Scorpene Class Submarine Built in Mumbai Launched Today

Defence Minister, Manohar Parikar, launched the first Scorpene Class submarine today. According to many defense experts this is a big push forward towards the modernization of the Indian Navy. The minister also said that from now on the Indian Navy will get a delivery of atleast one submarine every nine months. He pointed out that the project has experienced a lot of delay and has over shot the budget by more than 5,000 Rs all due to the previous governments lack of commitment in upgrading the aging fleet of Indian submarines.

• Quick facts about the Scorpene Class submarines:

1. Scorpene Class submarines were jointly developed by the French company DCN and Spanish company Navantia. The production of these submarines is now under the French company DCNS that specialises in defense and energy sector.
2. Scorpene Class submarines are Disel-Electric Attack Class submarines.
3. India order 6 Scorpene submarines in 2005.
4. All of the submarines will be built in India at the Mazagon docks in Mumbai.
5. Each Scorpene Class submarine can be fitted with a "Module d'Energie Sous-Marine Autonome" (MESMA). This module uses ethanol and oxyen (at 60 atmospheric pressure) to run a convention turbine power plant. Installing this module allows the dispensation of Carbon dioxide at any depth and also allows the Submarine to stay under water for more than 21 days.
6. The first submarine has been named as INS Khanderi.
7. Four countries - India, Chille, Brazil and Malaysia have ordered Scorpene Class submarines.

India is also working on developing Nuclear fueled submarines and has already manufactured a prototype known as INS Arihant.