In December 2022, the Indian Navy received the fifth diesel-electric Kalvari-class submarine, also known as Sand Shark, which was commissioned as Vagir. This class of submarines includes six vessels developed under Project 75, with four already commissioned into the Navy: NS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela. The sixth vessel, INS Vagsheer, will be commissioned next year. Vagir was chosen in honour of a submarine that served the Navy between 1973 and 2001.
Built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with the French M/s Naval Group, these are primarily attack submarines designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels. They feature advanced acoustic absorption techniques that enable stealth and fearlessness. Vagir can undertake diverse missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and surveillance missions, thereby boosting the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests.
This development is of relevance to daily current affairs for UPSC and underscores the importance of India’s defence sector in its foreign policy and national security.
INS Vagir
Recently commissioned into the Indian Navy, the Kalvari-class submarine INS Vagir was manufactured by the Mumbai-based MDL. The submarine, which is an entirely Indian-built diesel-electric attack vessel, was ordered by the Indian Navy in 2005 and is named after a Vela class submarine that operated from 1973 to 2001.
Vagir is a sandfish. As the fifth Scorpene class submarine, INS Vagir represents a significant step towards India’s self-reliance in the defence sector, and it is expected to help the Indian government reach its defence exports target of Rs 25,000 crores by 2025.
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INS Vagir belongs to the Scorpene class of submarines, which were first developed by the French Naval Group. The Kalvari class is the Indian designation for Scorpene class submarines. Scorpene class submarines are available in three types: diesel-electric submarines, coastal submarines, and air-independent propulsion submarines.
Among these, the air-independent propulsion submarines are the most advanced, with an engine that runs on ethanol and oxygen as fuel. These submarines are costly but can stay underwater for more than 21 days, making them highly valuable for naval operations.
INS Vagir in Relevance to Daily Current Affairs for UPSC
The recent commissioning of INS Vagir, the fifth Scorpene-class submarine, into the Indian Navy is a significant development in the country’s defence sector. It highlights India’s progress towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, a key objective of the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The INS Vagir is equipped with advanced technology and capabilities, including an acoustic absorption technique that enables stealth and fearlessness, making it an important addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet. This development is of relevance to the daily current affairs for UPSC as it highlights India’s growing defence capabilities, which is an important aspect of India’s foreign policy and national security.
Additionally, it is important to note that India is actively seeking to boost its defence exports, and the commissioning of INS Vagir is expected to help India achieve its defence export target of Rs 25,000 crores by 2025.
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Current Affairs for UPSC
Under Project 75, India initiated the construction of six Scorpene-class submarines, out of which four have already been commissioned – INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela. Recently, INS Vagir was delivered, and INS Vagsheer is expected to be delivered soon. In future plans, all six submarines will be upgraded with the Air Independent Propulsion system in 2025.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the commissioning of INS Vagir, a Scorpene-class submarine, into the Indian Navy is a significant development that highlights India’s progress towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The six submarines under Project 75, which includes INS Vagir, will boost the Indian Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests.
The Air Independent Propulsion system upgrade planned for all six submarines in 2025 will further enhance their capabilities. This development is of relevance to daily current affairs for UPSC and underscores the importance of India’s defence sector in its foreign policy and national security.
