Fifth Kalvari Class Submarine Vagir Set to be Commissioned

Indian Navy is set to commission the fifth Kalvari class submarine Vagir on 23 January 2023, Chief of the Naval Staff, Adm R Hari Kumar will be the Chief Guest for the ceremony. These submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France. Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.

The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on 1 November 1973 and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols. The submarine was decommissioned on 07 January 2001 after serving the nation for about three decades.

Launched and named ‘Vagir’ on 12 November 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines till date. She undertook her maiden sea sortie in Feb 22, marking the commencement of sea trials and has gone through a series of comprehensive acceptance checks and, stringent and demanding sea trials prior being commissioned. The submarine was delivered to Indian Navy by MDL on 20 December 2022.

Vagir will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests and can undertake diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions.

The Sand Shark represents ‘Stealth and Fearlessness’, two qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner. The induction of Vagir is another step towards the Indian Navy, consolidating its position as a builder’s Navy, as also reflects MDL’s capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard.