Defence Minister Rajnath Singh began a three-day visit to Germany on April 21 to advance the ₹90,000 crore Project-75I submarine contract.
The deal involves building six advanced conventional submarines in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in collaboration with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The contract includes full transfer of design and technology, making it one of India’s largest defence procurements. The submarines will feature air-independent propulsion systems, enabling longer underwater endurance and enhanced stealth. They are expected to modernise India’s ageing fleet and strengthen naval readiness in the Indian Ocean region.
The submarines, based on HDW Class 214 variants, will bolster India’s maritime security amid growing regional competition. The first delivery is anticipated seven years after contract signing. Singh’s visit highlights India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Make-in-India initiative while deepening Indo-German strategic ties.
Beyond submarines, Singh’s talks with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will cover cyber security, artificial intelligence, drone technologies, and UN peacekeeping training. A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap is expected to be signed, expanding joint development and co-production opportunities.
If concluded, the submarine deal could give India a decisive edge in undersea warfare and strengthen its defence industrial base. Delays or disagreements over cost, technology transfer, or local content could slow progress, but broader agreements may sustain Indo-German collaboration in emerging defence domains.
