The submarine will be inducted into the navy in 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
Part of the Project 75 of Indian Navy's submarine programme, the diesel-electric submarines are being built at the state-run Mazgaon docks in Mumbai, and are expected to be inducted into the Navy by 2018.
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To replace a nearly 30-year-old fleet hit by a run of accidents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has ordered an accelerated tendering process to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion, in addition to the Scorpenes.
The country's first indigenously built nuclear submarine, INS Arihant - loaded with nuclear-tipped missiles and headed for sea trials this month - joins the fleet in late 2016. India leased a nuclear-propelled submarine from Russia in 2012.
Currently, Indian Navy has 14 conventional diesel-electric powered submarines, including 10 Russian Kilo Class and four German HDW class vessels.
The article originally appeared on NDTV.
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