuclear submarine".
Analysts point out that in recent years, India has multiple equipment advantages over the Pakistan Navy. In terms of submarine equipment, India feels that its technology and quantity can completely crush Pakistan, but with the introduction of 8 S-20 "Kirin" class AIP-powered submarines from China, India's natural anxiety prompted the Indian Navy to speed up the equipment update.
At the same time, India also wants to establish an underwater force in the Indian Ocean that can be used to intimidate the Chinese navy and merchant fleet at any time. India believes that 50% of China's maritime trade and 70% of its energy imports pass through the Indian Ocean, and India has no competitive advantage over China near the Himalayas, but in the Indian Ocean, India suddenly feels that "it can".
The Indian Navy hopes that the new submarines will help the Indian Navy conduct long-term combat readiness cruises in the vast waters from the Strait of Malacca in the east to the Persian Gulf in the west, maintaining "maritime superiority" over China.
So on the issue of submarines, India has done everything in its power. Not only did they build their own domestically produced "annihilator" nuclear submarines, but also leased nuclear submarines from Russia for comparative research. At the same time, the Indian Navy has forced other countries to agree to the transfer of technology to India in their submarine tenders, in order to improve their submarine self-control capabilities, which is really painstaking.