What is INS Khanderi and why is it so special for the Navy? Here's a detailed report on the latest potent vessel for the nation's defence.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai commissioned the INS Khanderi, Indian Navy's second submarine under the Project 75 India defence project.
Pakistan should be wary of the recent additions to our naval capacity as with them we could deliver them a bigger blow, said Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at the commissioning ceremony of the second Kalvari-class submarine INS 'Khanderi' on Saturday.
"Pakistan should understand that today with the strong resolve of our government and advancement in naval capacity with additions like INS Khanderi, we are capable of giving a much bigger blow to it," Singh said at an event here.
The official Twitter handle of the spokesperson of the Indian Navy announced the commissioning and welcomed the submarine into the Indian Nacy's fold.
Weather Gods join #IndianNavy to welcome #INSKhanderi in their fold. https://t.co/RlGzM6Vwy2 pic.twitter.com/tO2CvONIsk
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 28, 2019
Project 75 India (P75I) is India's bid to build conventional submarines as part of defence strategic partnership, adding on to the current 14 conventional and two nuclear-powered submarines.
As the threat to the security of Indian borders is increasing, so is the preparation to make the security system impenetrable and unbroken. In this effort, INS Khanderi is readying itself to join the Indian Navy. So what is INS Khanderi and why is it so special for the Navy? Here's a detailed report on the latest potent vessel for the nation's defence.
Also Read: Everything you need to know about the Indian Navy's new submarine - INS Khanderi
1. If sea is secure, so is trade; piracy needs to be eradicated: Rajnath Singh
)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressing the crowd after commissioning the second submarine under Indian Navy's Project 75 India - INS Khanderi, at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard on Saturday. (Photo: @indiannavy on Twitter)
- - -
Lauding the name given to the Kalvari-class submarine, Rajnath 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. Khanderi is also the name of an island fort constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was one of the few medieval rulers in the country who understood the significance of Naval supremacy."
Even her looks can kill!
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 28, 2019
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will attend the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Khanderi in Mumbai today.
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. pic.twitter.com/ypVgldOYCi
Singh also praised India's collaboration with France in building the INS Khanderi, which is the second of the Navy's six Kalvari-class submarines being built in India. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine which is designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS which is being manufactured at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai.
"Our special partnership with French naval will touch new heights. The construction of the submarine is benefiting industries indirectly, through the Make in India program. Our government is alert to the needs of our defence forces and we are committed to fulfilling it," he said. The Defense Minister in his speech also said that he would stay onboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya for today. He also hailed the work done by the Indian Navy in ridding the sea routes of piracy and added about the upcoming additions to its capabilities.
"Our Navy has done great work in the eradication of Piracy in waters. When sea routes are secured, the impact can be seen on the trade of that region. The Nilgiri ship is also going to be launched and world-class aircraft carrier dock will also be inaugurated soon," Singh said.
2. INS Khanderi's capabilities - Part I
)
The Indian Navy welcomes INS Khanderi into its fold of conventional submarines. (Photo: @indiannavy on Twitter)
- - -
INS Khanderi is the second Scorpene class submarine which was handed over to the Navy on September 19 to enhance its power projection undersea and on September 28, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will commission it here. INS Khanderi has many features that make it one of the best and most advanced submarines in the country.
The state-of-the-art vessel displaces 1,615 tonnes on the surface and 1,775 tonnes when submerged. The 67.5 metres long INS Khanderi is powered by four MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines and 360 battery cells and can remain on patrol for 50 days at a stretch at a depth of 350m. The attack submarine can travel at 37 kmph (20 knots) undersea while its speed on the surface is 20 kmph (11 knots).
3. INS Khanderi's capabilities - Part II
)
In this undated handout photograph released by the Ministry of Defence on September 26, 2019, the second submarine of Project 75 (Yard 11876), commissioned as INS Khanderi into the Indian Navy on September 28 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is seen on its maiden sortie off the Mumbai coast. (Photo by the Ministry of Defence via AFP)
- - -
This submarine can also be called a 'silent killer', as it can engage in combat without itself being a target. For example, due to the magnetised propulsion motor in its rear part (a French technology), the noise coming from inside the vessel is not allowed to come out. Due to this, the enemy's search plane or submarine or any other war vessel are not able to get its information properly. This shield puts the submarine at a strategic advantage.
The submarine will have eight officers and 35 sailors. It will be armed with 18 SUT torpedoes which can be fired from six tubes, sea-skimming Exocet anti-ship missiles. It can also carry 30 anti-ship mines in place of torpedoes.
The submarines have been designed by French company Naval Group (formerly DCNS) and manufactured at Mumbai's Mazagon Dock Limited.
4. INS Khanderi can hide from SONAR, packs the desired punch: Commanding Officer
)
Captain Dalbir Singh, Commanding Officer of INS Khanderi speaking to news agencies on Friday. (Photo: ANI)
- - -
DNA also spoke to Captain Dalbir Singh, Commanding Officer of INS Khanderi and he told how INS Khanderi is a matter of pride for our Navy. "Due to the lack of space in the submarine, many things have to be taken care of. Kitchen in a submarine is called galley. It takes a lot of care to cook here too. Apart from this, there are different compartments for sleeping. After three hours of duty, the soldiers take a break of six hours. As far as possible, the use of water is minimized."
Speaking to news agencies earlier, Singh said that INS Khanderi will enhance the Navy's level and that he is 'absolutely satisfied' with the performance of the submarine. The results of all its trials were better than expected, Singh added.
"INS Khanderi's induction will be a special moment for us because we are inducting a very potent platform and we are enhancing our force level. It will give the Navy the desired punch," Captain Singh told ANI. "I am very proud and absolutely satisfied with the performance of this submarine. Results of all the trials of this submarine were better than we expected. It is a force-multiplier for us," he added.
Lauding the submarine's stealth features, Singh said the submarine can remain hidden from the sound navigation ranging (SONAR) of the enemy ships and can even attack them at the same time. "Its endurance is of around 45 days as we had asked and there are around 40 people in the submarine," he said.
5. A long journey
)
The old INS Khanderi was decommissioned in 1989, and the new submarine was acquired under Nirmala Sitharaman's defence plans. (Photo: Ministry of Defence and Indian Navy)
- - -
Talking about the earlier Khanderi submarine, Dalbir Singh had said: "The erstwhile Khanderi was a foxtrot class submarine, which was purchased from Russia. This Khanderi has been manufactured in India with French transfer of technology."
"The old Khanderi was decommissioned in 1989. She had participated in the 1971 war. She had also performed very well. We only hope to carry forward the legacy," added Captain Singh.
The new INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines built under Project 75. The Submarine was commissioned on December 14, 2017, giving a major boost to Navy's underwater combat capabilities.
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.
Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century.
