Global submarine procurement contracts

In late July 2026, European and Asian navies advanced major submarine acquisition programs. On 17 July, France and the Netherlands expanded their existing cooperation, signing a €5.6 billion amendment that adds four new Orka‑class submarines for the Dutch fleet and secures French involvement in metal work, surface‑treatment and electronics, while cementing a two‑decade framework for maintenance and knowledge‑sharing.

A few days later, India and Germany moved toward finalising an €8 billion Project‑75(I) agreement for six Type‑214 diesel‑electric submarines built in Mumbai under a Make‑in‑India scheme. The deal, linking ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, emphasizes air‑independent propulsion and aims to boost the Indian Navy’s underwater capability, marking a significant expansion of Indo‑German defence cooperation.

Together, these contracts illustrate a broader pattern in 2026 of nations pursuing joint submarine programmes that combine foreign technology with domestic production, seeking strategic autonomy and enhanced maritime deterrence.