German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India is going to add a new dimension to the defense relations between the two countries. Because important talks have taken place between the two countries regarding building a joint stealth submarine for the Indian Navy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, during his meeting with Germany, made an important announcement regarding the joint defense industry between India and Germany.

Discussion going on to build six submarines for the Navy

After the talks between PM Modi and Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that positive discussions are going on on the construction of six (06) submarines for the Navy and a positive outcome is expected. According to the Foreign Secretary, such deals involve technical, financial and commercial discussions, which are currently ongoing. After this discussion is completed, the Defense Ministry can share information on this.

Under Project 75 (I) of the Navy, India and Germany are preparing to build six (06) stealth submarines. For this, a strategic agreement has been signed between Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Company (TKMC). The total cost of this project is about 08 billion dollars i.e. 72 thousand crores. These submarines are being prepared to be manufactured in MDL under Make in India.

MDL signed agreement with German company last year

The Defense Ministry had announced Project P75 (India) in 2017 for six special submarines equipped with Air Independent Propellant (AIP) technology. For this, the Defense Ministry had given permission to MDL and L&T Company to enter into an agreement with any foreign OEM i.e. Original Equipment Manufacturer. In such a situation, MDL had signed an agreement with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp company for Project 75 (I) in September last year.

L&T Company had joined hands with Spain’s Navantia, but Navantia and L&T Company proved unsuccessful in making submarines equipped with AIP technology. In such a situation, the Defense Ministry had decided to exclude L&T and Navantia Group from the project.

Specialty of submarine equipped with AIP technology

Submarines equipped with AIP technology can operate under the sea for a long time (up to two months), whereas conventional (diesel) submarines have to come to the surface from time to time. When submarines come to the surface, they become visible to the enemy, but due to stealth (AIP) technology, the enemy remains unaware of the submarine.

It is noteworthy that a big defense deal is going to happen between India and Germany after about 40 years. In the year 1986, during the then Rajiv Gandhi government, both the countries had made a deal for HDW submarines (Shishumar class submarines), but due to bribery and brokerage, the Navy could get only four out of six submarines of this deal. Of these, 02 were manufactured in Germany and the remaining 02 in MDL.

MDL will get the second largest project

After the Scorpene class submarine, MDL is going to get the second big submarine project. With the help of France, MDL has built six Scorpene (Kalvari) class submarines and handed them over to the Indian Navy. The special thing is that six Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarines of the Indian Navy are also being equipped with AIP technology. In December last year, the AIP technology developed by DRDO was transferred (TOT) to L&T company. This AIP technology is being developed at L&T’s shipyard in Hazira (Gujarat).

Germany will cooperate in the construction of 6 state-of-the-art stealth conventional submarines for India under Project 75 (I). For this, an important agreement has already been signed between Mumbai-based Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Germany’s well-known defense company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This mega deal of about 8 billion dollars (about 72 thousand crore rupees) is being considered as one of the biggest submarine projects in the history of the Indian Navy. The biggest feature of these submarines will be the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology used in them, due to which they will be able to carry out operations under the sea without coming to the surface for a long time.

This advanced AIP technology was the main reason for this project being stuck for a long time. The Indian Navy wanted submarines that would be more stealthy, make less noise and remain hidden from the enemy’s sight for a long time. Now after the technical hurdles are resolved, there are indications that an official announcement regarding this deal can be made soon.

Make in India will get a boost

These 6 submarines will be manufactured in India at Mazagon Dockyard, which will give a big boost to Make in India and Self-reliant India campaign. This combination of Germany’s technical expertise and India’s manufacturing capacity will play an important role in giving the Indian Navy a strategic edge.

India’s strength in maritime security

Experts believe that the induction of these stealth submarines will further strengthen India’s maritime surveillance, deterrence capability and strategic balance in the Indian Ocean region. Amidst the increasing global challenges, this project will help in strengthening India’s defense system more than before.

What does AIP technology mean?

The full name of AIP is Air Independent Propulsion. This is such a modern technology, which gives non-nuclear submarines the ability to stay under the sea for a long time without taking air. Diesel-electric submarines have to surface after some time to charge the batteries or have to use a snorkel. During this time, their risk of coming into the enemy’s sight is highest. AIP technology eliminates this weakness to a great extent.

Why are AIP submarines considered so dangerous?

Submarines equipped with AIP system can remain hidden under water for weeks. During this time, they can keep an eye on the enemy’s activities and attack suddenly at the right moment. Since these submarines produce very little noise, it becomes very difficult for enemy sonar and surveillance systems to track them. This ability to attack silently makes them extremely lethal in modern naval warfare.

Weapons fitted in AIP equipped submarines

According to the IQPC report, submarines equipped with AIP technology are not only known to remain hidden under water for a long time, but the conventional weapons installed in them make them extremely dangerous. The main weapon of AIP submarines is torpedoes. Usually, heavy weight 533 mm caliber torpedoes are installed in them. These are used to target enemy submarines and large surface warships.

Modern torpedoes are highly accurate and can quickly reach targets underwater and cause heavy damage. Apart from this, anti-ship missiles, land attack cruise missiles, sea mines are used in it.

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India is continuously engaged in increasing its power in the sea. In this regard, an $8 billion submarine construction deal between India and Germany can soon be finalized. This is considered to be the biggest defense deal for India so far. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit India on January 12 and 13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Before that, for the first time in this defense deal, there will be transfer of technology for the construction of submarines.

France-Russia may get a shock

The Indian Navy currently has about 12 old Russian and 6 new French submarines. According to Bloomberg report, if the deal with Germany is confirmed, India will cancel its plan to buy three more submarines from France. This step of India will be a shock for Russia also. Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH and India’s state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited will jointly build these submarines.

Both countries are increasing cooperation in the field of medicine as well as defence.

A spokesperson of the German government said that Friedrich Merz, who is on his first visit to India, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat on Monday (January 12, 2026) and then go to Bengaluru to meet German companies there. Both the countries want to increase cooperation in the field of medicine as well as defence. Friedrich Merz and PM Modi There are also talks to be held regarding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India. The German Chancellor is expected to visit China with another trade delegation in the coming weeks. However, no date has been decided yet with Beijing.

Specialty of submarines with German technology

The report claims that the new submarines with German technology will be equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. This system increases the capability of submarines and they can stay underwater for a longer time. These submarines will increase India’s surveillance capability in the Indian Ocean region because China is also trying to establish its dominance in this region.

A spokesperson for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has refused to comment at this time. India has been encouraging global defense companies for a long time to transfer technology in collaboration with Indian companies so that weapons can be produced within the country.