The Indian government has moved closer to approving one of the country’s largest-ever defence acquisition projects, a ₹70,000 crore programme to build six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy under Project-75I. Reports say the Finance Ministry has cleared the proposal, paving the way for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
The submarines will reportedly be built in Mumbai by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in partnership with German defence firm thyssenkrupp Marine Systems under a major technology transfer arrangement. The deal is expected to become one of India’s biggest defence manufacturing collaborations with a foreign partner.
The submarines are expected to feature advanced stealth capabilities and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, allowing them to remain underwater for longer durations without surfacing frequently. Defence analysts say such capabilities are critical for enhancing India’s underwater warfare strength and operational readiness in the Indian Ocean region.
Officials reportedly expect the first submarine to be delivered around seven years after the final contract signing, with the remaining vessels to follow annually. The project is also expected to strengthen India’s long-term submarine-building ecosystem and support indigenous defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
Project-75I has faced multiple delays over the years due to technical, financial, and procurement challenges. However, the latest approvals indicate renewed momentum for the programme amid growing maritime competition and increasing strategic focus on naval modernisation. Experts say the project is crucial for replacing India’s ageing submarine fleet and maintaining a strong underwater deterrence capability.
