France does have AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) tech, like MESMA for Scorpene submarines, and has partnered with India on it before. For Project 75I, India selected Germany's Thyssenkrupp (Type 214) over France's Naval Group due to better compliance with requirements, sea-proven AIP, higher indigenous content (60%+), and stronger tech transfer terms. The deal emphasizes Make-in-India.