March 26, 2012: Scorpene manufacturer DCNS' Indian arm has a contract with SEC Industries worth Rs. 310-cr to indigenise equipment for Project 75 submarine line currently producing six Scorpenes for the Indian Navy. The contract with SEC Industries involves the manufacture of hull hatches, cofferdam doors, knuckle hoses, ballast vent valves, high pressure air cylinders, weapon handling and storage systems. In a statement, DCNS said, "Over the coming years, SEC will manufacture equipment under a transfer of technology (TOT) provided by DCNS India and they will be progressively delivered to our customer, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), for integration onboard the P75 Scorpene submarines."

While indigenising equipment on the P75 programme has had its glitches leading to certain delays, the effort is back on track. The contract with SEC is part of the purchased materials (MPM) contract programme. "Through this indigenisation effort, we are developing strong industrial partnerships and capabilities for the P75 and future programs. Together with our partners, we are positioning ourselves for the long term," says Bernard Buisson, Managing Director of DCNS India.

A contract was also recently signed with Indian firm Flash Forge for the manufacture of certain equipment for the Indian Scorpenes. Over 40 SEC Industries personnel will be trained shortly in France for a year in the manufacture of the equipment. D. Vidyasagar, Managing Director of SEC Industries said, “Through this contract, our company will gain in technology terms, infrastructure and trained manpower. Several more contracts with Indian firms are expected through the year.