NEW DELHI (Sputnik) – Germany stands ready to offer six diesel-electric submarines with high underwater endurance at the total cost of $9 billion under a government program to replenish the Indian Navy’s aging fleet, The Economic Times reported Friday, citing sources.
"The offer has certain assurances that the product will meet Indian requirements," an official involved in the process told The Economic Times.
Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) private naval vessel holding company told the newspaper it was "not in a position to comment on talks between the government of the two nations." The company spokesperson said, however, it was interested in offering its 214 class boats with increased underwater endurance and low detection risk.
"We define it as a ‘no-holds barred’ transfer of technology in line with Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ push," the TKMS spokesperson said in response to a detailed questionnaire.
Russia and France are reportedly also competing for the P-75I project. In 2010, Russia’s Rosoboronexort and France’s DCNS/Armaris were expected to receive invitations to a foreign contractor tender alongside German and Spanish companies.
