The Centre has cleared a long-pending defence proposal, allowing the Defence Ministry to begin negotiations for building six advanced submarines under Project 75 India (P75I).

The green light comes after a delay of over six months, marking a major step in India’s push for self-reliance in submarine technology.

The project is estimated to cost ₹45,000 crore. The submarines will be built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) will partner with MDL for the project.

The submarines will be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling them to stay submerged for up to three weeks, a key advantage in modern naval warfare.

According to defence officials, a high-level meeting involving top national security and defence officials led to the clearance.

Negotiations between MDL and TKMS are expected to begin by the end of this month, with the Defence Ministry aiming to finalise the contract within six months.

This move is crucial as the Indian Navy prepares to replace nearly 10 submarines over the next decade.

The project is also part of a broader effort to develop indigenous capabilities for designing and manufacturing conventional submarines, reducing dependence on foreign defence imports.

The urgency of the project is heightened by China’s rapid naval expansion in the Indian Ocean Region.

Alongside conventional submarines, India is also progressing on nuclear attack submarines, where Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Submarine Building Centre will play key roles.

The Indian government is now exploring ways to speed up the submarine-building process, aiming to counter both Chinese and Pakistani naval threats effectively.

Project 75I represents a major milestone not just in boosting naval strength, but also in building a self-reliant defence manufacturing ecosystem in India.

With both strategic necessity and industrial development in mind, the clearance marks a critical moment in India’s maritime defence roadmap.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on January 30, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/576913