India to sign submarine deal with France
India is to shortly
sign a deal with France for the purchase of six `Scorpion'
submarines for the Navy.
Announcing this to
reporters here, French Ambassador M Dominique Girard
said negotiations with the Navy was in an advanced
stage and an agreement for the acquisition of the
advanced submarine would be inked soon.
The submarine is the
most advanced among the non-nuclear models designed
and built by the French, he added. The deal involved
transfer of technology and eventual building of the
submarine by the Indians, Girard said.
Negotiations were
also on regarding the purchase of Mirage fighter aircraft
for the Indian Air Force, he said.
To a question, the
diplomat said the French would not, however, sell
nuclear submarines to other countries. India, perhaps,
would have to build its own nuclear submarines if
she wanted to acquire such submarines, he said.
Chennai,
July 22, 2003 (UNI)
