India’s proposed ₹80,000-crore submarine acquisition programme has moved closer to a key milestone, with the long-awaited deal reportedly nearing approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), paving the way for one of the country’s largest indigenous naval construction projects.
Key Takeaways
- India’s proposed ₹80,000-crore Project-75(I) submarine programme is nearing CCS approval.
- Six advanced conventional submarines are planned to be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. in partnership with Germany’s TKMS.
- The project aims to strengthen the Indian Navy’s underwater combat capabilities.
- Construction will largely take place in India under the domestic defence manufacturing framework.
- Final contract signing is expected after approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The programme involves the construction of six advanced conventional submarines in India through Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) under the Indian Navy’s Project-75(I) initiative.
The CCS, the government’s highest decision-making body on national security matters, is expected to consider the proposal before the contract is formally awarded.
The submarine programme is aimed at significantly strengthening the Indian Navy’s underwater warfare capabilities through the induction of next-generation diesel-electric submarines equipped with advanced technologies. The project is expected to be executed under the government’s emphasis on domestic defence manufacturing, with the majority of construction taking place at MDL’s Mumbai shipyard alongside technology collaboration with the German defence company.
Project-75(I) has been under discussion for several years and is considered one of India’s most significant defence procurement programmes. The new submarines are expected to feature modern combat management systems, enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced sensors and long-endurance operational capabilities designed for missions across the Indian Ocean Region.
The programme also seeks to strengthen India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem by promoting technology transfer, expanding local manufacturing capacity and increasing the participation of domestic defence industries.
Officials have not announced a timeline for the CCS decision, but reports indicate that the proposal has reached the final stages of the government approval process.
Once approved, the project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities across India’s defence manufacturing sector while supporting long-term capability development for domestic naval shipbuilding.
The acquisition forms part of the Indian Navy’s broader force modernisation programme aimed at enhancing maritime security, protecting strategic sea lanes and maintaining operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor the participating companies have officially announced the signing date of the contract. Additional details regarding delivery schedules, construction timelines and project implementation are expected after the CCS grants formal approval.
If cleared, the programme will represent one of the largest defence manufacturing partnerships between India and Germany and a major milestone in India’s efforts to modernise its submarine fleet through indigenous production.
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