New Scorpenes to have 60% indigenous content, says Naval Group CEO

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

India ordered will have a high indigenous content, including several high-level technologies like combat systems and air independent propulsion (AIP), Naval Group CEO Pierre Eric Pommellet has said. «The additional submarine built based on Scorpene design would cater to most of the current requirements of the Navy. The platform can also be integrated with more advanced weapons as per the need of the customer,» Pommellet told ET in first official comments on the deal.

Extending the line will result in faster deliveries for the Navy. The Mazagon Dock has already delivered 5 Scorpenes and the sixth is scheduled for early next year. «Such platforms can not only be delivered by experienced MDL in shorter lead time but also address higher indigenous content — more than 50-60% in areas of critical technologies, but not limited to AIP, combat systems and others,» Pommellet said.

The French shipbuilder is also looking to India as an export partner. «The blend of technology, innovation and management of state of art Indian and French naval expertise will be a real value proposition for international navies,» he said, adding that the aim is to achieve 'Make from India'. Naval Group is also working with DRDO and Indian industry to integrate indigenous AIP in the current Scorpene submarines.

The CEO said India also has a good potential of emerging as a hub for ship repairs and overhaul in the region. «India and the Indian naval defence industry hold the capacity to become an Indo-Pacific regional hub for ship repair and maintenance,» he said. Naval Group has also signed MoUs with Indian defence shipyards, including Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for Gowind class corvettes.