Mighty new Indian Navy submarine INS Kalvari commissioned by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi at Mumbai yesterday.
The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi commissioned INS Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene class submarines built under Project 75 (Kalvari Class) into the Indian Navy at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Dockyard at Mumbai yesterday. The six submarines have been constructed at Mazagon Docks Ltd., in collaboration with the French builder M/s Naval Group.
In attendance were Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Raksha Mantri, Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Ajit Kumar Doval, National Security Advisior, Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, Commodore Rakesh Anand (Retd.), CMD, MDL, Commodore Subra-Manian (Retd.), Commanding Officer of erstwhile Kalvari (a Soviet Foxtrot class submarine) and a host of other dignitaries were also present to witness this historic and landmark occasion.
The Prime Minster was received by the Chief of the Naval Staff at the Naval Dockyard. Shri Narendra Modi was presented with a 100-man Guard of Honour and was introduced to the ship’s officers and other dignitaries present. Congratulating the people of India on this occasion, the Prime Minister described INS Kalvari as a shining example of “Make in India” and commended all those involved in its manufacture. He described the submarine as an excellent illustration of the fast growing strategic partnership between India and France. He said the INS Kalvari will add even more strength to the Indian Navy. As per him it is also certain that the road to development in the 21st century goes through the Indian Ocean and hence his vision can be understood through the acronym SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.
Prime Ministers Address
The Prime Minister said India is fully alert with regard to its global, strategic and economic interests in the Indian Ocean and Indian Navy plays a leading role in promoting peace and stability in the region. He spoke of the challenges such as sea-borne terrorism, piracy, and drug trafficking, that not just India, but other nations in the region also have to face. Indian Navy is playing a key role in tackling these challenges. The entire ecosystem related to defence and security has started to change in the last three years. He said the skill-set accumulated during the manufacture of INS Kalvari is an asset for India.
Defence Ministers Address
Congratulating the MDL for restarting the production line of submarines once again, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Minister thanked the Yard workers, who she said “mattered high on this day”. The process of submarine construction has again been started in the country and it should not stop, the Raksha Mantri said.
Chief of Naval Staffs address
Admiral Sunil Lanba stated that the commissioning marked a milestone in the journey of the Indian Navy towards indigenous submarine building and a partnership with the Government of Indias policy of Make In India. Kalvari is a testimony of Indian Navy’s proactive and integrated approach to achieve self-reliance, the Admiral said.
The Commissioning Warrant of the submarine was thereafter read out by the Commanding Officer, Captain SD Mehendale. Subsequently, hoisting of the Naval Ensign on board for the first time and ‘Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant’ with the National Anthem being played, marked the completion of the Commissioning Ceremony.
INS Kalvari is manned by a team comprising 08 officers and 35 sailors with Captain SD Mehendale at the helm as her first Commanding Officer. The commissioning will augment the offensive capability of the Indian Navy, and the Western Naval Command in particular.