USA would benefit a lot as France is its direct competitor in arms market for western systems. It is not just few lousy submarines.
Not really. The two nations make a few competing items (exocet versus harpoon), but their markets are generally focused on different classes of system.
Let's look at DCNS' non energy products.
Surface naval systems
- Multi-mission frigates: FREMM class frigates
- Multi-mission frigates: Design of Second Generation Patrol Vessel for the Royal Malaysian Navy, based on the Gowind-class corvette
- Air defence frigates: Horizon-class frigates
- Medium-tonnage vessels: Gowind-class corvettes
- Aircraft carriers: French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
- Helicopter carriers: Mistral-class LHD
- Construction of aerial drones for the navy
Submarines and underwater weapons
- Conventional submarines: the Scorpène class
- Nuclear submarines: device-launching nuclear submarines Triomphant class and Redoutable class
- F21 heavy torpedoes
- MU90 light torpedoes
Nothing really competes with US business does it? The US doesn't export submarines or Assault Ships/Carriers, its LCS is a different class of ship then FREMM and the frigate version is still years away. Patrol vessels maybe, but the Legend Class isn't yet for sale:
Torpedoes? Yeah, sure. But India is already a customer of US torpedoes including the MK54.
There's no real competition between the US or US companies and DCNS. So why undermine them?
Your point only give justification for why USA ITSELF would not sabotage Scorpene, not whether it would benefit from it or not.
Uh yeah, that's the f*cking point. How could the US justify sabotage of the Scorpene if it did or did not benefit? Do you see how those two items go together?
This isn't about Rafale or any other French system they might be selling to India, it's about Scropene class submarines, which I might add US allies like Australia are using and modifying with US fire control systems. If the US sabotaged these submarines and lessened confidence in DCNS it would actually harm US business... which isn't exactly what the US wants.
So India loses Scorpene and picks Soryu instead? Or Kilo? How about Type 216? Would either of these compete with US business? Not really because the US doesn't export submarines and if confidence is diminished in DCNS, Australia could still buy Soryu and put US systems in it and India could buy it too and still not do that.
So what does the US gain or lose? Nothing. No matter the system, even Russian Kilos the situation would remain virtually the same.
France and the US compete in some areas, but sabatoging submarines is NOT going to improve US business.
This scenario doesn't make sense when you start looking into it.
Damn. I need more tinfoil.
...
It's late, I've got work in the morning. We can continue this if you'd like then, but please think about this first.