The Indian Scorpene project envisions the production of six submarines, to be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2020. Sea trials, which began in December 2015 are currently underway and will continue till September this year when the first submarine of the Kalvari class is likely to be commissioned. This is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine, which is designed by the French Naval Defence and Energy Company (DCNS) and is being manufactured at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.The stealth submarines would be equipped with anti-ship missiles and long range guided torpedoes along with modern sensor suite.
As per the MoD, the delivery schedule will be adhered too, with all six submarines being delivered to the Navy by 2020. This is a challenging ask as the project has already seen undue delays since construction of the first submarine started on 23 May 2009. The Navy is in dire need of submarines in light of recent accidents which have reduced the fleet to a handful of conventional submarines. That was the reason that In 2005, India chose the Scorpène design, purchasing six submarines for USD 3 billion under Project 75 (P75). Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had in April 2015, witnessed the undocking of the vessel in a ceremony at Mumbai.
