Beneath the Surface: Indo-French Defence Ties Remain Unbroken Amidst Project-75I Shift

The recent selection of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for India's Project-75I submarine programme has sparked interest in the country's defence procurement strategies and its implications for bilateral relationships. However, amidst the excitement surrounding the German bid, a crucial aspect of India's defence landscape has remained relatively overlooked: the unbroken bond between New Delhi and Paris.

While France's Naval Group had withdrawn from the Project-75I competition in April 2022, citing concerns over technical requirements, the absence of any official French response to the outcome is largely explained by the fact that the French company had already exited the tender. This withdrawal marked the beginning of a new chapter in Indo-French naval cooperation, as the two nations continued to strengthen their defence ties through other programmes.

One of the strongest pillars of the Indo-French defence relationship is the successful execution of Project-75, under which six Kalvari-class Scorpène submarines have been built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with technology provided by Naval Group. This landmark programme has not only significantly strengthened India's indigenous submarine construction capabilities but also provided the Indian Navy with one of its most capable conventional submarine classes.

The collaboration between France and India extends far beyond submarine construction. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Naval Group have entered into cooperation for integrating India's indigenously developed Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system into the Kalvari-class submarines during their scheduled refits. This cutting-edge technology is expected to substantially increase the submarines' underwater endurance, allowing them to remain submerged for longer periods without surfacing or snorkeling.

This collaboration demonstrates that Indo-French naval cooperation remains active despite France not participating in Project-75I. The broader strategic partnership has also expanded into future technologies, with France expressing support for India's indigenous defence manufacturing ambitions and collaborating in areas including combat aircraft engines, naval propulsion, missiles, space, and emerging defence technologies. These long-term initiatives indicate that Project-75I represents only one element of a much larger bilateral defence relationship.

For India, selecting TKMS reflects the specific technical and commercial evaluation of the Project-75I requirements rather than any shift in strategic partnerships. India's defence procurement policy has increasingly emphasised diversification of suppliers while simultaneously strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities through technology transfer and local production.

Germany's participation in Project-75I is expected to introduce advanced conventional submarine technologies into India's naval industrial ecosystem, while France continues contributing through the existing Scorpène fleet and future upgrade programmes. This synergy between the two nations is set to propel India's defence capabilities forward, with France remaining a trusted partner in the country's defence journey.

As the Indian Navy embarks on a new era of conventional submarine modernisation, the strategic defence partnership between New Delhi and Paris remains unshaken. With a legacy of cooperation spanning major programmes like the Rafale fighter aircraft and Scorpène-class submarines, France remains an integral part of India's defence ecosystem. The successful execution of Project-75 has significantly strengthened India's indigenous submarine construction capabilities, and ongoing collaboration in emerging defence technologies is set to propel this relationship forward, ensuring a bright future for Indo-French defence ties.