10 must know facts about newly launched Scorpene class submarine, Khanderi

On 12 January, the second Scorpene-Class Submarine Khanderi that has superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack, was launched in Mumbai.

Minister of State (MoS) for Defence Subhash Bhamre presided over the function to initiate the launch of Khanderi (Yard 11876) and praised Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) predicting bright future for India's prime shipyard.

"I am confident that the day is not too far when MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited) will build submarines for other nations as well," the minister said.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba was also present on the occasion when the submarine was separated from the pontoon on which it was assembled.

According to the reports, the submarine will undergo rigorous tests and trials, both in harbour and at sea, while on surface and whilst dived till December 2017.

These trials are designed to test each system to its fullest capacity. Thereafter, it would to be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Khanderi.

Here are interesting must-know facts about Khanderi

1. The state-of-the-art features of this Scorpene class submarine include superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons.

2. The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The stealth features will give it an invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.

3. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.

4. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine, i.e anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.

5. Khanderi is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with M/s DCNS of France, as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. The first one, Kalvari, is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly into the Indian Navy, a defence official said.

6. Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. Khanderi is also the name for Tiger Shark.

7. The submarine is built according to the principle of modular construction, which involves dividing the submarine into a number of sections and outfitting them concurrently.

8. The equipment is mounted in a special manner and then embarked into the sections. The complexity of the task increases exponentially as it involves laying kilometres of cabling and piping in extremely congested compartments. All equipment has been installed in the submarine, with 95 per cent cabling and piping also being completed.

9. The submarine completed the important safety milestone of vacuum-testing in the first attempt itself, and within a single day on 5 January.

10. The first Khanderi was commissioned into the Navy on 6 December, 1968 and decommissioned on 18 October, 1989. As per tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy are brought alive again after decommissioning.

- With PTI inputs