The Indian Navy has finalised a substantial agreement with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited to acquire three additional Scorpene-class submarines, with the contract expected to be signed by 31 March 2025. This procurement aims to bolster India’s underwater capabilities amid increasing strategic challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
The forthcoming contract, valued at over ₹36,000 crore, will be formalised between the Ministry of Defence and MDL, a state-run shipyard in Mumbai. This development aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its naval strength, particularly in response to the expanding presence of other powers in the Indian Ocean.
The Scorpene-class submarines, originally developed by France’s Naval Group, are renowned for their stealth, advanced sonar capabilities, and precision weaponry. These diesel-electric attack submarines are adept at anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations. The Indian Navy currently operates six Scorpene-class submarines, all constructed domestically by MDL under a technology transfer agreement with the Naval Group.
In a related development, the Ministry of Defence recently signed contracts worth approximately ₹2,867 crore to upgrade the Navy’s submarine fleet. A ₹1,990 crore agreement with MDL focuses on integrating an Air Independent Propulsion system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation into existing submarines. This technology enables submarines to remain submerged for extended periods, significantly enhancing their operational endurance. Additionally, a ₹877 crore contract with France’s Naval Group aims to equip the Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines with DRDO-developed Electronic Heavyweight Torpedoes, thereby augmenting their combat capabilities.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to modernise India’s naval forces. The Navy has been actively commissioning new vessels and upgrading existing ones to address emerging security challenges. The launch of the INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine under the Project 75 programme, is anticipated in the coming months. This milestone will mark the completion of a significant phase in India’s indigenous submarine construction efforts.
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