Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first Scorpene submarine, the INS Kalvari, into Indian Navy.
What does Kalvari mean?
The ship is named after a tiger shark in Malayalam symbolizing agility, strength and predatory power. The tiger shark is a species of requiem shark which are found n tropical and temperate waters. The ship's motto is “Ever Onward” which represents the submarine’s zeal and indomitable spiritWho designed and built it?
It is first of the six Scorpene-class submarines built under the strategic Project 75 built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) with assistance and technology transfer from France’s DCN.Other projects of MDL
MDL is also building six Scorpene-class submarines with Technology Transfer from Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) of France. The second of the Scorpenes under construction at MDL, Khanderi, was launched in January 2017, and is currently undergoing sea trials. The third, Karanj, is being readied for launch shortly. The remaining three submarines are in various stages of outfitting. The project is expected to be completed by 2020Features of Kalvari
- It weighs about 1,600 tonnes and carries the sea skimming SM 39 Exocet missiles and the heavyweight wire guided Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes.
- It has an ability to undertake multiple missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.
- The design ensures interoperability in the Navy
- The submarine is fully-loaded with the features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimized shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons, according to a statement by MDL.
- Attacks can be launched with both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, while underwater or on the surface.
