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The proposal now awaits the final approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once cleared, the project will formally move into execution mode after years of delays, technical evaluations, and complex negotiations
In a significant boost to India's maritime military modernisation, the Union Finance Ministry has cleared the long-pending ₹70,000-crore Project-75 (India) (P-75(I)) submarine programme, bringing the country closer to launching its most ambitious conventional submarine construction effort till date.
The proposal now awaits the final approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once cleared, the project will formally move into execution mode after years of delays, technical evaluations and complex negotiations.
Under the project, six next-generation diesel-electric submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology will be built in India
Under the project, six next-generation diesel-electric submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology will be built in India. The submarines are expected to be constructed by state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in partnership with German defence major Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), whose bid emerged ahead of the competing Spanish proposal.
The P-75(I) project has been under discussion for more than two decades and forms a crucial part of India's long-term plan to strengthen underwater combat capabilities amid growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region. The submarines are intended to replace ageing platforms in the Indian Navy's conventional submarine fleet and significantly improve stealth, endurance and operational reach.
The submarines are expected to be constructed by state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in partnership with German defence major Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)
The AIP-equipped submarines will be capable of remaining submerged for much longer durations without surfacing, making them harder to detect during combat operations. Defence experts view the capability as critical for modern naval warfare and maritime deterrence.
The project is also expected to become a cornerstone of India's indigenisation push in defence manufacturing. As per the proposed structure, indigenous content is expected to rise progressively from around 45 per cent in the first submarine to nearly 60 per cent by the sixth vessel.
The agreement also includes substantial transfer of technology provisions aimed at strengthening India's indigenous submarine-building ecosystem.
Officials said the first submarine is likely to be delivered around seven years after the contract is formally signed, with the remaining vessels expected to be inducted at regular intervals thereafter.
The submarines are intended to replace ageing platforms in the Indian Navy's conventional submarine fleet and significantly improve stealth, endurance and operational reach
The clearance assumes significance as the programme had witnessed repeated delays due to changes in technical specifications, the Strategic Partnership model (SP) framework, issues related to the transfer of technology, and prolonged commercial negotiations.
The Indian Navy has repeatedly highlighted concerns over the shrinking submarine fleet and the urgent need for force modernisation.
The agreement also includes substantial transfer of technology provisions aimed at strengthening India's indigenous submarine-building ecosystem
India currently operates a mix of Russian-origin Kilo-class submarines, German HDW submarines and the French-origin Scorpene-class submarines built under the earlier Project-75 programme. The induction of the new P-75(I) submarines is expected to substantially strengthen India's underwater warfare capabilities over the next decade.
Defence analysts see the Finance Ministry approval as the final major bureaucratic clearance before the project receives political sanction from the CCS, after which one of India's largest-ever defence contracts could formally be signed.
Manish Kumar Jha is a Consulting & Contributing Editor for SP's Aviation, SP's Land Forces and SP's Naval Forces and a security expert. He writes on national security, military technology, strategic affairs & policies.
