India is moving closer to a major expansion of its underwater combat fleet, with an over ₹80,000 crore Project-75(I) submarine acquisition now awaiting final approval from the competent authority.

The development comes as New Delhi closely monitors growing maritime cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly the induction of new Hangor-class submarines into the Pakistan Navy.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that both the Project-75(I) program and the proposal for additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines remain under active consideration.

According to Singh, the Project-75(I) proposal has reached its final stage and has already been submitted for the necessary decision-making process.

Alongside the six new submarines, India is also evaluating a plan to construct additional Kalvari-class boats at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

While the Kalvari-class option is regarded as less advanced than the Project-75(I) platform, it is being examined as part of a broader effort to rapidly strengthen the Navy's underwater force structure.

Under Project-75(I), MDL and Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) are expected to build six advanced conventional submarines in India, with substantial participation from Indian private-sector companies.

The project is a key component of India's strategic partnership model and is intended to significantly increase indigenous manufacturing, technology absorption and long-term submarine-building capability.

Beyond new construction, the government is pursuing upgrades to the existing submarine fleet.

A major element of that effort is the integration of the indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO. The technology is expected to be installed on a Kalvari-class submarine during a scheduled refit around the middle of next year.

The AIP system will allow conventional submarines to remain submerged for much longer periods without surfacing to recharge batteries, improving stealth and operational endurance.

Singh emphasised that India is pursuing multiple parallel initiatives to strengthen its underwater warfare capabilities and reiterated that future submarines under these projects will be built entirely within the country.

India is also modernising submarine combat architecture.

The Defence Secretary revealed that the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) has developed an advanced indigenous integrated combat system for submarines.

The new system is expected to be progressively installed across the submarine fleet as vessels undergo refits.

According to Singh, the combination of indigenous AIP technology, additional Kalvari-class submarines, the German-backed Project-75(I) program and the new integrated combat management system could substantially enhance the Indian Navy's underwater combat effectiveness.

The planned modernisation drive is part of a wider effort to address capability gaps in the conventional submarine arm and maintain a favourable balance in the Indian Ocean Region amid increasing submarine activity by regional rivals.

Project-75(I) has long been viewed as one of the Indian Navy's most significant modernisation priorities. The six submarines are expected to feature advanced sensors, improved stealth characteristics, modern weapon systems and extended underwater endurance, while also deepening India's domestic submarine manufacturing ecosystem through technology transfer and local production.

As India simultaneously pursues new submarine construction, indigenous propulsion technology and next-generation combat systems, the Navy's underwater fleet is set for one of its most significant capability upgrades in decades.

ANI