In a major boost to India’s maritime security and indigenous defence manufacturing ambitions, the Central government has moved closer to approving the ₹70,000-crore Project-75I programme for the construction of six next-generation conventional submarines for the Indian Navy.
According to reports, the Union Finance Ministry has cleared the proposal, paving the way for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The submarines will be built in Mumbai by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in partnership with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) under a major technology-transfer arrangement aimed at strengthening India’s self-reliance in submarine construction.
Advanced Submarines with AIP Capability
The six submarines, expected to be based on the German HDW Class-214 design, will be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, enabling them to remain submerged for significantly longer durations while reducing the risk of detection.
Under the proposed timeline, the first submarine is expected to be delivered seven years after the contract is signed, with the remaining vessels inducted at the rate of one submarine per year.
Officials said the project mandates a minimum indigenous content of 45 percent in the first submarine, increasing to 60 percent by the sixth vessel, aligning with India’s broader defence indigenisation goals.
Major Boost to Underwater Warfare Capability
Project-75I is considered one of the most significant naval modernisation programmes undertaken by India and is expected to substantially enhance the Navy’s underwater combat capabilities amid growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region.
The project assumes added importance as India seeks to strengthen deterrence against increasing naval activity by China in the Indian Ocean while maintaining a technological edge in the region.
Growing India-Germany Defence Partnership
The submarine deal also reflects deepening defence cooperation between India and Germany. In April 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed a defence industrial cooperation roadmap in Berlin aimed at promoting joint development, co-production and technology collaboration.
Building on India’s Submarine Programme
MDL has already successfully delivered six Kalvari-class submarine submarines under Project-75 in collaboration with France’s Naval Group. The last submarine of the class, INS Vaghsheer, was commissioned into service in January 2025.
The new Project-75I submarines will complement India’s growing undersea fleet, which also includes indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines such as INS Arihant, INS Arighaat and the recently commissioned INS Aridaman.
Defence officials believe the Project-75I programme will significantly strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to conduct stealth operations, sea denial missions, intelligence gathering and strategic deterrence, while advancing India’s long-term vision of becoming self-reliant in advanced naval platforms by 2047.
