Second Scorpene Class Submarine Ready for Sea Trials

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has announced that the second Scorpene-class submarine is ready for surface sea trials. INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine has been built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.  It is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy.

Salient Highlights

INS Khanderi has been named Khanderi, after the Island fort of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji which played had vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in late 17th century. Khanderi is also name for Tiger Shark.
The state-of-the-art features in the submarine include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon. The attack from it can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst on surface or underwater. The stealth features gives it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.
The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, mine laying etc.
In general, the Scorpene-class submarines are expected to significantly enhance India’s naval power and strength while making the country ocean safe and secure.

Project 75

Under Project 75 India will construct 6 next generation diesel submarines with Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP) technology for the Indian Navy by 2022. The project is built with assistance and technology transfer from DCNS of France under deal signed in October 2005. The first of the series INS Kalvari is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly. The other four submarines are expected to be launched at nine-month intervals after the INS Khanderi.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017