INS Karanj, Third Scorpene Class Submarine, Launched in Mumbai

The new Indian Navy submarine is named after the older INS Karanj submarine that was discontinued in August 2003.

The launch of the INS Karanj at the Mazagon docks in Mumbai.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@indiannavy)

The Indian Navy, on 31 January, launched their third Scorpene-class submarine, the INS Karanj, at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, along with wife Reena Lanba flagged off the third of the six Scorpene-class submarines that India ordered in 2005 under Project 75.

It (submarine) will undergo rigorous tests for the next one year before it is commissioned.

Sunil Lanba, navy chief Admiral

Launch ceremony of the INS Karanj(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@indiannavy)

The INS Karanj is 67.5 metres long and has a height of about 12.3 metres. Its hull form, fin and hydroplanes are designed specifically for minimum underwater resistance.

This submarine is named after the older INS Karanj submarine, commissioned by the Indian Navy in September 1969 and discontinued in August 2003.

The submarine also has the ability operate in conjunction with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics and is built on a powerful platform, marking the attempted generational shift in the navy's submarine operations.

The unveiling of INS Karanj comes days after the commissioning of INS Khanderi – which is currently undergoing sea trials – and weeks after INS Kalvari on 14 December 2017. The submarines have been designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS and are being manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. As per reports, the state-of-the-art technology used in the Scorpene-Class submarines boasts stealth features like acoustic silencing techniques and low radiated noise levels, to name a few.

The navy chief, in his address after flagging off the submarine, hauled the Mazagaon Docks Limited for the delay in manufacturing the same, adding that they have put the house in order now.

I was talking specifically about the Scorpene programme (when talking about the delay in manufacturing of submarines). There have been delays in the past but I think the MDL, along with their partners, have put the house in order and you have seen quick launches of the first three submarines and the commissioning of the first one. I’m quite confident that they have learnt from their experience of building and commissioning the boats (submarines) and Ido not foresee any further delays in this programme.

Sunil Lanba, navy chief Admiral