Kalvari handed over to Navy

The INS Kalvari has enhanced ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons With operational range of 12,000 km, submarine force multiplier for Navy

Signifying that the final trials, including live missile and torpedo firings are over, the long-awaited INS Kalvari, the first homemade submarine of the Scorpene class, was handed over to the Indian Navy on Thursday.

With the Indian Ocean region becoming a buzz of activity of late due to movements by submarines and vessels of other countries, the timing, which underscores a “generational shift” in the Navy’s submarine operations, couldn’t have been

better. Having an operational range of about 12,000 km, the Kalvari will be a huge force multiplier for the Navy. The Navy already operates 14 submarines — less than the required number of 25.

Named after a deadly and stealthy deep sea shark, the INS Kalvari has specially enhanced stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface.

Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.

The next step lies in the commissioning of the submarine into the Indian Navy, which is expected to take place this month.

The contract for the construction and transfer-oftechnology for six Scorpene submarines was signed in October 2005 with DCNS of France as ‘collaborator’ and MDL as ‘builder’. The submarine was built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. under ‘Make in India’.

Coming in the 50th year of Indian submarine operations (being celebrated as the Golden Jubilee of the Submarine Arms), the occasion has that extra special significance, a MDL release said.