The Indian government has authorised the Defence Ministry and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to open formal negotiations with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the construction of six advanced submarines under Project 75 India (P-75I). The decision revives the programme after it was held up for more than six months.
According to a report by ANI, discussions are expected to begin before the end of August, with a six-month window targeted for completing negotiations. Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the clearance reflects the Centre’s intent to push ahead with one of the Navy’s most critical modernisation efforts.
Background: From Delays to Strategic Partnership
Project 75I was originally conceived in the late 1990s as part of a 30-year plan to build a modern submarine fleet for the Indian Navy. Under this framework, six submarines were to be constructed in India with technology support from an international partner.
In January 2025, MDL was chosen as the Strategic Partner for the programme, positioning it to work closely with TKMS, which emerged as the preferred Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The collaboration follows the Strategic Partnership Model, which is intended to deepen technology transfer and expand India’s industrial capacity in high-end defence platforms.
Project 75I: Enhancing Submarine Capability
The ₹70,000-crore project is designed to deliver:
- Six conventionally powered submarines, built in India with German support
- Integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, allowing vessels to remain submerged for nearly three weeks
- Transfer of technology to strengthen India’s domestic submarine design and construction ecosystem
Defence officials have underlined that the plan is not limited to acquisition alone. Instead, the objective is to build long-term expertise. As one source explained, the government’s priority is to lay the foundation for indigenous submarine design and manufacturing capability that can sustain future naval requirements.
Parallel Efforts: The Nuclear Submarine Push
Alongside the conventional submarine project, India is also pressing ahead with its nuclear submarine ambitions. Private sector major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is expected to play a key role in partnership with the Navy’s Submarine Building Centre to develop two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs).
Next Steps
Negotiations with TKMS are expected to conclude within six months, after which the proposal will move for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). If timelines are maintained, a contract could be signed by early 2026 — formally launching one of India’s most significant defence procurement programmes in recent years.
For India, Project 75I is more than a fleet expansion — it underscores a milestone in Indo–German cooperation and represents a critical stride toward self-reliance in advanced defence manufacturing.
