Talks on acquiring additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines for the Navy have progressed, with state-owned Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) in advanced discussions for a potential ₹35,000-crore deal that will help boost India’s underwater strength.
MDL In Advanced Talks With MoD For Kalvari Submarine Deal
Talks on acquiring additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines for the Navy have progressed, with state-owned Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) in advanced discussions for a potential ₹35,000-crore deal that will help boost India’s underwater strength. Sources said that the new submarines — three additional Kalvari-class which are under negotiation — will be larger than their predecessor and will be packed with modern electronics that will give them better strength and longer endurance.
Sources said that the new submarines — three additional Kalvari-class which are under negotiation — will be larger than their predecessor and will be packed with modern electronics that will give them better strength and longer endurance. A contract for six French Scorpene (Kalvari-class) conventional submarines was signed in 2005. The first of the Kalvari-class submarines, built at MDL, was inducted in 2017. While the sixth submarine is slated for induction this year, approval was given for three additional conventional vessels in 2023.
An export derivative of the French-origin Scorpene-class submarine, the Kalvari-class vessels are diesel-electric attack submarines operated by the Indian Navy. They have been built by a syndicate of French and Indian shipyards — the Naval Group and MDL, respectively. The Scorpene-class vessels were originally designed by the Naval Group.
Under Project 75, MDL has also built the previous tranche of Kalvari class submarines with French assistance. MDL’s proposal reportedly says that the three additional submarines can be delivered within six years. The sex submarines under project 75 are: INS Kalvari, INS Vagsheer, INS Vela, , INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vagir.
Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System
The AIP is an improvement in the technology through which the underwater endurance of the submarines can be enhanced so that they can remain underwater for longer durations and their security will not be compromised. This system works with two key components, i.e., a fuel and an oxidant, to generate electricity by either a heat engine (e.g., closed cycle diesel, Stirling engine, closed cycle gas turbine) or an electrochemical cell (e.g., lead acid batteries, fuel cells).
