The '75' program foresees the construction of six Scorpène class submarines by 2020. The Indian Navy signed a 4,6 billion dollar contract with France in 2005 to build under license the platform designed by the DCNS companies. Work on the first boat began in May 2009.
The "Kalvari" is the first Indian submarine designed to operate at greater depths, compared to the others of its same size, estimated in 300 meters (350 test). The project uses a particular "specific high-performance steel" that allows it to operate at such depths while the entire class has been realized with safety techniques and protocols to mitigate any type of underwater sound emission.
The profile of the Scorpène class itself should be difficult to detect from enemy sonars.
The presentation of the "Kalvari" comes one week after the agreement signed by Pakistan with China for the purchase of eight submarines.
The second boat, the "Khanderi", will be launched within a year and will enter service in the 2017.
The "Scorpène"
The “Scorpène” class diesel-electric attack submarines were designed by the companies DCN and Navantia, united in the DCNS consortium. The platform is also equipped with additional air independent propulsion (the AIP module is Indian). AIP systems allow the non-nuclear submarine to operate without using outside air. While the reactor of a nuclear submarine has to continuously pump coolant, generating a certain amount of detectable noise, battery-powered non-nuclear boats with AIP system would sail in silence. The AIP propulsion allows him to extend his navigation to a maximum of 70 days.
Long just under 70 meters, with a width of 6,2 meters and a displacement of 1700 tons, provides a crew of 31 men. Its maximum diving speed is estimated at 37 km / h while surface navigation can reach 22 km / h.
The six 533mm tubes are designed to cast heavy "Black Shark" torpedoes designed by Whitehead Alenia Underwater Systems, Exocet anti-ship missiles or thirty mines.
Franco Iacch
(photo: Indian Navy / DCNS / WASS)
