Sixth Kalvari-class submarine of Scorpene design
On 20 April 2022, Vagsheer was launched by the Defence Secretary of India, Dr. Ajay Kumar. Vagsheer is the last of the six P75 Scorpene submarines entirely built by the Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) based on years of successful technology transfer and partnership with Naval Group. MDL teams will now have to complete the integration and setting to work of the equipment and machinery onboard before beginning the sea trials, including weapon and sensor trials. The launching of Vagsheer highlights the success of the indigenous submarine construction programme of the Government of India. These submarines have been completely built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) through a transfer of technology from Naval Group, in line with Indian Government’s “Make in India” policy. The series of six submarines is fitted with a number of equipment built in India by qualified and highly trained industrial micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MDL and Naval Group have developed a rich industrial ecosystem of more than 50 Indian companies and their future projects are not limited to submarines, thus contributing to industrial and technological sovereignty. Alain Guillou, EVP International Development at Naval Group stated, “We are proud of this successful cooperation with MDL and we stand by their side and are ready to assist for future projects. We celebrate the success of “Make in India” while moving towards a true sense of “Atmanirbhar” naval defence industry. The success of this programme is collective and solely aimed at strengthening the Indian Navy. We value our long-term relation and collaboration with India and its navy and our teams are committed to keep on meeting their expectations.”
The first of the Project-75 submarines was commissioned into the Navy in December 2017 and presently four submarines of this Project are in commission in the Indian Navy. The fifth submarine is progressing with the sea trials and is likely to be delivered this year. The sixth submarine will now commence setting to work of various equipment and their harbour trials. The crew will thereafter sail the submarine for the rigorous Sea Acceptance Trials after which the submarine would be delivered to the Indian Navy by late next year. The Scorpene is a 2000 ton conventional submarine designed by Naval Group for all types of missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations or intelligence gathering. Extremely stealthy and fast, it has a level of operating automation that allows a limited number of crew, which reduces its operating costs significantly. Its combat edge is highlighted by the fact that it has 6 weapon launching tubes, 18 weapons (torpedoes, missiles). With 14 submarines sold around the world, the Scorpene is a “key reference of conventional attack submarines (SSK) for navies around the world. It can be easily adapted to specific requirements of customers and the continuous improvement of the Scorpene ensures the seamless integration of the latest technology onboard”.
