NB Explains | INS Vagir commissioned into Navy, chief calls it "lethal platform with formidable weapons package"

Mumbai, Jan 23: INS Vagir, the fifth submarine of the Kalvari Class submarines, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday, giving a boost to the force's prowess. INS Vagir, which has been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai with technology transfer from France, was commissioned in a ceremony attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

 

 

Describing Vagir as a "lethal platform" with a formidable weapons package and state-of-the-art stealth technology, Admiral Kumar said its capabilities and firepower will not only enhance the Navy's combat potential but also "add teeth" to the country's deterrence. Vagir will be the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a short span of 24 months, Admiral Kumar said.

 

"This is no small achievement, and underscores the coming of age of India's shipbuilding industry, and the maturing of our defence ecosystem. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise and experience of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms," the Admiral added.

 

 

MDL Chairman and Managing Director Narayan Prasad said Vagir completed sea trials in 11 months from February 2022, adding its commissioning comes at a very crucial time when the geopolitical environment demands that the country respond adequately to safeguard its national interest.

 

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 her 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.

 

 

'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.

 

Coxswain of the fifth Kalvari submarine 'INS Vagir' Daljinder Singh on Saturday said that the submarine is ready to face any threat if war breaks out between India and China. While talking to ANI, Singh said, "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."

"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.

 

 

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.