Second Kalvari-class SSK (INS Khanderi) launched

Mazagon Dock Shipyard launched the Indian Navy’s second Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) for sea trials on Thursday, 12 January 2017.

As per the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the first ship, INS Kalvari – which was launched in October 2015 – is being prepped for commissioning in the Indian Navy by mid-2017. The INS Khanderi is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2017.

India ordered the submarines as part of a USD $3 billion six ship deal with the French shipbuilder DCNS. The Kalvari-class – i.e. DCNS Scorpene – was sought to begin replacing the Navy’s legacy Kilo and Type-209 SSKs. The deal also included transfer-of-technology, enabling Mazagon Dock Shipyard Limited (MDL) to manufacture the Scorpene under license.