India's efforts to build nuclear subs moved forward as negotiators worked out details on a deal with France to build six French-Spanish Scorpene diesel subs. However, the 1,500 Scorpene was designed to use a nuclear power plant as well. The drawn out negotiations with France have more to do with the transfer of nuclear propulsion technology than the Scorpenes $300 million (per sub) cost. The Scorpene is very quiet and has a crew of only 31. Malaysia has already bought two of them, to be delivered in 2007.