Scorpene Submarine, Built at Mumbai Docks, Launched Into Water

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Apr 06, 2015:  In a big push forward for modernization plans for the Navy, the first of six French-designed Scorpene submarines which are being manufactured in Mumbai, was launched into the water today, initiating the process for extensive trials.

 

The diesel-electric submarines are being built at the state-run Mazgaon docks in Mumbai; they are expected to be inducted into the Navy by 2018.

The project, which began about 10 years ago, has over-shot the budget by nearly Rs. 5,000 crore and is expected to cost about Rs. 23,000 crore.

China’s increasing undersea prowess has highlighted how much India is lagging behind with a rundown fleet. India’s navy currently has 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, only half of which are operational at any given time due to refits.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has ordered an accelerated tendering process to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crore ($8.1 billion), in addition to the Scorpenes French firm DCNS is assembling at the Mumbai port to replace a nearly 30-year-old fleet hit by a run of accidents.

The country’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant - loaded with nuclear-tipped missiles and headed for sea trials this month - joins the fleet in late 2016. India leased a nuclear-propelled submarine from Russia in 2012.

The government has already turned to industrial group Larsen & Toubro Ltd, which built the hull for the first domestic nuclear submarine, to manufacture two more, according to some reports.

 

Courtesy: NDTV