India's 2nd Scorpene-class sub to be commissioned on Sep 28

In order to provide more strength to Navy's underwater combat capability, Indian Navy will commission attack Submarine INS Khanderi on September 28 under project 75.

New Delhi:India's second Scorpene-class attack submarine INS Khanderi will be commissioned into the Navy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Mumbai on September 28, defence officials said on Wednesday.

The experts feel that the commissioning of this second submarine of Kalvari class is an important milestone for the Indian Navy.

ETV Bharat spoke to Defence analyst Commodore Anil Jai Singh(Retd) to have an understanding of the project.

"The project 75 was commenced in 2005 and it is now almost 14 years and only the second submarine of the class is being commissioned. As a result, the Indian Navy submarine arm has suffered a lot. Other than Khanderi and Kalvari we only have 13 submarines out which 11 are more than 25 years old." said Singh.

The conventional diesel-electric submarine has been manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai.

"The Naval chief is also scheduled to attend the function along with the defence minister. September 28 has been finalised as the commissioning date," said a Navy official.

The first Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari had been commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 2017.

Under the Project 75 programme, India is committed to building six Scorpene-class submarines that also includes INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi.

The programme has been undertaken with Transfer of Technology from Naval Group, state-run French submarine builder, which was formerly known as DCNS.

INS Khanderi had been launched in January 2017.

Seven stealth frigates will also be launched in Mumbai on the occasion of the function for commissioning INS Khanderi, said officials.

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