Navy ready for three new Scorpene submarines to boost India's strength at sea

The Indian Navy is set to buy three more Scorpene-class submarines. In this, the French Naval Group is collaborating with Bharat Electronics Ltd to coordinate the Inland War Management System. Additional submarines to be built at Mazagon Dockyard will have 60 per cent Indian content. Vincent Martinot-Lagarde of the Navy emphasized that the project would improve India's submarine capabilities and create skilled jobs locally. The objective of this initiative is to promote India's self-reliance in defense and to create a regional hub for submarine construction. Built with French architecture In fact, the Naval Group has announced that the combat management system for these new submarines will be manufactured in India by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) with French architecture. The Indian Navy is currently in talks with Mazagon Dockyard to collaborate with the French Naval Group for the construction of these three additional Scorpenes. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of this year, following the delivery of the first six Scorpene submarines. The new submarines being built by BEL will have to include up to 60 per cent indigenous content to meet the norms. According to the current plan, the combat systems of the new submarines will be developed in-house by BEL based on French designs, said Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, Executive Vice President of Naval Personnel. This represents significant progress in achieving a high level of domestic content. Martinot-Lagarde expressed confidence that the target of 60 percent domestic content would be achieved. This will be achieved gradually by balancing the delivery schedule and quality standards, he said. During a visit to India to meet Indian naval officials, Martinot-Lagarde described the project as unique and emphasized that it would equip the navy with the latest technologies in the updated Scorpene design.