Fifth Scorpène-class submarine Vagir delivered to Navy

Source: The post is based on the article “Fifth Scorpène-class submarine Vagir delivered to Navy” published in The Hindu on 20th December 2022

What is the News?

The fifth Scorpène-class conventional submarine, Vagir was delivered to the Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited(MDL).

What is INS Vagir?

INS Vagir is the fifth submarine under Project 75 for the Indian Navy.

What is Project – 75?

Project – 75 includes the construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. 

Built by: These submarines are being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

Six submarines: The first submarine INS  Kalvari was commissioned in 2017, second submarine INS  Khanderi in 2019, third one INS  Karanj in 2021 and the fourth one INS  Vela joined service in 2021.

– The sixth Scorpène-class submarine, Vagsheer, was launched in April 2022 and is expected to be delivered to the Navy by end 2023.

Features: This class of submarines have Diesel Electric transmission systems and are attack submarines also known as the ‘hunter-killer’ type, which means they are designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.

– They also have the capability of operating in a wide range of Naval combat including anti-warship and anti-submarine operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance and naval mine laying.

– The submarines can reach the highest speeds of 11 knots when surfaced and 20 knots when submerged.

How many submarines does the Indian Navy have currently?

The Navy currently has 15 conventional and one nuclear submarine in service.It includes seven Russian Kilo class submarines, four German HDW submarines, four Scorpene class submarines and the indigenous nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant.