India-Germany submarine deal close, envoy says

Germany and India are close to signing a submarine-building agreement, German Ambassador Jasper Wieck said Wednesday, adding that Berlin is waiting for final approval from New Delhi.

Wieck told reporters in New Delhi that the deal had been “more or less concluded” in its text and agreements, but still needed to be signed. He said Germany had cleared the documents and “could sign tomorrow”.

The discussions involve Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems building six submarines for the Indian navy in partnership with Indian state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Local media reports have put the possible value of the deal at about $8 billion.

India has not commented on the state of the negotiations. Any agreement would support India’s effort to replace ageing Russian-built submarines and could include technology transfer provisions for its defence industry.

Wieck said a defence industrial roadmap signed by Germany and India in April included other projects being discussed by companies.