Features of INS Kalvari Scorpene submarine

Features of INS Kalvari Scorpene submarine

Question - Dhanush, India’s homegrown artillery gun is one of the many innovations being developed indigenously in India. Discuss the features of the INS Kalvari Scorpene submarine which has recently been undocked following its successful development.

Kalvari: India’s First Scorpene Stealth Submarine

• Kalvari is one of Indian Navy’s 6 Scorpene class stealth submarines which has been developed indigenously.

• This submarine was undocked in Delhi setting the way for sea trials and commissioning in 2016

Project 75

• The 6 Scorpenes are being constructed by Mazgaon Docks Ltd in partnership with a firm from France, DCNS under Project 75

• This project’s delivery was first scheduled in 2012 but has been delayed considerably

• Defence ministry has announced that the P75 project can also invite private players for a JV which will assist in the early completion of the project

Features of Kalvari

• This Scorpene submarine has superior stealth technology

• It can also launch massive attacks through precision guided weapons

• An attack can be launched through this submarine with torpedoes as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles on the surface of the water or beneath it as well

• This submarine works in all settings including the tropics, wherein various means and communications are in place to ensure interoperability with various components of the naval task force

• Numerous defence activities can be carried out through this stealth submarine including mine laying, area surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and multifarious warfare activities

• This Scorpene submarine is constructed from special steel and it can withstand high yield stress because it possesses tensile strength, it can withstand hydrostatic force of high magnitude and dive deeper

• Kalvari and other submarines in this class are also equipped with WLT/Weapons Launching tubes and these can carry weapons on board which can effectively be reloaded at sea

• All six submarines including Kalvari are being indigenously constructed at Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd in Mumbai

• These attack submarines are also equipped with diesel propulsion and extra air independent propulsion

• The new diesel electronic Scorpene submarines will be named as per the old Foxtrot class boats decommissioned around 10 years ago; these were the first submarines of the Navy

• INR Kalvari is one of a set of six submarines which will undergo test and trials for one and a half years rigorously at harbour and on sea whether on the surface or underwater

• Mechanisms on this submarine have been designed to optimise safety; DRDO is in the process of establishing a system for carrying out structured health monitoring of under development nuclear submarines as well as future conventional Naval submarines

• To speed up India in the race for naval vessels, the NDA government has ordered for an accelerated tendering process to construct 6 conventional diesel electric submarines at a cost estimated to be INR 50,000 crore or USD 8.1billion alongside the Scorpenes

Facts and Stats

• First batch of crew of 10 Naval officers and sailors headed by Commodore S. D. Mehendale have been sent for training in preparation for the commissioning of the submarine in 2016

• Project 75 was awarded to DCNS in 2005 and it has taken more than the stipulated time

• Project 75 has overshot the budget by INR 5000 crore and is expected to cost INR 23,000 crore

• This is the first time a submarine will be entering the water with the aid of a pontoon to signify the completion of the hull and critical equipment in place

• Floating out of Scorpene submarine INS Kalvari will lead to the start of the its sea trails and clear the dry docks

• The Indian Navy current has only 14 submarines of the conventional diesel electric type, 10 of which are ageing Russian Kilo class and 4 are German HDW class

• Government is targeting 30 submarines before 2022