Glasgow, July 09, 2006 (PTI)

British defence majors are expressing readiness to export frontline weapons technology to India and 'Thales UK' has even offered to sell some critical sub-systems for New Delhi's top secret nuclear submarine project.

"Here we have developed a non-hull penetrating technology to remove cumbersome periscopes from submarines. And we are ready to offer this technology for India's upgraded Kilo class submarines and its Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV)," Peter Mcbride, Director Naval exports of the company said.

Thales is making these non-penetrating hull masts and Mcbride said these new systems comprised the futuristic submarine combat management area.

He said these hulls were now being installed in the US navy's Virgina class submarines and also being used for trials for future French Nuclear submarine.

"These new hulls give the submarines minimum exposure above water and also long-range engagement capability. These hulls can be fitted in submarines with displacements ranging from 50 to 16,000 tonnes," he said.

The Thales offer indicates that Defence Research and Development Organisation and Naval design bureau have made the crucial breakthrough on the ATV.

According to reports, defence scientists have finally been able to fit a nuclear power plant on the hull of the indigenous nuclear submarine.