Fifth Scorpene Submarine ‘Vagir’ Delivered to Indian Navy

The fifth Scorpène submarine, Vagir of Project – 75 Kalvari Class submarines has been delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai. Defence Ministry said, the submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Navy and enhance its capability. Project-75 includes the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France.

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About INS Vagir:

Launched on the 12th of November 2020, Vagir commenced the sea trials on the Ist of February 2022 and it has completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines. Construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is another step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a notable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Navy in a span of 24 months. In all, six submarines of the Kalvari class, based on the Scorpene design of the Naval Group of France, are being constructed at the MDL in collaboration with the Naval Group of France.

6th one is undergoing trials:

• The first of the Kalvari-class sub was commissioned into the Navy in December 2017
• Vagir, which has been delivered to the Navy, will shortly be commissioned into the force
• Vagsheer, the 6th & last sub, undergoing sea trials and is likely to be delivered next year.

Significance of this :

India has been focusing on shoring up its maritime capability with a focus on the Indian Ocean in the backdrop of concerns over China’s growing foray into the region, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy.

About Project 75:

• This project envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore.
• Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.
• It will be the first under the strategic partnership model which was promulgated in 2017 to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.

About 30-year Submarine Plan:

• • The Cabinet Committee on Security, in June 1999, had approved a 30-year submarine-building plan which included construction of 24 conventional submarines indigenously by 2030.
  • P75I succeeded the P75 under which six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class, based on the Scorpene class, were being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited) – the third submarine, INS Karanj, was commissioned in March 2021.
  • Of the total 24 submarines to be built in India, six will be nuclear-powered.
  • India has only one nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, at the moment. The INS Arighat, also a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, is to be commissioned soon.
  • INS Chakra, a nuclear submarine, which is taken on lease from Russia, is believed to be on its way back to the country of origin.