Introduction
In the dynamic landscape of global geopolitics, the significance of maritime supremacy cannot be overstated. For India, a nation with an expansive coastline and burgeoning strategic interests, the imperative to bolster its naval capabilities has taken on a renewed urgency. Project 75(I), the ambitious endeavor spearheaded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), stands as a testament to India's resolute commitment to fortifying its underwater warfare arsenal. This comprehensive examination will delve into the intricacies of this transformative initiative, exploring its historical context, technological advancements, and the geopolitical implications that reverberate across the Indo-Pacific region.
German Ambassador Philip Ackermann (left) and Oliver Burkhard, CEO Thyssenkrupp Marine System (ANI)
The Evolution of Project 75: Tracing the Origins
Project 75, the precursor to the current undertaking, was conceived in 1997 with the objective of constructing two domestically developed SSK Submarines, referred to as Type 1500. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the authoritative body within the MoD, sanctioned this pioneering project, signaling India's unwavering determination to enhance its submarine fleet.
Collaboration and Challenges
Initially, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a subsidiary under the MoD, was commissioned to construct the submarines in partnership with Thomson-CSF (TCSF) of France. This collaborative effort was delineated into two phases, with Phase I focusing on the construction of several submarines at MDL, and Phase II envisioning the utilization of indigenous capabilities for subsequent submarine production.
However, the collaboration with TCSF was terminated in April 2001, as the Indian Navy opted for a newer submarine model, the Scorpene, which included technology transfer (TOT) arrangements facilitated by Armaris (later DCNS, now Naval Group), a French naval entity. This transition, while aimed at incorporating advanced features, brought with it a series of challenges, including issues with technology absorption, delays in enhancing industrial infrastructure, and procurement difficulties related to MDL-purchased materials (MPM).
Escalating Costs and Delays
The cost of the submarine project escalated over time, with the initial negotiation in October 2002 amounting to Rs 12,609 crore, and the final contract in October 2005 reaching Rs 18,798 crore. This cost increase was primarily attributed to escalations and fluctuations in exchange rates, as reported in project accounts submitted to the Lok Sabha in 2009-10. By February 2010, the price had been revised to Rs 23,562 crore, accompanied by adjustments to the delivery schedule.
Addressing the Operational Shortfall
In 2013, it was reported that the Indian Navy had opted to exclude Indian shipyards from the construction of six submarines as part of Project-75, due to MDL's significant delay of 30 months in delivering the first of six Scorpene submarines. This decision was a response to the Navy's desperate shortage of submarines, as an admiral mentioned to Business Standard at the time, "We are desperately short of submarines." Furthermore, an audit revealed that only seven or eight out of 15 submarines were operational at any given time, whereas the requirement was at least 24 submarines.
Technological Advancements: Project 75(I)
The evolution of Project 75 into Project 75(I) marked a significant technological leap, as the focus shifted towards acquiring diesel-electric attack submarines equipped with fuel cells and an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) System. This advancement addressed a critical limitation of the Scorpene submarines, which required resurfacing every 48 hours for recharging. The introduction of AIP technology in Project 75(I) aimed to enhance the submarines' endurance, enabling them to remain submerged for up to two weeks before needing to recharge.
Modernizing Submarine Design
In addition to the AIP system, the new submarines under Project 75(I) will be outfitted with a host of modern equipment, weapons, and sensors, including advanced torpedoes, sophisticated missiles, and cutting-edge countermeasure systems. This comprehensive upgrade not only bolsters the submarines' combat capabilities but also minimizes their traditional masts and snorkels, making them less detectable.
Expanding Domestic Capabilities
The strategic partnership policy introduced in the Defense Procurement Policy (DPP) of 2016 has played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Project 75(I). This policy mandates that foreign vendors supplying defense platforms to India must transfer technology to a specified Indian "strategic partner," who would then manufacture the platforms within the country and provide lifetime support.
Accordingly, the defense ministry has endorsed a proposal to construct four Project-75I submarines at Mazagon Dock, Mumbai (MDL), with the remaining two to be produced through the designated "strategic partner." This arrangement not only fosters the development of domestic submarine manufacturing expertise but also aligns with India's broader vision of self-reliance in the defense sector.
Enhancing Indo-German Cooperation: The German Perspective
The German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackerman, has highlighted the pivotal role that India's New Delhi plays in Berlin's Asian business strategy, particularly in light of the diversification of business relations due to challenges posed by India's neighboring countries in the Northeast region and other factors.
Ackerman emphasized the full support of the German government for the negotiations with the Indian Navy regarding the Project 75 India tender, underscoring Germany's commitment to strengthening defense ties and fostering a long-term, substantive strategic partnership with India.
Concrete Collaboration
The strategic partnership between Germany and India is manifesting itself in various concrete actions, as Ackerman outlined. These include military visits and joint exercises, the potential co-production of advanced military hardware, increased collaboration in the field of cyber security, and the strengthening of interoperability between the two nations' armed forces.
Notably, Germany is set to participate in the first phase of Tarang Shakti, a joint exercise with the Indian Air Force, marking the first time that the German Air Force has been deployed to India for such a high-scale exercise. Additionally, in October, two German ships, a frigate, and a support ship, will visit Goa to train together with the Indian Navy, showcasing the deepening defense cooperation between the two countries.
Ackerman also emphasized that high-ranking visits from Germany are expected this summer and autumn to witness and politically support these joint exercises, and he expressed optimism that these collaborative efforts will become an annual occurrence.
Expanding Defense Exports
The German Ambassador underscored that Germany's defense export policy has been opened, and the collaboration with India in this regard is one of the most important examples of this shift. Ackerman stated that it is in Germany's interest for India to diversify its military cooperation, and together with their American and European partners, they aim to offer alternatives to the Indian government.
In this context, Ackerman highlighted that Germany is ready to supply aircraft, torpedoes, and power packs for tanks to India, with substantial localization of production in India. He further noted that Germany has expedited its processes for export licenses, delivering more and faster due to India's status as a prime security partner in the region.
Thyssenkrupp's Commitment
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the German company that has joined forces with MDL for Project 75 India, has also expressed its commitment to the project. Oliver Burkhard, the CEO of Thyssenkrupp, stated that TKMS is the only firm with a proven AIP system and has underlined the technical possibilities of the submarines in collaboration with delegations from the Indian and German Navies.
Burkhard outlined the responsibilities of the two companies, with TKMS being responsible for the design of the submarines and playing an advisory role, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders would be responsible for the construction and delivery of the submarines. He emphasized that both companies have many years of experience, knowledge, and expertise, and are engaging their key sub-suppliers in the process of indigenization, including their own subsidiaries 'kta' and ATLAS ELEKTRONIK.
Geopolitical Implications: A Shifting Global Landscape
The ongoing geopolitical dynamics have profoundly influenced the trajectory of Project 75(I). As the German Ambassador Ackerman stated,
"As a result of Russia's war of aggression and the increasingly challenging behaviour of India's big neighbour in the North East, Germany is strongly diversifying its trade relations in Asia. India is on the forefront of this business strategy."
This diversification of trade relations, driven by the evolving global landscape, underscores the strategic importance of India in the eyes of Germany and other European nations. The Project 75(I) initiative, with its emphasis on enhancing India's naval capabilities, aligns with this broader shift in Germany's foreign policy and its growing commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
Strengthening the India-Germany Partnership
The German Ambassador's remarks highlight the significance of the India-Germany partnership in the realm of defense cooperation. Ackerman stressed that "Germany's shift towards India and the Indo-Pacific is manifesting itself in very concrete actions: military visits and joint exercises, potential co-production of advanced military hardware, more collaboration in the area of cyber and strengthening our interoperability."
This deepening defense alliance between the two nations not only bolsters India's naval prowess but also has broader geopolitical implications. As Germany and its European partners seek to offer alternatives to India's traditional defense suppliers, the success of Project 75(I) could pave the way for further strategic convergence and diversification of India's defense partnerships.
Shaping the Indo-Pacific Landscape
The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a critical theater of geopolitical competition, with nations vying for influence and the preservation of the rules-based international order. Project 75(I) assumes significance in this context, as it aligns with Germany's Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes the importance of preserving free shipping routes and promoting peace and stability in the region.
By bolstering India's naval capabilities, Project 75(I) contributes to the broader efforts of Germany and its European allies to counter China's assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific. The successful execution of this project could strengthen India's position as a key strategic partner in the region, enhancing its ability to safeguard its national interests and contribute to the maintenance of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
Project 75(I) stands as a testament to India's unwavering commitment to strengthening its naval prowess and enhancing its strategic autonomy. This ambitious initiative, with its technological advancements and the fostering of domestic manufacturing capabilities, holds the potential to transform India's underwater warfare capabilities and reshape the geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
The deepening defense cooperation between India and Germany, as exemplified by the Project 75(I) collaboration, underscores the evolving global landscape and the strategic imperatives that are driving nations to forge new alliances and diversify their partnerships. As India navigates the complexities of the 21st century security environment, the successful execution of Project 75(I) could pave the way for a more robust and resilient maritime force, capable of safeguarding the nation's interests and contributing to the maintenance of a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.
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