Having just concluded a deal to supply six Project 636 (Kilo) class diesel-electric submarines to Vietnam in 2014, Russia’s state-run arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, has said it will take part in the Indian Navy’s latest submarine procurement competition. Russia dropped out of the first Indian submarine tender in 2009, when the French Scorpène was selected. India has since announced a requirement for six more submarines with improved stealth characteristics, better combat management systems and greater range. France (Scorpène), Germany (Type 214) and Spain (S-80) will also bid for the contract, potentially worth around $11 billion.
Russia will offer the Rubin-designed Amur 1650 export variant of the Russian Navy’s Project 677 (Lada) class. The fourth-generation vessel is claimed to be even quieter than the Kilo and has increased endurance.
