17 Warships, 9 Submarines Await Approval

₹240K crore projects in the pipeline to bolster Navy's capability, next-generation frigates to be built indigenously

- MAYANK SINGH @ New Delhi

APPROXIMATELY 17 warships and nine submarines of the Indian Navy are currently undergoing various stages of approval, according to sources on Sunday. This is in addition to the existing fleet of 61 warships and submarines, which are at various stages of construction. The newly approved vessels are slated for domestic construction.

According to the sources, "Request for Proposal of the ₹70,000 cr project 17B, for construction of seven Next Generation Frigates, along with the project to construct two Multi Purpose Vessels" is likely to be out soon.

"Project 75-India (I) and Project 75 (add-ons) are under advanced stages of the Cost Negotiation being done by the Committee (Cost Negotiation Committee-CNC)," added the source.

Project 75-I is for the construction of six modern submarines, with an estimated cost of ₹70,000 crore. Project 75 (add-ons) is for the construction of three Scorpene-class submarines, costing approximately ₹36,000 crore.