Germany's Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackerman, has voiced full support for the ongoing negotiations between the Indian Navy and German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as part of Project 75 India.
This project aims to construct six new conventional submarines, with Thyssenkrupp partnering with Indian Mazgaon Dockyards Limited as one of the competing industry teams, along with Spanish firm Navantia.
In an email interview, Ambassador Ackerman highlighted India's pivotal role in Germany's business strategy in Asia, particularly amidst challenges posed by India's northeastern neighbour. He emphasised Germany's commitment to collaborate with an Indian dockyard for submarine construction and expressed the German government's enthusiastic backing for the negotiations.
Project 75 India seeks to develop larger conventional submarines with Air Independent Propulsion technology, with a project value exceeding six billion euros. While Ackerman refrained from commenting on recent issues regarding Germany's foreign office statement on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, he underlined Germany's increasing engagement with India across various sectors, including defence.
Ackerman outlined Germany's upcoming military activities in India, such as participating in the Tarang Shakti exercise and deploying aircraft like Eurofighter Typhoons and A400M transport planes. He also mentioned planned high-level visits from Germany to India in support of joint military exercises.
Regarding changes in German foreign policy toward India and the Indo-Pacific region, Ackerman highlighted the growing political will in Berlin to enhance defence ties and establish a robust strategic partnership with India. He stressed the importance of diversifying military cooperation and offering alternatives in collaboration with American and European partners.
On the specificities of Project 75 India, Ackerman mentioned discussions between Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and German officials in Berlin, emphasising Germany's readiness to supply aircraft, torpedoes, and power packs for tanks to India with substantial localisation of production. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems' CEO Oliver Burkhard also emphasised the technical capabilities of TKMS and the collaboration's potential for indigenisation and technology transfer.
Burkhard highlighted the memorandum of understanding signed between Thyssenkrupp and MDL, outlining their respective responsibilities in submarine design, construction, and advisory roles. He assured that both companies are well-equipped with experience and expertise, with plans for significant indigenisation in line with Indian requirements.
Overall, Germany's strong backing for Project 75 India reflects a deepening partnership in defence and strategic cooperation between the two nations.