PM Narendra Modi commissions INS Kalvari into Indian Navy

Coinciding with the golden jubilee of the submarine arm of the Indian Navy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday commissioned INS Kalvari, the latest submarine adding to the blue-water capabilities.

"It's a matter of pride for me to commission INS Kalvari," Modi said addressing a gathering of top officers of armed forces at the Naval Dockyard here.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were among those present.

Kalvari, the first of the Scorpene-class submarines,  built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd Mumbai (MDL), had undergone extensive sea trials.

At a function in Mumbai, when the submarine is commissioned by the Prime Minister, the top brass of the Indian Navy would be present.

It is a very important day for the Indian Navy, the Prime Minister said, adding that the commissioning coincides with the golden jubilee of submarine arm of the multi-dimensional blue-water force.

It may be recalled on 8 December, President Ram Nath Kovind, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, presented colours to the submarine arm.  The President’s Colour was received by Rear Adm Veenam Srinivas Flag Officer Submarines on behalf of the Submarine Arm at a splendid ceremony at Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam.

The state-of-art features of the Scorpene include superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.

The Scorpene submarine is designed to operate in all theatres including the Tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine i.e  Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine warfare, Intelligence gathering, Mine Laying, Area Surveillance etc.