India and Germany Conclude Negotiations for ₹99,000 Crore Project 75(I) Submarine Deal
India and Germany have concluded cost negotiations for the ₹99,000 crore Project 75(I) submarine program with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The six submarines, based on a modified Type-214 design with fuel-cell Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), will be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The deal now awaits Cabinet Committee on Security approval, with signing anticipated in the next fiscal year. The revised valuation is reported at ₹66,000–₹70,000 crore, reflecting technology transfer, lifecycle support and inflation. The project marks a major step in modernizing the Indian Navy’s conventional submarine fleet and strengthening strategic maritime capabilities.
Deal value: ₹99,000 crore (negotiated) with TKMS
Submarines: six, with Type-214 design and AIP
Manufacturer: MDL (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited)
Status: awaiting CCS clearance; signing expected next fiscal year
Rationale: cost reduction, technology transfer, lifecycle support
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Visits Vietnam and South Korea to Expand Bilateral Engagement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh began a two-nation visit to Vietnam and South Korea to deepen defence cooperation and expand maritime collaboration. He will hold talks with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence and with South Korea’s counterpart to review existing arrangements and pursue new initiatives. The trip seeks stronger defence industrial partnerships and interoperability, aligning with regional security goals in the Indo-Pacific. The visit coincides with broader regional commemorations, including the 136th birth anniversary of Ho Chi Minh on 19 May. The ministry described the mission as part of efforts to promote peace, stability and strategic ties with partners in Asia.
Visit dates: mid-May 2026 (Vietnam and South Korea)
Purpose: deepen defence cooperation and maritime collaboration
Meetings with defence ministers of both countries
Focus: defence industry partnerships and interoperability
Context: Ho Chi Minh anniversary on 19 May
May 18, 2026
Indian Navy inaugurates Premier Naval Sailing Node at Upper Lake, Bhopal
The Indian Navy inaugurated its Premier Naval Sailing Node at Upper Lake (Bhojtaal), Bhopal, as part of an initiative to promote competitive water sports and motivate youth in Madhya Pradesh to consider Defence Forces careers. The event was presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and included participation from National Cadet Corps cadets and students. The facility aligns with the National Sports Policy’s aim to expand talent pipelines in sport and defence, providing a platform for sailing and related water sports training in a central Indian city.
Inauguration date: 18 May 2026; location: Upper Lake, Bhopal.
Objective: promote water sports and youth involvement in defence.
Event: attended by CNS Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and NCC cadets.
Policy link: supports National Sports Policy and talent development in defence.
Impact: increases access to competitive water sports in central India.
May 17, 2026
Sagar Defence Engineering Sets Up Autonomous Maritime Centre in Andhra Pradesh
On 12 March 2026, Sagar Defence Engineering held the stone-breaking ceremony for India's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. The project aims to create an autonomous maritime shipyard with waterfront access to build, test, and deploy vessels. The Government of Andhra Pradesh allotted 29.58 acres at Juvvaladinne, near the Bay of Bengal. The centre will develop unmanned surface vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, intelligent navigation systems, and integrated command-and-control systems. It will use AI-driven shipyard management, digital twins, robotic fabrication, and 3D printing, serving defence and civilian applications such as surveillance, logistics, ocean research, and offshore energy operations.
Stone-breaking ceremony on 12 March 2026 for India's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre.
29.58 acres allotted at Juvvaladinne, Nellore district, near the Bay of Bengal.
Centre to develop unmanned surface vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles.
Plans include AI-driven management, digital twins, robotic fabrication, and 3D printing.
Applications span defence and civilian sectors like surveillance and offshore energy.
May 16, 2026
Sagar Defence Engineering sets up Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra Pradesh
Sagar Defence Engineering held a stone-breaking ceremony on 12 March 2026 for India’s first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. The Government allocated 29.58 acres for the project at the Nellore coast along the Bay of Bengal. The centre will develop unmanned surface vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, intelligent navigation systems and integrated command-and-control, with AI-driven shipyard management, digital twins, robotic fabrication and 3D printing. Applications span defence and civilian use, including smart fishing networks, ocean research and offshore energy operations.
Technologies: USVs, AUVs, AI navigation, digital twins, robotic fabrication.
Scope: Defence and civilian maritime applications.
May 15, 2026
Foundation stone laid for AMCA project in Andhra Pradesh
Rajnath Singh and Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) infrastructure on 15 May 2026 at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. The project involves ₹15,803 crore of investment across about 650 acres and is linked to India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Aeronautical Development Agency, the AMCA facility is expected to create about 7,500 direct high-skilled jobs and support prototype development following Cabinet Committee on Security approval in March 2024. The site will bolster India’s defence manufacturing base and related ecosystem.
Foundation stone laid for AMCA infrastructure on 15 May 2026.
Investment of ₹15,803 crore across ~650 acres in Puttaparthi.
AMCA is India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter program.
Developed by DRDO and ADA; prototype development planned post-2024 approval.
Project to generate about 7,500 direct high-skilled jobs.
Kaal Bhairava AI combat aircraft to be manufactured in Portugal
Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace disclosed on 14 May 2026 that its Kaal Bhairava AI combat aircraft will be manufactured in Portugal, in collaboration with SKETCHPIXEL LDA. The project marks the first overseas production node for an Indian-designed autonomous combat aircraft. Kaal Bhairava is a MALE platform with a 3,000 km range and endurance over 30 hours, featuring AI-driven target recognition, swarm coordination, and encrypted communications. SKETCHPIXEL LDA will provide simulation technologies, AI integration, and interoperability capabilities, while Flying Wedge will retain core IP for autonomous systems and the airframe. Portugal becomes the initial European production site for the platform under Operation 777.
Kaal Bhairava to be manufactured in Portugal with SKETCHPIXEL LDA.
First overseas production node for Indian-designed autonomous aircraft.
MALE platform: 3,000 km range; over 30 hours endurance.
AI target recognition, swarm coordination, encrypted comms.
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