Singapore to start negotiations for 4 Scorpene SSKs with France's DCNS

According to rumors (infosdefense.com), the Republic of Singapore Navy is about to start negotiations with France for the possible purchase of 4 Scorpene class SSKs. The deal could include transfer of technologies.

Contacted by Submariners World however, a DCNS source refused to comment on the rumors.

                         

According to rumors (infosdefense.com), the Republic of Singapore Navy is about to start negotiations with France for the possible purchase of 4 Scorpene class SSK. The deal could include transfer of technologies.

Scorpene class SSK of the Chilean Navy

                         

About Scorpene class SSKs:

Already chosen by the Chilean, Royal Malaysian, Indian and Brazilian Navies Scorpene-Family submarines represent the state-of-the-art in submarine design and construction and benefits from the latest technologies developed for nuclear-powered classes operated by the French Navy, particularly as regards acoustic discretion and combat system performance. Scorpene can be fitted with an optional MESMA AIP section.

- The MESMA (Autonomous Submarine Energy Module) is an electrical energy production module designed specifically for conventional submarines. As well as supplying electricity to the vessel and to the propulsion system, it can also be used to recharge the batteries without the need to surface. Together with a MESMA section, a Scorpene will be able to carry out extended missions with an over 3 weeks submerged endurance.

India - First Scorpene submarine to roll out in 2015

French defence shipbuilder DCNS and SEC Industries inaugurated a dedicated facility in Hyderabad for making key components for the six Scorpene submarines being built for the Indian Navy.

Union minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju said India was re-building its lost skill sets for submarine building with French technology. This would be the next step of indigenisation of submarine project after HDW Germany submarine contract was dumped in 1980.

This relates to the indigenisation process for the Rs20,000-crore Scorpene submarine project, being developed with DCNS technology. The first of these will be rolled out by 2015. From then on, one submarine will be rolled out every nine months. The entire delivery will be completed by 2018.

Scorpene motion torpedoed

Nurul's plan to discuss the sale of secret submarine papers to a French company were rejected in Parliament today.

An emergency motion aimed at discussing the alleged sale of highly secret Scorpene submarine-related documents to a French company was rejected in Parliament today.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the Lembah Pantai MP (PKR) Nurul Izzah Anwar’s motion in his chambers this morning, as it did not adhere to Standing Order 23(1)(h).

The Standing Order states:

“A question shall not be asked for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion, the solution of an abstract legal case or the answer to a hypothetical proposition.”

He later told the Dewan Rakyat that the alleged sale was still an “assumption”, and not official.

“The matter raised in this motion is an assumption, and not a specific matter, because the matter about the transaction sale of the documents is not clear.

“…It is still an allegation,” Pandikar said.

FMT previously reported the disclosure by Suaram about the sale of the document – which supposedly contained an evaluation of the Scorpenes by the Navy and contract details – to French-based DCNS for 36 million euros (RM142 million).

Suaram’s lawyers said that the secret document was sold by Terasasi (Hong Kong) Ltd, whose directors are Abdul Razak Baginda and his father Abdul Malim Baginda.

Both are believed to be closely linked to Najib.

Speaker’s decision ‘disappointing’

The document was allegedly sold to Thales International, also known as Thint Asia, a subsidiary of DCN (later known as DCNS).

DCNS is the company central in the legal suit filed by Suaram in 2009 in the French courts, which recently commenced a judicial inquiry at the Tribunal De Grande Instance in Paris.

The inquiry revolves around the RM7.3 billion deal to purchase two Scorpene submarines with DCNS and Spainish Navantia in 2002.

Nurul later told reporters that it was “disappointing” that MPs were not given a chance to debate the matter.

Also present was Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul who demanded that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigate the matter.

“How can they [Terasasi] have information of specification on the submarine?… Don’t wait for us to make a police report,” he said.

He also said that even the Maltese Parliament was discussing the Scorpene scandal, and hinted at Malaysia’s reluctance to do so.

In Malta Today news portal, the Maltese Parliament was told that the French-owned Malta-based financial consultancy Gifen was being investigated by French officials over commission allegations involving Perimekar Sdn Bhd, once owned by Abdul Razak.