Mumbai based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) today delivered third Scorpene Submarine of Project P-75 to the Indian Navy. This submarine is to be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Karanj. The Acceptance Document was signed by VAdm Narayan Prasad, AVSM, NM, IN (retd), Chairman & Managing Director MDL and RAdm B Sivakumar, VSM, Chief of Staff Officer (Tech), Western Naval Command in the presence of MDL Directors and Navy personnel at MDL.
“MDL has handed over the submarine after the Constructors trials. Now the Navy will conduct its in house trials before commissioning the boat. It may take 2 months or more,” said Cmde Arun Kumar (Retd), a former Indian Navy submariner who was associated closely with the Scorpene project.
Previously MDL delivered INS Khanderi and INS Kalvari to the navy. “The fourth submarine, Vela, launched on 06 May ’19, has commenced her sea trials, fifth submarine Vagir, was launched on 12 November 2020 and has commenced her harbour sea trials, whilst the sixth submarine is presently in the advanced stage of outfitting,” states the MDL release.
Two SSK submarines, of the HDW designed Sishumar class submarines, built by MDL in 1992 and 1994 are still in service today. MDL has built expertise in submarine refits by successfully executing the Medium Refit-cum-Upgradation of all the four SSK class submarines of the Indian Navy. It is presently carrying out the Medium Refit and Life Certification of INS Shishumar, the first SSK submarine.