India Fast-Tracks Indigenous Scorpene Submarines Deal with French Partner

The Indian Navy is expediting the acquisition of three new Scorpene submarines from Mazagaon Dockyards with the French Naval Group. Bharat Electronics Limited will produce the combat management system domestically. The project aims for 60% indigenous content, bolstering India's self-reliance and future submarine export capabilities.

Amid an ongoing procedure to procure three additional Scorpene-class submarines for the Indian Navy, the Naval Group—France's partner in the project—announced that the combat management systems for these submarines will be manufactured in India by Bharat Electronics Limited, with architectural support from France.

The Indian Navy is negotiating with Mazagaon Dockyards, which will collaborate with the French Naval Group to construct the three Scorpenes. The first batch of six submarines is expected by the end of this year. The new submarines will feature up to 60% indigenous content as per the project's requirements.

Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, Naval Group's Executive Vice President, indicated in an email interview with ANI that Bharat Electronics Limited will design the combat systems based on French architecture, marking a significant step towards achieving the targeted indigenous content. He expressed confidence that Mazagaon Dockyards would meet the 60% target, albeit progressively, considering delivery timelines and quality standards.

Martinot-Lagarde emphasized the project's uniqueness, noting that it will equip the Navy with advanced technologies, enhanced combat capabilities, and superior endurance and stealth. The Naval Group is collaborating with multiple Indian industrial partners through subcontracting to indigenize many critical systems, including working with companies like L&T, Merlin Hawk, Equans Axima India, VEM, and Radiant.

The remaining supplies will be procured directly by Mazagaon Dockyards from Indian and foreign suppliers. The initiative is expected to benefit the Indian economy significantly and create thousands of skilled jobs. Martinot-Lagarde noted that the concerted efforts of MDL, BEL, and the Naval Group aim to enable future in-house maintenance of these submarines.

India is advancing its goal of developing a substantial fleet consisting of 21 new conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines to mitigate security threats from China and Pakistan. After receiving clearance from the defence acquisition council in 2023, the Defence Ministry aims to complete the acquisition within this fiscal year. The high indigenization content is part of a broader strategy to establish India as a regional submarine manufacturing hub and foster export capabilities.

(With inputs from agencies.)