Indian Navy Plans to Acquire Nine P-75I Subs from MDL-TKMS, Potentially Halting Order for Three Additional Scorpenes

The Indian Navy is poised for a significant enhancement of its underwater combat strength through a proposal to procure nine state-of-the-art submarines under Project 75 (India), or P-75(I).

According to government sources, this major acquisition, with an estimated value between ₹90,000 crore and ₹1 trillion, is awaiting final clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The plan outlines an initial contract for six vessels, with an option to order three more a year after the agreement is signed, in line with the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) of 2020.

This development signals a strategic pivot in India's submarine acquisition programme, potentially shifting focus from a long-standing collaboration with France to a new partnership with Germany.

The French Naval Group was the key partner in the preceding Project 75, which resulted in the construction of six Kalvari-class (a variant of the Scorpene class) submarines by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) between 2006 and 2015.

The new P-75(I) initiative is expected to be executed through a collaboration between India’s state-owned MDL and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The proposed deal with the German firm could directly impact plans to expand the current Kalvari-class fleet. An earlier proposal involved MDL building three more Scorpene submarines that were to be upgraded with a domestically developed Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.

However, this ₹36,000 crore project has faced significant hurdles, including delays in the finalisation of the indigenous AIP technology and a growing consensus that the Scorpene platform represents an older generation of submarine design.

A senior government official familiar with the matter indicated a clear shift in priorities, stating that further orders for the Scorpene platform under Project 75 are not anticipated.

This move underscores a strategic decision to invest in newer, more advanced technology. The submarines to be acquired under the P-75(I) project are required to feature superior stealth characteristics and be equipped with a proven AIP system from the start.

An AIP system is a critical technology that allows conventional, non-nuclear submarines to remain submerged for extended periods, significantly increasing their operational endurance and stealth capabilities compared to traditional diesel-electric submarines that must surface frequently to recharge their batteries.

This capability is seen as essential for the Indian Navy to effectively monitor and counter the expanding naval presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region.

The final approval for this landmark defence deal now rests with the CCS, whose decision will shape the future of India's naval power and its international defence partnerships for decades to come.

 

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[abhinav srivastava]

Desi AIP has been successfully tested earlier. A contract was signed a few months ago for an AIP plug with Naval Group, which will help in the integration of Indian AIP with Scorpene submarines.Looks like document leakage is the real issue.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

This is a good idea. The French were demanding exorbitant money.

 

[Flanker]

9 P75i + 15 P76 + 10 P77 subs, and we’re set for two decades.

 

[Joydeep Ghosh]

It will be a serious mistake to deny the hard-earned capability to make Scorpene submarines. It's the repeat of the same mistake done by this party in 1999 when MDL was begging to allow construction of two Type 209 submarines or the expertise would be lost, but it was refused. The teams retired by 2003 and all expertise was lost. Don't repeat the same mistake.

 

[Parveen Gahlot]

All new subs should include our indigenous AIP systems. And try to make some submarines from scratch to end domestically. We should focus on increasing our domestic capacity. Under Project-75I, Project-76, and Project-77, we will get around 30-32 new subs and new UUVs will further enhance our power.

 

[beencensured]

France-made things are getting compromised. I guess the government does not want to deal with so many problems. Though Project 75's three additional Scorpene submarines were supposed to have higher indigenous content, it would be better if they get 24 submarines under Project 76.

 

[Rajesh]

We spent money and time to develop an indigenous AIP, which only a few countries have done. Our AIP technology is a good one comparing to some of the others, and then the Germans will be using their developing one in P75I. We should also not forget that soon our submarine squadron will have the same fate as IAF squadron strength. 1. Let us make four or more Kalveri in the second slot, which will come with our own CMS and more technology, and after that let MDL indigenise the Kalveri with required modification, and we go for a G2G deal with Germany and select L&T for another ten sub. Relying on MDL for subs is like relying on HAL for fighter jets. Both companies are twins. Don't let the submarine strength get into a position what IAF is facing now with poor planning.

 

[Mayank Jadav]

We spent money and time to develop an indigenous AIP, which only a few countries have done. Our AIP technology is a good one comparing to some of the others, and then the Germans will be using their developing one in P75I. We should also not forget that soon our submarine squadron will have the same fate as IAF squadron strength. 1. Let us make four or more Kalveri in the second slot, which will come with our own CMS and more technology, and after that let MDL indigenise the Kalveri with required modification, and we go for a G2G deal with Germany and select L&T for another ten sub. Relying on MDL for subs is like relying on HAL for fighter jets. Both companies are twins. Don't let the submarine strength get into a position what IAF is facing now with poor planning.

I don’t think our submarine program will face the same issues as the IAF’s fighter jet projects. This is because L&T and DRDO are developing their own indigenous designs, which are expected to be completed by 2026–2027. Moreover, we have multiple submarine programs running domestically — including the development of nuclear attack submarines and nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

Additionally, MDL is working on its own submarine design, and the Indian Navy has access to multiple shipbuilding facilities capable of constructing ships and submarines simultaneously. Our shipbuilding capacity is quite strong.

Even if there are delays in the conventional submarine programs, we are steadily progressing in the nuclear submarine segment. While nuclear subs may be fewer in number, they are far more powerful than conventional ones, so the situation isn’t too concerning in that area.

However, I believe the government should approve Project 75I soon to fast-track submarine induction, as we need a large number of submarines across all categories — not to counter Pakistan, but to effectively match China’s growing naval power.

 

[Sandeep]

The Kalvari class of submarines, its technology and its capacity to be upgraded is very limited as even France is concentrating more on nuclear submarines. Even if we made a deal now then it would take us at least 5 years before we receive the first submarine.

India can certainly go for P75I but it should be a fixed and continuous order of 9 submarines so there is no pause after building just 6 submarines and then waiting to see if we order another 3 after that. This leads to cost escalation and delays.

We should quickly make a firm decision but we should receive the maximum amount of technology and manufacture as much as we can indigenously. This should include critical equipment and technology like engines, sonars, stealth technology, software etc.

 

[Dranzer Knight]

I believe the main reason for this change would mostly likely due to the major data leak of French Naval group where when their Nuclear submarines data was also leaked alongside side other major assets.Looking at the current scenario and similar thing that had happened in the past I believe MOD have might have changed the decision to go for additional Scorpion class submarine

 

[MSN]

As usual, the Indian Defence Ministry is creating confusion in the purchase deal. This is an ongoing practice since the last 50-60 years of Indian babus sitting in New Delhi to delay the defence projects/deals to increase the cost multiple times.