Indian Navy launches 2nd Scorpene submarine

The Indian Navy’s second Scorpene-class submarine, Khanderi, was launched into the waters by India’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Subhash Bhamre, in the presence of Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staf at Mazagon Dock Limited shipyard on Thursday.

The Khanderi has been named for an older Foxtrot-class Indian Navy boat decommissioned in 1989 and is expected to be delivered to the navy by the end of the year, after she completes sea trials.

The navy’s first Scorpene, the Kalvari is already undergoing sea trials and is expected to be commissioned by the middle of this year, in which the Indian Navy will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the submarine arm.

Interestingly, the shipyard, MDL, where the boats are being built, began as a small dry dock facility for the East India Company.