India Close to Deal on Scorpene Sub Technology

India is close to giving final approval to build six Scorpene submarines, according to the head of its Navy. The $2.5 billion project has passed through the military approvals and sits at its final destination, the security cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Approval is expected in February. France's Naval Construction Directorate (DCN) intends to transfer the technology to build the subs to New Delhi so the Indian government can conduct the construction itself. The subs will be diesel-powered, but designed so as to be able to accept a nuclear propulsion mechanism in the future. The deal comes as part of a larger effort to massively increase India's naval power, including the acquisition of a Russian aircraft carrier and the building of another, as well as drumming in 19 other vessels currently under construction in India.