sancho
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I think the S-80 "Super Scorpene" should be selected which has NAVANTIA as prime contractor
and DCNS as prime subcontractor - we should look to fit these SSKs with BrahMos Block-I ASCM (290km)
and Block-III LACM (550km) (for land-attack capability) and the AIP propulsion too
I hope not beacause of the Sangupta article.
Personally I don't see why the S80 should be selected. I didn't find any info that it could add VLS for Brahmos and since the design is similar to Scorpene, the chances are low as well.
Although it has some commonality to Scorpene, most of the systems will be completely new, that results into less ease of production, training and increased logistical costs (instead of simply ordering Scorpenes with AIP).
The AIP propulsion comes from Spain and is unproven, just like the whole sub, since there is not even a single one operational yet. The financial problems of Spain might even delay the production and induction. All this are disadvantages, especially when the aim is production in India under ToT. The longer they take to produce the subs, the longer they will need to divert ToT to us, which makes delays likely again.
Then there is the issue that the sub is mainly a mix of design and systems bought from other countries, similar to Gripen in MMRCA. Designed in France, with systems from the US and Spain, diesel engines from Germany..., all this makes diverting critical ToT to India more difficult and the more parties are involved, the more chances for production delays again.
With all this in mind, why should we opt for a varient of Scorpene, we we already produce the original and could easily get the larger one with AIP propulsion?
Compared to the other offers I don't see a major advantage by procuring them either. The Germans offer the most proven AIP system, advanced sensors and weapons, the Russians Brahmos, customisation and low procurement costs as always.
IMO We should let the foreign OEM build 2 subs, remaining 4 should be divided between a private shipyard
(L&T, for instance) and a public-sector one (MDL) constructing 2 subs each. The technology and work
expierience with these subs should be put into practice to design & build India's own AIP-powered SSK
with DRDO-developed AIP module, and induct atleast 10-16 such subs to supplement P-75 & P-75I.
I don't give much hope to DRDO developing an AIP propulsion anytime soon, especially since you first needs the primary propulsion of the subs, which is diesel-electric!
Secondly, with long term industrial advantages in mind, I think we should use this chance and team up with DCNS or HDW to jointly develop a sub for IN, that also could be offered for the export market. With the current financial situation in Europe, neither French, nor German government will fund new sub developments anytime soon, that's where India can jump in as an industrial partner and get large parts of the exportproduction too. French navy don't use Diesel-Electric subs at all, which makes India as the perfect partner for DCNS as well.
We should not be so shortsighted because we want everything developed and produced in India, but see the current advantages on a global level. India can not only be the low cost production hub for the west, but a credible industrial partner in joint developments too, we MUST make use of their weakness today!
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