‘Vagsheer’ Submarine for The Indian Navy Is Launched at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL)

      The Vagsheer submarine was launched into the water at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai under collaboration with  Naval Group, France. The newly inaugurated sixth and last of the French Scorpene-class submarine Vagsheer vessel will now go for a comprehensive and rigorous set of tests and sea trials for about a year.

      The first submarine Vagsheer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 26 December 1974 and was decommissioned on 30 April 1997.

The Mumbai-based ‘Mazagon Dock’ delivered four Scorpene-class submarines (INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj and INS Vela) to the Indian Navy under Project-75. ‘Vagir’, the fifth submarine is currently at sea trial and will be commissioned by end of this year.

      Scorpene-class submarines can undertake multi-missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc. 

      Following are the technologies used for the construction of this submarine - low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimized shape, advanced acoustic silencing techniques and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons. 

   Important points for the exam:

• The sixth French Scorpene-class submarine ‘Vagsheer’ was launched into the water at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai under Project 75.
• The newly launched submarine will undergo a year-long tests and trails. This class of submarine can be deployed for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.
• The submarine can launch both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, both in underwater or on surface.
• The submarine named ‘vagsheer’ - Named after sandfish, a deadly deep water sea predator of the Indian Ocean.

    Facts to know:

• The first Scorpene class submarine: INS Kalvari.
• Under Project 75, six diesel-electric attack Kalvari class submarines will be built by the Indian Navy.
• INS Arihant is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.