NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 6 The $3.5-billion contract for six French Scorpene submarines—the UPA government’s first defence deal—was finally signed today. One of the largest single buys in recent times, the Scorpenes will be manufactured under license at the Western shipyards, and delivered to the Navy between 2012-17.

However, delays in pushing the deal through—it took four years—have impacted the Navy’s plans to have a force level of 24 diesel submarines by 2030. Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash said, ‘‘By the time the Scorpenes arrive, there will already be a decline in our submarine force levels because some of our existing fleet will be decommissioned by that time. We will have to improvise with what we have.’’

The contract is the first to include the UPA government’s new compulsory integrity pact for all military purchases. Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt, French Ambassador Dominique Girard and heads of French firms attended the signing this evening at South Block.