Scorpene-Class Submarine INS Karanj Commissioned Into Indian Navy In Mumbai

Today, Scorpene-class submarine INS Karanj was commissioned into Indian Navy in Mumbai, in presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Admiral (Retired) VS Shekhawat, reports ANI.

Karanj is the third of the six Kalvari-class diesel electric submarines. Before Karanj, INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi have been commissioned in the Indian Navy in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said that Indian Navy has been a strong proponent of indigenization and self-reliance in defence over past seven decades.

“At present, out of 42 ships and submarines are on order, and 40 are being constructed in Indian shipyards,” he said.

“The impetus to atmanirbharta or indigenization is a fundamental tenet of Indian Navy's growth story and future trajectory,” he added.

Karanj is seen as a small submarine with a length of 60 metres. It sailed for over 100 days as part of trials before being commissioned.

“We can proudly say that Karanj is the first truly indigenous submarine. It encapsulates the spirit of ‘Make in India’. Karanj is like a child to us who we have seen growing into a war weapon,” Commanding Officer Captain Gaurav Mehta was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Public sector shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) is constructing the Kalvari-class submarines. As per the contract with the French company DCNS, the French would teach MDL and transfer the technology to India so it can make these ships indigenously.

Reportedly, Karanj has been built without any kind of supervision of the French company and even the crew has been trained by Indian Navy officials.

The report quoted an official as saying that the French company too learnt a lot from us as the Indian Navy has been using submarines for past 50 years made in Russia, Germany and the UK.