Sept 2026 : Naval Group India has marked the commissioning anniversary of INS Khanderi, the second Kalvari-class submarine built in India and delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75.
INS Khanderi was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on September 28, 2019, by then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The submarine was launched in January 2017 and underwent extensive sea trials before being formally handed over to the Indian Navy by MDL on September 19, 2019.
Its commissioning followed that of INS Kalvari, the first submarine of the class, in December 2017.
The Kalvari-class submarines are based on the Scorpène design developed by French naval shipbuilder Naval Group. Under Project-75, six diesel-electric attack submarines are being constructed at MDL through technology transfer and industrial cooperation with Naval Group.
Eric Balufin, Executive Vice-President, Services, Naval Group, said INS Khanderi represented the strong and enduring partnership between India and France and reflected the shared commitment of the two countries towards strengthening India's submarine capabilities.
The 67.56-metre-long submarine has a submerged displacement of approximately 1,775 tonnes. It is equipped with six weapon-launching tubes and can carry up to 18 weapons, including torpedoes, missiles and mines.
INS Khanderi is also capable of supporting special operations involving the deployment and recovery of marine commandos, adding to its operational versatility.
Naval Group India described the submarine as a significant milestone in India's Atmanirbhar Bharat journey and a symbol of the trusted defence partnership between India and France.
The company said the cooperation between the two countries extends beyond the construction of individual submarines. It represents a broader effort to enhance India's indigenous submarine-building capabilities and strengthen its maritime security.
Project-75 has played an important role in expanding India's conventional submarine fleet while also supporting the development of domestic industrial capabilities through technology transfer and collaboration with Indian shipbuilding partners.
The commissioning anniversary of INS Khanderi thus highlights both the submarine's operational role in the Indian Navy and the continuing industrial and strategic cooperation between India and France in the maritime defence sector.
