30.06.2009
Source:
Russia will participate in an expected tender to supply diesel-electric submarines to the Indian navy, the Russian state arms exporter said on Friday.
"We will offer India an export version of the
Lada class diesel submarine - the
Amur class vessel. We will take part in the Indian tender when it is announced with these submarines or vessels of another class," said Oleg Azizov, head of
Rosoboronexport's delegation at the
International Maritime Defense Show 2009 in St. Petersburg.
"We have a bilateral cooperation agreement [in the military-technical sphere] until 2020, which includes the possibility of supplying submarines to this country," Azizov added.
The Project-677, or
Lada class, diesel submarine, whose export version is known as the
Amur 1650, features a new anti-sonar coating for its hull, an extended cruising range, and advanced anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry, including the
Club-S integrated cruise missile systems.
Azizov also said Vietnam and Egypt were studying the possibility of buying Russian Project 636
Kilo class diesel submarines.
"Vietnam is still studying various possibilities for the development of its submarine fleet. If they choose Project 636 submarines, offered by Russia, we will start talks on the issue," the official said, adding that the same approach applied to Egypt.
The Project 636
Kilo class submarine is thought to be one of the most silent submarine classes in the world. It has been specifically designed for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters.
Russia has built
Kilo class submarines for India, China and Iran.
Azizov earlier said Russia could sell up to 40 fourth-generation diesel-electric submarines to foreign customers by 2015.
