India P-75(I) submarine project: Indian navy is making a biggest deal of the year, this deal is worth about $8 billion and focuses on building 6 new submarines with help from Germany. This major step may happen during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to India on January 12-13, 2026.
The deal is part of Project-75(I) that aims to strengthen India’s underwater power. India and Germany plan to build these submarines together inside India. Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will work with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited under the Make in India program. This partnership will help India reduce its dependence on foreign defence imports and grow its own shipbuilding skills.
India’s current submarine fleet is small and old. Many submarines still come from the Soviet era and have crossed their safe working age. But on the other hand, China has increased its submarine presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Because of this India urgently needs new and silent submarines that can stay underwater for long periods and remain hard to detect.
What makes Project-75(I) Important?
Project-75(I) focuses on advanced diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines will use Air Independent Propulsion systems. This technology allows submarines to stay underwater for nearly two weeks without coming up. Older submarines must surface every 48 hours to recharge batteries. Staying underwater longer helps avoid enemy detection and improves mission success.
The new submarines will follow the proven Type 214 design used by many navies worldwide. They will carry modern weapons, sensor, guided torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. They will also have strong stealth features like low noise levels and sound-absorbing materials.
A major part of this deal is technology transfer. For the first time the Germany plans to share core submarine-making technology with Indian companies. The first submarine will include at least 45% local content. This number will rise to about 60% by the 6th submarine.
Future timeline
Project-75(I) builds on earlier efforts under Project-75, which began in 1997. That older project led to the Kalvari class submarines like INS Kalvari and INS Vagir. Still due to delays due to funding issues, slow infrastructure growth, and technology challenges slowed progress. India originally planned to build 24 submarines over 30 years but managed to approve only six.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation has also developed its own fuel-cell-based AIP system. This indigenous system will be fitted on INS Kalvari. DRDO worked with France’s Naval Group to safely integrate the system. This effort supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal and helps India gain control over key defence technologies.
If India finalises the new deal submarine construction could start later in 2026. The first submarine may enter service in the early 2030s. While talks continue and some issues remain, the agreement shows strong intent from both sides. Beyond defence, the deal also reflects growing trust between India and Germany in areas like technology, trade, and global security.
