After French Rafale fighter jets, India eyes German submarines

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 27

Talks are on between India and Germany to either co-produce or have direct deal for the supply of six next-generation submarines.

Sources told The Tribune that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar raised the matter during a meeting with his German counterpart Dr Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi yesterday. India reportedly asked Germany what all it could offer if a direct deal was struck between the two countries on next-generation submarines. The move comes after India recently announced to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany, which owns the submarine arm HDW, is among the few international companies India is looking at for the “Project-75 India” tender that will have six submarines with the air independent propulsion (AIP) allowing for longer period of submergence underwater. The Indian Navy also wants greater stealth and land-attack capability.

The Russians and the French DCNS also make such subs and so does Japan. New Delhi has expressed interest in all of them and is looking for the best deal. The US does not make such subs anymore.