Indigenous production of submarines delayed: Parrikar

Indigenous production of submarines for the Indian Navy has been delayed due to infrastructural constraints, problems relating to absorption of new technologies and import of warship-grade steel, Lok Sabha was informed today.
"The delay in construction of Project 75 submarines is attributed to teething problems in absorption of new technologues, delay in augmentation of industrial infrastructure at Mazagon Dockyard Limited and delay in procurement" of various items, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in reply to a written question on indigenous production of submarines.
He replied in the negative when asked whether any Indian- made submarine has been inducted so far.

Maintaining that the progress of Project 75 and other ongoing ship building projects was reviewed periodically, Parrikar said major reasons for delay included infrastructure constraints at shipyards, difficulties in import of warship- grade steel, delay in indigenous development of such steel and absorption of new technologies.
These reasons were attributed to cost escalation in different projects, the Minister said.
He said the shipyards have undertaken augmentation of manpower, infrastructure and industrial means in a phased manner to meet the production targets. They have also augmented production capabilities, Parrikar added.