Scorpène Submarine: Strategic Continuity and Industrialization for India’s Submarine Fleet
In the debate over India’s future conventional submarines, the question goes far beyond mere technical considerations. It is strategic, industrial, and time-sensitive. Choosing a submarine is not just about comparing performance—it is about deciding whether India prioritizes disruption or continuity, risk or maturity, experimentation or consolidation. In a regional environment where China and Pakistan are accelerating their undersea modernisation, this choice becomes critical for national security.
The Scorpène: A Mature and Proven Platform
The Scorpène of the Kalvari-class, developed by Naval Group, is a technically and industrially mature platform. Already in service with the Indian Navy, with an installed and operational production line, it offers a decisive strategic advantage:
▪︎ Rapid deployment
▪︎ Operational reliability
▪︎ Full integration with the existing Indian infrastructure
In the current context, as India’s fleet gradually retires Kilo-class submarines, starting from scratch with a new conventional submarine (SSK) program would be a major strategic risk, potentially creating a critical quantitative gap in the fleet.
Military-Technical Continuity in a Volatile Context
The recent conflict with Pakistan, via Operation Sindoor, demonstrated the reliability of French military systems adapted to Indian needs, such as the Rafale. The Sino-Pakistani disinformation campaigns targeting these systems are a testament to their operational effectiveness.
Choosing the Scorpène therefore ensures military-technical continuity in an environment that can become volatile at any moment, as illustrated by the Pahalgam attack in April 2025.
Strategic Industrial Cooperation: Naval Group – DRDO
The cooperation between Naval Group and India, within the framework of the Naval Group – DRDO partnership, is a tangible success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy. Renouncing new Scorpène orders would mean:
▪︎ Abandoning structural technology transfers
▪︎ Halting indigenization efforts on critical systems: AIP, EHWT torpedoes, future CMS ▪︎ Losing years of consolidated industrial expertise
Continuing this cooperation also positions India as a partner for export and MRO for the Scorpène, as seen in Southeast Asia and Brazil.
NG India: A Sustainable Local Presence
Naval Group India and its ecosystem of local SMEs (MSMEs) are a concrete example of industrial integration.
More than 40 Indian companies are qualified to produce critical submarine components.
The Project 75 demonstrates a robust local value chain, fully aligned with the Make in India initiative.
This presence enables India to develop sustainable industrial autonomy, aligned with the country’s naval ambitions.
Rapid Delivery and Industrial Excellence
Naval Group has demonstrated the ability to deliver complex submarines quickly: the Barracuda for the French Navy will be delivered one year ahead of the initial schedule. This industrial excellence allows the production line to accelerate once established, ensuring a rapid scale-up of India’s submarine fleet.
Conclusion
In a high-pressure strategic context, choosing the Scorpène is not merely a technical decision: it is about ensuring operational continuity, industrial sovereignty, and military reliability. For India, this decision is crucial in the face of its neighbours’ rapid modernisation and the urgent need to renew its submarine fleet.
