Last Update: January 20, 2023, 00:05 IST
Four Kalvari class submarines have already been inducted into the Indian Navy. (ANI file photo)
The commissioning of the submarine built under Project-75 will strengthen the Navy’s combat capability at a time when China is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region.
The Indian Navy will induct Vagir, the fifth Scorpene-class submarine, on January 23, officials said on Thursday.
The submarine built under Project-75 is set to be included in the Navy’s combat capability at a time when China is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar will grace the induction ceremony as the chief guest.
India is working on enhancing its maritime capability with a focus on the Indian Ocean, in the backdrop of concerns over China’s increasing aggression in the Indian Navy’s backyard.
Project-75 involves indigenous construction of six submarines of the Scorpene design.
The submarines are being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai in collaboration with French Naval Group.
Four Kalvari class submarines have already been inducted into the Indian Navy.
The erstwhile Vagir was commissioned on 1 November 1973 and carried out a number of operational missions including preventive patrolling. The submarine was decommissioned in January 2001 after serving the nation for nearly three decades. “Launched and christened ‘Vagir’ on November 12, 2020, the submarine in its new avatar has the distinction of having the shortest build time among all indigenously built submarines so far,” said an official.
She made her maiden voyage in February last year, marking the start of sea trials and undergoing extensive acceptance checks and a series of rigorous and demanding sea trials.
The submarine was handed over to the Indian Navy by MDL on 20 December.
“Vagir will enhance the Indian Navy’s capability to advance India’s maritime interests and will be able to undertake a variety of missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine-laying and surveillance missions,” the official said. able.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)