INS Khanderi: All you need to know about India's 2nd Scorpene submarine

With an aim to further enhance Indian Navy's underwater capabilities, second Scorpene submarine named as Khanderi is all set to join the Navy fleet on September 28 at western naval command based in Mumbai. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest of the event.

According to Navy, regarded as a prestigious induction, INS Khanderi is among the most potent platforms to have been constructed in India. The new Khanderi carries forward the legacy of her namesake, a Soviet Foxtrot Class, which was India’s second submarine and rendered yeoman service to the nation for 21 years. She was commissioned on December 6, 1968, under the command of late Commander M.N. Vasudeva, at the Soviet seaport of Riga. 

On April 22, 1969 INS Khanderi undertook her maiden voyage to India wherein she successfully navigated 80 nm up the Congo River—to become the first submarine to reach Matadi—the highest port in the world. Earlier attempts by the submarines of the US Navy, Royal Navy and a few others had failed. The submarine proved her mettle in the 1971 war whilst deployed on the Eastern seaboard. After almost two decades of service, the sentinel of the deep was decommissioned on October 18, 1989.

After decommissioning, the fin of the submarine was unveiled on August 17, 1990 at parade ground of INS Virbahu, Vishakapatnam and continues to inspire the future generations thereon, a senior naval officer said.

Construction of the new Khanderi, designated as MDL Yard 11876 commenced with the first cutting of steel on April 07, 2009. The submarine was initially constructed in five separate sections. The welding of these five sections into one was completed in November 2016, described as ‘Booting Together’. 

The submarine was ‘launched’ and named as ‘Khanderi’ on January 12, 2017 by Dr (Smt) Bina Bhamre, wife of Subhash Bhamre, the then minister of state of defence by the traditional ceremony of breaking a coconut on the hull with an invocation in Sanskrit from the Atharva Veda to the Goddess Aditi. 

The Navy official further said that the Khanderi was first put to sea on June 01, 2017. She has since undergone comprehensive sea trials to validate her capability "to float, to move and to fight". She has undertaken multiple torpedo and missile firing to validate the fighting capability of the submarine. On completion of trials, the boat was delivered to the Indian Navy by MDL on September 19, 2019.

Navy believes that Khanderi is a potent man o’ war capable of offensive operations spanning across the entire spectrum of Maritime Warfare. She embodies cutting edge undersea technology and compares favourably with the best in the world. She has an overall length of 67.5 metres and a height of about 12.3 metres. The hull form, the fin and the hydroplanes are specifically designed to produce minimum underwater resistance. Her 360 battery cells (each weighing 750 kg) power the extremely silent Permanently Magnetised Propulsion Motor. Her stealth is further enhanced through the mounting of equipment inside the pressure hull on shock absorbing cradles.

Navy officials believe that the submarine’s undersea warfare capability comprises a cluster of integrated advanced weapons and sensors. The sonar suite enables long range detection and classification. When identified, she may choose to engage the enemy by utilising either missiles or torpedoes. The Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance. "The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is a potent platform, marking a generational shift in submarine operations," a senior naval official said, while adding that the 66-metre long submarine is made up of a special kind of high-tensile steel which ensures that the warship can withstand high yield stress allowing it to dive deeper. 

The submarine can operate at a depth of 300 metres under water and travel 1,020 km underwater. It can carry 18 torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles underwater or from the surface.

The ship's crest

The crests of all Indian Naval ships depict three sail ships at peak of the crown, symbolising India’s rich maritime heritage. The design of the lower part has the Ashoka Chakra flanked by a horse and a bull on either side. A ring of lotus buds encircle the unique motif of each ship, with a plaque bearing the ship’s name in Devanagiri script.

Khanderi’s motif is inspired by the fish “Kanneri” found in the Arabian Sea, which is known for hunting while swimming close to the bottom of the ocean using the barbells to find their prey and use their long serrated saw to kill and shred their prey before eating it.

The ship’s motto

The submarine’s motto ‘Akhand Abhedya Adrishya' signifies the unity of the crew, indomitable spirit and stealth of the platform. It also epitomises the ship’s capability and strength of her men behind the machines. The motto keeps alive the spirit to keep the edge ‘sharp and ready’ for combat at all times.

The ship’s logo

The logo of the submarine truly represents the indomitable fighting spirit of the ever vigilant crew depicted by the razor sharp snout of the sawtooth fish “Kanneri”.

In 2006, an agreement was signed to build six Scorpene-class submarines in India between the French firm Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS, and Mazgaon Dock Limited under Indian Navy’s $3.75 billion Project-75. The first submarine was scheduled to be delivered by 2012, but the project witnessed repeated delays. Originally, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2020.

However, the first Scorpene (Kalveri) was commissioned in December 2017 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Khanderi was launched into water in January 2017 and has since been undergoing a series of trials. The remaining submarines in the series are in advanced stages of manufacturing and trials.

Meaning of name

INS Khanderi is named after the island fort of Maratha forces that played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. Chhatrapati Shivaji—considered as the father of Indian Navy—was the first Indian king to realise and act upon the importance of a strong navy. The first keel of the Maratha naval vessel was laid down in a creek near Kalyan in the year 1654. Khanderi is also the name of Tiger Shark.