CCS set to clear deal on Scorpenes

The stage is set for the Navy’s acquisition of six French Scorpene attack submarines, with the Cabinet Committee on Security expected to clear the 400-million-euro deal at its next meeting.

The contract, negotiated with French firm DCN four years ago, involves the direct acquisition of two fully built Scorpenes from France, and four for production under license by Mazagon Docks in Mumbai under the Navy’s Project 75.

Delays in obtaining final clearance for the deal were in part caused by the Defence Ministry’s insistence that the Scorpene deal be endorsed by the Central Vigilance Commission and the CAG, both of which declined to, since under legal provisions, deals were to be audited only once signed. CVC P Shankar told The Indian Express that he had not examined the Scorpene purchase.