Centre gives clearance to defence ministry, MDL to begin negotiations for Rs 70,000 crore submarine deal

NEW DELHI: After a delay of more than six months, the Centre has approved negotiations for building six advanced submarines in India with German collaboration under Project 75 India.According to defence officials quoted by ANI, the defence ministry and state-owned Mazagaon Dockyards Limited (MDL) have been given clearance to begin talks with German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Negotiations are expected to start by the end of this month, with the contract likely to be finalised within six months.The decision followed a high-level meeting involving top defence and national security officials who reviewed India’s submarine programme and future fleet requirements. The proposed submarines will feature Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling them to remain submerged for up to three weeks, a significant capability boost for the Indian Navy.Officials said the project aims not just to expand the submarine fleet but also to strengthen indigenous capability in designing and manufacturing conventional submarines. The move comes as India faces the twin challenge of modernising its fleet and countering rapid naval expansion by China and Pakistan.The Navy plans to replace about 10 ageing submarines over the next decade. In parallel, India is also pursuing nuclear submarine projects, with private sector major Larsen & Toubro working alongside the Submarine Building Centre to develop two nuclear attack submarines.With Project 75 India, the government is looking to accelerate submarine production and ensure the Navy’s operational readiness in the Indian Ocean region.