France and India are closing in on a deal to build three conventional diesel-electric submarines as the South Asian country diversifies purchases of military hardware beyond Russia and positions itself as a bulwark against China.
Negotiations on the submarines from France are nearly complete, said senior Indian officials aware of the details who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.
An announcement could come during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to France that began yesterday and includes talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Photo: AFP
India’s Defense Acquisition Council is expected to formally approve the project later in the day, the officials said.
The agreement to build submarines with France is the latest defense deal that Modi’s government is pushing through, as Moscow and Beijing have deepened ties in the aftermath of Russia’s war in Ukraine. India is presenting itself as a key partner in Asia for Washington and its allies, as China asserts itself over Taiwan. To draw New Delhi closer they are offering sophisticated weapons platforms and investments.
The two countries are already building Scorpene submarines and the last of six boats being manufactured by India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd would be ready early next year. The latest agreement with Paris would follow soon after India’s recent pact with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp AG’s marine arm to manufacture diesel submarines at an estimated cost of US$5.2 billion.
India’s ministries of external affairs and defense did not comment.
A spokesperson for France’s Naval Group SA, which manufactures the submarines, and Macron’s office declined to comment.
Modi’s visit to France “would be both rich in substance and also in form,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Wednesday. “We believe that it would set new benchmarks for our strategic partnership in years ahead.”
The French submarines would be built in Mumbai, adding heft to the underwater capabilities of the Indian Navy whose fleet of German and Russian vessels is aging.
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