Together with partner Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), TKMS can hope to win a US$5bn project to build six submarines for the Indian Navy.
The Spanish shipyard group Navantia was unable to meet the requirements in field trials, according to the news agency Reuters. The decisive requirement was for an air-independent propulsion technology (AIP), which enables two weeks of underwater operation.
TKMS offers the submarine type 214IN and has prevailed against the French competitor project. India ordered Scorpène submarines in 2005, followed by the order for Rafale aircraft in 2016. Since October 2023, negotiations have been underway for the purchase of 26 additional Rafale aircraft for the navy and three Scorpène submarines. India has been one of the main customers of French defence products for years.
This is the second submarine for TKMS
India currently operates 17 diesel-powered submarines and two nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. The fleet consists of Soviet, Russian, French and German models, some of which were produced in India.
Most recently, TKMS signed a contract with Mazagon for the overhaul and modernisation of the INS “Shankush” submarine. This is the second submarine in a series of four diesel-electric units of the HDW class 209.
The business relationship between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and TKMS also began at that time. The first two boats were built in Germany, while boats three and four were completed at the Indian shipyard.
The Class 214 submarine is intended exclusively for export and has been sold to Greece, South Korea, Portugal and Turkey. Together with the class 212 A, these boats are considered the quietest conventional submarines in the world due to their propulsion system.
