Submarine INS Kalvari set afloat for sea trials

Kalvari, which was constructed by the Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, Mumbai, was on Wednesday separated from the pontoon and set afloat. The submarine, which has been built with French collaboration, returned back to the Mazgaon Dock on Thursday

A day after the first of the Scorpene class submarines ‘Kalvari’ was set afloat, its builder Mazgaon Dock (MDL) on Thursday said the indigenously built asset will now undergo extensive sea trials before being commissioned into the Navy late next year.

The INS Kalvari, one of the six Scorpene diesel-electric attack submarines, is set afloat at the Mazagaon Dock in Mumbai on Thursday.(Vijayanand Gupta/HT photo)

“The accomplishment of this milestone will initiate commencement of sea trials which will eventually lead to the commissioning of the boat into the Indian Navy in September 2016,” rear admiral RK Shrawat, chairman and managing director of MDL told reporters in Mumbai.

Kalvari, which was constructed by the Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders, was on Wednesday separated from the pontoon and set afloat. The submarine, which has been built with French collaboration, returned back to the Mazgaon Dock on Thursday.

Scorpene submarine Kalvari at the Mazagaon Dock in Mumbai on Thursday. (Vijayanand Gupta /HT photo)

It was undocked by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in April this year.

The Kalvari is the first of six submarines in the class being built by MDL in an extremely delayed project.

MDL officials said they would deliver one submarine every nine months from Mumbai and expect to complete the order by 2020.

Even though it is powered by diesel, the 67-metre long submarine with a 6.2 metre diameter has been designed to minimise noise and act with stealth in war theatres, the officials said.

(Vijayanand Gupta / HT photo)

A technology, called air independent propulsion system, will ensure that it stays underwater longer. It will be carrying anti-ship missiles and torpedoes on board.

The submarines are being built under a technology transfer from French company DCNS in the deal which some reports pegged at US$ 3 billion.  PTI