Indian Navy To Get INS Vagir; Its Fifth Scorpene-Class Submarine On 23 January

In a boost to the dilapidated strength of the Indian Navy (IN) submarine fleet, INS Vagir, the fifth Scorpene class submarine is all set to be commissioned on 23 January. 

Built in collaboration with the Naval Group of France, the Scorpene class is called Kalvari class by the Navy. India had ordered six Scorpene-class boats in a deal worth $3 billion.

The submarine was launched in November 2020 by Mazagaon Shipyard Limited (MDL). And went for sea trails in February 2022.

The submarine was delivered to the Navy on 20 January 2023 and will be commissioned on 23 January. 

This deal has witnessed a delay of almost five years where the first submarine, the Kalvari, which was supposed to be commissioned in 2012 was commissioned only in 2017.

The 67.5 metres long Scorpenes, considered to be one of the quietest diesel-electric submarines in service around the world currently, displace around 1,700 tonnes when submerged. 

According to the Naval Group, the submarines of this class have superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels and hydrodynamically optimised shape.

The boats, which have an endurance of around 45 days, can be armed with heavyweight torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and mines.

However, some reports suggest that these submarines are without their main weapon, the Torpedo. The Navy has to make do with older torpedoes because the Italian company envisaged the newer “Black Shark” torpedo was black-listed.

On the other hand, there are reports that suggest the Navy might buy additional scorpene submarines to arrest the falling strength of the submarine fleet.

This is significant since the Navy’s Project-75I, a plan to make another six new generation submarines hasn’t taken off. It is facing several hurdles and delays.

In comparison, the Chinese are inducting new warships and submarines every year. The Chinese are increasing their influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

It has been learnt that they are arming Pakistan as well. Pakistan will get eight Yuan-class submarines from China.