Indian Navy gets the first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari

History was written at MDL on September 21, 2017, with the delivery of the first Scorpene submarine, Kalvari, to the Indian Navy. This historic event reaffirms the giant strides taken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in the ongoing ‘Make In India’ programme, which is being actively implemented by the Department of Defence Production, MoD. Coming in the 50th year of Indian submarine operations (which is being celebrated as the Golden Jubilee of the Submarine Arm), the occasion has that extra special significance. Post delivery, the submarine would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The contract for the construction and transfer-of-technology for six Scorpene submarines in series, with DCNS of France as ‘Collaborator’ and MDL as ‘Builder’, was signed in October 2005.

Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations.