The Indian Navy is disappointed for seeing that the development of the Scorpene submarine is three years behind schedule. The first of six Scorpene submarines is scheduled to be delivered in 2015. However, according to the contract, the first delivery had to be completed by 2012.
At the moment the first Scorpene is scheduled to be delivered during the second half of 2015. The original contract stated that the first had to be delivered in 2012 and then the Indian Navy had to receive one submarine each consecutive year until 2017.
The Scorpenes are a part of the “Project 75” submarine construction program and are currently being manufactured at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks (MDL) base. The total cost of the submarines is $4 billion and they are being developed with the assistance of DCNS – a French company.
According to the MDL, the delay is caused by teething problems, technology absorption and the requirement for augmentation of MDL infrastructure and the procurement of MDL purchased material.
