MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (f): A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 844 FOR ANSWER ON 19.3.2012
The existing submarine fleet is being constantly upgraded with modern
weapons and sensors which has ensured that the underwater combat capacity of
the country remains at the desired levels.
Six Scorpene submarines are being constructed under Project-75 at
M/s Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai under Transfer of Technology (ToT)
from M/s DCNS, France.
Government approval for construction of the six submarines at
M/s. MDL under Project-75 was accorded in September, 2005 at a total cost
of Rs.18,798 crore. The contract was signed in October, 2005. The
Government approval for revision in cost of the project to Rs.23,562 crore
was accorded in February, 2010, along with revision in delivery schedule.
The original delivery schedule of the first submarine was December,
2012 and remaining submarines were to be delivered with a gap of one year
each. Consequent to the approval of Government for revision is cost and
delivery schedule, the delivery schedule of the first submarine has been
revised to June, 2015 and that of the last (6th ) submarine to September,
2018. The delay in construction of Scorpene submarines is attributable to
initial teething problems in absorption of new technology, delay in
augmentation of Industrial Infrastructure at MDL and delay in procurement
of MPM items by MDL due to their high cost as compared to the earlier
indicated cost. Most of the teething problems have been resolved and
various plans have been put in place to minimize delays.
As part of the TOT for the six submarines under construction at MDL,
Mumbai, a Technical Data Package has been provided by the Collaborator. This
will enable attainment of significant indigenous competence in submarine
construction, especially in the field of hull fabrication, outfitting,
system integration etc. by the end of the programme.
