Indian Navy’s third Scorpene class submarine Karanj constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders was launched on Wednesday by Mrs Reena Lanba, president of the Navy Wives Welfare Association, after the recitation of Sanskrit shlokas from the Atharva Veda and traditional ceremonies associated with the launch of naval platforms.
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba was the chief guest on the occasion. The submarine was then towed to Mumbai Port Trust, for separation from the pontoon. Karanj will now undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and at sea before it is commissioned into the Navy.
Admiral Lanba said the launch of Karanj marked a significant departure from the manning and training philosophy that was adopted for the first two submarines and added that from third submarine onwards the Navy would be fully self reliant in training and certification processes. He said the old Karanj had served the nation for 34 years from 1969 to 2003, including participation in 1971 war.
Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations.
Last year, on 14 December, INS Kalvari, the first Scorpene class submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy by PM Narendra Modi.