Naval Group is the only foreign OEM that has setup a 100% Indian subsidiary solely for the purpose of Indigenisation. Through extensive transfer of technologies Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has mastered the complete chain of submarine construction and it is at par with other international shipyards manufacturing submarines.
Mr Laurent Videau, Country & Managing Director of Naval Group India spoke exclusively to Kamal Shah, Editorial Director.
Excerpts from the conversation
Q1: What are the plans of Naval Group for India?
The Indian Navy has an ambitious modernisation programme and Naval Group would like to support that vision by helping build modern platforms with unmatched stealth capabilities and cyber protection. Naval Group is interested in supporting the future Landing Platform Dock (LPD) and Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 2, which is at the design stage with Indian Navy and other future naval platforms with high-end military requirements and performances.
In addition to supporting the Indian Navy for the maintenance of the existing P75 submarines by engaging with stakeholders at Naval Dockyard to support them in ensuring most optimized service support for operational Kalvari class submarines. As well as proposing the latest simulators and tools for training, we are in discussion with Indian shipyards for future surface ship programs. The Group is committed to the Indian Navy and Indian Government for ‘Make in India’ approach of doing business – hence we see many opportunities in the future. Going forward, a joint proposal with Indian industry could be a value-added proposition for a possible export market.
Q2: With the commissioning of INS VELA, fourth submarine of Project 75, earlier this month, how is the progress and status of the remaining submarines under P75.
We are particularly pleased that the commissioning of the fourth submarine – INS Vela was done on 25 November 2021, only 8 months after the third one. Two submarines commissioned the same year is a milestone and a testimony to the successful absorption of the TOT by MDL. The last two are in the initial trial phase. We expect the sixth one to be delivered by the last quarter of 2023.
Q3: What are the major takeaways from P75 and your experience with it?
The P75 program has been a success story. Naval Group, under patronage of MDL and Indian Navy started the indigenisation process of major equipment of the submarines in 2009 by identifying over 500 companies and more than 100 were visited and audited. Based on such dedicated efforts, twenty-two were contracted under the indigenisation programme. Beyond these, twenty-one companies were also taken through the qualifying process for further indigenous manufacturing and services. We have a strong and sound industrial ecosystem of forty-three Indian companies, keeping in mind the future projects, which are not limited to submarines. This is an ongoing exercise, and the number of qualifying companies are on the increase.
Naval Group is the only foreign OEM that has setup a 100% Indian subsidiary solely for the purpose of Indigenisation. Through extensive transfer of technologies, we can proudly say that Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has today mastered the complete chain of submarine construction and it is at par with other international shipyards manufacturing submarines.
Q4: In the execution of P75, the Naval Group in India has developed submarine manufacturing and building ecosystems. What is the future of these MSMEs developed by Naval Group?
Naval Group India is working with a range of MSMEs under the P75 program. This has enabled equipment to be locally manufactured in the categories of Float (Hulls, Hatches, Ballast Valves), Move (Steering Consoles) and Fight (Weapon Handling). Naval Group in India has also been instrumental in cementing partnerships with French MSMEs to enter into tie-ups and joint ventures with Indian MSMEs to deliver locally manufactured equipment in India.
Naval Group is so satisfied with the quality standard adhered to, that they have taken a step further and outsourced procurement of certain equipment for the French Navy’s latest submarines under construction, from these Indian MSMEs. Of course, these MSMEs have invested to acquire the tools, infrastructure and TOT required to manufacture sophisticated equipment, some of them being very sensitive for the safety of the submarines. Such investment and expertise will need to be nurtured through regular orders if they are to be preserved.
Q5: What is the stand taken by Naval Group after the issuance of RFP for P75India under the strategic partnership model?
We were honored to have been shortlisted as the OEM through the EOI in 2019 and the ensuing result confirmed by the Indian government in early 2020. We remain available with our best-in-class proposal outfitting the Indian Navy’s requirement and benefiting Indian industry, should the shipyards consult us. Conventional and nuclear submarines of different sizes and tonnages will help us to become a strategic and long-term partner for the Indian submarine industry.
Q6: What kind of edge does the Naval Group provide the Indian Navy with, as compared to the other global submarine builders in the world?
Naval Group is the only western shipbuilder having a dual expertise in both nuclear and conventional submarines. The conventional submarines of Naval Group benefit from technologies specifically developed for nuclear submarines such as stealth and acoustic discretion. France having one of the very few blue water navies patrolling all over the globe 24/7, our vast experience helps us derive technologies and systems allowing longer missions compared to other conventional submarine manufacturers.
We are proud of our experience and heritage in submarine design and integration of strategic propulsion on-board French Navy’s best in class SSN and SSBNs. Providing a modern submarine fitted with AIP to the Indian Navy in future would be a natural extension of that valuable experience.
There remain many more interesting technical subjects to look forward to for this futuristic indigenous platform for the Indian Navy. We would be particularly interested in co-developed combat systems, local content by Indian industry, Lithium-Ion batteries etc. We work towards supporting the Indian shipyard industry to provide the navy with adapted battle-ready submarines to be operated for decades to come.
