DCNS Hopeful of Australian And Indian Submarine Contracts This Year

DCNS is hoping for a positive response for its submarine bid in Australia and commissioning of the first submarine to India this year.

“Winning of a major naval defence export contract, in particular in Australia will require sustained effort throughout the year,” the company said in a statement Monday.

“Commissioning of the first Indian submarine, transfer of the two LHDs to the Egyptian flag, maintenance of the Saudi Arabian frigates and the Malaysian submarines, delivery of strategic equipment for the Brazilian submarine programme are also part of the priorities for 2016,” DCNS stated.

DCNS is pitching Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A submarine against ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems’ (TKMS) Type 261 submarine and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Soryu submarine in Australian $36 billion contract to replace it’s Collins class submarines expected to enter service in 2025.

DCNS in December last year had offered the Australian Government complete access to the stealth technologies utilised on board French nuclear-powered general-purpose attack submarines (SSNs) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).