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| A representation of India’s Project 75i, which aims to strengthen the Indian Navy with six advanced next-generation submarines. |
India is moving closer to one of its most important naval modernisation programmes, Project 75(I), or P75i, which aims to build six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy. The programme, widely estimated at around $8 billion, is expected to strengthen India's underwater capabilities while expanding domestic defence manufacturing through a partnership between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
The project matters not only because of the six new submarines. It is also a major test of India's ability to absorb complex foreign technology and build advanced underwater platforms at home.
A Long-Delayed Project Nears a Critical Stage
Project 75(I) has been under discussion for years as India seeks to modernise its conventional submarine fleet. The Ministry of Defence formally issued a Request for Proposal in July 2021 for the indigenous construction of six modern conventional submarines equipped with fuel-cell-based Air Independent Propulsion, or AIP, technology.
The programme has since gone through a lengthy technical and commercial process. Recent reports have indicated that the proposed partnership between Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, or MDL, and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, known as TKMS, has moved closer to the final approval stage. As of the latest major reports in August 2026, the project was still awaiting the remaining government-level steps before a final contract could be concluded.
The cost estimate has also changed over time, reflecting negotiations, technology requirements and the scale of the programme. Recent reports have placed the project at roughly ₹70,000 crore, or around $8 billion, although some reports have cited higher figures during later stages of discussion.
What India Plans to Build
The six submarines under P75i are expected to be advanced diesel-electric attack submarines designed for long-duration operations, surveillance and combat missions.
A central requirement is an operationally proven AIP system.
Traditional diesel-electric submarines rely on batteries and generally need to surface or use a snorkel periodically to recharge them. An Air Independent Propulsion system allows a submarine to remain underwater for longer periods without depending on atmospheric oxygen for propulsion.
That additional underwater endurance can improve stealth and operational flexibility.
The Ministry of Defence's original project outline also called for advanced weapons, sensors, torpedoes, missiles and modern countermeasure systems.
Project 75(I) at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project | Project 75(I) / P75i |
| Number of submarines | 6 |
| Estimated value | Around $8 billion / ₹70,000 crore |
| Indian construction partner | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited |
| Foreign technology partner | ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems |
| Type | Advanced conventional diesel-electric submarines |
| Key technology | Fuel-cell-based Air Independent Propulsion |
| Manufacturing strategy | Build in India with technology transfer |
Cost estimates and timelines remain subject to final government approval and contract terms.
Why Germany's TKMS Is Central to the Programme
TKMS emerged as a key technology partner for the project through its cooperation with MDL. The German company has said that six German-designed submarines are planned to be built in cooperation with the Indian shipbuilder under Project 75(I).
Technology transfer is one of the most significant aspects of the proposed arrangement.
India does not simply want to import finished submarines. The broader objective is to develop domestic capability in submarine construction, engineering, maintenance and long-term support.
That approach fits into India's wider push to increase local manufacturing in the defence sector.
TKMS and MDL began official contract negotiations in 2025, marking an important milestone after years of technical evaluations and competition.
More Than a Naval Purchase
Project 75(I) is being watched closely because it is expected to create a long-term industrial ecosystem around submarine construction.
Building submarines requires specialised expertise across multiple sectors, including propulsion, metallurgy, electronics, sensors, combat systems and precision engineering. A successful technology-transfer programme could help Indian companies gain experience that extends beyond the construction of the initial six vessels.
India has already built six Scorpene-class submarines under the earlier Project 75 programme at Mazagon Dock. Project 75(I) is intended to take the country's conventional submarine-building capabilities to a more advanced level.
The experience could also prove relevant to future submarine programmes, including India's longer-term efforts to increase indigenous design and production.
Why the Indian Navy Needs New Submarines
India faces growing strategic pressure in the Indian Ocean, where underwater operations have become increasingly important.
Submarines can conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, monitor sea lanes and carry out anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. Their ability to operate with limited visibility makes them a critical part of naval strategy.
For India, strengthening the conventional submarine fleet is also important because submarine construction takes years. Delays in procurement can create capability gaps as older vessels approach the end of their operational lives.
Recent reporting has described Project 75(I) as a priority programme as India seeks to address the future requirements of its underwater fleet.
When Could the New Submarines Enter Service?
The construction process will not be immediate even after a final contract is signed.
Earlier assessments have suggested that the first submarine could take roughly six to seven years from contract signing, while more recent reports have pointed to an early-2030s timeframe for the first induction.
The six vessels would then be delivered over several years.
That long timeline highlights why P75i is more than a single defence deal. It is a multi-decade industrial and strategic programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Project 75(I)?
Project 75(I), also known as P75i, is India's programme to build six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy with modern propulsion, weapons and sensor systems.
2. How much will the P75i project cost?
Recent estimates have placed the programme at around ₹70,000 crore, or approximately $8 billion, although reported figures have varied during negotiations.
3. What is AIP technology?
Air Independent Propulsion allows a conventional submarine to remain underwater for longer periods without relying solely on atmospheric oxygen, improving endurance and stealth.
4. Who will build India's P75i submarines?
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is expected to build the submarines in India in cooperation with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
5. Are the P75i submarines nuclear-powered?
No. Project 75(I) focuses on advanced conventional diesel-electric submarines equipped with AIP technology.
6. When will the first P75i submarine join the Indian Navy?
The exact schedule depends on final approval and contract signing. Current estimates have pointed to the early 2030s for the first submarine.
7. Why is Project 75(I) important for India?
The programme is expected to strengthen the Indian Navy's underwater capabilities while supporting domestic submarine construction, technology transfer and India's broader defence manufacturing strategy.
Project 75(I) now stands at a crucial point after a procurement process that has stretched across several years. If the programme moves into full execution, India will not only add six advanced submarines to its future fleet but also make a significant investment in the industrial capability needed to design, build and support some of the world's most complex military platforms.
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