The Indian Navy got its third Scorpene submarine, commissioned as INS Karanj, Project P-75, on Monday in Mumbai. The acceptance document was signed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Narayan Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. Rear Admiral B Sivakumar, Chief of Staff Officer (Tech) of Western Naval Command.
With the delivery of Karanj, India further cemented its position as a submarine-building nation. MDL, one of India’s leading shipyards with the capacity and the capability to meet the requirements and aspirations of the Indian Navy, has delivered three Scorpene submarines named Khanderi, Kalvari, and now Karanj.
The fourth submarine, Vela, launched on May 6, 2019, has commenced sea trials; the fifth submarine Vagir was launched on November 12, 2020, and has commenced harbor sea trials, while the sixth submarine is presently in an advanced stage of outfitting. All six submarines are being constructed under Project 75.
The number 75 in Project 75 refers to a unique identifier assigned to a program for the series production of submarines. Two SSK submarines built by MDL in 1992 and 1994 are still in service today, after more than 25 years. MDL also achieved expertise in submarine refits by successfully executing the medium refit-cum-up-gradation 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. With the Leander and Godavari class frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class Destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, the SSK submarines, and the Scorpene submarines under its belt, MDL has almost mapped the history of indigenous warship building in India.
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