Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders on Monday performed a religious ceremony for the first submarine 'Kalvari' to be separated from the pontoon and set afloat at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai.

The vessel is now slated to undergo rigorous trials and tests which would certify each system to its fullest capacity.

Initially harbour trials will be conducted followed by installation of weaponry. Sea trials would commence at a later stage.

Rear Admiral R K Shrawat, Chairman and Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Limited said, "Setting afloat of the boat is a historic milestone, which has been achieved through the hard work and perseverance of all executives and operatives of the Submarine Yard of MDL. The accomplishment of this milestone would initiate commencement of sea trials which would eventually lead to commissioning of the boat into the Indian Navy in September 2016."

On April 6, Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar had undocked the submarine at MDL.

Mazagon Dock is constructing six Scorpene class submarines (under Project 75) under transfer of technology from DCNS, France. Subsequent boats will be delivered at gaps of nine months from each other. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.