Source TOI
India’s ambitious Project-75I, an estimated $8 billion programme to build next-generation conventional submarines, is emerging as a key pillar of New Delhi’s maritime strategy as it recalibrates its security posture against Pakistan and an increasingly assertive China in the Indo-Pacific.
The project aims to construct six advanced diesel-electric attack submarines for the Indian Navy, equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, modern sensors, and long-range strike capabilities. Once completed, Project-75I will significantly enhance India’s underwater warfare strength, which has faced capability gaps due to delays in induction and the ageing of existing platforms.
Strengthening Undersea Deterrence
Submarines are considered the most lethal and stealthy assets in naval warfare. With Project-75I, India seeks to improve its ability to monitor, deter, and if necessary counter hostile naval movements in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The new submarines are expected to have superior endurance, allowing them to remain submerged for weeks, thereby reducing detection risks.
For Pakistan, which has traditionally relied on submarines to offset India’s numerical surface fleet advantage, the programme could tilt the undersea balance further in India’s favour. Pakistan is inducting Chinese-origin Hangor-class submarines, but analysts note that India’s technological upgrades and operational experience may provide New Delhi with a qualitative edge.
China Factor in the Indo-Pacific
China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indian Ocean—through frequent submarine deployments, port access agreements, and the Belt and Road Initiative—has been a major driver behind Project-75I. Beijing’s growing presence in strategic chokepoints such as the Malacca Strait and Gwadar port has heightened Indian security concerns.
The advanced submarines under Project-75I are expected to bolster India’s ability to track Chinese naval assets, protect sea lines of communication, and reinforce deterrence across the wider Indo-Pacific. Defence experts see the programme as part of India’s broader effort to counterbalance China’s rapid naval modernisation.
Boost to ‘Make in India’
A key feature of Project-75I is its emphasis on indigenous construction under the Strategic Partnership model. Indian shipyards will build the submarines in collaboration with foreign technology partners, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
This approach is expected not only to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing but also to reduce long-term dependence on imports, enhance technology transfer, and create a skilled workforce in advanced naval engineering.
Strategic Implications
While Project-75I is primarily a defensive capability upgrade, its strategic implications are far-reaching. By enhancing undersea dominance, India aims to maintain credible deterrence against Pakistan and project stability in the face of China’s growing maritime ambitions.
As regional naval competition intensifies, India’s $8 billion submarine upgrade underscores New Delhi’s intent to safeguard its maritime interests and reinforce its position as a key security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
