Third indigenous Scorpene submarine launched

The Indian Navy on Wednesday launched indigenously built third Scorpene-class submarine INS Karanj at Mazagon dock in Mumbai.

INS Karanj will now undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and at sea before it is commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The submarine was launched by President of Navy Wives Welfare Association Reena Lanba.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba was the chief guest on the occasion and several senior officers and dignitaries from the defence and the civil administration were present on the occasion.

Admiral Sunil Lanba underscored that the old Karanj had served the nation for 34 years from 1969 to 2003 including participation in 1971 war.

The contract for the construction and Transfer-of-Technology for six Scorpene submarines in series has M/s Naval Group (formerly DCNS) of France as 'Collaborator' and are being built by MDL.

The state-of-the-art technology utilised for construction of the Scorpene class submarines has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons.

The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on the surface.

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.