INS Vagir, the Indian Navy’s fifth of six Scorpene-class submarines, started sea trials on 1 February, the navy’s officials revealed.
As informed, the vessel will undergo intense trials of all its systems at sea, including propulsion systems, weapons and sensors.
The new submarine was launched in November 2020 from the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The vessel is part of a series of six Kalvari-class submarines that are being built in India and the ships have been designed by French DCNS.
The fifth Scorpene-class submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Indian Navy this year after the completion of these trials.
The Scorpene-class submarines are said to be among the most advanced conventional submarines in the world. More deadly and stealthier than their predecessors, these submarines are equipped with potent weapons and sensors to neutralize any threat above or below the sea surface.
Scorpene-class units are 67.5 meters long with a height of about 12.3 meters. They are fitted with 360 battery cells (each weighing 750 kg) powering the permanently magnetized propulsion motor.
Equipped with the submarine tactical integrated combat system (SUBTICS), sea-skimming SM 39 Exocet missiles or the heavyweight wire-guided surface and underwater target (SUT) torpedoes, they can undertake multifarious tasks which include anti-surface as well as anti submarine warfare.
The first submarine from the batch, INS Kalvari, was commissioned in December 2017 and the second, INS Khanderi, in September 2019.
The fifth submarine of Project 75, Yard 11879, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class commenced her sea trials on 01 February 2022. The submarine was launched in November 2020 from the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The submarine would be named Vagir, after commissioning.
According to official documents, the Indian Navy has two ongoing conventional submarine programs, with a third one on the way.
Phase I – P-75
Six submarines of Scorpene-class (P-75) are to be constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai. Two Submarines of the project namely INS Kalvari and Khanderi have been commissioned in December 2017 and September 2019 respectively. The balance submarines are likely to be inducted every nine months. The last submarine is likely to be delivered in June 2022.
Phase I – P-75(I)
Six submarines are to be constructed under P-75(I) under the Strategic Partnership model promulgated by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 31 May 2017. AoN for the case has been accorded by DAC on 27 February 2019. A multidisciplinary Empowered Project Committee (EPC) has been constituted by MoD on 15 February 2019 to steer the project from ‘EoI issuance’ to ‘Contract Conclusion’. The Request for Expression of Interest (REoI) for shortlisting of SPs and Foreign, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) was issued on 20 June 2019 and 02 July 2019 respectively. The response of SPs have been received on 11 September 2019. The response of Foreign OEMs have been received on 24 September 2019. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the case would be issued in mid-2020. The induction of the submarines would be between 2027-2032.
Phase II
Twelve submarines of an indigenous design are envisaged to be constructed in India in this phase with the experience gained and technology absorbed from the construction of submarines under Phase I.
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