French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said in an interview that France is ready to collaborate in developing nuclear submarines, jet engines and fighter jets under India’s Make in India initiative.
He also confirmed that France is ready to provide non-nuclear technology from its barracuda class nuclear attack submarine to India for its project 75 Alpha program to develop six nuclear attack submarines that include submarine design, pump jet propulsion and other equipment but the nuclear reactor will be of Indian design.
The Barracuda class nuclear attack submarine is powered by a 150 megawatt nuclear reactor and the first submarine has been inducted into French Navy in 2022 while five more submarines are under construction.
The Ministry of Defense has already sanctioned the Project 75 Alpha program that will have around 6000 ton displacement and will be powered by a 190 megawatt compact light Water Reactor with indigenous content of 95 percent.