Mumbai: Submarine INS Vagir commissioned into Indian Navy; see pics

Mumbai: Submarine INS Vagir commissioned into Indian Navy; see pics

"The submarine will boost the Indian Navy's capability to further India's maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis," the Navy said.

Pranay ManiarUpdated: Monday, January 23, 2023, 09:15 PM IST
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The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Vagir – the fifth Kalvari Class submarine built by Mazagon Dockyard with French collaboration. The lethal submarine equipped with advanced acoustic absorption technique was pressed into service at the hands of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Prior to INS Vagir, Kalveri, Khanderi, Karanj and Vela were the other stealthy submarines to be built under the ambitious Project 75 which was started with the aim of manufacturing six diesel electric (conventional) submarines for the Indian Navy. The grand plan was a joint venture between the French defence engineering major, the Naval Group, and the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.

Named after deep sea predator fish 'vagir', the construction of the latest submarine started in 2009. In February last year, it made its first sea voyage. In Dec 2022, the submarine was handed over to the Indian Navy.

“Vagir will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests and is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions,” read an official statement.

Submarines of the Kalvari Class are capable of participating in a variety of naval warfare situations, such as minelaying, anti-warship, and anti-submarine missions. These submarines have a height of 40 feet and a length of about 220 feet. When surfaced, it can travel at a top speed of 11 knots (20 km/h), and when submerged, it can go at 20 knots (37 km/h).

INS Vagshir will be the last submarine to be built under Project 75. It will be commissioned in 2024.

What does Vagir stand for?

'Vagir' means sand shark, which represents stealth and fearlessness, two qualities synonymous with the ethos of a submariner.

Glorious Past and Inception

The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on 01 Nov 1973 and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols. The submarine was decommissioned on 07 Jan 2001 after serving the nation for about three decades.

Launched and named ‘Vagir’ on 12 Nov 20, 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 M/s MDL on 20 Dec 22.

(With agency inputs)

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