Project-75I: India’s $8-Billion Submarine Bet and Its Strategic Impact on Pakistan and China

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Over fifty years after India’s naval strikes on Karachi during the 1971 war, submarines are once again central to New Delhi’s defence strategy. The Indian Navy’s Project-75I aimed at acquiring six next-generation conventional submarines is advancing amid rising tensions with Pakistan, China’s expanding undersea presence in the Indian Ocean, and deepening defence ties with Germany. The programme reflects not just a procurement plan but a strategic recalibration of India’s maritime posture.

What is Project-75I?

Project-75I is the Indian Navy’s flagship initiative to acquire six advanced diesel-electric submarines featuring air-independent propulsion (AIP), modern sensors, torpedoes, and missile systems. Developed under the Strategic Partnership Model, the programme prioritises domestic shipbuilding, technology transfer, and creating a sustainable local submarine industry.

Initially estimated at over ?40,000 crore, the programme’s current cost is roughly $8 billion (around ?72,000 crore), including configuration choices and lifecycle support. The Navy sees it as crucial to reversing the decline of conventional submarines, especially as regional undersea activity intensifies.

The submarine shortfall challenge

India’s conventional submarine fleet is ageing, with several older vessels approaching retirement. Meanwhile, Pakistan and China are heavily investing in undersea warfare capabilities.

Submarines remain the Navy’s most effective tools for surveillance, sea denial, and deterrence. Their stealth allows them to monitor key maritime choke points and threaten high-value targets without overt escalation a capability increasingly valuable in potential crises.

Why Germany’s Type-214NG was selected

Following a rigorous evaluation, the Navy chose Germany’s Type-214 Next Generation (NG) submarine over Spain’s alternative. The decision was influenced by the proven reliability of Germany’s fuel-cell-based AIP system, which allows extended submerged operations without surfacing, reducing the risk of detection. In contested waters, stealth and endurance are more important than experimental features, making the German design a lower-risk choice.

Building submarines in India

All six submarines will be constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems providing design authority and technical guidance. Indigenous content is expected to increase from roughly 45% in the first vessel to nearly 60% in the final one.

Project-75I is more than buying submarines it is about mastering complex submarine design, integration, and construction, reducing reliance on foreign technology for future programmes.

Strategic logic: Pakistan and sea denial

India’s undersea strategy draws from history. In 1971, naval operations against Karachi disrupted Pakistan’s fuel supply and trade, helping shorten the conflict. Today, Karachi remains Pakistan’s main economic and energy hub. Even without direct combat, India’s submarine capability imposes strategic caution on Pakistan. Longer underwater endurance will only strengthen this deterrence.

Countering China

China’s submarine fleet, including nuclear-powered vessels, is increasingly active in the Indian Ocean. Its deployments, port visits, and support to Pakistan’s submarine modernisation heighten India’s concerns. A robust conventional submarine fleet is essential for monitoring adversary movements and denying access to strategic sea lanes.

India–Germany defence collaboration

The renewed emphasis on Project-75I coincides with Germany’s expanding engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Defence industrial cooperation is now a key element of India–Germany relations, alongside trade and technology partnerships.

While the final contract is yet to be signed, political engagement is helping sustain momentum. For India, the deal also diversifies defence partnerships beyond traditional suppliers, aligning with broader foreign-policy objectives.

Long-term impact

Once operational, the six submarines will boost India’s capabilities in surveillance, sea denial, and precision strikes. Equally important is the industrial impact: stronger domestic shipyards, a mature supply chain, and a foundation for future indigenous submarine designs.

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