Scorpene-class submarine INS Karanj delivered to Indian Navy; to be commissioned next month

Diesel-electric attack submarine INS Karanj has advanced stealth and combat capabilities and has been built by the MDL under Project 75.

INS Karanj

The Indian Navy is all set to get its third Scorpene-class submarine next month, with the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) handing over the sub to the force on Monday.

The submarine has been handed over to the Navy three years after sea trials began in January 2018.

The submarine will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in March as INS Karanj.

Accepting the submarine yesterday, MDL chairman and managing director Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (retired) and Western Naval Command’s chief of staff officer (technical) Rear Admiral B Sivakumar put their signatures on the document.

A Defence spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Times of India, “Submarine Karanj has completed rigorous sea and harbour tests and is fitted with all the armament. The tentative date for commissioning of Karanj is in between March 10 and 15.”

INS Karanj has advanced stealth and combat capabilities and has been built jointly by the MDL in collaboration with a French company. The diesel-electric attack submarine has been built under Project 75 of Mazagon Dock Limited.

This is the third Scorpene-class submarine which the Navy has received. INS Kalavari was the first such submarine which was commissioned into the Indian Navy in October 2017. INS Khanderi was the second in line and was commissioned in September 2019.

Three more such submarines are under development/sea trials phase and these include INS Vela, INS Vagir and INS Vagsheer. While the first two are undergoing sea trials, INS Vagsheer is still under development.

Scorpene-class submarines are a key asset for the Navy as they can undertake anti-surface as well as anti-submarine warfare missions. Further, they help in intelligence gathering, mine laying etc.