Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has undocked the India’s first Scorpene submarine at Mazagon Dock Limited. This is built under a venture called Project 75, in collaboration with a French firm called DCNS. Under this collaboration, Indian Navy will get a total of six submarines. Other than the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the event was attended by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and the Naval Staff Chief Admiral RK Dhowan.

The submarine will be formally inducted into the Indian Navy by September 2016. From now the submarine will be subjected to rigorous tests. On successfully completing all the tests, on commissioning the vessel will be named as INS Kalvari.

India has planned to equip the last two submarines of Project 75 with the special Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, designed and developed by DRDO. This system will enable the Scorpene submarine to stay underwater for 21 more days, in addition to the existing 50 days it can endure.

Tidbits

1.  This submarine can carry 18 torpedoes and travel 1,020 kilometres underwater. It can travel 12,000 kilometres in the surfaced (above the water surface) mode
2. The submarine has a maximum diving depth of 300m, giving its commander great tactical freedom.
3. It combines better stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons
4. The Submarine is equipped with anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, weapons-launching tubes, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.
5. The Scorpene is built from special steel with high tensile strength, capable of withstanding stress.