The Indian Navy has commissioned the second indigenously-built Scorpene-class attack submarine, INS Khanderi, during a ceremony in the state of Maharashtra.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the commissioning ceremony.

The Scorpene-class is known as the Kalvari-class in India. The navy commissioned INS Kalvari, the first vessel in the class, in 2017.

The Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarines feature the French Scorpene design.

Built under the Indian Ministry of Defence’s Project-75 programme by Mazgaon Docks Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) facility, INS Khanderi will support silent and stealthy sub-surface operations.



Rajnath Singh said: “The name Khanderi is inspired by the dreaded sword tooth fish, a deadly fish known to hunt whilst swimming close to the bottom of the ocean.”

Prior to commissioning into the navy, Khanderi underwent sea trials, torpedo and missile firings.

MDL delivered the 67.5m-long, 12.3m-high ship to the Indian Navy on 19 September.

The Kalvari-class vessel is armed with torpedoes, missiles and sensors to detect, identify and destroy enemy targets.

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The class of submarines can be used to perform anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

India is building six Scorpene-class submarines under a technology transfer agreement with France.

The third vessel in the class, Karanj, is currently undergoing sea trials.

The navy launched the fourth submarine, INS Vela, in May this year. The vessel will undergo sea trials before entering service.

In a separate development, the Indian Navy launched a new stealth frigate, INS Nilgiri, at MDSL facility in Mumbai.

Nilgiri is the first of seven new stealth frigates being built for the navy and the first ship of Project 17A.