India Germany submarine deal: India is planning to cancel its Rs 36,000 crore deal with France for three more Scorpene submarines and may instead go with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build six advanced submarines. According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), the German proposal, worth around Rs 70,000 crore, is part of the Navy’s new Project 75I. This project aims to strengthen India’s underwater power and modernize its naval fleet.
India Germany Submarine Deal
Top government sources told TOI that the French deal “is not being pursued now, though the final decision to scrap it has not yet been taken in black and white.” The French plan was meant to add three more Scorpene submarines to the six already built under Project 75, signed in 2005 for Rs 23,000 crore.
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Even though cost discussions with France had ended last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Modi, has not approved it yet. Officials told TOI that the reason is Germany’s submarines are “a generation ahead” of the French ones. Another source explained, “Moreover, it would be difficult for MDL to handle two different complex submarine-building projects simultaneously.”
India’s Current Submarine Program
The six Scorpene submarines already made by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) include the first one, INS Kalvari, commissioned in December 2017 after several delays, and the sixth, INS Vagsheer, inducted in January this year. All six will soon get a new air-independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO. The AIP system allows submarines to stay underwater for about two weeks without surfacing, unlike traditional diesel-electric submarines that must come up every few days to recharge their batteries.
The new German submarines, which will also be built at MDL under Project 75I with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), will include AIP systems, land-attack cruise missiles, and other modern technologies. Sources told TOI that final talks between MDL and the German company began last month after long discussions involving the Navy, the defence ministry, and the National Security Council Secretariat, reported ET.
A source explained to TOI “These new-generation boats under P-75I will come with design transfer of technology (ToT) and a greater indigenisation level of around 60%. The project will serve as a bridge to the future P-76, under which conventional submarines will be constructed based on a completely indigenous design.”
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France Defence Ties with India
Even tho India may not move ahead with the extra Scorpenes, officials say France still plays a big part in India’s defence plans. There is hope that the Scorpene deal could come back if top leaders intervene. France is already involved in major defence projects with India. A large government-to-government deal for more Rafale fighter jets is in progress as part of the Indian Air Force’s Rs 2 lakh crore multi-role fighter aircraft project. Most of these planes will be built in India.
France is also working with India to develop a new jet engine with the company Safran, worth Rs 61,000 crore, for India’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Regional Challenge
Right now, the Indian Navy has six Scorpenes, six older Russian Kilo-class submarines, and four German HDW submarines, along with two nuclear-powered submarines. But compared to China, India’s underwater fleet remains smaller. China has more than 50 diesel-electric submarines and 10 nuclear ones. It is also giving eight Yuan-class submarines with AIP to Pakistan, which will greatly improve Pakistan’s navy.
