Germany signals readiness for ambitious submarine agreement with India

Germany is ready to sign a “forward leaning” agreement with India for submarines, according to the German ambassador to India, Mr Wieck. The report in The Hindu provides no further details about the proposed agreement, including its value, the submarines involved, the companies that might participate or a possible signing date. Wieck said Germany and India had both increased investment in their military capabilities.

He linked those decisions to the worldwide situation, which he described as an “unfriendly geostrategic environment”. His comments indicate that the proposed submarine cooperation is being discussed in the context of broader defence spending by the two countries. However, the supplied material does not specify whether the arrangement would involve construction, procurement, technology transfer, maintenance or another form of cooperation.

It also gives no indication of the Indian government’s response, the status of negotiations or the regulatory steps that would be required before any deal could be concluded. The available information is limited to the ambassador’s statement that Germany is ready to sign an ambitious agreement and his explanation that changing international conditions have contributed to increased military investment by both countries.