India May Locally Manufacture French Naval 'Scalp' Cruise Missile For Navy's Scorpene Submarines: Report

France will offer the naval version of its air-launched stealth 'Scalp' cruise missile, for the three Scorpene submarines that Indian Navy is purchasing during PM Modi's visit to France.

Earlier today, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a deal worth approximately €9.5 billion for acquiring 26 Rafale-M fighter jets and three additional Scorpene submarines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to announce the signing of these deals when he meets French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to France from 13 to 14 July, to participate in the French National Day celebrations as a Guest of Honor for the Bastille Day Parade in Paris.

As part of the submarine offer, the French missile manufacturer, MBDA has offered India the Naval Scalp subsonic cruise missile, for equipping three Scorpene submarines.

The French Navy uses this missile from warships like, Horizon, and FREMM class frigates and from Barracuda class SSN nuclear attack submarine. According to a report by the Hindutan Times, these Naval Scalp missiles could be modified to be fired from Indian Navy's Scorpene submarines.

Naval Scalp is a sea-launched variant of the air-launched Scalp cruise missile. Its British variant — Storm Shadow — is being used by the Ukrainian's for hitting targets deep inside Russian terrirtory.

Indian Air Force also uses Scalp missile's on its newly acquired French Dassault Rafales.

While the air launched varant could travel anywhere between 300 to 560 kilometre, the Naval Scalp when fired from a submarine have a maximum range of 1000 kilometres, and when fired from warships, 1,400 kilometre.

Reportedly, MBDA is also willing to manufacture these Scalp missile in India.

It is worth noting that the Indian Navy already uses Russian Club-S cruise missile with a maximum range of 290 kilometre from its Kilo (Sindhughosh) class submarines, while DRDO is developing a 1,000-kilometre range Nirbhay cruise missile and its variants for the Air Force, Army, and Navy.

In addition to the in-development Nirbhay and in-operation Club-S cruise missiles, Indian Navy also uses Brahmos supersonic cruise missile as its primary anti-ship and land attack missile.

Some reports also indicate that the PM might discuss the joint development of a high-thrust 110 KN jet engine for India's fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk-2 fighter jet, as well.