India to buy six German submarines in Rs 75,000 crore deal

India is set to sign a nearly $9 billion (about Rs 75,000 crore) deal with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for six diesel-electric submarines in the coming weeks. The submarines will be built at Mazgaon Dock in Mumbai under a technology transfer agreement, making this India’s largest weapons deal ever. Aaj Tak reports that the Project 75I deal, in the pipeline for over 20 years, will see TKMS beat rivals from Russia, South Korea, France and Spain on price and tech transfer.

The TKMS Type-214 design will feature hydrogen fuel cell-based Air Independent Propulsion, nearly doubling underwater endurance. The submarines will carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and land-attack cruise missiles. Delivery of the first boat is expected by the early 2030s. The deal includes an option for three more submarines and is part of Germany’s strategy to reduce India’s dependence on Russian arms.

Aaj Tak notes concerns about India’s ageing conventional submarine fleet, with most SSK boats over 25 years old. The article suggests India should buy a stake in TKMS through a defence PSU to gain influence, as any future German government could restrict spares or sell submarines to Pakistan or Turkey. The deal could also enable trilateral cooperation with Israel, which operates TKMS-built Dolphin-class submarines.