Maiden Sea Trial of Kalvari - First Scorpene Class Submarine
‘Kalvari’, the first of the Scorpene class
submarines, being built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd Mumbai (MDL), went
to sea for the first time today. The submarine sailed out at about 1000 hrs
under her own propulsion for the first sea trial, off the Mumbai coast and
during the sortie. A number of number of preliminary tests on the propulsion
system, Auxiliary Equipment and Systems, Navigation Aids, Communication
Equipment and Steering gear. Various Standard Operating Procedures were also
validated for this new class of submarines. The submarine then returned to
harbor in the evening.
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The
background brief of the project and development is attached.
MAIDEN SEA TRIAL OF FIRST SCORPENE SUBMARINE – 01 MAY
2016
‘Kalvari’, the first of the Scorpene class
submarines, built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd Mumbai (MDL), went to
sea for the first time today. The submarine sailed out at about 1000 hrs under
her own propulsion for the first sea trial, off the Mumbai coast and during the
sortie, completed a number of preliminary tests on the propulsion system,
Auxiliary Equipment and Systems, Navigation Aids, Communication Equipment and
Steering gear. Various Standard Operating Procedures were also validated for
this new class of submarines. The submarine then returned to harbor in the
evening.
This important milestone was achieved by MDL after
overcoming a number of challenges faced since launching of the submarine last
year in October. During the next few months, the submarine will undergo a
barrage of sea trials, including surface trials, diving trials, weapon trials,
Noise trials etc. which would test the submarine to the extremes of its
intended operating envelop. Thereafter she would be commissioned into the
Indian Navy as INS Kalvari later this year. Commissioning of Kalvari will be a
re-affirmation of India’s capability to build submarines and a major boost for
the ‘Make in India’ programme of the government.
In April last year, the Hon’ble Raksha
Mantri had visited MDL and directed that all out effort be made to complete the
project in time. Accordingly, the teams from MDL, Indian Navy and DCNS have
been working round the clock. Today, with the first sea sortie of Kalvari, MDL
has achieved a major project milestone.
Leveraging on the experience and the
transfer-of-technology of the Scorpene project, and with the enhanced and
upgraded infrastructure, MDL is ready for undertaking future submarine and
shipbuilding projects, in order to meet the growing requirements of National
Security.
Background
India joined the exclusive group of submarine constructing
nations on 07 February 1992, with the commissioning of the
first Indian built submarine, INS Shalki. That was indeed a proud day for
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, who had built this submarine. Mazagon Dock then
went on to commission another submarine, INS Shankul, on 28 May 1994. These
submarines are still in service today, after more than 20 years; testimony to
the skills and capability of Mazagon Dock.
The ongoing project for the construction of six Scorpene
class submarines, has M/s DCNS of France, as Collaborator and includes
‘Transfer of Technology’, with M/s MDL as the ‘Builder’.
Operational Features
The
state-of-art features of the Scorpene include superior stealth and the ability
to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The
attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship
missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The Stealth features give it
invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.
The Scorpene Submarine is designed to operate in all
theatres including the Tropics. All means and communications are provided to
ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It can
undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern
submarine i.e Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence
gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.
Construction Features
Submarines are built from special steel, capable of
withstanding high yield stress and having high tensile strength, thereby
allowing them to withstand high hydrostatic force and enabling them to dive
deeper to further enhance stealth.
The
Submarine is built according to the principle of Modular Construction, which
involves dividing the submarine into a number of sections and building them
parallelly. The equipment is mounted onto Cradles and then embarked into the
sections. The complexity of the task increases exponentially as it involves
laying of around 60 kms of cabling and 11 kms of piping in extremely congested
and limited space inside the submarine. Further, the stringent tolerances laid
down for the construction of the Scorpene were indeed a challenge, but have
been successfully achieved.
Other Features
The Scorpene is equipped with
Weapons Launching Tubes (WLT), and can carry weapons on board which can be
easily reloaded at sea, through special handling and loading equipment. The
array of weapons and complex sensors fitted on board the Scorpene are managed
by a high technology Combat Management System, which integrates various diverse
systems fitted onboard into One Formidable Whole.
Status of Submarine
The submarine was undocked on pontoon on 06
April 2015 in the presence of Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar.
After completing the important milestones of vacuum test and battery loading,
the submarine was launched at the Naval Dockyard on 28 Oct 15 and thereafter brought
back to MDL for completion of the Basin trials and Harbour Acceptance trials
phase.
After conquering numerous challenges faced
during the ‘Setting to Work’ phase and undergoing rigorous harbour tests &
trials to the complete satisfaction of the customer, the submarine is now fully
ready to undergo for sea trials.
‘Kalvari’ : The Tiger Shark
Kalvari is the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep sea
predator. As is the tradition, ships and submarines of the Navy, are brought
alive after decommissioning. The first Kalvari, which was also the first Indian
submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 08 December 1967. She was
decommissioned on 31 May 1996 after almost 30 years of yeoman service to the
nation. In true nautical traditions, she will now be re-incarnated, by Mazagon
Dock, once again a powerful predator of the deep, guarding the vast maritime
interests and areas of our nation.
The
commissioning of Yard 11875 (Kalvari), will not only mark a generational shift
in technology, insofar as submarine construction in India is concerned, but
also for submarine operations by the Indian Navy.
Contribution to National Security and Nation Building
With it’s history of constructing the Leander and Godavari
class Frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Delhi and Kolkata class Destroyers,
Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, 1241 RE Missile Boats and the Shalki class
submarines, there is now no doubt that MDL has deservedly earned the soubriquet
‘Warship and Submarine Builders to the Nation’.
MDL’s
contribution to national security and nation building will continue with the
P-15B class destroyers, the first of which was launched in April 2015, and the
P-17A class stealth frigates, the follow-on of the P-17 Stealth Frigates.
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