he leak about the submarines’ secret combat capabilities has turned the spotlight on the project. The row has erupted as India prepares to deploy its first French-designed diesel-electric version early next year

PROJECT-75

THE SUBMARINES are being built with French technology at the Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai. India has ordered six Scorpene-class submarines in a deal worth `23,562 crore THE 66-METRE submarine can dive up to a depth of 300 metres to elude enemy detection.

SIGNIFICANCE

THE NAVY is betting on the project to sharpen its underwater attack capabilities INDIA OPERATES 13 ageing conventional submarines against China, which has 53 diesel-electric attack submarines LIMITED SERVICEABILITY is also an issue as some boats are not battle-ready at all times

PACKING EXTRA PUNCH

SOON, THE fifth and sixth Scorpene boats will be equipped with air-independent propulsion system, which will help the submarines recharge their batteries without surfacing for more than three weeks

DELAY

THE NAVY was supposed to induct its first Scorpene submarine in 2012 but the project was delayed due to problems related to transfer of technology IN 2009, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) came down heavily on the government for giving undue favours to DCNS while awarding the submarine deal in 2005