In what is said to be its largest ever underwater defence deal, India has initiated the process to acquire six new submarines, which are seen as crucial to counter China’s growing undersea prowess.

As part of the long-delayed deal, India’s Ministry of Defence has issued the Request For Information (RFI) to Russia, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden and Spain to build the submarines with an estimated Rs. 70,000 crore ($10.9 billion) together with an Indian shipyard.

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