Indian Navy Commissions Third Scorpene-Class Submarine, INS Karanj

The third Scorpene-class submarine built by Naval Group, INS Karanj was successfully commissioned into the Indian Navy service.

The ceremony took place in presence of former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral V S Shekhawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, and other top officials of the Indian Navy, said Naval Group in a statement.

The event highlights the success of indigenous submarines construction programme of the Indian government. This submarine has been completely built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) with limited external support, taking advantage of the successful technology transfer from Naval Group during the construction and trials of the first two boats. This series of six submarines have been fitted with a number of equipment, built in India by qualified and highly trained industrial Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises which form the sound base of submarine building ecosystem of India.

“Naval Group is very proud to be part of first of its kind P75 Kalvari programme to deliver entirely ”Made in India” submarines to the Indian Navy. This programme is a major element of the strategic autonomy enjoyed by the Indo-French partnership and strategic autonomy, developed over the last decades. The commissioning of INS Karanj, amidst COVID-19 challenges, represents one of its kind industrial milestones and illustrates the self-reliance of Indian Navy and naval defence industry. I look forward to establishing greater and more meaningful partnerships with Indian industry that will help in sustainability of our global supply chain and industrial footprint, while allowing us to be part of success story of Indian economy, community”, mentioned CEO and Chairman of Naval Group, Pierre-Eric Pommellet. 

The rise in competencies that Indian industry and shipyard achieved during the past decade is very inspiring. This precious and high-value expertise and skillsets built around the programme needs to be preserved, nurtured and improved with on-going/ future contracts so that Indian naval defence industry can seamlessly cater to military products of similar or advanced nature for India and also for the world.

Six Scorpene-class submarines have been ordered by India in 2005 as part of the Project 75 programme. They are constructed locally by the Mazagon Dock Limited shipyard in Mumbai, with assistance of Naval Group. – shp/adj/aaa (PHOTO: Naval Group)