NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first Scorpene submarine, the INS Kalvari, in Mumbai on Dec 14, Thursday. A Scorpene submarine is a class of diesel-electric attack submarines designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS and are being manufactured by Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai.

The submarine can undertake multiple missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.

The submarine is designed to ensure interoperability in the Navy, said Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), which built the submarine.

The submarine is fitted out with state-of-the-art technology including superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro dynamically optimized shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons, according to a statement by MDL.

Attacks can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, while underwater or on surface.

The stealth of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention given to various signatures. These stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines.

“Peace in Indian Ocean, which is the lifeline of global trade is better off with INS Kalvari and her follow on submarines,” defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. Modi also lauded the navy’s efforts.

“I call it SAGAR—security and growth for all in the region,” Modi said, referring to navy efforts, from disaster management to combating piracy. Rakesh Anand, chairman and managing director of MDL, said the induction of Kalvari into the Indian Navy would be a game changer in the field of underwater warfare due to its superiority in all operational aspects.