#DefenseDiaries: What makes the Navy's submarine INS Kalvari deadly
Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi commissioned INS Kalvari, the first of the six French-designed Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarines, into the Indian Navy (IN) The made-in-India state-of-the-art INS Kalvari and her forthcoming sister-vessels come with advanced stealth features, sensors, and weapons. They will form the backbone of the IN's dwindling submarine arm. Here's all you need to know about INS Kalvari.
INS Kalvari derives name from India's first-ever submarine
The name Kalvari translates to a deep-sea tiger shark. Interestingly, the IN's first-ever submarine, a Soviet Foxtrot-class vessel commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also named INS Kalvari. On December 8, 2017, the Indian Navy's submarine arm celebrated its golden jubilee.
How India procured the Scorpene-class submarines
The Scorpene-class submarines were designed by France's DCNS. In 2005, India placed a $3 billion order for six submarines to be built in the state-owned Mumbai-based Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL) under the IN's Project 75. The project went behind schedule by four years due to delays in transfer of technology from DCNS. The IN now hopes to induct all six submarines by 2020.
Three other countries have procured Scorpene-class submarines
Chile and Malaysia have ordered two Scorpene-class submarines, each. In 2009, Brazil ordered four submarines of this class which are under construction.
INS Kalvari's journey from first cut to commissioning
In December 2006, the INS Kalvari's construction officially began with the first cutting of steel. It is the first submarine in India to be constructed using a modular approach. In October 2015, the submarine was 'launched' and christened as 'Kalvari'. In May 2016, the submarine commenced strenuous sea trials. On September 21, 2017, the INS Kalvari was formally delivered to the IN before commissioning.
INS Kalvari has advanced stealth features
The INS Kalvari weighs 1,565-tons. It can reach a maximum speed of 20-knots and dive to depths of 300-meters. It has an overall length of 67.5-meters and has a height of about 12.3-meters It's powered by a very silent diesel-electric motor. It has advanced stealth features. Its hull, sail, and appendages are designed to considerably reduce hydrodynamic noise.
INS Kalvari armed with state-of-the-art sensors and weapons
The INS Kalvari's weapons and sensors are all integrated into a hi-tech Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS). The submarine can launch precision heavy torpedoes and the deadly sea-skimming SM-39 Exocet missiles. For self-defense, it comes equipped with mobile C303/S anti-torpedo decoys. Its Low-Frequency Analysis and Ranging (LOFAR) sonar suite is capable of detecting and identifying enemy vessels at long ranges.
