India, June 26 -- India is strengthening its underwater combat capabilities as geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. The government's submarine modernisation roadmap includes the acquisition of six advanced diesel-electric submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology under Project-75(I), along with upgrades to the existing submarine fleet and future indigenous nuclear submarine programmes.

The proposed Project-75(I), valued at around Rs. 70,000 crore, is expected to be one of India's biggest defence contracts and forms a key pillar of the country's long-term naval modernisation strategy. Once approved, the programme will significantly enhance indigenous manufacturing under the "Make in India...