Fifth Scorpene-class submarine Vagir to be commissioned on Netaji's birth anniversary

Vagir during the sea sorties. Credit: Western Naval Command File Photo

The fifth of the Scorpene-class submarines -- Vagir -- would be commissioned on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and ahead of the Republic Day festivities.

The submarine is a part of the Project-75 which involves the Scorpene or the Kalvari-class diesel-electric attack submarines by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai with French collaboration.

Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, will be the chief guest of the commissioning ceremony which will be held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai coinciding with 'Parakram Diwas', the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji. So far, four submarines of the Scorpene-class -- INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj and INS Vela -- have been commissioned.

INS Kalvari (Yard 11875) was launched on October 27, 2015 and commissioned on December 14, 2017. INS Khanderi (Yard 11876) was launched on January 12, 2017 and commissioned on September 28, 2019. INS Karanj (Yard 11877) was launched on January 31, 2018 and commissioned on March 10, 2021.

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INS Vela (Yard 11878) was launched on May 6, 2019 and commissioned on November 25, 2021. Vagir (Yard 11879) was launched on November 12, 2020 and will be commissioned on January 23, 2023.

Vagsheer (Yard 11880) was launched on April 20, 2022 and is expected to be commissioned in March 2024.

The Scorpene or Kalvari-class submarines are one of the most advanced conventional submarines in the world. These platforms are equipped with the latest technologies in the world.

More deadly and stealthier than their predecessors, these submarines are equipped with potent weapons and sensors to neutralise any threat above or below the sea surface

The Scorpene submarines are extremely potent platforms, they have advanced stealth features and are also equipped with both long range guided torpedoes as well as anti-ship missiles.

These submarines have a state-of-the-art Sonar and sensor suite permitting outstanding operational capabilities. They also have an advanced Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Motor (PERMASYN) as its propulsion motor.