India-Germany Submarine Tech Cooperation On Cards, Says German Defence Minister

Germany is ready to share key technologies with India, including technology related to submarine production, the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on a visit to India said.

The German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is on a four-day visit, where he landed in New Delhi on Monday. Pistorius will hold a bilateral dialogue with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (6 June).

“Indeed, during my visit here in India this might be discussed. There will also be an exchange with industry. I’m looking forward to potential cooperation on key technology with regard to submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS),” Defence Minister Pistorius said.

India is looking to induct six Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) equipped new-generation diesel-electric submarines under Project-75I 'India', to add to its dwindling fleet of submarines.

Just last month, the sixth and the last submarine of Kalvari-class submarines — INS Vaghsheer — manufactured under Project-75, commenced its sea trials leaving the production line of its manufacturer Mazagaon Docks Limited (MDL), empty.

The six new follow-on submarines under Project-75I will have next generation stealth technologies and come equipped with AIP which will allow the submarine to remain under-water for more than two weeks.

The project, however, has been stuck for quite a while and is unlikely to move forward due to various technical and financial conditions.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy wanted the submarines under the Project-75I to be produced under Strategic Partnership model (SP).

Under the SP model, it is required by the foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to partner with Indian Private companies to manufacture these products in India and offer them to Indian Armed Forces.

However, the project is stuck due to tough conditions imposed by the Indian MoD and the Indian Navy.

One condition under the SP model, according to Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), is the imposition of heavy liabilities on foreign OEMs for inefficiencies or delays on part of the Indian contractor.

Another condition, is the inclusion of a sea-proven AIP.

Only Germany’s TKMS has sea-proven AIP technology, while France and Russia have no functional submarines fitted with the AIP. 

The South Korean shipyard, on the other hand, doesn’t have government clearances and they are believed to be pending, due to the shipyard facing a legal challenge from TKMS for copying their design.

This could lead to a single vendor condition in the project, which it could result in the cancellation of the entire project.

German Defence Minister Pistorius also said India is a strategic partner and the willingness of the German Navy to exercise with the Indian Navy.

He said, "India is a strategic partner, Germany and India share common values and common interests especially with regard to the rules- based international order, multilateralism and open sea lines of communication".

Next year, when the German Navy will be deployed again in the region, we plan to hold a maritime exercise with the Indian Navy, adding that after the successful port visit of Germany’s Navy in Mumbai in 2022, Germany is planning another one to Goa of two German navy ships next year which will include joint exercises.