India: 18-Month Delay for Scorpene Submarine

Spanish consultants from Navantia shipbuilding company have left the consortium in charge of implementation of the “Project 75″ submarines, being built by the Indian Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL) under the license from the French DCNS company, the Times of India reports.

Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) is producing six SSK Scorpene submarines (P75) for the Indian Navy under the $5 billion (Rs 23,562 crore) project. Simultaneously, DCNS India, DCNS Group’s subsidiary based in Mumbai, is working on the selection and qualification of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpenes’ equipment.

The first Scorpene submarine was to be launched at the end of 2013 and commissioned in 2015.

But, the project has suffered new predicaments and, based on a new assessment, another delay will ensue.

The work which was expected to be completed until 2015 will be delayed by another 18 months, as it was announced by the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony.

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Naval Today Staff, April 16, 2013