13/01/2026
India, Germany set to cement biggest military contract to make six subs.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to visit India for two days on January 12 and 13. His visit could see forward movement on Indiaโs plans to buy and build the German Type 214 conventional submarine with air-independent propulsion.
The plans involve Germany company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems partnering with Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to build six vessels at a cost of around $8 billion.
In June last year, the two companies had signed a MoU to collaborate on making six stealth submarines. The pact aims to utilise the latest technology from Germany and the manufacturing abilities of the MDL for six conventional submarines under the Project-75 of the Indian Navy.
The MDL, headquartered in Mumbai, is a public sector company owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The TKMS is the global market leader for non-nuclear submarines based on air independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which helps a submarine to stay under water for longer periods. India had sought operational AIP technology, which would allow a submarine to remain under water for up to six days.
