INS Vagir | Photo credit: ANI
Key points
- Vagir is part of the six Kalvari-class submarines being built in India
- The sixth Scorpene submarine has been named ‘Vagsheer’
- INS Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela and Vagir have been built as part of Project 75 of the Indian Navy.
Bombay: In another push for the Indian Navy, Defense Minister Shripad Naik on Thursday launched Project 75’s fifth scorpion-class submarine ‘Vagir’ in Arabian Sea waters at Mazagaon Pier via videoconference.
Vagir is part of six Kalvari-class submarines designed by the French naval defense and energy company DCNS. They are being built as part of Project 75 of the Indian Navy.
To meet the requirements of the Indian Navy, the Public Sector Defense Company (PSU) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDSL) was tasked with building six Scorpene-class submarines. INS Kalvari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines, was launched in 2015 and commissioned in late 2017.
After the INS Kalvari release, Khanderi, Karanj and Vela were released.
Commenting on the INS Vagir launch, Vice Admiral RB Pandit, Chief of Western Naval Command, said he expected the subamrine to be commissioned within a year.
“We have two Kalvari-class submarines already operational in the Navy. We will be happy to receive balance four in a very quick time, ”said Vice Admiral RB Pandit.
The Scorpene class of submarines can perform multiple tasks normally performed by any modern submarine, including both anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
The sixth Scorpene submarine ‘Vagsheer’ is in various stages of equipping.
MDL has always been at the forefront of the nation’s progressive indigenous warship building program. To date, it has built Leander and Godavari-class frigates, Khukri-class corvettes, Missile ships, Delhi and Kolkata-class destroyers, Shivalik-class stealth frigates, SSK submarines, and continues to contribute to national security with its P-15B Visakhapatnam-class destroyers. and the P-17A-class Stealth frigates.
