Navy To Get Indigenous Systems Capable Of Detecting Torpedoes From Enemy Submarines; MoD Inks Rs 1,350 Crore Deal With Mahindra Defence

The Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with Mahindra Defence Systems for Anti-Submarine Warfare Defence Suites for the Indian Navy.

The deal, signed under the ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category of defence procurement, comes as a significant boost to the indigenous defence industry. According to A P Shukla, Chairman of Mahindra Defence Systems, this deal is the first major contract awarded to the private sector “for underwater detection and protection from threats”.

Under the deal, the Indian Navy will get 14 Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Defence Suites (IADS) at a cost of Rs 1,349 crore.

These systems can detect enemy submarines and torpedoes at extended ranges and are capable of diverting incoming torpedoes fired by enemy submarines, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Mahindra says the system is capable of operations from all sizes of warships — small, medium and large. The system is equipped with a complex array of sensors, which can undertake surveillance.

“This advanced system is the first of its kind being developed by an Indian company for Indian Navy,” the company’s statement read.

Competitive bids were invited from Indian companies through an open tender for the selection of the system. The systems fielded by various companies were then put through trials at sea to access their capabilities.