The Indian Navy on January 23 commissioned ‘INS Vagir’ the fifth submarine of Project 75 Kalvari class at the naval dockyard in Mumbai in presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.
Launched and named ‘Vagir’ on November 12, 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines to date.
‘Vagir’ undertook its maiden sea sortie in February 2022, marking the commencement of sea trials and has gone through a series of comprehensive acceptance checks and stringent and demanding sea trials prior to being commissioned, according to the Defence Ministry.
The submarine was delivered to Indian Navy by MDL on December 20, 2022.
‘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.
“Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms,” said Admiral R Hari Kumar.
Coxswain of the fifth Kalvari submarine ‘INS Vagir’ Daljinder Singh on January 21 said that the submarine is ready to face any threat if war breaks out between India and China.
“This submarine is the latest technology of the Indian Navy. It is a silent submarine. It has good anti-submarine weapons like the advanced version of mines. It has advanced versions of combat and advanced version of sonar, and radar systems,” Daljinder Singh said.
“All the technology used in the submarine is Indian. If there is a war between India and China, then we are ready to face it,” Singh added.
Commanding Officer CDR Divakar S said, “INS Vagir can be deployed both closer to the shore as well as mid-ocean. It will be ready to meet all the requirements of the Navy and the country. It is a big step towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat. This is the fifth Kalvari class submarine.”
Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
The erstwhile ‘Vagir’ was commissioned on November 1, 1973, and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols.
The submarine was decommissioned on January 7, 2001, after serving the nation for about three decades.
‘The Sand Shark’ (Vagir) 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, and also reflects MDL’s capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard.
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