Following a delay in the 75 India project, the central government in New Delhi has now authorised negotiations on the construction of submarines in cooperation with Germany.

The Indo-German submarine deal is worth around €7 billion and includes six modern submarines based on the Class 214 (72 metres long), which will be built in India. According to the Times of India, Spanish competitor Navantia with its S-80 design was the last bidder to be eliminated.

Negotiations are being conducted between the Indian state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, with the contract expected to be finalised within six months. The conventional fighter submarines are equipped with the air-independent propulsion system (AIP), which enables multi-week submerged cruises; a significant performance enhancement and reinforcement for the Indian Navy.

With Project 75 (I), the government wants to accelerate submarine production and ensure the operational readiness of the navy in the Indian Ocean, as the project is not only aimed at expanding the submarine fleet, but also at strengthening domestic capabilities in the design and manufacture of conventional submarines.

This move comes at a time when India is facing the twin challenges of modernising its fleet and countering the rapid expansion of China and Pakistan's navies.

kdk, The Times of India, THB