According to the Times of India on August 24, 2025, the Indian government has officially approved Germany’s Type 214 as the preferred design for its long-delayed Project 75 program. This decision enables state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to begin contract negotiations with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for six advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) submarines, in a deal valued at approximately $8.4 billion, while excluding Spain’s S-80 from consideration.
Project 75(I) aims to modernize India’s submarine fleet, ensure technology transfer, and strengthen domestic production under the “Make in India” initiative. The Type 214 displaces around 1,800 tons, features a fuel-cell-based AIP system allowing up to three weeks submerged endurance, and carries heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Its low acoustic signature and proven operational track record make it a reliable, stealthy platform.
The choice of Type 214 over the S-80 provides India with lower risk, established support infrastructure, and field-tested performance. Regionally, it positions India in direct competition with Pakistan’s Chinese-assisted Yuan-class submarines. While the Yuan emphasizes numerical strength and cost efficiency, Type 214 offers technological maturity and stealth advantage.
Beyond acquiring six submarines, the program strengthens MDL’s shipbuilding expertise, promotes indigenous design, and supports future submarine projects. India’s strategic goal is to enhance its undersea deterrence, safeguard maritime lines of communication, and secure a credible layered naval presence in the Indian Ocean region.
