Indian Navy gets more punch as new stealth submarine joins fleet

INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on  Monday, giving a big boost to the force’s prowess, at a ceremony attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai with technology transfer from France in the line , in line with the Indian Government’s “Make in India” policy.

“The submarine will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blows in the times of crisis,” according to a statement issued by the Navy.

The Scorpene® is a 2000 tons conventional-propulsion submarine designed and developed by Naval Group for all types of mission, such as surface vessel warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering. Extremely stealthy and fast, it has a level of operating automation that allows a limited number of crew, which reduces its operating costs significantly. Its combat edge is highlighted by the fact that it has 6 weapon launching tubes and 18 weapons (torpedoes, missiles).

Laurent Espinasse, EVP Submarines said: “The commissioning of INS Vagir is a major milestone for the Indian Navy, MDL, Naval Group and all our industrial partners. We are proud to be part of the P75 program and remain fully committed to deliver the last unit of the series and to enhance the level of indigenisation in future projects of the Indian Navy.”

The commissioning of INS Vagir highlights the success of indigenous submarine construction of the Government of India. This submarine has been completely built by MDL having successfully absorbed the technology transfer from France’s Naval Group.

The series of six submarines of the P75 program is fitted with a number of equipment built in India by qualified and highly trained industrial Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). MDL and Naval Group have developed a rich industrial ecosystem of more than 50 Indian companies, along with an Indian subsidiary with more than 70 Indian engineers to support the Indian Navy, thus contributing to industrial and technological sovereignty.