Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahendru, former captain of India’s nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant, advocated for India to adopt South Korea’s submarine development model, emphasizing effective technology transfer and indigenous capabilities. He noted that India’s submarine program faltered due to a corruption scandal following the Type 209 deal in the 1980s, which stunted growth and led to reliance on foreign imports. Meanwhile, South Korea successfully evolved its submarines from initial German designs to advanced indigenous models, boosting its defense industry and export potential. Mahendru’s remarks come as India seeks to bolster its naval capabilities amid increasing maritime threats, with projects like the 75I program aiming to enhance submarine technology while learning from past mistakes.