The second Scorpene submarine Khanderi is expected to complete sea trials by the middle of this year, while the fourth and the fifth submarines, under construction at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, are expected to be assembled later this year. The third submarine Karanj was launched into water early this week.

“ Khanderi is undergoing extensive trials, including deep dive trials. The fourth and fifth Scorpene submarines are to be booted up this year,” a senior officer said on Friday.

‘Boot Together’ is a process wherein five separate sections are welded to put a submarine together.

Technology transfer

Khanderi , which was launched in January 2017, is expected to complete all trials by the middle of this year, subject to the Monsoon and will be ready for induction. MDL is manufacturing six Scorpene submarines under technology transfer from Naval Group of France under a 2005 contract worth $3.75 bn. The first of the class, INS Kalvari, joined service in December last year.

Meanwhile, the just launched Karanj has to undergo rigorous harbour and sea acceptance trails after which it would be commissioned into service.

“ Karanj will join the Navy next year. The fourth Scorpene is expected to be launched into water next year,” the officer added.

The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conventional submarine series in almost two decades since INS Sindhushastra which was procured from Russia in July 2000.

Meanwhile, the Navy is drawing up plans to install Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules on all the Scorpene submarines when they go for normal refit six years after their induction.