India's submarine programme under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is continuously strengthening the maritime strength of the Indian Navy. In this series, the fifth 'Vagir' port of the Scorpene class, built entirely in India, was taken to sea for testing. The Scorpene is the fifth submarine in the class to increase naval strength. After this, the Navy is also expected to get the 6th and last submarine Wagashir soon.
Submarine built under 'Make in India'
Union Minister of State for AYUSH and Defense (Independent Charge) Shripad Naik launched 'Vagir,' a 5th Scorpene-class submarine of Project 75 in the Arabian Ocean video conferencing at Mazgaon Dock, Mumbai. Promoting India's submarine program, the shipbuilding unit Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL) has built these submarines completely under 'Make in India.' This submarine program of India is continuously strengthening the maritime strength of the Indian Navy. Vijaya Shripad Naik, the wife of the Minister of State for Defence, who attended the ceremony, named the submarine as 'Vagir' according to naval traditions.
What is unique
Kalvari Class submarines, i.e., Project 75, have a length of 61.7 meters, speed 20 knots, and weigh 1565 tons. These can launch surface and underwater torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles. This can make the enemy's condition worse by aiming accurately.
The submarine can carry out missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine layering, and area surveillance. Such sophisticated technology has been used in them, which will make it difficult for navies of enemy countries to reconnaissance. Normally the submarine is captured because of its sound, but after the Navy's objection, the voice in these submarines has been reduced considerably.
Two Scorpene-class submarines in their last test
According to the Navy spokesman, the ceremony was attended by senior officers of the Navy, Headquarters Ministry of Defense (Navy), Headquarters Western Naval Command, and officers from the Naval Group, France. The first two submarines of Project-75 are inducted into the Navy.
The third and fourth submarines are in their final test. After the launch of the submarine, 'Vagir' port trials will start today. The Indian Navy celebrated the 50th year of submarine operations as the Golden Jubilee in January 2017. On this particular occasion, the Indian Navy released footage of INS Kalavari, India's deadliest Scorpene-class submarine.
Scorpene-class submarine already inducted into Navy
Kalawari, the first of six Scorpene-class submarines, joined the Navy on September 21, 2017. The second Scorpene-class submarine INS 'Khanderi' was launched on September 19, 2019, at Mazgaon Dock Limited Shipyard. Still, the Navy complained of high noise from the submarine engine during user trials at sea. Due to this, Khanderi was inducted into the Navy on September 28, 2019, in Mumbai.
Earlier, the Indian Navy refused to include INS Khanderi in its fleet. The third submarine INS Karanj has survived sea trials completed in 2020. The Indian Navy launched the fourth submarine of the Scorpene class at Vela MDL.
