 "Anil Ambani's Pipavav Defence inks pact with Russia's Zvyozdochka to refit submarines")
Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering Co Ltd (PDOC), now a part of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADA), has signed an agreement with JSC Ship Repairing Centre Zvyozdochka, Russia, for medium refits and life certification of 877 EKM submarines in India. The Zvyozdochka team had conducted a survey of all shipyards in India, both in the public and private sector, before selecting PDOC as its partner for the new venture.
“The 'Make in India' and 'Skill Development' programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, form the basis of cooperation protocol between PDOC and Zvyozdochka. PDOC proposes to execute the program under a joint venture, with 51 percent stake, consistent with Ministry of Defence (MoD) regulations,” said Pipavav Defence in a press release.
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This will also mark the first time the work for refit of submarines is being considered for the private sector in India. The indicative value of work proposed to be undertaken by the proposed JV is approximately Rs 11,000 crore.
“The skills and experience developed by the JV will position PDOC favourably for undertaking similar work for large submarine forces of similar class deployed by countries like Algeria, Vietnam and Iran, with potential additional revenues of approximately Rs 20,000 crore,” added PDOC.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zvyozdochka will provide complete technical assistance and support to the JV, including inter alia for enhancement of infrastructure at the Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering facilities, training of engineers, etc. PDOC technicians will also be closely associated with the first refit to be carried out in Russia.
“Refit and modernisation of submarines is an ongoing need for our Blue Water Navy. PDOC and Zvyozdochka are deeply committed to playing an enabling role towards enhancing Naval preparedness, which is vital for our national security,” said a PDOC official.
A refit in India has several advantages, of which the most important are savings on transportation costs to Russia and back, and the enhanced operational availability of the submarines for thousands of additional hours, by avoiding the downtime in transporting them to Russian and back.
Zvyozdochka, founded in 1954, is the premier ship repairing centre in Russia. It undertakes repair and upgradation of warships and submarines of the Russian Navy. So far, it has undertaken upgradation/refurbishment of more than 120 submarines and 90 warships.
“The 'Make in India' and 'Skill Development' programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, form the basis of cooperation protocol between PDOC and Zvyozdochka. PDOC proposes to execute the program under a joint venture, with 51 percent stake, consistent with Ministry of Defence (MoD) regulations,” said Pipavav Defence in a press release.
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This will also mark the first time the work for refit of submarines is being considered for the private sector in India. The indicative value of work proposed to be undertaken by the proposed JV is approximately Rs 11,000 crore.
“The skills and experience developed by the JV will position PDOC favourably for undertaking similar work for large submarine forces of similar class deployed by countries like Algeria, Vietnam and Iran, with potential additional revenues of approximately Rs 20,000 crore,” added PDOC.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zvyozdochka will provide complete technical assistance and support to the JV, including inter alia for enhancement of infrastructure at the Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering facilities, training of engineers, etc. PDOC technicians will also be closely associated with the first refit to be carried out in Russia.
A refit in India has several advantages, of which the most important are savings on transportation costs to Russia and back, and the enhanced operational availability of the submarines for thousands of additional hours, by avoiding the downtime in transporting them to Russian and back.
Zvyozdochka, founded in 1954, is the premier ship repairing centre in Russia. It undertakes repair and upgradation of warships and submarines of the Russian Navy. So far, it has undertaken upgradation/refurbishment of more than 120 submarines and 90 warships.