NEW DELHI: The Navy has moved a step closer to having its conventional diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which will enhance their underwater endurance and stealth, even as the fifth Scorpene submarine INS Vagir was commissioned in Mumbai on Monday.
The defence ministry said the indigenous fuel cell-based AIP developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO will "soon" be fitted in the first Scorpene submarine, INS Kalvari, which was commissioned in December 2017. Though the MoD did not specify the timeline, sources said the AIP is likely to be fitted on INS Kalvari when it goes for its first scheduled refit next year.
1/10:INS Vagir commissioned into Indian Navy
Agencies
2/10:Commissioned at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai
The attack submarine was was commissioned into the Indian Navy today at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The first-ever submarine was inducted into the Indian Navy from Russia in 1967.<br />PTI
3/10:INS Vagir is a shining testimony to expertise of our shipyards: Navy chief
"Vagir is a lethal platform with a formidable weapon package. Vagir is the third submarine inducted into the Navy in a span of 24 months. It is also a shining testimony to the expertise of our shipyards to construct complex and complicated platforms," said Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar. <br />PTI
4/10:INS Vagir commenced sea trials in 2020
Launched on November 12, 2020, INS Vagir commenced the sea trials from Feb 1, 2022. It completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time compared to the earlier submarines.<br /><br />PTI
5/10:Big Make-in-India initiative
<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Apart from adding more teeth to Indian Navy's prowess, the induction of Vagir into the Indian Navy is a shining example of making a very strong and determined foray towards the 'Make in India' initiative. Equipped with some of the best sensors in the world, the INS Vagir's weapons package include sufficient wire guided torpedoes and sub-surface to surface missiles to neutralise a large enemy fleet.</p>PTI
6/10:Vagir is 18th of Navy's in-service fleet
INS Vagir is a Kalvari class French design submarine. The other three known submarines in the Indian Navy, namely are - Sindhughosh Class (Russian design), Shishumar Class (German design) and Arihant(Indian design). <br /><br />PTI
7/10:Collaboration with France's Naval Group
The submarines are built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France. <br /><br /><br /><br />PTI
8/10:Big boost to Indian Navy's capabilities
<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Officials said it will further boost the Navy's capabilities to further Indian maritime interests in deterring enemies, for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to provide a decisive blow in times of crisis.</p>PTI
9/10:State-of-the-art torpedo system
<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The newly-commissioned submarine can also launch marine commandos for special operations. It also has a state-of-the-art torpedo decoy system and its powerful diesel engines can quickly charge batteries for stealth missions.</p><br />PTI
10/10:Powerful features for naval warfare
These subs cater to several aspects of naval warfare, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.<br /><br />PTI"An agreement was signed on Monday between NMRL and the Naval Group France to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for integration of the indigenous AIP in the Kalvari-class submarines. As part of the agreement, the Naval Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines," the MoD said.
With INS Vagir being commissioned, the sixth and the last Scorpene submarine will be delivered by the end of this year.
