Third Scorpene Submarine Delivered to Indian Navy

Government-owned shipyard Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered the third Scorpene-class submarine to the Indian Navy after two years of sea trials.

With the delivery, the company maintained its reputation as one of the India’s leading shipyards with capacity and capability to meet requirements and aspirations of the Indian Navy in all dimensions, an MDL statement said, adding that the delivery of three submarines so far has reaffirmed India’s membership in the exclusive group of submarine building nations,  

MDL chairman and managing director Vice Admiral(retd) Narayan Prasad and Rear Admiral B Sivakumar, Western Naval Command’s chief of staff officer (technical), signed the acceptance document Jan 15 in the presence of MDL Directors and Navy personnel at the dockyard in Mumbai (Bombay).

The submarine would subsequently be commissioned into Indian Navy as INS Karanj, the company said in a regulatory BSE filing made Jan 15. Also known as the Kalvari-class, the diesel-electric attack submarine has been built under MDL’s Project-75 in collaboration with French shipyard Naval Group.

The first submarine INS Kalvari was launched in October 2015 and commissioned in December 2017, five years behind the schedule. The second, INS Khanderi, was launched in January 2017 for sea trials and commissioned in September 2019. INS Vela was launched in May 2019 and is undergoing sea trials. INS Vagir launched in November 2020, is also undergoing sea trials. The sixth submarine INS Vagsheer is at the stage of outfitting.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, previously known Mazagon Dock Limited, is as a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence engaged in the construction and repair of warships and submarines for use by the Indian Navy and other vessels for commercial clients.

“Two SSK submarines built by MDL in 1992 and 1994 are still in service after more than 25 years, a clear testimony of MDL’s quality of construction. MDL has also achieved expertise in submarine refits by successfully executing the medium Refit-cum-Upgradation of all the four SSK class submarines of the Indian Navy. It is presently carrying out the Medium Refit and Life Certification of INS Shishumar, the first SSK submarine,” the MDL statement said.

“MDL has always been at the forefront of the nation’s progressive indigenous warship building programme. With the construction of the Leander and Godavari class frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, the SSK submarines and the Scorpene submarine under its belt, the history of modern day MDL almost maps the history of indigenous warship building in India.” – adj/mhi/mgm (Image: INS Vagir, MDL)