In a significant display of strengthening defence ties, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh toured the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) submarine building facility in Kiel, Germany, on April 22, 2026. Accompanying him was German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, marking an important milestone in the bilateral maritime defence cooperation between India and Germany.
During his three-day official visit to Germany, which commenced on April 21, Singh evaluated advanced submarine technologies and inspected the assembly lines, demonstrating the advancements in naval capabilities. Highlights of the visit included a tour of a Type 212 submarine, with both Indian and German delegations captured in photographs standing on the submarine in Kiel harbour, symbolizing the strategic partnership between the two nations.
A key focus of the tour was TKMS’s expertise in diesel-electric submarines featuring Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems. This technology is crucial for enabling submarines to remain submerged for extended periods while maintaining enhanced stealth, directly aligning with India’s operational requirements under Project 75I. This long-anticipated programme aims to indigenously develop six advanced diesel-electric attack submarines designed to bolster India’s naval prowess.
Project 75I, with an estimated budget of approximately ₹90,000 crore (around $8 billion), is set to collaborate with an international firm like TKMS for technology transfer and local construction, primarily at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in India. Initially conceptualised nearly two decades ago, the project is in advanced stages of negotiation and is expected to culminate in a final agreement shortly.
Minister Pistorius expressed optimism about formalising the deal within the next three months, emphasizing its significance as a foundational element of India-Germany defence relations. The discussions and agreements from this visit come at a time when both nations are seeking to bolster their strategic relations, supported by a recently signed defence roadmap.
The tour not only highlights the growing defence collaboration but also addresses the Indian Navy’s urgent need to modernise its submarine fleet in the context of rising maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, this engagement is expected to extend into collaborative efforts in areas such as heavyweight torpedoes and other naval systems.
Officials who accompanied Singh described the visit as “insightful” and beneficial, laying the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain between the two countries.
