Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has ordered the sixth and final licensed Project-75(I) Kalvari (Scorpène) class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) for the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence (MoD) Announced on April 20.
The ship was named WaghillThe launch on April 20 at MDL’s Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin is part of the Ministry of Defence’s Project 75 programme, which aims to enhance the Indian Navy’s water with six modern SSKs worth around $3 billion in partnership with the French Naval Group. lower combat capability.
Waghill The MoD noted that the installation will take place immediately before the commencement of port and sea acceptance trials, with delivery to the Navy expected by the end of 2023.
According to local reports citing Indian navy sources, the Vela is equipped with locally developed batteries that power “very quiet” propulsion motors.
Indian Navy recently started service of INS BellaThe fourth ship at a ceremony in Mumbai in November 2021. sister ship INS CalvaryINS Kandriand INS Karangi, which will be put into use in December 2017, September 2019 and March 2021, respectively. fifth ship, strolllaunched in November 2020 and is expected to be put into use around 2022.
The Government of India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) announced in March 2021 that successful trials of a fuel cell-based air-independent propulsion (AIP) prototype will inform the development of retrofit upgrades for the Kalvari-class SSK. The AIP system was developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in Ambernath in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro, Thermax and the Advanced Computing Development Center.
The AIP retrofit will require the hull of the Kalvari SSK to be cut open to insert an additional 10m long section. MDL may carry out retrofit work during the vessel’s scheduled mid-term upgrade program.
by Jr Ng
