Italian firm eyes local tie-ups as Navy set to open bids for torpedo deal

New Delhi: The Italian company that is expected to bag an order to supply heavy weight torpedoes to the Indian Navy as part of a global competition is looking for Indian partners and is mulling setting up of local production facilities to cater for potential exports.

The navy is expected to open price bids for its requirement of 48 torpedoes by the end of this month, with France's Naval Group competing against Italian WASS that is offering the 'Black Shark' torpedo for the contract.

Sources said that the Italian company, which is expected to have the more competitively priced bid, has been looking at taking on local production partners and is scouting both private sector players and traditional public sector entities.


While the Navy is looking for 48 torpedoes in the first batch, the total requirement is well over 200, with the larger number likely to be ordered under the Make in India initiative.