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France’s Naval Group and India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their partnership to export Scorpène-class submarines to a friendly foreign nation jointly.
Initially signed in July 2023, the MoU underscores a shared commitment to position India as a global hub for submarine design and production. The renewed agreement expands the scope of cooperation, allowing Naval Group and MDL to jointly pursue international opportunities for next-generation submarines built in India with advanced French technology.
This development aligns with the Indo-French Horizon 2047 roadmap, which calls for deeper collaboration in defence manufacturing, innovation, and strategic autonomy, and celebrates 25 years of the India–France strategic partnership.
“This renewed understanding highlights the depth of technical cooperation we have achieved,” said Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Naval Group. “We continue to work closely with MDL to provide advanced submarine capabilities to trusted international partners.”
Naval Group brings expertise in submarine design and combat systems integration, while MDL contributes its industrial capacity and experience in delivering submarines under India’s self-reliance programmes. Together, they have already delivered six Scorpène-class submarines under the Indian Navy’s Project 75.
Commodore S B Jamgaonkar (Retd), Director of Submarines and Heavy Engineering at MDL, noted, “This extension reflects our readiness to offer high-performance platforms for export. It is an opportunity to demonstrate Indian shipbuilding capacity on the global stage, backed by a trusted technology partner.”
Indigenous Innovation Meets International Design
This MoU renewal follows a recent milestone in India’s submarine modernisation: the planned integration of an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), into the Navy’s Kalvari-class submarines.
The process, known as “Jumboisation”, involves modifying the submarine’s hull to incorporate the new propulsion module, a complex engineering task that requires precision and technical assurance. Naval Group, as the original designer of the platform, is providing oversight, materials, and training throughout the upgrade.
“Integrating DRDO’s AIP system into an existing global platform showcases how indigenous innovation can be scaled through international collaboration,” said Laurent Espinasse, Executive Vice President – Submarines, Naval Group.
MDL, which built the original submarines, is overseeing the modification project and reaffirming its role as India’s primary submarine builder.
Expanding Defence Manufacturing Capabilities
Since becoming a government-owned entity in 1960, MDL has evolved into India’s leading naval shipyard, having constructed over 800 vessels, including warships and submarines. The shipyard’s success with Project 75 has enhanced its reputation for delivering complex platforms to both domestic and potentially international clients.
Future-Focused Submarine Technology
Naval Group has also introduced upgrades to the Scorpène line, including the adoption of lithium-ion battery systems, which allow for extended underwater endurance, reduced acoustic signature, and enhanced speed, features that significantly increase operational effectiveness and global appeal for potential buyers.
Team BharatShakti
