Article Posted on : - Jul 05, 2011

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is planning to participate in a new six diesel-electric submarines tender of the Indian Navy, according to media reports.

"There is a new tender, with the new requirements, and together with [Russia's] Rubin design bureau we are making a proposal to India for Amur 650 class submarines," RIA Novosti quoted Oleg Azizov, head of Rosoboronexport’s delegation at the IMDS exhibition and Chief of Navy Special Equipment and Services Export Department, as saying.

To strengthen the navy's depleted fleet, Indian Navy is planning to commission around 12 submarines in the next decade.

“Amur class is a fourth-generation vessel, and Russia has all chances to win the tender," he added.

In February, Indian Navy has announced to issue an $11 billion global tender in 2011 for the procurement of six next generation submarines.

The Indian Navy is willing to procure submarines "with better stealth capability, improved detection range and combat management system."

According to Azizov, Amur class subs match these requirements perfectly, as their sonar signature level is several times less than that of Kilo class submarines which are considered at present the most silent in the world.

In addition, Amur 650 could be equipped with the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems on the basis of fuel cells to increase considerably the endurance and cruise range in a submerged state.

Companies from France, Germany and Spain will also participate in the tender, it said.