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India, France close to sealing Scorpene subs deal

India and France, on Wednesday, were close to finalising a multi-billion dollar deal for the multi-purpose Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy.

"Negotiations have reached an advanced stage", said officials of the French DCN shipyards, the makers of the Scorpene, and Indian Navy on the sidelines of the Defencexpo-2002.

The French side is negotiating for sale of six Scorpene class submarines besides its technology transfer to manufacture them under licence in India.

"Final price negotiations are going on for the deal estimated to be worth Rs 15 billion", the officials said.

India is also negotiating with Russia for the purchase of Amur advance class submarines and the possibility of having them manufactured in the country.

Indian experts have shortlisted both Scorpene and Amur as joint partners in its plans to build 20 submarines over the next ten years.

Officials said French and Russian submarines were in different class and meant for different roles.

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