Scorpene submarines to be launched for sea trials in 2013; Chinese engineers and technical advisors spotted in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • According to a top official of the French firm DCNS, constructing the submarines, the first of the six Scorpene submarines ordered by the Indian Navy will be launched for sea trials in 2013. India had placed orders for six Scorpene submarines with French firm DCNS in 2005, of which the first is expected to be commissioned into the Navy by mid-2015 after a delay of around three years. "As per the schedule, the first Scorpene submarine would be 95 per cent ready towards end of 2013 after which it will be launched for sea trials," DCNS' India head Bernard G Buisson told. Expressing confidence that there would be no further delays in the programme, he said most of the issues causing delays in the submarine programme have been sorted out. The six Scorpenes are being constructed at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) under Project-75 under technology transfer from French firm DCNS. The government approval for construction of the six submarines was accorded in September 2005 at a total cost of Rs 18,798 crore and the contract was signed in October that year. Commenting on the delays experienced in the project, Defence Minister A K Antony had recently told the Parliament that "Most of the teething problems have been resolved and various plans have been put in place to minimise delays." 1

    In another development, according to reports, Chinese engineers and technical advisors have been spotted across Line of Control (L0C) in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), a senior army official General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 25 Infantry Division, Maj Gen K H Singh has said. He stated, "Chinese engineers have been spotted in areas across Line of Control (LoC) (in PoK)". "Till now, reports reveal about the presence of their engineers and technical advisors. There are a large number of other Chinese people working in civil clothes --whether they are civilians or army men --we cannot say", he added.2

    Top