The INS Khanderi was launched on Thursday in Mumbai, marking another milestone in India's efforts to strengthen its naval fleet. Here are ten things you need to know about the second Scorpene class submarine built in India.
The first Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari was launched in April 2015, but is yet to be commissioned into the Indian Navy. India had signed a deal for six Scorpene class submarines and INS Khanderi is the second to be built.
Building the submarine: INS Khanderi was built at the shipyard of Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai under an agreement with French naval defence firm DCNS.
How was the submarine built: Different parts of the submarine were built outside the hull and then inserted into the vessel. Called modular construction, the process is less time-consuming than the methods adopted earlier.
Delayed launch: The construction of six Scorpene submarines under Project-75 has been reportedly delayed by four years. Even the launch of INS Khanderi was reportedly scheduled for December last year, but the 'undocking' was postponed after the frigate INS Betwa keeled over at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Use in the Indian Navy: Though the submarine was launched today in Mumbai, its commissioning into the Indian Navy is scheduled for December this year, since the vessel needs to undergo tests before it can be combat-ready.
Stealth: The stealth features of INS Khanderi are reportedly unmatched by many submarines.
Name: The submarine is named after a 17th century Maratha island fort.
Surveillance capacity: The Scorpene class submarine can gather intelligence, conduct surveillance just like any other modern submarine.
Warfare: The submarine can launch torpedos and tube-launch missiles against land, sea, and underwater targets.
Underwater capability: The 'air independent propulsion system' technology of the diesel-powered Scorpene submarines will allow them to remain underwater for longer periods.