Indo-France Defence Cooperation Soars to New Heights: MDL & Naval Group to Build More Subs in 2023

Indo-France Defence Cooperation Soars to New Heights: MDL & Naval Group to Build More Subs in 2023

Leading European naval defence industry business Naval Group has enthusiastically embraced this development and has thanked both countries for their dedication to pursuing ambitious submarine programmes.

With the recent declaration by Indian and French authorities about expanding their partnership in submarine manufacturing, Indo-French defence cooperation has reached new heights.

Leading European naval defence industry business Naval Group has enthusiastically embraced this development and has thanked both countries for their dedication to pursuing ambitious submarine programmes.

The statements made during the Indian Prime Minister’s historic participation in the French National Day were welcomed by Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, in a report released late Saturday night. He called for the continuation and strengthening of the 15-year submarine-building partnership.

“This is a crucial component of the Indo-French strategic alliance that has grown over the years. To satisfy the demands of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and the Indian industry and provide the requirements of the Indian Navy, the Naval Group and its partners would be fully mobilized, he continued.

The two nations’ relationship is further strengthened by the success of the earlier P75 initiative, which involves the transfer of technology for six submarines built wholly in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The P75 programme and other joint projects between Naval Group and its Indian industrial partners have been heavily influenced by the “Make in India” concept, which aims to boost Indian sovereignty (AatmaNirbhar).

Declarations were made to continue and strengthen the 15-year partnership between India and France in constructing submarines during the Indian Prime Minister’s historic participation in the French National Day. The strategic cooperation between the two nations, developed over many years, has come to rely heavily on this collaboration.

Additionally to the submarine programmes, Indo-French naval cooperation has advanced further. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) and Naval Group France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU intends to make it easier for companies to work together to develop surface ships that can meet the needs of both the Indian Navy and other navies. This action strengthens the commitment to technical progress and reciprocal assistance and broadens the scope of Indo-French defence cooperation.

The success of the P75 programme, the expansion of the cooperation, and the signing of the MoU between GRSE and Naval Group France are all examples of how both parties share the commitment to enhancing and modernizing naval capabilities. This partnership enables a vigorous flow of information and technology while also improving the defence capabilities of both nations.

The Indo-France defence cooperation has scaled new heights in 2023 with the announcement of the partnership between India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and France’s Naval Group to build more submarines. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in international defence cooperation and marks a crucial step in enhancing India’s maritime defence capabilities.

The defence ties between India and France have a historical context rooted in mutual respect and shared strategic interests. The past few decades have seen significant collaborations in various defence sectors, including aerospace and naval technology.

Notably, the cooperation in the naval defence sector gained momentum with the successfully commissioning of the Scorpene-class submarines, built under Project 75 at the MDL, with the Naval Group’s design and technological assistance. The Scorpene project was a testament to India’s capabilities to construct sophisticated underwater platforms with international cooperation.

Building on the success of the previous collaboration, the Indian government approved a proposal for the construction of more submarines under Project 75 (India), intending to augment the Indian Navy’s submarine fleet. In a highly competitive international bidding process, the MDL-Naval Group consortium emerged victorious, owing to their previous successful partnership and the Naval Group’s technical prowess.

Under this project, MDL and the Naval Group will jointly build six advanced submarines with enhanced stealth features, superior firepower, and state-of-the-art technology. These submarines will be equipped with Air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, significantly increasing their operational capabilities. This joint venture marks a significant stride in the Indo-France defence partnership and shows high trust between the two nations.

This venture will significantly bolster India’s maritime defence capabilities. Given the strategic geographical position of India, the country must have a decisive naval force to protect its maritime boundaries. The addition of these advanced submarines will help modernize the Indian Navy and enhance its capability to protect India’s vast coastline.

Furthermore, this project will also contribute to the “Make in India” initiative, as it involves significant technology transfer, fostering indigenous manufacturing, and creating numerous job opportunities.

The strategic implications of this partnership are significant. It demonstrates the commitment of both India and France towards maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This cooperation also sends a strong message to their common potential adversaries, underlining their mutual support and readiness to defend their interests.

This partnership opens up opportunities for further cooperation between India and France in other areas of defence. With the success of this venture, the two countries can look forward to more such collaborations, possibly extending to other domains like aerospace, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence in defence.

The Indo-France defence cooperation is a perfect example of how international collaboration can enhance a nation’s defence capabilities while fostering strategic partnerships. The MDL and Naval Group joint venture has taken this cooperation to new heights and is expected to benefit both countries significantly, particularly for India’s maritime defence. As we move forward, we hope this partnership to strengthen further, potentially shaping the defence dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.