It's like last time: an announcement is made, but it's basically just a MoU. The actual contract needs to be negotiated now.
As usual, talks more & act less. Seeing this since 2014.
France and India to support joint development of 'air combat system'
BY LAURENT LAGNEAU - 15 JULY 2023
On 13 July, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed to Paris by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, the Defence Acquisition Council [DAC] confirmed New Delhi's intention to acquire a further 26 Rafale Marine shipborne fighter-bombers and three Scorpene submarines, to be built, like the previous six, under licence from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited [MDL].
"The Indian Navy's 26 Rafale Marine aircraft will eventually join the 36 Rafales already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and at sea and guarantee its sovereignty," emphasised Dassault Aviation in a press release issued on 14 July.
Naval Group has not yet reacted to the Indian announcement concerning the three Scorpene submarines.
That said, the trial has yet to be completed, as negotiations will be opening to specify the value and terms of the contracts for these two weapons programmes.
However, France and India are likely to undertake other joint defence projects in the years to come. This is indicated in the roadmap "towards the centenary of Franco-Indian relations", published by the Élysée Palace following Mr Modi's visit.
"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1947 and the upgrading of the partnership to a strategic level in 1998, France and India have constantly acted hand in hand, based on a high level of mutual trust, a shared attachment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and common values rooted in international law", says the declaration.
The declaration goes on to stress the need to strengthen the "sovereign defence capabilities" of France and India, which have undertaken to "co-develop" and "co-produce together advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries". The focus will be on aerospace and shipbuilding, with land-based armaments visibly sidelined.
The declaration refers to support for the "joint development of an air combat system", without giving any further details.
India is currently working on two combat aircraft projects, entrusted to the aircraft manufacturer HAL: the TEDBF [Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter], intended for its naval aviation, and the AMCA [Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft], a 5th generation aircraft likely to be at the centre of a "system of systems" incorporating connected effectors capable of operating in swarms, and "loyal wingman" type drones.
Some analysts doubt India's ability to carry out such a programme, given the lack of a sufficiently "robust" defence technological and industrial base (DTIB). They argue that New Delhi could join another project, such as the SCAF [Future Air Combat System, led by France, Germany and Spain] or the Global Combat Air Programme [GCAP, formerly Tempest, led by the UK, Italy and Japan]. In fact, in April 2022, London offered it "the best of British know-how" in the aeronautics field...
Does the roadmap published by the Élysée refer to the SCAF, with the possible development of common "technological building blocks"? No doubt... Unless it's the development of the Rafale F5, which is due to enter service in 2030.
In any case, and still in the field of aeronautics, the text refers to Safran Helicopter Engines' participation in the India Multi Role Helicopter programme, a 10 to 12 tonne aircraft.
"In order to make progress on this programme, a shareholder agreement has been signed between the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines for the development of engines. These joint ventures are in keeping with the spirit of mutual trust that characterises the Franco-Indian relationship regarding the exchange and joint development of key components and technologies, building on the positive experience in technology transfer between France and India," the roadmap states.
As far as shipbuilding is concerned, the document does not explicitly mention the acquisition of three additional Scorpene submarines envisaged by New Delhi. However, it does say that the two countries "welcome the success of the first programme" for the P75 "Kalvari" [Indian name for the Scorpene], which is a "representative example of India's industrial capabilities [the 'Make in India' approach] and the sharing of naval know-how between companies in the two countries".
And there is talk of going further, since "France and India are ready to study even more ambitious projects to expand the Indian submarine fleet and improve its performance". This may refer to the three Scorpene vessels to be fitted with an AIP system developed by the Indian Defence Development Agency [DRDO] to extend navigation time when diving. But also to a possible cooperation in the field of nuclear attack submarines [SNA]. Such a hypothesis took shape in September 2021, i.e. after the announcement of the AUKUS alliance [Australia, United Kingdom, United States].
Finally, the roadmap highlights a memorandum of understanding between Naval Group and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd [GRSE, one of the Indian Navy's main suppliers] with a view to establishing collaboration "in the field of surface ships that meet the needs of Indian and international naval forces".
BY LAURENT LAGNEAU - 15 JULY 2023
On 13 July, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed to Paris by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, the Defence Acquisition Council [DAC] confirmed New Delhi's intention to acquire a further 26 Rafale Marine shipborne fighter-bombers and three Scorpene submarines, to be built, like the previous six, under licence from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited [MDL].
"The Indian Navy's 26 Rafale Marine aircraft will eventually join the 36 Rafales already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and at sea and guarantee its sovereignty," emphasised Dassault Aviation in a press release issued on 14 July.
Naval Group has not yet reacted to the Indian announcement concerning the three Scorpene submarines.
That said, the trial has yet to be completed, as negotiations will be opening to specify the value and terms of the contracts for these two weapons programmes.
However, France and India are likely to undertake other joint defence projects in the years to come. This is indicated in the roadmap "towards the centenary of Franco-Indian relations", published by the Élysée Palace following Mr Modi's visit.
"Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1947 and the upgrading of the partnership to a strategic level in 1998, France and India have constantly acted hand in hand, based on a high level of mutual trust, a shared attachment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and common values rooted in international law", says the declaration.
The declaration goes on to stress the need to strengthen the "sovereign defence capabilities" of France and India, which have undertaken to "co-develop" and "co-produce together advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries". The focus will be on aerospace and shipbuilding, with land-based armaments visibly sidelined.
The declaration refers to support for the "joint development of an air combat system", without giving any further details.
India is currently working on two combat aircraft projects, entrusted to the aircraft manufacturer HAL: the TEDBF [Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter], intended for its naval aviation, and the AMCA [Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft], a 5th generation aircraft likely to be at the centre of a "system of systems" incorporating connected effectors capable of operating in swarms, and "loyal wingman" type drones.
Some analysts doubt India's ability to carry out such a programme, given the lack of a sufficiently "robust" defence technological and industrial base (DTIB). They argue that New Delhi could join another project, such as the SCAF [Future Air Combat System, led by France, Germany and Spain] or the Global Combat Air Programme [GCAP, formerly Tempest, led by the UK, Italy and Japan]. In fact, in April 2022, London offered it "the best of British know-how" in the aeronautics field...
Does the roadmap published by the Élysée refer to the SCAF, with the possible development of common "technological building blocks"? No doubt... Unless it's the development of the Rafale F5, which is due to enter service in 2030.
In any case, and still in the field of aeronautics, the text refers to Safran Helicopter Engines' participation in the India Multi Role Helicopter programme, a 10 to 12 tonne aircraft.
"In order to make progress on this programme, a shareholder agreement has been signed between the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines for the development of engines. These joint ventures are in keeping with the spirit of mutual trust that characterises the Franco-Indian relationship regarding the exchange and joint development of key components and technologies, building on the positive experience in technology transfer between France and India," the roadmap states.
As far as shipbuilding is concerned, the document does not explicitly mention the acquisition of three additional Scorpene submarines envisaged by New Delhi. However, it does say that the two countries "welcome the success of the first programme" for the P75 "Kalvari" [Indian name for the Scorpene], which is a "representative example of India's industrial capabilities [the 'Make in India' approach] and the sharing of naval know-how between companies in the two countries".
And there is talk of going further, since "France and India are ready to study even more ambitious projects to expand the Indian submarine fleet and improve its performance". This may refer to the three Scorpene vessels to be fitted with an AIP system developed by the Indian Defence Development Agency [DRDO] to extend navigation time when diving. But also to a possible cooperation in the field of nuclear attack submarines [SNA]. Such a hypothesis took shape in September 2021, i.e. after the announcement of the AUKUS alliance [Australia, United Kingdom, United States].
Finally, the roadmap highlights a memorandum of understanding between Naval Group and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd [GRSE, one of the Indian Navy's main suppliers] with a view to establishing collaboration "in the field of surface ships that meet the needs of Indian and international naval forces".
France remains the safest and best partner for us in anykind of joint development of weapon systems and niche technologies. They have never let us down.
As I have previously said. Joint ventures with France and the Rafale M always made sense. (even though the super hornet is better) As India moves away from Russia.
??? The competition only began last year. And we have a result already.
A drone needs to be developed for the Rafale that would meet Indian terrain and environment specs separate from DRDO's own systems. This was always a given considering it's difficult to fully integrate DRDO's systems with France's.
In time, most of the software can be rewritten for Indian use via the larger MRFA contract. But that could take 10-15 years.
I hope there's actual technology involved with the AUKUS competitor. Our only options are France and Russia, and some people are saying the 2 new SSN deals with Russia will be delayed because of the war.
The GRSE deal is for the Gowind corvette. It's for the NGC tender.
The Rafale won purely based on tech specs. In fact, they don't even know the price, 'cause that's not what the IN checks.
Actually, all we know today is they like to stick to what's been signed in the contract. Their ability to trasfer tech is still unproven.
We had to renegotiate the Scorpene contract as well.
English Releases
pib.gov.in
The 'miscellaneous' blunder in India's Rafale deal
Rahul Bedi explains how 'miscellaneous' factors have posed a major hurdle in negotiating the Rafale deal.
It emerged that the original agreement had mysteriously omitted to include varied critical components essential to the Scorpene’s construction including engines, generators, sub-assemblies and raw material like specialised steel.
Accordingly, the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh -- presented a fait accompli as MDL had already begun building the Scorpene’s -- was forced in March 2010 into approving an additional Rs 1,900 crore for the newly-created Mazagaon Procurement Materials.
Hence, it can be surmised that these ‘assorted’ items were either skilfully or inadvertently omitted from the Scorpene bid or simply tagged on as ‘miscellaneous’ only to be negotiated later, once the submarines construction has started leaving the MoD and Navy no alternative but to acquire them.
DCNS's actions are not a reflection on Dassault, but we are yet to see how well contracts can be negotiated with France in the post Cold War era.
Our Jaguar deal was with BAE and M2000 deal never fructified. Our ToT hopes with France are not based on history but the fact that we have become indispensible for the future of France. We have similar geopolitical interests in Africa and SEA, similar great power strategies and India is getting rich enough to afford exotic tech. With that said, of all the countries in the West, we have had the best history with France since the 80s.
Are we going for Gowind class design as NGC? Or that will be the bid from GRSE - NG?
Last I remembered, DRDO and Warship Design Bureau was testing the hull and different parameters for the designs of NGC.
There are no sirs here.
It's in reference to 2 Akula subs, 1 has been ordered for delivery in 2026, but will be delayed even further. The other is pending contract for a later date. Possibly 2024-25, with deliver in 2030-31. The Russians need up to 6 years for a refit.
Considering we are going to get 9 new SSNs/BNs in the 2030s, we may need a Chakra 5 too.
Gowind is GRSE's bid. Other shipyards will have their own plans.
It's under Buy Indian, Buy and Make Indian, and IDDM, so it caters to Indian designs and foreign designs. The IN and MoD will naturally favour Indian designs.
Their Akulas are in a real sorry state. Not just submarines but their whole navy. But they have worked really well on their SSBN program.
Declaration by India and France drops reference to Scorpene | News from India
NEW DELHI: After the proposed deal of 26 Rafale Marine fighters found no mention in the joint documents released after the Modi-Macron summit in Paris on Friday, the reference was to the MoU signed for building three more Scorpene-class submarines in India. It was removed from a later version of the binary statement published on Saturday morning.
An official government source said on Saturday that "some earlier negotiating texts had been uploaded" on the Foreign Office website "for a short period" and that these were "in no way the agreed text". He added that the text now approved on the site was the same as that published by the French government.
The proposed Rafale-M and Scorpene purchases, which were approved by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday and will together cost around 80,000 crores (around €9 billion), are of course still a long way from being signed, as previously reported by TOI.
With actual contracts signed only after lengthy techno-commercial negotiations and then final approval by the Cabinet Security Committee, which could take more than a year, the government probably doesn't want to give the opposition any chance to stir up controversy ahead of the general elections early next year. Congress leader Raoul Gandhi He campaigned vigorously against the previous Rs 59,000 crore contract for 36 Rafales for IAF In September 2016, however, the government denied all allegations of corruption.
Horizon 2047 said on Friday evening that India and France "welcome the MoU between them Mazagon Dockyard Ltd and (French) Naval Group to build three additional submarines under the P-75 programme.
Regarding the joint development of the fighter jet engine, the document states: "A roadmap on this project will be prepared between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year". But these lines have disappeared from the most recent version of the document.
This came after Foreign Minister Vinay Mohan Quatra When asked specifically about the proposed deal for 26 Rafale-M aircraft not mentioned in the documents on Friday evening in Paris, he said that the Horizon 2047 document envisaged the bilateral defence and security partnership "in a more comprehensive and holistic manner" than a group of individual transactions or purchases".
"The reason for this is that the parameters of a defence partnership are not determined by a single acquisition or non-acquisition, or a single acquisition or a single transaction", he said.
Incidentally, in a statement on Friday, Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation said that "the Indian government has announced the selection of the Rafale Navy to provide the Indian Navy with a next-generation fighter aircraft" after "an international competition".
NEW DELHI: After the proposed deal of 26 Rafale Marine fighters found no mention in the joint documents released after the Modi-Macron summit in Paris on Friday, the reference was to the MoU signed for building three more Scorpene-class submarines in India. It was removed from a later version of the binary statement published on Saturday morning.
An official government source said on Saturday that "some earlier negotiating texts had been uploaded" on the Foreign Office website "for a short period" and that these were "in no way the agreed text". He added that the text now approved on the site was the same as that published by the French government.
The proposed Rafale-M and Scorpene purchases, which were approved by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday and will together cost around 80,000 crores (around €9 billion), are of course still a long way from being signed, as previously reported by TOI.
With actual contracts signed only after lengthy techno-commercial negotiations and then final approval by the Cabinet Security Committee, which could take more than a year, the government probably doesn't want to give the opposition any chance to stir up controversy ahead of the general elections early next year. Congress leader Raoul Gandhi He campaigned vigorously against the previous Rs 59,000 crore contract for 36 Rafales for IAF In September 2016, however, the government denied all allegations of corruption.
Horizon 2047 said on Friday evening that India and France "welcome the MoU between them Mazagon Dockyard Ltd and (French) Naval Group to build three additional submarines under the P-75 programme.
Regarding the joint development of the fighter jet engine, the document states: "A roadmap on this project will be prepared between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year". But these lines have disappeared from the most recent version of the document.
This came after Foreign Minister Vinay Mohan Quatra When asked specifically about the proposed deal for 26 Rafale-M aircraft not mentioned in the documents on Friday evening in Paris, he said that the Horizon 2047 document envisaged the bilateral defence and security partnership "in a more comprehensive and holistic manner" than a group of individual transactions or purchases".
"The reason for this is that the parameters of a defence partnership are not determined by a single acquisition or non-acquisition, or a single acquisition or a single transaction", he said.
Incidentally, in a statement on Friday, Rafale manufacturer Dassault Aviation said that "the Indian government has announced the selection of the Rafale Navy to provide the Indian Navy with a next-generation fighter aircraft" after "an international competition".
India selects the Rafale Marine and wants to strengthen its partnership with France in the submarine sector
The contracts have not yet been signed, but the decision has been made. On the fringes of the visit to France by Prime Minister Narenda Modi, who was the guest of honour at the 14 July festivities, India announced its intention to acquire 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft and to deepen its submarine partnership with France, with a view to building three additional Scorpene-type vessels.
Following an international competition to procure combat aircraft for its two aircraft carriers, India selected the Rafale Marine, the first of which entered service with the Charles de Gaulle in 2001. The Dassault Aviation aircraft, which has undergone a number of upgrades since then and continues to integrate new systems, won out over its American rival, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet. The two aircraft manufacturers were finalists in a process that formally began in 2017, when New Delhi issued a request for information (RFI) for the acquisition of 57 aircraft capable of operating on the Vikramaditya and Vikrant aircraft carriers, equipped with a springboard and a sloping runway with arresting strands. The aim is to beef up the on-board air group of the two vessels, which will be commissioned by the Indian Navy in 2013 and 2022 and currently only have MiG-29Ks. Some forty of these aircraft were purchased by India from Russia in the 2010s, but they have not been satisfactory.
An interim solution while waiting for an Indian on-board fighter
The initial target of acquiring 57 new aircraft has finally been reduced to just 26, as the Indian authorities want these foreign aircraft to be just an interim solution pending the development of the future nationally-designed airborne fighter, known by the acronym TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter). The Indian Navy hopes that this machine will be operational in the 2030s, bearing in mind that in the event of delays or urgent operational requirements, it will always be possible to order additional Rafales from France.
The Rafale Marine was chosen following a test campaign conducted last year with the French aircraft and its American rival at the Hansa land-based test site near Goa, where a 283-metre runway ending in a springboard was built. "This selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link that unites Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France," comments Dassault Aviation, which has already delivered 36 Rafale Air to the Indian Air Force following an order notified in 2016 for €7.8 billion.
The purchase of 26 Rafale-Marines was approved on Thursday 13 July by the Indian Defence Procurement Council, three days after the Defence Procurement Board gave the green light. The delivery schedule for these aircraft is not yet known, nor is the package of weapons that will be supplied with them. However, it should be noted that New Delhi wants 22 single-seater and 4 two-seater aircraft, which will make the Indian Navy the first user of the two-seater Rafale in a navalised version. It was initially planned for the French Navy, which was to receive more than 80 Rafales for two aircraft carriers, before the target was reduced to 46 aircraft, all single-seaters.
As part of this order, the French Navy is also expected to lend its Indian counterpart two to four of its aircraft (it currently has 41) for pilot training purposes.
Extending the Scorpene series
In addition to the Rafale, and the prospect of French industry helping India to develop new-generation combat aircraft, New Delhi has also announced its intention to strengthen its partnership with France in the submarine sector. This comes as the P75 programme for six Scorpene-type vessels, ordered in 2005, draws to a close. Designed by Naval Group, these submarines were built under a technology transfer agreement by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) shipyard in Mumbai, which delivered the first in 2017. The sixth, currently undergoing trials, is due to enter service in 2024. "The 'Make in India' policy at the service of Indian sovereignty ('AatmaNirbhar') has been at the heart of the P75 programme, as well as other activities developed by Naval Group and its Indian industrial partners to provide the Indian Navy with the most modern naval defence technologies," stresses Naval Group, which is currently working with the Indians on a programme to equip their Scorpene vessels with an anaerobic propulsion system (AIP) to increase their diving autonomy.
Although the French manufacturer is no longer taking part in the competition for India's future P75I submarines, it is doing very well in the end. Given the estimated timeframe for this new programme (10 to 15 years) and New Delhi's desire to respond quickly to the growing power of the Chinese fleet, it has been decided to extend the Scorpene series. Three new submarines should therefore be ordered from MDL, this "off-the-shelf" solution enabling the Indian Navy to increase its submarine capabilities more quickly. Without having to stop at nine Scorpene submarines. Other naval cooperation projects between France and India are also under discussion. France could, for example, propose a conventionally powered version of France's new Barracuda nuclear attack submarines (NAS), or help India develop a new model of NAS, as it is doing with Brazil (on the non-nuclear parts of the submarine).
As with the aircraft, it also remains to be seen what weapons will be supplied alongside the order for these additional Scorpene submarines. The first six are already fielding MBDA's Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile, with Naval Group also looking to sell India its new F21 heavy torpedo. The Indian press, meanwhile, is referring to discussions on the MdCN naval cruise missile, the medium-change version of which, like the F21, is fitted on French submarines and can be integrated on Scorpene vessels.
The contracts have not yet been signed, but the decision has been made. On the fringes of the visit to France by Prime Minister Narenda Modi, who was the guest of honour at the 14 July festivities, India announced its intention to acquire 26 Rafale Marine combat aircraft and to deepen its submarine partnership with France, with a view to building three additional Scorpene-type vessels.
Following an international competition to procure combat aircraft for its two aircraft carriers, India selected the Rafale Marine, the first of which entered service with the Charles de Gaulle in 2001. The Dassault Aviation aircraft, which has undergone a number of upgrades since then and continues to integrate new systems, won out over its American rival, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet. The two aircraft manufacturers were finalists in a process that formally began in 2017, when New Delhi issued a request for information (RFI) for the acquisition of 57 aircraft capable of operating on the Vikramaditya and Vikrant aircraft carriers, equipped with a springboard and a sloping runway with arresting strands. The aim is to beef up the on-board air group of the two vessels, which will be commissioned by the Indian Navy in 2013 and 2022 and currently only have MiG-29Ks. Some forty of these aircraft were purchased by India from Russia in the 2010s, but they have not been satisfactory.
An interim solution while waiting for an Indian on-board fighter
The initial target of acquiring 57 new aircraft has finally been reduced to just 26, as the Indian authorities want these foreign aircraft to be just an interim solution pending the development of the future nationally-designed airborne fighter, known by the acronym TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter). The Indian Navy hopes that this machine will be operational in the 2030s, bearing in mind that in the event of delays or urgent operational requirements, it will always be possible to order additional Rafales from France.
The Rafale Marine was chosen following a test campaign conducted last year with the French aircraft and its American rival at the Hansa land-based test site near Goa, where a 283-metre runway ending in a springboard was built. "This selection confirms the excellence of the Rafale, the exceptional quality of the link that unites Dassault Aviation and the Indian Forces, and the importance of the strategic relationship between India and France," comments Dassault Aviation, which has already delivered 36 Rafale Air to the Indian Air Force following an order notified in 2016 for €7.8 billion.
The purchase of 26 Rafale-Marines was approved on Thursday 13 July by the Indian Defence Procurement Council, three days after the Defence Procurement Board gave the green light. The delivery schedule for these aircraft is not yet known, nor is the package of weapons that will be supplied with them. However, it should be noted that New Delhi wants 22 single-seater and 4 two-seater aircraft, which will make the Indian Navy the first user of the two-seater Rafale in a navalised version. It was initially planned for the French Navy, which was to receive more than 80 Rafales for two aircraft carriers, before the target was reduced to 46 aircraft, all single-seaters.
As part of this order, the French Navy is also expected to lend its Indian counterpart two to four of its aircraft (it currently has 41) for pilot training purposes.
Extending the Scorpene series
In addition to the Rafale, and the prospect of French industry helping India to develop new-generation combat aircraft, New Delhi has also announced its intention to strengthen its partnership with France in the submarine sector. This comes as the P75 programme for six Scorpene-type vessels, ordered in 2005, draws to a close. Designed by Naval Group, these submarines were built under a technology transfer agreement by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) shipyard in Mumbai, which delivered the first in 2017. The sixth, currently undergoing trials, is due to enter service in 2024. "The 'Make in India' policy at the service of Indian sovereignty ('AatmaNirbhar') has been at the heart of the P75 programme, as well as other activities developed by Naval Group and its Indian industrial partners to provide the Indian Navy with the most modern naval defence technologies," stresses Naval Group, which is currently working with the Indians on a programme to equip their Scorpene vessels with an anaerobic propulsion system (AIP) to increase their diving autonomy.
Although the French manufacturer is no longer taking part in the competition for India's future P75I submarines, it is doing very well in the end. Given the estimated timeframe for this new programme (10 to 15 years) and New Delhi's desire to respond quickly to the growing power of the Chinese fleet, it has been decided to extend the Scorpene series. Three new submarines should therefore be ordered from MDL, this "off-the-shelf" solution enabling the Indian Navy to increase its submarine capabilities more quickly. Without having to stop at nine Scorpene submarines. Other naval cooperation projects between France and India are also under discussion. France could, for example, propose a conventionally powered version of France's new Barracuda nuclear attack submarines (NAS), or help India develop a new model of NAS, as it is doing with Brazil (on the non-nuclear parts of the submarine).
As with the aircraft, it also remains to be seen what weapons will be supplied alongside the order for these additional Scorpene submarines. The first six are already fielding MBDA's Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile, with Naval Group also looking to sell India its new F21 heavy torpedo. The Indian press, meanwhile, is referring to discussions on the MdCN naval cruise missile, the medium-change version of which, like the F21, is fitted on French submarines and can be integrated on Scorpene vessels.
...and 4 two-seater aircraft, which will make the Indian Navy the first user of the two-seater Rafale in a navalised version
