INS Khanderi vs INS Kalvari: Scorpene-Class Submarines Compared

India’s naval strength has seen a major boost with the induction of Scorpene-class submarines under Project 75. Among these, INS Kalvari and INS Khanderi are frontline assets enhancing India’s underwater warfare capabilities. Both belong to the same class but have different induction timelines and operational significance. Let’s explore their strengths, similarities, and differences in detail.

Background: Project 75 and Scorpene-Class Submarines

• Project 75 is a collaborative program between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and the French naval group Naval Group (formerly DCNS).
• The aim was to build six state-of-the-art diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) for the Indian Navy.
• These submarines are designed for stealth, intelligence gathering, surveillance, and precision strikes using torpedoes and missiles.

INS Kalvari: The First Scorpene-Class Submarine

• Commissioned: December 14, 2017
• Named After: Kalvari, a deep-sea tiger shark, symbolizing strength and aggression.
• Key Role: First of the Scorpene-class to be inducted, marking India’s entry into a new era of submarine capability.

Features of INS Kalvari

• Equipped with torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles.
• Advanced sonar and sensor suite for intelligence and surveillance.
• Known for its stealth technology, making detection extremely difficult.
• Significance: Symbolized the successful completion of the first phase of Project 75.

INS Khanderi: The Second Scorpene-Class Submarine

• Commissioned: September 28, 2019

• Named After: Khanderi, an island fort near Mumbai, historically linked to the Maratha Navy.

• Key Role: Adds further strength to India’s underwater fleet with more refined integration and operational experience.

Features of INS Khanderi

• Similar design as Kalvari, with diesel-electric propulsion and advanced stealth features.
• Capable of carrying 18 torpedoes or SM39 Exocet missiles.
• Enhanced combat management systems compared to earlier builds.
• Improved acoustic silencing and sonar performance, refined during construction after lessons from Kalvari.

INS Khanderi vs INS Kalvari: Comparison Table

Feature	INS Kalvari	INS Khanderi
Commissioning Date	14 Dec 2017	28 Sep 2019
Name Origin	Tiger shark (sea predator)	Island fort (Maratha Navy)
Project 75 Position	1st submarine	2nd submarine
Displacement	~1,600 tonnes	~1,600 tonnes
Length	67.5 m	67.5 m
Crew	~35 personnel	~35 personnel
Weapon Systems	Torpedoes, Exocet missiles	Torpedoes, Exocet missiles
Special Features	First of its class, proof of concept	Improved systems, better integration

Key Insights

1. Technological Similarities: Both are near-identical in design, being Scorpene-class submarines with diesel-electric propulsion, advanced stealth, and attack capabilities.
2. Operational Significance: Kalvari marked India’s first step into modern submarine building, while Khanderi showcased improvements and operational maturity.
3. Strategic Importance: Both enhance India’s sea-denial capability, critical for countering adversaries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
4. Heritage Difference: Kalvari carries the symbolic name of a predator, while Khanderi connects India’s modern navy with its Maratha naval legacy.