Vagir, the Fifth of Kalvari-class Submarine with Scorpene Design Launched
The Vagir, the fifth of the series of six Kalvari-class submarines ordered by India in 2005, were launched on 12 November. This comes after recent commissioning of INS Khanderi in September 2019 and the launch of the INS Vela in May 2019.
INS Vagir was launched by Vijaya Shripad Naik, wife of Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Defence.
These submarines have been completely built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) through a transfer of technology from Naval Group, in line with Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ policy. This series of six submarines are fitted with a number of equipment, built in India by qualified and highly trained industrial Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) which form the sound base of the Indian submarine building ecosystem.
“Naval Group is proud to be part of first of its kind P75 Kalvari program to deliver entirely ‘Made in India’ submarines to the Indian Navy. The P75 program is a major element of the strategic Indo-French partnership developed over the last decades. This launch, amidst Covid-19 challenges, represents a new milestone for this unique industrial program and illustrates the Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) of Indian Navy and industry,” said Alain Guillou, Senior EVP- International Development at Naval Group.
The Scorpene is a conventional-propulsion submarine designed and developed by Naval Group for all types of mission, such as surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering. Extremely stealthy and fast, its level of operating automation allows for a limited 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, mines).
With 14 submarines sold internationally by Naval Group, the Scorpene is an essential reference product in the area of conventional attack submarines (SSK) for Navies across the world. The Scorpene can be adapted to meet special needs of international navies.