Oct 23 (Reuters) - German shipbuilder Luerssen has

expressed interest in bidding for the warship division of

stricken conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, the Handelsblatt

newspaper reported Wednesday, adding that talks were also being

held with Rheinmetall.

It comes a day after news that private equity firm Carlyle

had dropped out of the process.

Rheinmetall declined comment. Luerssen could not immediately

be reached for comment.

(Reportnig by Matthias Inverardi and Kirsti Knolle; Writing by

Matthias Williams

Editing by Miranda Murray)