The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced plans to acquire 6 Scorpène diesel submarines.
A top defence source told reporters that the Navy "issued a Request for Information (RFI) to major manufacturers across the globe and will follow [up the request] with global tenders" in 2009.
The Indian military currently maintains an underwater fleet composed of 16 Russian Kilo and German Shishumar vessels. However, New Delhi has expressed interest in purchasing a total of 30 submarines over the next few years. The latest procurement will follow a previous order of six Scorpène subs currently under construction by the French DCNS at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
 It should be noted that France has asked India to consider a joint venture for the international export of advanced subs. DCNS CEO Jean-Marie Poimbeuf told the Hindu that a number of countries pereceived submarines to be "strategic defence systems".
Indeed, China is expected to have six Jin-class submarines capable of firing JL2 ballistic nuclear missiles by 2015. In addition, Beijing's nuclear attack submarine force has expanded rapidly and now boasts six T93 hunters and more than a dozen Kilo class boats. According to Jane's, the fast attack craft are capable of carrying eight anti-ship missiles -- granting the Sino navy a "considerable capability".
India has also taken several signifcant steps to bolster its naval capabilites, including the acquistion of a Russian aicraft carrier and a 16,900-tonne Jalashwa transport ship. The 173-metre-long Landing Pontoon Dock (LPD), currrently the second largest Indian warship in service, is capable of transporting four landing craft, six helicopters and a battalion of 900 soldiers.
In addition, the Indian MoD has issued a tender for at least 16 advanced naval helicopters. Defence Ministry sources note the multi-role helicopters will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine armaments, including cruise missiles and torpedoes. X
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