New Delhi: The Centre has cleared the Defence Ministry and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to begin negotiations for the Rs 70,000-crore Project-75 India submarine programme. The long-delayed discussions had been on hold for more than six months and will now move forward following a high-level review by senior defence and national security officials. Under the project, MDL will partner with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to build six conventional submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, enabling longer underwater endurance.
The negotiations are expected to conclude within the next six months, after which final approvals will be sought. The project is aimed at boosting indigenous capability in submarine design and construction, while reducing dependence on external suppliers. The Indian Navy, which is likely to retire about ten of its ageing submarines over the next decade, views this contract as essential for timely replacements. Alongside conventional submarine development, India is also advancing its nuclear submarine programme, where private sector participation, particularly from Larsen & Toubro, is expected to play a major role.
The decision comes against the backdrop of the Chinese Navy’s rapid modernisation and growing presence in the Indian Ocean, which has pushed India to accelerate its underwater fleet expansion. With both China and Pakistan maintaining significant submarine capabilities, defence planners see Project-75 India as critical to sustaining India’s maritime deterrence posture. The government is also exploring measures to fast-track production to ensure the Navy’s requirements are met within the set timeframe.
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