European manufacturer, Thyssenkrupp AG’s marine arm and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. will jointly build submarines for the Indian navy, signaling India’s efforts to diversify its military equipment sources. The collaboration aims to reduce reliance on Russia and counter China’s assertiveness. Germany supports this move to bolster its strategic partnership with India and supply modern military gear.
ThyssenKrupp AG’s marine division and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. of India have announced their intention to collaborate on the construction of submarines for the Indian Navy. This development signifies India’s increasing efforts to diversify its sources of military equipment beyond its primary supplier, Russia.
Under the initial agreement signed by the two companies, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems would oversee the engineering and design of the submarines, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders would handle the local construction and delivery. This is a change from two years ago when Thyssenkrupp initially expressed no interest in working with another company to manufacture submarines in India. India aims to acquire six diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of $5.2 billion, and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has emerged as a favored manufacturer for this project. The company, based in Kiel, Germany, is one of the two global submarine makers that offer air-independent propulsion technology, which enables non-nuclear submarines to remain submerged for longer durations.
Germany has been encouraging European defense companies to enhance their efforts in supplying modern military equipment to India. This initiative aims to assist the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in reducing its reliance on Russian arms and to counter China’s growing diplomatic and military assertiveness. Thyssenkrupp’s submarines have previously been utilized by the Indian navy, making them a more attractive choice compared to competitors such as South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and Spain’s state-owned Navantia Group.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who arrived in India for a two-day visit, has emphasized the significance of securing the submarine contract. He believes that this deal is not only important for the German defense industry but also for strengthening the strategic partnership between Germany and India.
