INS Vagir: A New Era of Underwater Warfare as the 5th Submarine of Kalvari Class Joins the Indian Navy

INS Vagir: A New Era of Underwater Warfare as the 5th Submarine of Kalvari Class Joins the Indian Navy (Project-75 UPSC, INS Vagir, 5th class Submarine, UPSC)

In the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Indian Navy commissioned the fifth Kalvari class submarine Vagir on Monday at the naval dockyard in Mumbai. The newly commissioned submarine made her first sea sortie in February of last year, kicking off sea trials. According to the defence ministry, the submarine underwent a series of comprehensive acceptance tests as well as stringent and demanding sea trials before being commissioned.

Further, the submarine was built as part of Project-75, which includes the indigenous construction of six Scorpene-style submarines. Moreover, INS Vagir can perform a variety of missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and surveillance. The INS Vagir’s commissioning coincides with the Chinese Navy’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

Background of INS Vagir:

The first Vagir, a Russian submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 3, 1973, and decommissioned on June 7, 2001, after nearly three decades of service to the country. Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL), a public shipbuilder, reincarnated the submarine of the same name.

Facts of INS Vagir

• The Sand Fish, a deadly deep-sea predator of the Indian Ocean, inspired its name.
• INS Vagir is one of six Kalvari-class submarines being constructed in India.
• The Kalvari-class submarines can engage in a variety of naval combat operations, including anti-warship and anti-submarine operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance, and naval mine laying.
• The submarine’s cutting-edge technology ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, and a hydrodynamically optimized shape.
• The ability to use precision-guided weapons to attack the enemy.
• The submarine is intended to operate in all operational theatres, demonstrating interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force.
• It can launch attacks both underwater and on the surface using torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles.
• It is capable of a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, and so on.

Conclusion

The construction of submarines in an Indian shipyard is a significant step towards achieving “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) in the defense sector. It demonstrates India’s capability to build advanced military platforms indigenously and reduces the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers.

This achievement is a testament to the Indian Navy’s commitment to modernizing its fleet and enhancing its capabilities. The submarines will add to the Navy’s underwater warfare capability and provide the necessary strategic depth to the Navy.

Overall, the construction of submarines in an Indian yard is a significant step towards self-reliance in the defense sector and a major achievement for the Indian Navy.

Thank You!