Germany supports submarine negotiations with India, wants to offer military cooperation

The German government is strongly supporting negotiations between the Indian Navy and German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for the Project 75 India tender, aimed at constructing six new conventional submarines. This collaboration involves Thyssenkrupp partnering with Indian Mazgaon Dockyards Limited in one of the two competing industry teams. Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackerman, affirmed this support, highlighting the significance of this partnership amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Ackerman emphasized Germany’s commitment to collaborating with Indian dockyards to manufacture high-tech submarines within India, indicating full government support for ongoing negotiations. While the decision ultimately rests with India, Ackerman noted the project’s role in accelerating defense partnership, paving the way for future cooperation.

Project 75 India, initiated by the Indian Navy, seeks to build six larger conventional submarines incorporating Air Independent Propulsion technology. Thyssenkrupp and Spanish firm Navantia are partnering with MDL and Larsen and Toubro, respectively, for this multi-billion-euro project.

Regarding Germany’s strategic partnership with India, Ackerman outlined concrete actions, including military visits, joint exercises, potential co-production of advanced military hardware, and enhanced collaboration in cyber defense. He highlighted upcoming engagements, such as the participation of German fighters and transport aircraft in exercises near Coimbatore and the visit of German ships to Goa, underscoring the deepening defense ties between the two nations.

Reflecting on Germany’s evolving foreign policy, Ackerman expressed a stronger political will in Berlin to bolster defense cooperation with India and establish a substantial strategic partnership. He emphasized Germany’s openness to defense exports and its collaboration with India as a pivotal example of this shift, aiming to provide alternatives to traditional partners.

Discussing India’s role in its Indo-Pacific strategy, Ackerman underscored Germany’s interest in free shipping routes and maintaining peace and stability in the region. He highlighted India’s prominence in Germany’s business strategy in Asia, citing increased interest from German companies to invest in India.

Regarding Project 75 India, Ackerman noted the continuation of high-level exchanges between India and Germany to enhance defense cooperation. He highlighted Germany’s readiness to supply aircraft, torpedoes, and power packs for tanks to India, with a significant focus on localization of production.

Thyssenkrupp’s CEO, Oliver Burkhard, emphasized the firm’s technical capabilities in submarine construction and its commitment to fulfilling the stringent requirements of Project 75 India. He highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed between Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and MDL, outlining their respective responsibilities and plans for indigenization. Burkhard assured that both companies possess the necessary experience and expertise to meet project requirements, including substantial localization efforts.