India has announced the launch of the sixth and final Kalvari-class “Scorpene” submarine (S-26 Vagsheer), expected to enter service in March 2024.

The €2.4 billion contract for the construction of all six submarines was signed in October 2005 (P-75 Phase-1 program) and aims to reinforce India with six modern conventional submarines. The Scorpene submarines were designed by the French shipbuilding company Naval Group and manufactured domestically by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.

Congrats to the @indiannavy for the 6th and last Scorpene submarine, launched yesterday ⚓️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/P22vYHRixV

— 800tonnes Naval Art (@800Tonnes) April 21, 2022

The first submarine (S-21 “Kalvari”) was delivered in December 2017 and the second (S-22 “Khanderi”) in September 2019. The third one (S-23 “Karanj”) followed in March 2021, while the delivery of the fourth (S-24 “Vela”) one took place in November 2021. The fifth submarine (S-25 “Vagir”) is due to be delivered in late 2022. 

India will build six more submarines (2027-2032) to follow the P-75 Phase-2 program for its reinforcement with twelve modern conventional submarines.

The technical characteristics of this class of submarines are the following:

• Weight: 2,000 tons 
• Length: 67.5 meters 
• Beam: 6.2 meters 
• Height: 12.3 meters
• Displacement: surfaced: 1615 tons / submerged: 1775 tons
• Propulsion system: 4 MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines 
• Maximum speed: submerged: 20 knots (37 km/h) / surfaced: 11 knots (20 km/h)
• Operational range: 6,500 nautical miles (12,038 km) 
• Endurance: up to 52 days 
• Crew: 44 people 
• Maximum operating depth: 350 meters 
• Armament: 

6 533 mm SUT 266 heavyweight torpedoes (a total of 18 torpedoes)

SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles

Mines

Beyond India, the Scorpène is in service with Chile and Malaysia and manufactured for Brazil. 

Also read: Indonesia | Procurement of 42 Rafale fighter jets – Intention for two Scorpene submarines