Indian Navy to Purchase Hundreds of Anti-Ship Missiles

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian Navy has formally started the process of acquiring anti-ship missiles which can hit a target at medium range. On Tuesday, the Indian Navy issued requests to the global vendors inviting their interests in supplying approximately 270 combat, 40 practice, 10 training, six dummy and four cut section medium range anti-ship missiles and 24 systems for fitment onboard ships. India intends to soon finalize the deal with a global missile manufacturer willing to offer transfer of technology so that such missiles can be manufactured under the ‘Make in India' program.

"Indian government is desirous of license production of equipment after acquiring ToT in the case. Vendor is to indicate willingness to provide ToT (knowhow and know why) along with exact scope that can be provided in each area (Missile/Missile Subsystems/ Launchers/Loading Gear/Fire Control System etc)," reads a document of the Indian Navy.

The Indian navy has indicated that it will conduct field evaluation trials to facilitate early finalization of the deal.

The global tender is to be issued during first half of 2018 and India expects quick delivery. As per India's new defense procurement policy, the vendor will be required to invest 30% of the total deal value in an Indian project.

India has indicated that the quantity of requirement may go up further in accordance to extant requirements of the Navy and that the firms must provide option clause wherein thebuyer can exercise an option to procure an additional 50% of the original contracted quantity in accordance with the same terms & conditions of the present contract.

Meanwhile, Indian navy has indicated that it will conduct field evaluation trials to facilitate early finalization of the deal.

According to sources, several global firms are already in talks with Indian defense companies for manufacturing anti-ship missiles. Last month, Pune-based Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd signed a joint venture agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries for manufacturing anti-ship missiles and command & control systems. Earlier, in April Reliance Defence entered into a strategic partnership agreement with South Korean defense major LIG Nex1 to explore the opportunities to manufacture anti-ship missiles. LIG Nex1 is an emerging leader in smart heavy weapons in the category of anti-ship missiles, and anti-tank guided missiles.

In March this year, the Indian Navy used Exocet SM 39 — a French-built anti-ship missile, for the maiden missile firing test by the locally built Kalvari class submarine. After the successful firing, Indian Navy confirmed that all the six scorpene (Kalvari) class submarines would be equipped with Exocet SM 39. Weighing 650 Kilogram 6.5 meter long high subsonic Exocet SM 39 is long range, all-weather missile capable of operation against all classes of warship. MBDA, its manufacturer, claims the missile has high hit probability against moving targets and that it can hit any target in extremely short time with full freedom of maneuver.