BHEL forms consortium with HSL, Midhani to build submarines

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), public sector defence Miniranta Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (Midhani) and Hindustan Shipyards Limited (HSL) in a strategic move have come together to form a consortium for building submarines.

According to a BHEL statement, the consortium will jointly stake claim with the ministry of defence for being considered as a prospective bidder for the proposed P-75 (I) project of the Navy for building six submarines at a shipyard.

A memorandum of understanding towards setting up the consortium was signed between BHEL, Midhani and HSL in New Delhi on Thursday. The consortium aims to harness the complimentary expertise of the three companies.

While BHEL, an engineering Maharatna, has vast experience in design, development and manufacture of a variety of equipment for crucial infrastructure sectors like power generation and transmission, industry, transportation, oil and gas, renewable, water and defence sectors, HSL is a defence public sector unit (PSU) engaged in ship building, repairs and submarine retrofit.

Hyderabad-based Midhani is another defence PSU engaged in development and manufacture of a wide range of super alloys, titanium, and special-purpose steel for applications in defence, aerospace and atomic energy.

The alliance between the three companies forms part of the 'Make In India' initiative of the government especially for catering for the defence sector.

The consortium will also provide the country with a credible domestic alternative for manufacture of submarines. BHEL has emerged as a reliable supplier of strategic equipment and services to defence and paramilitary forces for mote than 20 years now.

BHEL also has large infrastructure, including dedicated engineering, R&D, and manufacturing facilities at several locations to manufacture various types of equipment and provide complete services to meet requirements of the defence sector.

The Narendra Modi government is keen to expedite indigenous defence production.