Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) In a major step forward for Indian industry, French shipbuilder DCNS India Tuesday said it has signed an indigenisation contract with Visakhapatnam-based Flash Forge India Private Limited for the supply of critical parts for the Scorpene submarines being built at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).

DCNS is helping MDL to build six Scorpene submarines under a Rs 20,000 crore ($4.5 billion) contract and the first of these Project-75 vessels is expected to be commissioned in the Indian Navy in 2015.

Flash Forge is a manufacturer of customised special material forgings used for severe service conditions in industries such as defence, aerospace, power, oil and gas, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and process plants.

The contract with Flash Forge is the conclusion of a long and stringent process involving identification, audits of the manufacturing and quality processes and qualification of potential partners, a DCNS statement said.

“The production by the shipyard MDL of six conventional Scorpene submarines under the DCNS transfer of technology (ToT) is ongoing. Simultaneously, DCNS India is working at the selection and qualification of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpenes’ equipment,” the statement added.

With India systematically pursuing indigenisation, DCNS said it was continuously striving to go beyond the contractual transfer of technology for the six submarines with MDL so that vital equipment and systems could be locally manufactured.

“The aim is to enhance local expertises with the Indian industries,” it said.

The indigenous elements to be installed onboard the Scorpene submarines include systems and sub-systems such as engines, pumps, valves, accommodation elements and safety equipment, as also the combat and ship control systems that are part of the Mazagon Procured Materials element of the contract.

“We are in India to establish partnerships with the Indian industry to develop local capability and to perform genuine transfers of technologies. We are providing our Indian partners with know-how and technical assistance to manufacture equipment which will be installed onboard the Scorpene submarines,” the statement quoted Bernard Buisson, the DCNS India managing director, as saying.

“MDL, our main contractor, is also to sub-contract work to these local players. Together, we are qualifying the suitable companies which are meeting the rigorous specifications needed for the submarines,” he added.