Indian Navy set to float sub tender

Media reports suggest that the Indian Navy is all set to float an international bid for the acquisition and construction of a second line of conventional submarines. The navy has already contracted for a set of six French designed (DCN International) Scorpene class hunter-killer submarines.

The likely contenders for the contract would be the Russian shipyards with their fourth generation Amur class submarines or the German HDW shipyard with a new generation of submarines. Both the designs boast of air independent propulsion systems (AIPs). Given the fact that India is now a must-be destination for every American defence contractor, observers do not rule out their participation in such a bid either.