In a report of July 10, 2023 from India's The Print, India might be buying several French designed weapon types. This might include 3 additional Kalvari-class Scorpenes, without AIP, to be assembled at Mumbai's Mazagon dockyard.
The Print report is by SNEHESH ALEX PHILIP and edited by Tony Rai. The report states in part:
"New Delhi: India and France are set to ink key agreements that would pave the way for new fighters and submarines for the Indian Navy during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the country for the Bastille Day [July 14, 2023] parade this week, ThePrint has learnt.
On the agenda are a deal to procure 26 naval version of the Rafale fighter jets [and] three additional Scorpene submarine[s]..."
...Another key important project is the Project 75 [Kalvari-class] under which six Scorpene class submarines have been built in India with partnership with state-un Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
The Indian Navy is [separately pursuing Project 75I ("I" for India) for 6 SSKs with already proven, operational, AIP].
The French are out of the race for [Project 75I] because they don’t meet key tender requirements of the Indian Navy.
Sources said that the French through their India partner MDL have proposed to the government to build three more [Kalvari-class] Scorpene submarines [at MDL's existing Kalvari assembly line] with the Indian shipyard making a case for expertise gained while ensuring the vessels do not go waste.
It is understood that the Indian Navy feels that three more Scorpene class submarines can be built since the P75I programme is delayed and could take time for it to see the light of the day.
The Indian Navy is facing a submarine crisis and has fallen back on its 30 year plan which ends in 2030.
Under the ambitious 30-year plan that ends in 2030, India was to build 24 submarines — 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) — as an effective deterrent against China and Pakistan.
Of the 18 conventional submarines, Indian Navy has managed only 6 so far.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair a crucial meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council this week once he returns back from Malaysia where he is currently on a visit. [Implying the Council, Singh and Prime Minister Modi will still need to approve the 3 Scorpene purchase.]..."