Kalvari submarine a big step in defence preparedness: PM

Kalvari submarine a big step in defence preparedness: PM

Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally commissioned the first of six Scorpene diesel-electric submarines into the Navy on Thursday.

First of six scorpene-class diesel-electric vessels commissioned into the Navy

• This is the Navy’s first modern conventional submarine in almost two decades since the INS Sindhushastra was procured from Russia in July 2000.
• INS Kalvari is manned by a team of eight officers and 35 sailors

The Scorpene submarines

The Scorpene submarines can undertake different missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance 

“Khanderi” undergoing trials

The second of the Scorpenes, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is undergoing sea trials

“Karanj” will soon be ready

The third, Karanj, is being readied for launch shortly.

Others in the pipeline too

The rest are in various stages of outfitting. The project is expected to be over by 2020.

What is a Scorpene

Scorpene is a conventional powered submarine weighing 1,500 tonnes and can go up to depths of 300m. It is built by DCNS of France.

The ongoing project

In October 2005, India had signed a USD 3.75 bn deal for six of submarines to be built by Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai with transfer of technology. Additional deals were signed with Thales and MBDA for systems and weapons.