Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicate to the nation the naval submarine, INS Kalvari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines in Mumbai.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai Naval Dockyard where the submarine was commissioned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Kalvari is an excellent example of 'Make in India' and will boost the Navy's might.
Modi thanked France for its collaboration in building the submarine and said, "This is a fine example of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the might of INS Kalvari will further strengthen our Indian Navy.
The Prime Minister said the 21st century belongs to Asia and the road to development will pass through the Indian Ocean. He went on to add oceans holds a special importance in the Government's policies.
Modi said he calls SAGAR (Ocean) with a special name - Security And Growth for All the Region. Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
It underwent around 120 days of extensive sea trials and tests for various equipment, an official earlier said, adding the vessel is expected to bolster India's maritime prowess.
The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.
INS Kalvari, at a Glance INS Kalvari, a potent Man o’ War capable of undertaking offensive operations will be commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Thursday. The first of the six Scorpene-class submarines is regarded as a very prestigious acquisition which embodies cutting edge technology and compares favourably with the best in the world. The construction of the Submarine, designated as MDL Yard 11875, commenced with the first cutting of steel at MDL on December 14, 2006. The ‘Boot Together’ of the submarine wherein the five separate sections were welded into one was completed on July 30, 2014. Interestingly, she is the first Indian Naval vessel to be built using this modular approach of construction.
Touted to be the most capable weapon in Navy’s hold, the submarine has an overall length of 67.5 metres and a height of about 12.3 metres. The hull form, the fin and the hydroplanes are specifically designed to produce minimum underwater resistance. Her 360 battery cells (each weighing 750 kg) power the extremely silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. Her stealth is further enhanced through the mounting of equipment inside the pressure hull on shock absorbing cradles.
Another thing that makes Kalvari a potent weapon is the the boat’s undersea warfare capability that comprises of a cluster of advanced weapons and sensors integrated into the Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS). The sonar suite is Low Frequency Analysis and Ranging (LOFAR) capable enabling long rage detection and classification. Post classification, she may choose to engage the enemy by utilising either the sea skimming SM 39 EXOCET missiles (Flying Fish in French) or the heavy weight wire guided Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes. Towards self-defence, she is fitted with mobile C303/S anti-torpedo decoys.
The submarine’s attack and search periscopes are equipped with Infrared/Low Light Level cameras and Laser Range finders. The boat also has her two 1250 kW MAN Diesel Engines for rapidly charging batteries. The submarine boasts of a highly advanced Combat Management System and a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System.
INS Kalvari was hauled out on Pontoon from the East Yard Dry Dock of MDL in the presence of the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 06, 2015. The submarine was ‘launched’ and christened as ‘Kalvari’ on October 27, 2015.
Here Facts in points:
- INS Kalvari is powered by a diesel-electric motor and is said to be so silent that it might be difficult to detect it underwater.
- INS Kalvari's overall length is 67.5 meters and its height is 12.3 meters.
- Kalvari was designed by DCNS (French naval Defence and Energy Company) in collaboration with Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.
- INS Kalvari is named Kalvari, a tiger shark in Malayalam symbolising agility, strength and predatory power. Kalvari's motto is "Ever Onward", which shows Kalvari's spirit.
- It is the first of six Scorpene submarines to join the Indian Navy.
- Kalvari is the first Indian Naval vessel to be built using a modular approach and is said to be the quieter than most submarines.
- Kalvari has infrared and low light camera and range finder to spot targets present on the surface of the ocean.
- INS Kalvari also has an attack and search periscope.
- INS Kalvari is the first submarine to join Indian Navy in 17 years.
- INS Kalvari will have anti-ship missiles and long-range guided torpedoes and modern sensor suite.
