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France may offer help in building nuclear sub

Josy Joseph in Bombay

France, making its presence felt at the International Fleet Review with its naval chief-designate, Vice Admiral Jean-Louis Battet, a highly advanced anti-submarine frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine, has not ruled out assisting India in building its own nuclear submarine.

The French team that reached India a couple of days ago offered the Indian Navy joint exercises on the sub, FNS Perle, among the world's smallest nuclear attack subs. The Indian Navy, however, could not accept the offer owing to its pre-occupation with the review.

France has also offered India the Scorpene class submarines, and technical studies and haggling over the price are in progress.

The commander of France's Indian Ocean fleet, Rear Admiral Herve Giraud, hinted that if the present offers from French navy were accepted and co-operation was strengthened, co-operation in building a nuclear submarine could be a possibility.

After investing over Rs 2000 crore (Rs 20 billion) and almost two decades, India has not been able to complete its nuclear submarine project, a dream national project to create a credible platform for second-strike capability.

The Pokhran nuclear tests have increased the sense of urgency in the defence establishment to build a nuclear submarine. According to reliable sources, India has approached both Russia and France for assistance in the Advanced Technology Vessel project.

Rear Admiral Giraud said his country was proud to be at the review, and it reflected France's interests in strengthening ties with India. "India is a big partner. We are ready to work with the Indian Navy in partnership," he said, pointing out that one of the key aims of his force in the Indian Ocean is to establish an intimate partnership with the Indian Navy.

On Friday, a team of Indian anti-submarine warfare experts spent time with officers of the Dupleix, the anti-submarine warfare frigate recently upgraded with hi-tech weapon systems, including an emergency target designator.

Captain Benedittini, commander of the frigate, said the discussions centred on how to deploy sonars more effectively to detect subs. The frigate is equipped with sophisticated sonars and two helicopters with their own anti-submarine warfare systems and night-flying capabilities.

The French Indian Ocean fleet has planned five port visits to India over the next 12 months, with two ships in each group. The fleet's command ship will reach Madras sometime in April. Both navies are proposing 'big exercises' in November, Admiral Giraud said.

The Indian Ocean fleet also hopes to bring to India sometime in 2002 the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, pride of the French Navy with a displacement of about 40,000 tons and most modern weapon systems and Rafael fighters on board.

Giraud said the French hope to develop close interaction with the Indian Navy, where it would be possible for ships and aircraft of both countries to have versatile entry into each other's waters and get assistance.

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