The Indian Navy received the fifth Scorpene-class submarine Vagir ahead of its planned commissioning next month.

Vagir is part of the six Kalvari-class submarines being built in India.

The induction of the submarine, built under Project-75, is set to bolster the Indian Navy’s combat capability.

Project–75

• Project–75 includes construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

• These submarines can undertake missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.  The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface.

• Four of these submarines — Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela — have already been commissioned. INS Kalvari commissioned in December 2017. INS Khanderi was commissioned in September 2019. INS Karanj was commissioned in March 2021. INS Vela, the fourth submarine in the series, was commissioned in November, 2021.

• Vagir is named after the Sand Fish, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The first Vagir, a submarine from Russia, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 3, 1973, and was decommissioned on June 7, 2001 after almost three decades of service to the nation.

• Launched on November 12, 2020, Vagir commenced the sea trials from February 1 and completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines.

• The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres of operation, showcasing interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force.

• Vagsheer, the sixth and the last Scorpene-class submarine constructed under Project-75 of the Indian Navy, was launched on April 20, 2022. Vagsheer will undergo a comprehensive and rigorous set of tests and trials for more than a year to ensure that it is fully combat-worthy.

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