OREANDA-NEWS. In a strategic move aimed at harnessing their complimentary capabilities, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (Midhani) and Hindustan Shipyards Limited (HSL) have come together to form a consortium for building submarines indigenously. 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 Indian Navy for building six submarines at an Indian shipyard. To this effect, an MoU towards setting up the consortium, was signed here between BHEL, Midhani and HSL on 26th December 2014. The consortium between three PSUs - BHEL, an engineering Maharatna with five decades of experience in design, development and manufacture of a variety of equipment for crucial infrastructure sectors like power generation & transmission, industry, transportation, oil & gas, renewable, water and defence sectors; HSL, a defence PSU engaged in ship building, repairs and submarine retrofit, and Midhani, another defence PSU engaged in development and manufacture of a wide range of super alloys and special-purpose steel for applications in defence, aerospace, atomic energy, etc., is a giant step in the direction of the 'Make In India' initiative of the government, especially for catering to 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 Indian Defence and Paramilitary forces for over 20 years now. BHEL 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 the requirements of the Indian defence sector.