Six modern submarines will be built under Project-75(I) in an India-Germany partnership. The Defense Ministry wants to complete the contract in 6 months. This will increase naval power and indigenous capability.

To increase the strength of the Indian Navy, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has started negotiations on the submarine project-P75 (I). This negotiation was possible after the approval of the Central Government on August 23, when the Ministry of Defense and MDL were allowed to start negotiations on the construction of six modern submarines in collaboration with Germany under the Rs 70,000 crore 'Project 75 India' scheme.

The ministry opened MDL's bid for this project on January 16, 2025. After the completion of this project, India's strategic position in the Indian Ocean region will be further strengthened. State-owned Mazagon Dockyard Limited, along with its technical partner German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), has emerged as the main contender in this multi-billion dollar submarine deal. The Defense Ministry had selected the proposal of MDL and TKMS in January itself, under which six submarines will be equipped with modern technology like the Air Independent Propulsion System.

What did the CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems say?

In an interview with the Economic Times, the CEO of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) said that the company has been selected as the technical partner of Indian companies for the Project-75 (I) submarine project. According to him, this partnership will create an ecosystem that will make India competitive in the global market in the coming years.

This is the goal of the Defense Ministry and the Indian Navy

The Defence Ministry and the Indian Navy aim to complete the contract negotiations and obtain final approval in the next six months. Along with this, India is also moving towards the construction of two nuclear attack submarines, in which Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Submarine Construction Center will play an important role.

Experts believe that this initiative is a big leap for India towards naval modernization, Made in India program and developing indigenous technical capability. For Germany, it is a symbol of cooperation in Asia's largest conventional submarine program. After the recent high-level dialogue, TKMS, MDL and Indian representatives resolved to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defense sector and take India's naval industry to new heights. TKMS aims to transfer key knowledge related to submarine design to India, while MDL acquires these technologies and acquires the capability to develop indigenous submarines in the future.

Project-75(I): What is special?

• This is a major military acquisition project of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Under this, diesel-electric attack submarines will be purchased for the Indian Navy.
• These submarines will be equipped with fuel cells and Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP).
• The aim of the project is not only to enhance India's naval power but also to develop indigenous submarine building capability.
• This project is a sequel to Project-75, in which the design and technology will be further improved.