First Scorpene class submarine set afloat
- Kalvari, the first ship of Scorpene class submarines being manufactured at Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), was set afloat in the Mumbai naval dockyard
- It will undergo sea trials, and eventually commissioned on schedule in Sept 2016.
- Unlike in ships where equipment installation takes a long time after launching, submarines are completely fitted out at the time of floating out. The boat is now slated to undergo rigorous harbour trials and tests which would certify each system to its fullest capacity.
- The Mazagon Dock is presently constructing six Scorpene class submarines under Project 75 under transfer of technology from DCNS, France. Subsequent boats will be delivered at gaps of nine months from each other. All six are expected to be delivered by 2020.
Scorpene submarines
- Scorpene submarines are 67 meters long, 6.2 meters wide and have 1,550 tonnes displacement
- State-of-art features – include superior stealth and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles, underwater or on surface.
- Multifarious missions – Designed to operate in all theatres including the Tropics, the submarines can undertake multifarious missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, operations by special forces and mine laying etc.
Project 75
- Navy’s Scorpene class stealth are submarines being built under Project 75 programme
- In 2005, India chose the Scorpène design; purchasing six submarines for US$3 billion ($500 million per boat) under Project 75 (P75). The project was necessitated by the dwindling number of submarines in the Indian Navy. Indian Navy needed replacement for the older Sindhughosh (Kilo) and Shishumar (U209) class of submarines.The submarines are to be manufactured under a technology transfer agreement by the state-owned Mazagon Docks in Mumbai
