Latest news with #Scorpenes
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delay hits Scorpene retrofit to boost stealth, endurance
NEW DELHI: India has once again missed the boat to enhance the underwater operational endurance and stealth of its latest Scorpene or Kalvari-class conventional submarines, with the already delayed air independent propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO still not ready for integration with the vessels. The first Scorpene submarine to be built at the Mazagon Docks (MDL) with French collaboration, INS Kalvari, which was commissioned in Dec 2017, will now complete her ongoing maintenance refit at the Mumbai naval dockyard without being retrofitted with the AIP plug as was originally planned, defence ministry sources told TOI. "The fuel cell-based AIP system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Lab, which has L&T as the prime industry partner, is still not yet operationally available. Hopefully, it should be ready by the time the second Scorpene (INS Khanderi) comes for her scheduled normal maintenance refit in mid-2026," a source said. The Navy after a long delay has inducted six diesel-electric Scorpene submarines, constructed by MDL in collaboration with the French Naval Group under Project-75 for over Rs 23,000 crore, with the sixth INS Vagsheer being commissioned in Jan this year. There is major concern about the continuing delay in the indigenous AIP project, which was originally slated for completion by June 2017 after being sanctioned in 2014 at an initial cost of Rs 270 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Amid the delay, MDL and Naval Group signed an agreement for the integration of the indigenous AIP energy system plugs on the Scorpenes only on July 23. Under it, each submarine will undergo a complex project called "jumboisation", involving precision cutting of the hull, safe insertion of the AIP plug and then rejoining the structure to ensure the vessel is fully operational again. Unlike nuclear-powered submarines, which have unlimited underwater endurance, diesel-electric boats must surface or snorkel every couple of days to get oxygen to recharge their batteries. Those fitted with AIP, however, can stay submerged for around two weeks to significantly boost their stealth and combat capabilities. With Pakistan on course to induct eight Yuan or Hangor-class conventional submarines with AIP from China in a major capability jump, India's depleting conventional underwater combat arm has become a major worry. China, of course, now has the world's largest navy, which includes over 50 diesel-electric and 10 nuclear submarines. Apart from the six French-origin Scorpenes, India has seven very old Russian Kilo-class and four German HDW diesel-electric submarines at present. It also has two operational SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles) in INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, with the third to be commissioned as INS Aridhaman this year, as reported by TOI earlier. The long-pending projects to build three additional Scorpenes for Rs 38,000 crore and six new-generation diesel-electric submarines, with both AIP and land-attack cruise missiles, for Rs 70,000 crore under Project-75-India at MDL, are also yet to be finalised and inked.
The Print
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Print
Nod for additional Scorpene submarines still awaited, Navy & Mazagon Dockyard Ltd in limbo
It was on 11 August 2023 that state-run Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) was approached for the procurement of three conventional Scorpene-class submarines under a repeat order of Project 75. The agreement was to be signed with a delivery schedule of 72 months per submarine. Sources within the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that while the Navy had hoped to finalise the contract before 31 March this year, a formal nod from the 'relevant authorities' remains pending. New Delhi: The much-anticipated contract for three additional Scorpene submarines, expected to be larger and more capable in terms of endurance and firepower than the existing six, is still awaiting government clearance, despite cost negotiations having concluded in the last fiscal year. With the Navy already facing mounting challenges in the underwater domain which are set to grow with continued submarine modernisation by Pakistan and China, the additional Scorpenes were intended to bridge the gap created by delays in the planned Project 75(I). The Navy processed the case under the Buy (Indian) category as per DAP 2020, which mandates a minimum of 60 percent indigenisation. However, the Navy was taken aback when MDL initially submitted a bid exceeding Rs 50,000 crore. The bid was sent back by the Navy and a fresh one submitted by the MD. The new bid was eventually negotiated down to Rs 36,000 crore, as first reported by ThePrint in February this year. Still, the contract remains stalled, awaiting clearance from the 'relevant authorities', according to sources. This means both of the Navy's ongoing submarine projects—additional Scorpenes and Project 75(I)—remain in limbo. MDL, which has been relying on this contract to maintain momentum at the dockyard, is now left in the lurch. With all six Scorpenes delivered, trained workmen currently have no new projects to work on. Sources said the Navy is pushing for the deal to be signed soon, especially since it will take at least another 6 years before any new submarine is delivered. Moreover, the construction of new submarines will help maintain an active supply chain. At present, servicing the existing Scorpene fleet takes longer due to disruptions and inefficiencies in the supply chain, sources said. The first six Scorpene submarines were built with a paper indicating indigenous content of less than 30 percent. However, in practice, sources say the actual figure is likely below 20 percent. The new submarines are planned to meet the 60 percent indigenous content requirement, which means a significant number of components will be made in India. The move is also expected to encourage the French to strengthen their supply chain presence in India, improving the serviceability ratio of the submarines. It is also expected that MDL could outsource some of the work to private shipyard L&T. Also read: CDS Anil Chauhan red flags China-Pakistan-Bangladesh axis, says it has security implications New Scorpene Vs old One of the primary differences between the new batch and the original six is size. The new submarines will feature nearly double the mission duration, thanks to improvements in design that include larger accommodations, increased food and water storage, and expanded sanitary and oil storage facilities. Another key upgrade is in armament. The new submarines will be able to carry more than twice the weapon load of their predecessors and are designed to accommodate additional weapons in the future—provided they fit existing weapon tubes. While neither the older or newer Scorpenes will be fitted with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems just yet with India's indigenous AIP still under development, the new ones will feature modernised electric propulsion motors. These upgrades will ensure lower power consumption and quicker maintenance. The diesel generators on the new submarines will also be sourced from a different company, chosen for its superior after-sales service and industrial support for the Indian Navy. These generators are expected to reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent and significantly lower vacuum build-up while snorting. In addition, the new submarines will incorporate a new design that reduces infrared signatures, gas volume, and overall visual profile. Thanks to their increased size, the upcoming submarines will have greater endurance, range, and mission capability, according to sources. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Op Sindoor: CDS contradicts Army Deputy Chief, says China support to Pakistan 'very difficult to define'
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Indonesia vies more Rafale jets
France and Indonesia have signed a preliminary defence pact that could lead to new orders of French military equipment including Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday. "I am delighted that the letter of intent signed today could open up a new perspective with new orders for Rafales, Scorpenes, light frigates," Macron said at a joint press conference alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo said France was one of Indonesia's main partners as it upgrades its military hardware and develops its defence industry through joint production and technology transfers. Macron arrived in Jakarta from Vietnam on Tuesday night on the second leg of his Southeast Asia tour. The French president is scheduled to fly to Singapore on Thursday. Dassault Aviation shares were up 3.4% in the morning session in Paris. The jets' performance came under scrutiny last month after reports that Rafales used by the Indian air force were shot down by Pakistan's Chinese-made jets in clashes. Reuters
