TKMS Chief Confident Of Securing India’s Mega Submarine Deal

TKMS’s CEO has voiced strong confidence that the German shipbuilder will successfully book India’s Project 75(I) order for six advanced submarines, calling it a potential landmark in India–Germany defence cooperation and in the Indian Navy’s undersea modernisation path. The multi‑billion‑euro deal would combine cutting-edge German submarine technology with large-scale manufacturing in India, directly supporting the Make in India and strategic partnership models.

India-Germany Defence Momentum

In recent interactions, the TKMS CEO, backed by senior German officials, has said he is “confident we will be able to book the Indian submarine order”, underlining that New Delhi and Berlin are now converging on key commercial and technology-transfer terms. Both sides highlight the programme as a flagship example of defence industrial collaboration, with India seen as a future hub for building and sustaining conventional submarines for itself and friendly navies.

What The Deal Covers

The Project 75(I) package is expected to include six AIP-equipped diesel-electric submarines with enhanced stealth, endurance and combat systems tailored for the Indian Ocean theatre. Most construction would take place at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, with TKMS transferring core design know-how, production processes and long-term maintenance expertise to Indian partners.

Why The CEO Is So Confident

TKMS’s chief points to completed design work with MDL, a strong global order book and advanced negotiations with Indian authorities as the main reasons for his optimism that the order will be finalized soon. He also stresses that winning Project 75(I) would be TKMS’s largest export contract ever, anchoring a decades-long relationship with the Indian Navy and reinforcing India’s status as an emerging submarine production hub.

Key Highlights

• TKMS CEO “confident” of booking India’s Project 75(I) submarine order
• Deal worth around €8 billion for six advanced AIP submarines
• Submarines to be largely built at MDL Mumbai under Make in India
• Advanced talks underway; signing expected in the near term
• Programme to boost Indian Navy capability and India–Germany defence ties

Sources: NDTV, Moneycontrol, TKMS corporate releases, defence ministry briefings,