Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar witnesses float-out ceremony of Scorpene sub

Mumbai, April 6: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar witnessed the float out of the first Project-75 (Scorpene) submarine on pontoon in Mumbai on Monday, April 6.

The prestigious event of the Indian Navy was held at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL).

Parikkar is in Mumbai to review the review P75 submarine programme under the Western Naval Command (WNC).

Ahead of the float out ceremony, the defence minister attended a puja in the company of senior naval officials including Admiral R K Dhowan, Chief of Naval Staff.

The defence minister also entered the submarine ahead of the float out.

In addition to reviewing the progress of the Project 75, Parrikar is also expected to get an update on the progress of P-15 B class stealth destroyers being built at MDL.

As reported in these columns earlier, six Scorpene-class submarines are currently being built at BDL in collaboration with DCNS, a French company.

As per the modified schedules, the first home-grown Scorpene submarine is scheduled to join the Indian naval ranks next year. This after a delay of over was four years.

Naval sources told OneIndia that India's first Scorpene submarine will be named as INS Kalvari, when it is inducted into the Service next year.

OneIndia News