Germany Offers "Bigger" 214 Version Of HDW-Class Submarines To Indian Navy To Counter Pakistan, China

In June 2023, Thyssenkrupp of Germany and India Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MAZG.NS) officially inked an agreement to collaborate on a submarine tender for the Indian Navy, with an estimated value of approximately $5.2 billion.

Under this strategic partnership, Thyssenkrupp will be responsible for the engineering and design aspects, while Mazagon Dock will oversee the construction and delivery of six submarines as part of the Indian Navy Project 75I. This initiative, valued at $4.8 billion, aims to procure six conventional diesel submarines to enhance India naval capabilities and address security concerns vis-a-vis neighboring nations such as Pakistan and China.

The submarines at the heart of Project 75I are classified as HDW-214 Class submarines. Characterized by a single-hull, one-compartment design, these submarines amalgamate the design principles of the HDW Class 209 family with the exceptional features of HDW Class 212A boats. Notably, Thyssenkrupp-supplied boats from the 1980s are still operational in the Indian Navy.

Facing competition from Spain Navantia, which has partnered with private shipyard Larsen and Toubro, Thyssenkrupp HDW Class 214 submarines boast impressive specifications:

• Length: 65 meters (213 feet 3 inches)
• Beam: 6.3 meters (20 ft 8 in)
• Draft: 6.0 meters (19 ft 8 in)
• Displacement: 1860 tons (submerged)
• Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h) - surface / 20 knots (37 km/h) - submerged
• Range, surfaced: 12,000 NM (22,200 km)
• Range, submerged on batteries: 420 NM (780 km) at 8 knots (15 km/h)
• Diving depth: More than 400 meters (more than 1,400 feet)
• Pressure hull diameter: 6.3 m
• Surface displacement: 2,000 t
• Height include sail: 13 m

The HDW Class 214 operates as a diesel-electric submarine, featuring diesel propulsion complemented by an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system employing a Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cell. Equipped with eight 533mm torpedo tubes, it has the capability to deploy heavyweight torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and lay mines. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both Thyssenkrupp and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to bolstering India maritime defense capabilities.