By A Correspondent

Mumbai: In a significant boost to India’s growing naval manufacturing capabilities, Naval Group France and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) have extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation for the joint export of next-generation Scorpene-class submarines to friendly foreign nations.

The renewed agreement, signed on October 16, 2025, builds upon the original MoU inked in July 2023, reaffirming the long-standing Indo-French partnership in the domain of submarine design, engineering, and advanced naval technology.

This collaboration aligns closely with the Indo-French Horizon 2047 roadmap, a strategic initiative celebrating 25 years of the India-France Strategic Partnership, aimed at deepening cooperation in defence, security, and innovation.

Under the extended MoU, Naval Group will continue to contribute its proven expertise in submarine design, combat systems, and integration technologies, while MDL will leverage its industrial strength and proven track record in indigenous submarine construction under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The agreement seeks to jointly promote India-built Scorpene-class submarines in the global market, enhancing India’s position as a hub for high-technology defence manufacturing and exports.

“This continued partnership reflects the mutual trust and technological synergy built over years of cooperation. We remain committed to supporting MDL in enhancing India’s role in the global naval ecosystem while contributing to regional maritime security,” Naval Group executive vice president (sales & marketing) Marie-Laure Bourgeois said on the occasion.

“The extension of this MoU is a significant step forward in positioning India as a global hub for submarine manufacturing and export. Together with Naval Group, we aim to harness our industrial capabilities to deliver advanced and reliable platforms for partner nations,” MDL Director (Submarines and Heavy Engineering) Commodore S. B. Jamgaonkar (Retd) said.

The MoU extension underscores the shared vision of France and India to advance self-reliance, innovation, and strategic autonomy in the maritime defence sector—further strengthening their collaborative role in shaping regional and global naval capabilities.

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