Ukrainian companies are desperately trying to outdo Russian firms to bag contracts of the Indian Navy, a CBI investigation into an alleged bribery case against serving and former naval officers has shown, officials said.

During the probe, a Dubai-based businessman has come under the scanner for allegedly transporting money from Dubai to India for retired Naval Commodore Randeep Singh, arrested by the CBI in September last year and now on bail.

The role of Indian arms dealers and relatives of a former naval chief are also being looked into, with the probe indicating that the businessman had links with them, the officials said.

The agency grilled the businessman five times between September 4 and 11.

It is alleged that the businessman associated with Ukrainian defence manufacturer Spets Techno Experts had “shared documents, including a list of navy officers,” to help the Ukrainian company outdo the Russian Rosoboronexport in spare part orders for Indian submarines and other naval assets, the CBI sources said.

The agency has found that the documents were allegedly provided by Singh to the businessman who was trying to increase the market share of Zorya Mashproekt of Ukraine by conniving with BHEL and Indian Navy officers, the CBI officers said.

The CBI investigation so far has shown that the businessman is alleged to have “actively participated” in sharing of information related to the Indian Navy with external people in exchange of illegal gratification given to government employees, including navy officers.