India has recently taken a major step in modernising its naval forces by choosing Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and its local partner, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), to execute the highly anticipated Project-75I submarine programme.
This decision positions Germany as a key player in one of New Delhi's most vital maritime acquisitions.
However, despite this shift toward German technology, France has remained silent on the matter, offering no official diplomatic pushback or public criticism regarding the decision.
The lack of a formal reaction from Paris is easily understood given the timeline of the bidding process. The French shipbuilder, Naval Group, had voluntarily pulled out of the Project-75I race in April 2022.
Because this exit occurred years prior to the Indian government finalising its preference for the German proposal, France was already out of the running and had no stake in the ultimate selection.
The Project-75I initiative is a cornerstone of the Indian Navy's strategy to enhance its underwater combat prowess.
Under this plan, the navy will acquire six next-generation conventional submarines featuring Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules, state-of-the-art combat networks, superior sensor suites, and the ability to deploy precision-guided munitions.
Valued at approximately €8 billion, the project operates under India’s Strategic Partnership model. This framework mandates that a domestic shipyard collaborates with a foreign defence contractor to ensure maximum local manufacturing and technology transfer.
While France's Naval Group was initially eager to participate, it ultimately stepped away due to the strict technical parameters outlined in the tender.
Specifically, the Indian Navy required all vendors to demonstrate a fully functional, sea-proven AIP system at the time of bidding—a capability Naval Group could not fulfill under those exact conditions.
Consequently, the race became a two-way contest between TKMS (offering an enlarged 3,000-tonne derivative of its Type 214) and Spain’s Navantia, before the German firm emerged as the sole qualified bidder following Navantia's disqualification in early 2025.
Nevertheless, Naval Group's departure from the submarine tender has had no negative impact on the deep-rooted strategic and military ties shared between India and France.
France continues to stand as one of India's most dependable international allies. The bilateral partnership spans a wide array of sectors, from aerospace and naval engineering to advanced strategic technologies.
This enduring bond is highlighted by successful joint ventures such as the procurement of Rafale fighter jets, co-development of helicopter engines, extensive space exploration initiatives, and regular joint military drills.
A defining achievement of this alliance is the ongoing Project-75, which has seen MDL construct six Kalvari-class Scorpène submarines in Mumbai using technology transferred directly from Naval Group.
This highly successful programme has not only equipped the Indian Navy with a formidable fleet of conventional attack submarines but has also dramatically enhanced India's domestic shipbuilding expertise.
Furthermore, India recently advanced negotiations for an additional three Scorpène submarines, valued at over ₹36,000 crore, which will feature a higher degree of indigenous content and slightly modified designs resembling Brazil's Scorpène variants.
The naval collaboration extends well beyond initial construction. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively working alongside Naval Group to retrofit the existing Kalvari-class submarines with a domestically developed AIP fuel-cell system.
These upgrades, scheduled to occur during the vessels' standard refit cycles, will vastly improve the submarines' stealth and endurance, enabling them to operate silently underwater for extended durations without needing to surface.
This continued teamwork clearly illustrates that maritime cooperation between New Delhi and Paris is thriving, regardless of France's absence from the newer Project-75I procurement.
Looking ahead, the strategic partnership is evolving to encompass next-generation technologies.
France consistently backs India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, engaging in joint efforts focused on combat aircraft engines, advanced naval propulsion, missile systems, and cutting-edge space tech.
These long-term projects prove that a single submarine contract is merely a small piece of a much larger and robust geopolitical puzzle.
From New Delhi's perspective, the decision to advance with TKMS was based purely on strict technical merit and commercial viability, not a shift in diplomatic loyalties.
India's current defence acquisition strategy is heavily focused on diversifying its international suppliers to avoid over-reliance on any single nation, all while prioritising substantial technology transfers to boost local industries.
By integrating Germany into the Project-75I framework, India stands to gain access to world-class conventional submarine technologies and fuel-cell systems.
At the same time, France will maintain its vital role in the Indian naval ecosystem by supporting the existing Scorpène fleet and assisting with crucial future upgrades.
Ultimately, the culmination of Project-75I has caused no visible diplomatic strain between India and France. Because Paris willingly stepped away from the competition long before a victor was crowned, there was never any reason to anticipate that the French government would dispute the final outcome.
