A joint venture between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) is the only remaining bidder for a 5 billion dollar project to supply six modern submarines for the Indian Navy. The Spanish company Navantia was unable to fulfil the requirements in field trials. This was reported by Reuters on 23 January 2025.
The project is intended to strengthen India's naval capacities - in view of China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean and the maritime ambitions of its neighbour Pakistan. The decisive requirement was an air-independent propulsion technology (AIP) that would enable two-week underwater operations.
Type U-214 (Portuguese export variant) during test drives. Photo: tkMS
thyssenkrupp offers the Type-214IN, while Navantia proposed the S-80+ without an operational AIP. For tkMS, a continuation of the partnership with MDL, which dates back to the 1980s, could be on the cards.
When asked, the Kiel shipyard confirmed that the joint bid for the P75(I) project has been found compliant by the Indian Ministry of Defence and has been approved for further processing, according to the Indian partner MDL.
Strong competition
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visiting the IPD24 in Goa/India. Photo: Bw/L.Rodewald
Seoul and Paris were also interested in the submarine deal, which is estimated to be worth almost five billion euros. The Scorpène submarine contracts signed with Paris in 2005 and the Rafale aircraft contracts signed in 2016 have made India the leading buyer of French defence products in Asia and the second largest in the world in the period 2012-2021. In October 2023, ongoing negotiations between India and France continued for the purchase of 26 new Rafale aircraft for the Navy and three new Scorpène submarines. The Elysée usually provides long-term support for such projects: Presidential support is part of the Gallic self-image, and not just because of the high level of state involvement in defence companies. This is a behaviour that is particularly popular in countries such as India or elsewhere in the so-called Global South - and is underestimated in Berlin. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to India in October 2024 with a detour to the IPD24 association in India was obviously well received.
India currently operates 17 diesel-powered submarines and two nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. The fleet consists of Soviet, Russian, French and German models, some of which were produced in India.
hum
English 
German
0 Kommentare