German team to pitch for submarines

German Secretary of State for Defence Peter Eickenboom, who arrives in the Capital on Sunday, will hold talks with Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh, even as the Government of India prepares to sign a deal to purchase six Scorpene attack submarines from France.

Germany was among the countries that bid for the deal, which is now expected to be signed with French firm DCN next year. Defence Ministry sources said that the $2 billion deal with France, though approved at practically all levels, has been hanging with the Cabinet Committee on Security, because of South Block’s possible interest in what Germany has to offer.

While Germany is offering HDW submarines, the Navy has made no bones about its preference for the Scorpene. India already has four German HDW Type 1500 submarines—two bought from Germany and two manufactured by Mazgaon Docks under license from German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft.