Within one week, India received Spanish and German delegations and signed a slew of important agreements and outcomes ranging from matters of economy and technology to defence and security in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s defence cooperation with Germany and Spain reflects the significant partnership that has gained new momentum and direction. The First Post reports that the back-to-back visits by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez are strategically important for India to revamp defence relations with Europe. Both Germany and Spain are in the running for India’s Project 75(I), a multi-billion-dollar contract to construct advanced submarines with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems — a project that could deepen India’s defence partnerships with either country.
Germany’s ‘Focus on India’ Strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the German delegation headed by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and co-chaired the seventh round of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (7th IGC) on October 25, 2024, in New Delhi. A defence round table was held on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Conference of Business (APK).
Based on Germany’s Focus India Strategy paper 2024, India and Germany look forward to concluding an agreement on reciprocal logistical support of German and Indian armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region. Bundeswehr (German Federal Defence) is demonstrating its presence in the Indo-Pacific region by expanding its cooperation with Indian armed forces. During the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, it was announced that a German Liaison officer would be placed in the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) – Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in New Delhi. Notably, the German Air Force participated in the Indian Air Force’s Tarang Shakti exercise with combat and transport aircraft.
India and Germany look forward to agree on reciprocal logistical support of German and Indian armed forces in the Indo-Pacific region. Germany is demonstrating its presence in the Indo-Pacific region by expanding its cooperation with Indian armed forces. During German Chancellor’s visit, it was announced that a German Liaison officer would be placed in Delhi
Joint exercises were conducted between Indian and German navies. The German frigate Bayern had already docked at Mumbai on its return journey from the Pacific in 2022. The Frankfurt am Main naval supply ship, and the Baden-Württemberg frigate departed from Germany’s North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven in May 2024, before crossing the Atlantic and passing the Panama Canal to the Pacific. They then passed through the Taiwan Strait, before entering Mormugao Port in Goa. Germany also welcomed the port call of the Indian naval ship INS TABAR to Hamburg in July 2024.
Germany is India’s major defence partner. In the first six months of 2024, according to German Economy Ministry data, India was the third largest recipient of German arms. Due to the growing ties between the two countries, Germany lifted curbs on the export of small arms and their spare parts to India as an exception. The National Security Guard (NSG) and Indian Navy commandos (MARCOS) can procure MP5 submachine guns, spare parts, and accessories from German firm Heckler and Koch.
One of the key areas of cooperation between India and Germany is submarine technology. Germany is a world leader in submarine design and construction, and India is looking to acquire new submarines to modernise its navy. In 2015, India and Germany signed an agreement for the construction of six new submarines in India by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This is the largest submarine construction project ever undertaken by a foreign company in India. Though a declaration of intent was agreed upon last year, India has yet to decide.
Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd will co-produce C-295 aircraft at Vadodara. This plant will roll out the first ‘Made in India’ C-295 aircraft in 2026. Forty aircraft will be manufactured in India while Airbus Spain will deliver 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition to India, out of which six have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force
Spain’s C-295 Connection with TATA
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez paid an official visit to India on October 28-29, 2024. It was his first visit to India and the first by the President of the Government of Spain (official designation of the Spain’s incumbent Prime Minister) to India after 18 years.
Prime Minister Sanchez and Prime Minister Modi jointly inaugurated the Final Assembly Line Plant of C-295 aircraft co-produced by Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd at Vadodara. This plant will roll out the first ‘Made in India’ C-295 aircraft in 2026, out of a total of 40 aircraft to be manufactured in India. Airbus Spain is also delivering 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition to India, out of which 6 have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force. C-295 aircraft project stands as a symbol of the growing defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. In line with this growing partnership, and in recognition of the advanced capabilities and competitiveness of the Spanish defence industry and its contribution to the goals of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, they encouraged their respective defence industries in other sectors to set up similar joint projects in India.
One of the key areas of cooperation between India and Spain is naval shipbuilding. Spain is a major shipbuilding power, and India wants to acquire new warships to modernise its navy. In 2018, India and Spain signed an agreement for the construction of six new warships in India by Navantia. This is the largest shipbuilding project ever undertaken by a foreign company in India.
The Indian Navy’s P-75 Submarine project is another avenue in which Spain and India can collaborate to enhance defence manufacturing. Spain has expressed keen interest in participating in India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, recognising the immense potential for further industrial collaboration. Spanish shipbuilding firm Navantia is a contender for Indian Navy’s mega submarine programme, under which six conventional submarines will be built with the Air Independent Propulsion System. Navantia has signed a teaming agreement with India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to jointly bid for the P-75(I) project, valued at over €4.8 billion. Navantia will provide the submarine design, while L&T will handle the local manufacturing and integration in India, in line with the ‘Make in India’ framework.
Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative has gained momentum with the C-295 aircraft deal with Spain. India and Germany’s cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is testing new waters. Spain and Germany are leaving no stone unturned in expanding and diversifying defence ties with India
In addition to the P-75 Project, they designed 50 per cent of the Scorpene Class submarines, inducted by the Indian Navy from French Group DCNS (approx. €150 million was paid to Navantia). They also supply spare parts for the Scorpene in partnership with MDL (Mazgaon Docks Limited). This mutual desire to collaborate in defence manufacturing and explore new avenues for joint development and production is a testament to the growing strategic importance of the India-Spain partnership.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative has gained momentum with the C-295 aircraft deal with Spain. India and Germany’s cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is testing new waters. Spain and Germany are leaving no stone unturned in expanding and diversifying defence ties with India. In either case, India’s defence partnership will be strengthened in the long run.
–The writer is Assistant Professor, ICFAI School of Liberal Arts, ICFAI University, Jaipur. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
