INS Vagir Sets New Record For Longest Scorpene Submarine Deployment, Covers 7,000 Km To Reach Australia For Exercises

Indian Navy's submarine, INS Vagir, has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new record for the longest-ever deployment of any scorpene-class submarine, covering a distance of 7,000 kilometre to reach Australia for joint military exercises.

This marks the first-ever deployment of any Indian scorpene submarines to Australia, aimed at participating in underwater drills with the Royal Australian Navy.

Joining INS Vagir in these exercises will be maritime patrol aircraft P-8I from both the Indian and Australian navies, along with Australian submarines.

The joint maneuvers are scheduled to take place on the western coast of Australia.

Notably, the Indian Navy with its destroyer, INS Kolkata, and frigate, INS Sahyadri and a P-8I, is already present in Australia, taking part in the Malabar 23 series of joint naval drills with the other three QUAD-nation navies of the United States, Japan and Australia from 11 to 21 August, on the eastern coast of Australia.

Subsequently, another biennial joint naval exercise, AUSINDEX 23, is slated to occur between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy from 22 to 24 August.

INS Vagir's deployment commenced in June 2023, with a stop at the Colombo port on 21 June for the celebrations of International Yoga Day.

The submarine has completed an extensive voyage of over 7,000 kilometre to arrive at Fremantle port in Australia today (20 August).

Commissioned into the Navy in January of this year, INS Vagir is the fifth scorpene-class submarine.

The Indian Ministry of Defence released a statement stating that, "the ongoing deployment is a testament to the reach and sustenance of Indian navy submarines."

"The extended range deployment is the maiden deployment by an IN submarine to Australia and showcases the capability and professional acumen of IN to undertake sustained operations at extended ranges from the base port for prolonged durations," the statement further said.