Rajnath Singh heads to Germany for defence ties; submarine deals in focus
Rajnath Singh heads to Germany for defence ties; submarine deals in focus
Defence minister Rajnath Singh travels to Germany for talks on a defence industrial cooperation roadmap, with submarine deal discussions tied to India's ₹70,000-crore Project 75I.
India is stepping up its defence diplomacy with Germany as defence minister Rajnath Singh prepares for a three-day official visit to Germany from April 21 to 23. The talks are expected to centre on signing a defence industrial cooperation roadmap that would bolster bilateral military ties and expand collaboration in areas like cyber security, artificial intelligence and drone technologies.
The talks come as India advances its ambitious Project 75I programme, a ₹70,000-crore effort to build six next-generation conventional submarines for the Indian Navy through a collaboration between Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and German yard thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The submarines, based on an HDW Class 214 variant, will feature air independent propulsion to enhance underwater endurance and reduce detection risk. Under the contract, tkMS will transfer submarine design and technology to India, aiming for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
During the three-day visit, Singh is set to hold bilateral discussions with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior officials. An Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training is also likely to be signed as part of the broader defence engagement. The visit underscores a shared interest in deepening defence industrial collaboration, strengthening military-to-military engagements, and exploring new opportunities in emerging domains while navigating regional security dynamics.
