India expedites submarine programme

The project has been limbo since 1992.

Several proposals, he added, are under evaluation and a formal contract would be awarded later this year, and added that the Rubin Central Design Bureau at St Petersburg has submitted bids to provide sonar, torpedoes and a propellant system.

The SSK-Class submarine would be 66 metres long with a surface displacement of 1,000 tons. It would be capable of carrying a crew of up to 40, and are slated to enter service during 2004-2005.

Another senior Navy official said the two industrial consortia, HDW and an alliance of Thomson-CSF and DCN International, have been shortlisted to provide the basic design, the report said.

Jurger Rohweder, HDW spokesman, said his firm made an offer to India quot;several years ago.quot;

However, quot;we have not heard anything from the customer for over two yearsquot;.

The HDW submarines that are presently in service with the Indian Navy are a modified 200-class and were delivered quot;10 or 12 years ago,quot; he said.

Currently, India8217;s submarine fleet comprises 10 Kilo-class submarines, seven Foxtrot-class submarines and four HDW-class submarines. Another two Kilo-class submarines will enter service this year.

The official said the Indian Navy is eight submarines short of what is required to meet its needs.

Rear Admiral retired Rajgopal Karat Menon, an independent submarine expert, said the SSK-class subs will carry exocet sea-skimming, anti-ship missiles.