Parrikar will attend ‘floating out’ of Scorpene sub today

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will witness “floating out of the first project 75 (Scorpene) Submarine on pontoon”.

In what may be viewed as a significant development for the Navy, whose submarine fleet has been operating below the stipulated strength, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be witnessing the ‘floating out’ of the first Scorpene submarine under project 75 in Mumbai on Monday. Parrikar, who will be visiting Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) will be reviewing the progress of the project 75, under which construction of six Scorpene subs has been underway in collaboration with French defence major DCNS.

Parrikar will witness “floating out of the first project 75 (Scorpene) Submarine on pontoon”, a Defence Ministry statement said here. According to a senior submariner, the event assumed significance since this will be the first time the submarine will be entering water — albeit with the help of a pontoon — which signifies that its hull is complete and critical equipment is in place. “While the launch would be a more significant event, the floating out of Scorpene will commence its sea trials and more importantly, clear the dry dock that it presently occupies for the construction of the next one,” the official said.

Source:: Indian Express