India Returns to German Submarines After Four Decades

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After a 44-year gap, India has once again chosen a German submarine design for its Navy. This marks a return to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), formerly HDW, the same shipbuilder that supplied India’s Type 209 submarines in the 1980s. The selection was made under the long-delayed and strategically crucial Project 75-India (P75I), which aims to build six next-generation diesel-electric submarines in India.

TKMS's winning bid, submitted in collaboration with India’s state-owned shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), is based on a modified version of the Type 214 platform. This upgraded design reportedly includes a larger hull, enhanced stealth capabilities, and improved endurance, all adapted to India’s maritime operational requirements. The total value of the deal is expected to exceed ₹50,000 crore.

This Indo-German partnership builds upon a legacy that began in the 1980s when HDW delivered two submarines and supported the construction of two more in India, which became the Shishumar class. All four of these submarines remain operational. However, the original collaboration was cut short due to the infamous "HDW Scam", where allegations of corruption derailed the planned expansion of the submarine fleet. Although the allegations were later dropped and the companies cleared, the episode cast a long shadow over future partnerships.

The latest selection marks a major shift, both in India’s defence procurement strategy and in its broader maritime priorities. The TKMS-MDL bid narrowly defeated a rival proposal from Spain’s Navantia, which partnered with L&T to offer the S-80 submarine. The Spanish government had vocally supported this bid, and the loss prompted a formal review of the evaluation process. However, a government-appointed committee upheld the fairness of the decision.

With this announcement, Project 75I has finally entered a phase of techno-commercial negotiations, marking significant progress in a programme that has faced more than a decade of delays and policy uncertainty. The new submarines will be produced alongside the existing Scorpène-class line at MDL, which recently completed the delivery of six submarines under Project 75. In a positive development, India also approved the construction of three additional Scorpène submarines to ensure continuity in submarine production.

India's return to German technology is not merely a nostalgic nod to the past—it reflects the urgent need to modernise India’s undersea fleet. With most of India’s older submarines approaching the end of their service lives, and a glaring shortfall in operational strength, the induction of new boats is vital. Against a stated requirement of 24 conventional submarines, India currently operates fewer than 20, many of which are over three decades old.

The proposed platform from TKMS will incorporate Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), a game-changing feature that allows submarines to stay submerged for longer durations without surfacing to recharge batteries. This improves stealth, endurance, and survivability—attributes essential for missions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where India faces growing competition from the Chinese Navy and increased submarine deployments by Pakistan.

Over the past few years, China has significantly expanded its submarine fleet and naval infrastructure, including overseas bases that support extended deployments in the IOR. Pakistan, with China’s assistance, is also building up its underwater capabilities. In contrast, India’s modernization has moved slowly, hampered by bureaucratic inertia and delays in decision-making.

India’s renewed focus on submarine strength is part of a broader rebalancing in maritime doctrine. Last year, the Indian government approved a nuclear attack submarine (SSN) project—a move indicating the Navy’s intention to move beyond just conventional platforms. With the new Project 76 SSN initiative and the continuation of conventional production under Project 75I, India aims to strengthen both arms of its undersea warfare capability.

Interestingly, contenders in the P75I program have come and gone over the years, including Russia’s Amur 1650, France’s non-nuclear Barracuda, South Korea’s KSS-III, and Japan’s Soryu-class. At one point, Russia even suggested scrapping the competition and awarding the contract directly. Despite the turbulence, India’s choice now represents decisive movement forward.

However, challenges remain. Commercial negotiations need to progress efficiently to avoid further delays. Success will depend on timely coordination between the Ministry of Defence, MDL, and TKMS. If all goes to plan, India could soon have two parallel submarine production lines—a first in its history.

Ultimately, India’s decision to go with the German design is not just about platforms—it’s about restoring critical defence partnerships, acknowledging past lessons, and charting a clearer, more responsive naval future in an increasingly contested region.

Written by Defence Expert