Apart from offer to build three more Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy at Mazagon Dockyards in Mumbai, France has also agreed to arm the air independent propulsion (AIP) equipped submarine with a naval cruise missile, which has double the range of SCALP air to ground missile carried by Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters. Upgraded from the SCALP missile, the naval version has a range of over 1000 kilometers when launched from a submarine and goes up to 1400 kilometers when launched from a warship. The missile is being used by the French Navy on board its frigates since 2017 and onboard its Barracuda class submarines from 2022. The missile can also be used on Scorpene class submarines after slight technical modifications of the torpedo tubes. While Indian Navy officials and diplomats have seen the performance of the Naval SCALP in France, it is understood that the missile manufacturer is willing to produce the cruise weapon in India under the “Make in India” route.

Source: Hindustan Times July 13, 2023 15:06 UTC