MUMBAI: The construction of highly advanced Scorpene began at Mazgon Dock here on Wednesday under a $ 3.5 billion deal for six such submarines with the French.

"Today we are at the starting point, the construction of the first section of the hull has begun," said Jean-Marie Poimboeuf, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DCN, the French shipbuilders supplying technology, design, consultancy and components to Mazgon Dock.

Mr. Poimboeuf said the first Scorpene would be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2012 and then one every year. Thus, five submarines would be built almost together. The components for the first two Scorpenes would come from France. But most of the equipment needed for the other four submarines would be made in India by various Indo-French collaborations or joint ventures.

Mr. Poimboeuf, who is also the chairman of GICAN, the French naval armament industry group, and other French executives are here to hold a meeting between the French and Indian industries.

The GICAN and the Confederation of Indian Industry on Wednesday began a two-day meeting. Mr. Poimboeuf said nearly 20 French companies were being represented in the Mumbai conference.

Coastal defence

Designed for coastal defence against underwater threats, the 1,750-tonne Scorpene is 67 meters long and could dive to the depth of 300 meters. It can stay at sea for 45 days with a crew of 31. The standard version has six torpedo tubes and (anti-shipping) missile launchers.

Mr. Poimboeuf said the DCN had already supplied two Scorpenes to the Chilean navy and was constructing two more in France for the Malaysians. But in case of India, all the six were being built in Mumbai. While general architecture, propulsion system and torpedo tubes were common to all the three navies, the Scorpenes for India would be somewhat different in combat systems and living accommodation.

"The Indian Navy has got the changes made to suit its requirements," he said.

The Navy wanted incorporation of some systems which were used in other Indian ships on the Scorpenes. Besides, it wanted the tubes capable of launching two different kinds of torpedoes. Mr. Poimboeuf refused to identify the origins of these torpedoes.

The supply of sea-skimming SM 39 Exocet anti-shipping missiles was a part of the deal.

Technology transfer

While the technology transfer covered the entire submarine, the French would not transfer the technology for torpedo tubes.

But Mr. Poimboeuf told The Hindu that the supply of this particular know-how could be considered.

The construction would reach that stage in 2009.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail