Kalvari Class Submarine INS Vagir Commissioned in Indian Navy

INS VAGIR UPSC Relevance

VAGIR is the fifth of the Kalvari class submarine inducted in Indian Navy. INS VAGIR and its features are also important for UPSC Prelims 2023 and UPSC Mains exam (GS Paper 3- Internal Security).

INS VAGIR Submarine in News

• Indian Navy is set to commission the fifth Kalvari class submarine Vagir on 23 Jan 2023.
  • Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff will be the Chief Guest for the ceremony.

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INS VAGIR Submarine

• Background: The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on 01 Nov 1973 and undertook numerous operational missions including deterrent patrols.
  • The submarine was decommissioned on 07 Jan 2001 after serving the nation for about three decades.
• About: Launched and named ‘Vagir’ on 12 Nov 20, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines till date.
• Manufacturer: INS VAGIR Submarine has been indigenously built at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
• Significance: 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.

Key Features of INS Vagir

• Make in India: INS Vagir can be deployed both closer to the shore as well as mid-ocean.
  • INS Vagir will be ready to meet all the requirements of the Navy and the country.
  • INS Vagir is a big step towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Part of Project 75: It has been built under Project-75, which includes the indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.
  • Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
• Uniqueness: The submarine Vagir in its new avatar has the distinction of having the lowest build time among all indigenously manufactured submarines till date.
• Key Applications: The submarine is capable of undertaking diverse missions including-
  • Anti-surface warfare,
  • Anti-submarine warfare,
  • Intelligence gathering,
  • Mine laying, and
  • Surveillance missions.

Kalvari Class of Submarines

• These submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
• Four of the Kalvari class of submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
• The Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarines are being developed for the Indian Navy.
• The submarines have been ordered by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) under Project 75 (P75), which involves the acquisition of six ships of the Kalvari-class.
• The P75 Kalvari-class diesel-electric / air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines are based on the Scorpene-class submarines.
  • These were designed by French naval shipbuilding firm Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) in partnership with Spanish shipbuilding firm Navantia.
• The Indian Navy intends to use the submarines for missions including area surveillance, intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and minelaying operations.

INS Vagir FAQs

1. What is INS Vagir?

Ans. INS Vagir is a fifth Kalvari class submarine developed by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai under Project-75 of Indian Navy.

2. How many submarines have been commissioned under Project 75/Kalvari Class?

Ans. With commissioning of the INS Vagir, a total five out of six planned submarines have been inducted in the Indian Navy under Project 75.

3. Who is building the Kalvari-class submarines in India?

Ans. Kalvari-class submarines are being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

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INS Vela- Fourth Scorpene Class Submarine

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