Second Scorpene submarine Khanderi undertakes maiden sea sortie

The second of the indigenous Scorpene submarines, Khanderi has successfully completed its maiden sea sortie, in a major step forward to its induction in the Indian Navy, an official statement said.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the submarine will add to India's future naval power and make the oceans safe.

French company DCNS is collaborating with Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) for constructing the submarines.

Submarine Khanderi sailed out from Mumbai harbour for her maiden sea sortie on Thursday. This was was also the first major trial for her propulsion plant and a very important milestone in the construction programme, the statement said.

"The successful trial moved the submarine a significant step closer to her induction into the Indian Navy later this year. She will now be put through her paces via a rigorous set of trials, which are designed to test her operating envelop to the maximum," the statement said.

Jaitley congratulated the engineers of MDL.

"Congratulations to MDL engineers as their efforts have moved the second Scorpene class submarine for surface sea trials. These Scorpene class submarines will not only add to our future naval power and strengthen defence but also make our ocean safe and secure," Jaitley said in a series of tweets.

The Scorpenes submarines are being built by Mazagaon Dockyard Limited under Project 75 with transfer of technology from the collaborator, DCNS of France. Two of the submarines are ready, and rest four are under construction.

First of indigenous Scorpene submarine Kalvari is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by July-August.

Khanderi was launched on January 12 this year.

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

The attacks could be carried out with torpedoes, tube-launched anti-ship missiles both while underwater or on surface in all theatres, including the tropics, giving it invulnerability unmatched by many other submarines.

--IANS

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