Mazagon Dock and German firm strike deal on submarines

Subject :International Relations

Section :defence

Concept :

Germany and India are closing in on a deal to build diesel submarines for Indian waters as Russia’s prolonged war in Ukraine has pushed the Indian government to expand its sources of military hardware beyond its top supplier, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The preliminary agreement or the memorandum of understanding will be signed in the presence of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius who arrived in New Delhi on June 5 for a two-day visit, according to German and Indian officials.

P-75 India Project:

The P-75 India project is a significant Make in India program to strengthen the Indian Navy’s undersea capabilities.
Germany expressed enthusiasm for participating in the P-75I competition and building submarines in India.

Bilateral Defense Cooperation:

Both countries reviewed ongoing defense cooperation and discussed ways to enhance collaboration, particularly in defense industrial partnerships.
Germany’s participation in P-75I was welcomed by the Indian side.

Strategic Partnership Model:

The SP model involves indigenous manufacturing of major defense platforms in India with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is in the race to secure the submarine-building contract.

Foreign Participants:

In January 2020, two Indian shipbuilders (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and L&T) and five foreign shipbuilders (including TKMS) were cleared to participate in P-75I.
France’s Naval Group and Russia’s Rubin Design Bureau withdrew from the competition, making TKMS a leading contender.

Timeline and Indigenization:

P-75I has faced delays, but a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between TKMS and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders is expected to be concluded during the visit.
Submarines built under P-75I will have air independent propulsion (AIP) systems and a minimum of 45% indigenization in the first submarine, increasing to 60% in the sixth.

Future Prospects:

If a contract is awarded to a contender, the first submarine will be delivered after a decade.
India aims to operate a fleet of 18 new conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines.

India-Germany Strategic Partnership:

The countries have had a strategic partnership since 2000 and have strengthened ties through intergovernmental consultations.
Defence Minister Singh highlighted opportunities for German investments in India’s defense production sector and participation in defense industrial corridors.

Shared Goals and Complementarity:

Singh emphasized the potential for a symbiotic relationship based on shared goals and complementarity of strengths.
Germany expressed openness to selling submarines to India, emphasizing the importance of reducing India’s dependence on Russian weapons.