Mazagon Dock delivers first Scorpene submarine to Indian Navy

Public sector defence unit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has delivered the first indigenously built Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari,  to the Indian Navy, marking a major milestone in the development of domestic defence production capabilities.

The submarine, which will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy, is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess, a senior Navy official said.

"History was written at MDL with the delivery of the first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari, to the Indian Navy today," PTI quoted a senior MDL official as saying.

MDL will deliver the second submarine, INS Khanderi, by December.

MDL is manufacturing six Scorpene submarines under a contract for the construction and transfer-of-technology signed in October 2005 with DCNS of France.

Kalvari is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

The first Kalvari, commissioned in December 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy. It was decommissioned on 31 May 1996 after almost 30 years of service, a statement said.

"In true nautical tradition, she will now be re-incarnated, by Mazagon Dock, once again a powerful predator of the deep, guarding the vast maritime interests of our nation," the statement said.

"Coming in the 50th year of Indian submarine operations (which is being celebrated as the Golden Jubilee of the Submarine Arm), the occasion has that extra special significance," it added.

The new submarine has superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons.

"The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface," it added.

Scorpene submarines can undertake both submarine and surface missions, including, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.

"The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations," the statement added.

The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is currently undergoing the rigorous phase of sea trials.

The third Scorpene, Karanj, is being readied for launch later this year.

The remaining submarines are in various stages of outfitting, it added.