First submarine, according to RFP, must be delivered 7 yrs after contract signing with 45% indigenous content, followed by one each year until programme reaches 60% localisation.
Navy hoped to finalise contract before 31 March this year, it is learnt. The additional Scorpenes are expected to be larger, more capable in terms of endurance & firepower than existing 6.
The new submarines will see certain design changes and will be similar to the one being supplied to Brazilian Navy. This also makes the 3 slightly larger than the previous 6.
With Beijing also developing various facilities, including a naval base, around the Indian Ocean rim, India’s navy will be challenged in its home waters before long.
While export values have increased, India’s share in the global dairy trade has remained largely stagnant, despite being the world’s largest milk producer.
Initial talks held on the possibility of India entering the programme that was started in 2017 between France, Germany and Spain to ensure European sovereignty in defence and security.
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