Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 1

The first of the six indigenous Scorpene-class submarines set out for sea trials today. Named Kalvari—sea tiger shark—the 66-m-long vessel is set to be inducted into the Navy in October-November this year.The submarines are being built by Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in collaboration with French company DCNS. The remaining five vessels are set to be inducted by 2020.The submarine sailed out around 10 am today using its own propulsion for the first sea trial off the Mumbai coast. It completed a number of preliminary tests on propulsion system, auxiliary equipment and systems, navigation aids, communication equipment and steering gear. Various standard operating procedures were also validated for it. The submarine then returned to harbour in the evening, the India Navy said tonight.The Scorpene is equipped with weapons launching tubes (WLT) and can carry weapons on board that can be easily reloaded at sea through special handling and loading equipment. The array of weapons and complex sensors fitted on board the Scorpene are managed by an advanced combat management system, which integrates various diverse systems fitted onboard.However, despite today’s good news, the submarine’s plan to purchase heavyweight torpedoes for the vessel remains stuck due to the VVIP chopper scam. Over the past 15 years, India’s submarine arm is the slowest growing in the otherwise fast-growing war machinery.

To be inducted into Navy by year-end
The 66-m-long vessel is set to be inducted into the Navy in October-November this year
Kalvari is the first of the six indigenous Scorpene-class submarines being built by Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited in collaboration with French company DCNS
The remaining five vessels are set to be inducted by 2020