India is likely to sign the contract for three additional Scorpene -class diesel-electric submarines by end-2024, as reported by Hindu.
While the first submarine is expected to be delivered in 2031 as the procurement process is set to begin shortly.
As of now, the procurement has been given Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 6th July 13.
Notably, the procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector.
It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.
In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content.
Further, a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on these three additional Scorpene submarines have already been signed by the Naval Group and the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) on July 6, 2023.
Noteworthy, the Indian Navy currently operates 14 diesel electric submarine and 2 nuclear powered ones. But most of the fleet is three decades old.
The ‘blue water force’ needs at least 24 submarines to meet its 30-year submarine-building plan, which was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 1999.
