The Indian Government has sanctioned an additional Rs47bn ($1bn) for the Scorpene submarines project with France.

In 2004, India signed a Rs188bn ($4bn) deal with France for six diesel electric submarines to be constructed at the Mumbai Mazagon Dockyard.

Indian Defence minister AK Antony has attributed the delay in delivery of the submarines to initial development problems, absorption of technology, augmentation of infrastructure and procurement of materials in the shipyard.

The first submarine will be completed by 2012 with the last of the six submarines scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018.