First Scorpene submarine delivery three years behind schedule: Antony

New Delhi: The Indian Navy will get delivery of the first of its six Scorpene submarines in 2015, three years behind schedule, the Rajya Sabha, or the upper house of Parliament, was informed Wednesday. In the original contract the first delivery was earmarked for 2012. 

'The first submarine (Scorpene) is now scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2015. As per the contract, the first submarine was scheduled to be delivered in December 2012, and thereafter, one each every year till December 2017,' defence minister AK Antony said through a written reply.

The six Scorpenes, part of the 'Project 75' submarine construction programme, are under construction at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Ltd (MDL) at a cost of $4 billion in collaboration with French firm DCNS.

'There has been a delay due to initial teething problems, absorption of technology, augmentation of MDL infrastructure and procurement of MDL Purchased Material (MPM),' Antony said.

Antony's reply was in response to a question on the delays in increasing India's underwater combat capabilities.

'This is a continuous process undertaken for the modernization of the armed forces to keep them in a state of readiness to meet any eventuality,' he said.