Cost factor and other performance reqs. being almost equal will be the deciding factor. The performance key will be AIP/silencing. What weapons the boats will carry another key factor.The IN appear to want the boat to be the "poor man's N-sub" despite possessing N-boats! This will push up the price significantly.I feel that we should trim our PMNS reqs. somewhat since we already operate and plan to build more N-boats.The P-75Is should be very capable HUK boats,able to prosecute both AIP conv. subs as well as N-boats,armed with a variety/options of anti-sub weaponry (ASW Klub,long-endurance and WG ASW torpedoes,Shkval rocket torpedoes and other Klub/BMos-L tube-launched variants),depending upon the mission. In an exercise some months ago,an IN Kilo reportedly got the better of a USN LA class N-sub.That speaks for itself.We need around 18-24 + conv. AIP boats in the inventory and around 18 N-subs (6 SSBNs,6-8 SSNs and 4+ SSGNs).The Chinese will have 80+ and the Pakis 12+ post 2020.The IN will need to sanitise the IOR and have permanent sub patrols in the ICS to counter any Chin mischief. The no. of Chinese bases in the IOR planned and existing is only increasing. Therefor numbers of subs is critical,why the P-75I must also come in at reasonable cost.
The foll. report on Qs being asked about the OZ mega-sub acquisition from DCNS is worth reading esp. for the In that it does ntot suffer similar pitfalls.
The Qs mainly about the proposed "pump-jet" tech for non-N boats.years ago the Sovs. also tried a pump-jet syetm on a Kilo sub but it was never replicated.
Questions surround Australia's new submarine fleet's ultra-stealth propulsion technologyhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-19/n ... ed/9058858Xcpt:
Experiments 'went nowhere'
Defence analyst Andrew Davies of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said pump jets were designed to be used in nuclear submarines, not the conventionally powered boats Australia would use.
Explained: Australia's submarine requirements
With the winning bidder for Australia's next fleet of submarines announced, attention turns to how DCNS will meet Australia's high endurance requirements.
"There is a real question about how you marry a pump-jet with a conventional submarine," he told AM.
"The couple of experiments over the years that countries have done where they tried to put a pump jet on conventional submarines went nowhere."
"It's tempting to think this was example of an engineer thinking in public," he said of Mr Billig's comments.
