Kalvari, India's first new submarine in 16 years, begins trial: 10 things to know

India's first new conventional submarine in 16 years - the Kalvari - finally began its sea trials off of Mumbai on Sunday, giving a much-needed fillip to the Indian Navy, which is trying to retain its underwater combat edge over Pakistan. Here are 10 things to know about it:

1.

2.

Kalvari is the first of India's six Scorpene-class submarines being built under the much-delayed "Project 75".

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The submarines are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in collaboration with French company DCNS.

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Over the next few months, the Kalvari will undergo a barrage of sea, surface, diving, weapons, noise trials, etc., so the submarine can be tested thoroughly to ensure it meets the stringent standards required of it.

5.

Kalvari is expected to be commissioned by the end of September.

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The five remaining Scorpenes are scheduled to be rolled out at nine-month intervals.

7.

Still, the diesel-electric INS Kalvari (that means tiger shark) is like an underwater predator without teeth, or a gun without bullets, as of now. The induction of its "primary weapon" - that is, heavyweight torpedoes - remains stuck in the AgustaWestland helicopter scam.

8.

The Navy, meanwhile, is down to just 13 ageing conventional submarines, nine of them being the Russian-origin Sindhughosh class and four being the German- or Shishumar-class. While a submarine's prescribed design life is 25 years, 10 of the Navy's fleet have already crossed that mark.

9.

India's first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, the Arihant, is already undergoing sea trials and is expected to be inducted shortly.

10.

Three nuclear-powered submarines with nuclear-tipped missiles, are under construction at Vizag and will cost more than Rs 30,000 crores. Six nuclear-powered submarines that will carry nuclear weapons are to be constructed in India at an estimated cost of more than Rs 50,000 crore.

11.

India joined the group of elite submarine-building nations on February 7, 1992, with the commissioning of the first indigenously-built vessel, INS Shalki at Mazagaon Dock Limited. Shalki is still in service.

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