India commissions third Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel-electric attack submarine

 

The INS Karanj (S23) during commissioming on 10 March 2021. 

The Indian Navy has commissioned its third Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarine as part of its Project 75I Program.

The submarine, which was named as the INS Karanj (S23), was commissioned on 10 March 2021 at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. 

Former Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff retired Admiral VS Shekhawat, the former commander of an earlier Soviet Foxtrot-class attack submarine with the same name and was used during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, led the commissioning of the new submarine.

The new submarine follows the commissioning of its sisterships, the INS Kalvari in December 2017 and the INS Khanderi in September2019.

Other sisterships, the Vela (S24) and Vagir (S25) are now undergoing sea trials, while the Vagsheer (S26) is in advanced stage of outfitting.

The submarines are based on the French Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine from Naval Group, and are considered as one of the most advanced conventional powered submarine in the world. 

The Kalvari-class are being built by Mazagon Dock in Mumbai with technical assistance from Naval Group, which transferred technology on the submarine design and construction as part of the Indian government’s “Make in India” program.

They are armed with six torpedo tubes, which can fire up to 18 heavy torpedoes, SM-39 Exocet submarine-launched anti-ship missiles, and mines.

It is also equipped with a permanent magnetic synchronous motor, allowing for quiet operations. 




[1] Naval News
[2] The Indian Express
[3] The Economic Times India