According to sources Prime Minister Narendra modi's administration has asked global warship makers to submit proposals to build six conventional submarines in india to boost local shipyard capability and plug gaps in the navy's underwater warfare fleet. Meanwhile france's Naval Group SA, German Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmBH, Swedish Saab Kockums, Spanish Navantia SA and Russian Rosoboronexport OJSC were asked to show if they can transfer technology to build the diesel-electric powered submarines in india, people familiar with the matter said in New delhi, asking not to be identified as the discussions were private.
Furthermore the request for expression of interest to the foreign companies were issued earlier this month, they said, but the award of contract could take at least three years. Meanwhile Defense ministry spokesman Aman Anand wasn't immediately available for comment and the government issued a separate expression of interest on June 20 for an Indian shipyard to build the submarines at a cost of 450 billion rupees ($6.6 billion).
Moreover the Indian shipyards asked to respond include two private companies Larsen & Toubro Ltd and Reliance Naval & Engineering Ltd. as well as five state owned groups Mazagon Docks & Engineers, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, goa Shipyard Ltd, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Apparently the Indian shipyard selected under the process would tie up with the chosen foreign company to establish dedicated manufacturing lines for the submarines in india.
