India and France signed $3.5 billion deal to manufacture stealth class six advanced Scorpene
submarines. Scorpene is known
as the most silent underwater killer. Scorpene will be manufactured in India at Mazagoan Docks with complete technology transfer by 2012 to 2017. As a part of deal
submarine will be fitted with EADS SM39 Exocet sub-harpoon anti-ship missiles. Other weapons include Black shark and advanced torpedoes. Scorpio has the capacity to strike under water, in air and on ground. It is made with advanced design with lesser sound emissions, which make it undetectable for longer distance strikes. Scorpene is based on the design of France nuclear submarine. The
agreement gives India option of having third of he six submarine at even lesser sound emission. India government has given the navy approval to equip itself with 24 submarines in 30 years. Even after the addition of French submarines, India will still have shortage of submarines. Defense ministry official says after the delivery of two submarines, the Mazagoan docks would be in full liberty to change the shape of submarine to suite for more lethal weapons, if need arises. Ministry says India has kept open the option of making more submarines after the expiry of agreement, but a new agreement is required to be made again with French company. According to the agreement French technical advisors will remain on Mazagoan dock during the construction of first two submarines.
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