India and Germany are expected to sign the long-awaited Project-75I submarine agreement soon, with German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann expressing confidence that the deal could be finalised as early as next month. The proposed agreement, estimated at 8 billion euros (over Rs 90,000 crore), will pave the way for the construction of six next-generation conventional submarines in India for the Indian Navy. Project-75I deal expected soon Speaking on the sidelines of an industry event organised by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), Ackermann said he was optimistic that the submarine agreement would be signed in the coming weeks. The Project-75I programme is expected to be executed through a partnership between Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and India's state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. The deal is aimed at strengthening the Indian Navy's conventional submarine fleet through indigenous construction under technology collaboration. Type 214 submarine to form the basis of project The TKMS Type 214 is an advanced diesel-electric attack submarine equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. Developed by Germany's Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), the design combines the hull characteristics of the Type 209 family with the fuel cell propulsion technology used in the Type 212A. The AIP system enables the submarine to remain submerged for extended periods without the need to surface or snorkel, enhancing stealth during operations. Dimensions and propulsion The Type 214 measures 65 metres in length with a beam of 6.3 metres and a draught of 6 metres. It has a displacement of 1,690 tonnes on the surface and 1,860 tonnes when submerged. Its pressure hull is constructed using high-yield HY-100 ferromagnetic steel to reduce its magnetic signature. The submarine is powered by two MTU 16V-396 diesel engines generating 3.96 MW, a Siemens Permasyn low-speed permanently excited electric motor producing 2.85 MW, and two HDW Polymer Electrolyte Membrane hydrogen fuel cell modules rated at 120 kW each. The propulsion system is optimally integrated with modern diesel generator sets and can operate flexibly with either lead-acid batteries (LAB) or lithium-ion batteries (LIB). Performance and endurance The submarine can achieve a surfaced speed of 10 to 12 knots and a maximum submerged sprint speed of 20 knots. While operating on AIP, it cruises at speeds between 2 and 6 knots. It is officially rated to operate at depths exceeding 250 metres, with estimates suggesting a maximum diving depth of around 400 metres. The Type 214 has an operational endurance of up to 84 days and can remain continuously submerged for as long as three weeks using its AIP system. Its range extends to 12,000 nautical miles on the surface and approximately 1,248 nautical miles underwater using fuel cells. Weapons, combat systems and mission capabilities The submarine is equipped with eight 533 mm bow torpedo tubes capable of launching heavyweight wire-guided torpedoes, including the DM2A4 and Black Shark variants, as well as submarine-launched anti-ship missiles such as the Sub-Harpoon through dedicated launch tubes. Its combat suite includes the advanced ORCCA combat management system and the ISUS 90 sonar and weapon control system, supported by the SPHINX-D Low Probability of Intercept navigation radar. The Type 214 also integrates a torpedo countermeasures (TCM) system and features a large payload concept that supports different combinations of weapon payloads and future mission modules. Operators can choose from different optical sensor configurations based on mission requirements. The submarine is also designed to support a wide range of special operations forces (SOF) missions and offers universal deployment capabilities across multiple operational environments. Stealth and advanced design features The Type 214 features an X-rudder configuration that improves underwater manoeuvrability and handling. Its propulsion system uses a permanently excited motor with continuously variable control to enhance efficiency and reduce noise. The submarine has also been optimised to minimise its acoustic and magnetic signatures while meeting high shock-resistance standards, improving survivability in combat. The vessel has a crew complement of 27 personnel, comprising five officers and 22 sailors. Note: Exact specifications, including dimensions, displacement and equipment, may vary depending on the configuration selected by the operator.