After nearly four years of negotiations, on 6 October 2005, India and France signed a deal to manufacture six Scorpene submarines at a cost of over $3.5 billion. The state-of-the-art stealth submarine with greater levels of automation ensures better survivability and requires a smaller crew compared to other conventional submarines. Negotiations for acquiring the submarines started when the NDA government was in power. The NDA believed in diversifying arms purchases to gain political leverage in key countries; even when the negotiations were underway, allegations were levelled against the government for having decided to go for the French submarines without considering similar submarines from Germany and Russia.

The Scorpene, claimed to be the "world's most silent underwater killer machine," is equipped with six bow-located 21 inch torpedo tubes that can fire anti-ship and anti-submarine torpedoes as well as anti-surface missiles. The handling and loading of weapons is automated and about 18 torpedoes can be carried at any given time. The submarine has a SUBTICS combat management system, which has an integrated suite of acoustic sensors with interface to Air Surface Detection sensors, and an Integrated Navigation System that combines data from global positioning systems.

The vessel displaces 1,700 tonnes and has a speed of over 20 knots. Its maximum operating depth is more than 300 meters and has a high level of redundancy with an average of 240 days per year at sea and endurance to carry 50 days patrol for maximum utilization of the submarine. The Scorpene is specifically designed to produce minimum hydrodynamic noise, which not only reduces risk of detection by hostile sensors but also improves detection ranges of its own sensors. A low acoustic signature, coupled with favourable hydrodynamic noise places the Scorpene at a distinct advantage vis-?-vis similar other vessels during anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare operations. Other countries that possess Scorpene include Chile and Malaysia.

According to the contract, the six submarines would be built under transfer of technology from France at the Indian state-owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai. The French state-owned DCN International would be executing the contract through its marketing branch, Armaris. The first submarine is expected to be inducted into service in seven years, and the rest at intervals of a year each thereafter.

The Scorpene would also be equipped with EADS SM39 Exocet sub-harpoon anti-ship missiles and advanced torpedoes including Black Shark. The vessel is equipped with full rescue and safety systems, including a connection point for diving bell or Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) that is an advantage for collective rescue operations. The deal includes a 30 per cent offset clause, providing scope for import substitution for 30 percent of the total cost of the deal.

France is one the main suppliers of military hardware to Pakistan, especially submarines. Therefore, questions were raised about the decision to go for the French submarine, especially when Russia and Germany had similar vessels at one-third the price of the Scorpene.

France might have been the sole supplier of the submarines to Pakistan. However, the buying capacity of India is much more and beyond just military purchases. There is immense potential for increased beneficial commercial interactions between the two countries; both New Delhi and Paris realize this potential. While India has placed an order for purchase of civilian aircrafts from France, Paris has indicated its decision to work closely with the UK and US for the removal of restrictions over the export of nuclear reactors to India. For nearly a decade now India and France have participated in joint-naval exercises. The joint-exercise scheduled for next year is also likely to see participation of aircraft carriers of both countries.

Project 75, an Indian Navy programme, hopes to build 24 submarines by 2025-2030 to replace a few of the ageing submarines that are due to retire by 2012. The construction of the Scorpene submarines has been sanctioned under the Project 75 programme, the aim of which is to build national competence in the field of submarine building. The Mazagon Docks - which last manufactured four SSK class German HDW submarines under a transfer of technology arrangement - have been lying idle for some time now and India hopes that with the Scorpene deal Indian shipbuilding and ancillary industries will regain their strategic capability to build submarines.

The maritime doctrine of the Indian Navy sets out very clearly that the role of the Indian Navy is not restricted to Indian waters but committed to ensuring the safety and security of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is not only the main hub of international commercial exchange but also home to strategic maritime routes. The Indian Navy has already established a healthy relationship with many of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean rim and is engaged in joint exercises with their navies. Acquisitions like the Scorpene and aircraft carriers will go a long way in assuring a leading role for the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean.