Why ‘INS Vagsheer’ Is a Major Deal For The Indian Navy?

The Indian Navy will be given a boost when INS Vagsheer, the last of the Scorpene-class submarines, arrives on April 20. This ultra-modern submarine, the final of the P75 Scorpene project’s submarines, will be launched by Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.

The INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela have all been commissioned, while the Vagir is currently undergoing sea trials. Here’s what we know about the INS Vagsheer and the P75 Scorpene project, which it was built as part of.

INS Vagsheer

INS Vagsheer is a diesel-electric submarine with a length of 221 feet and a height of 40 feet. This submarine is primarily an assault submarine, sometimes known as a ‘hunter-killer,’ which is designed to hunt down and sink enemy naval vessels.

The submarine can attain a high speed of 20 knots (37 km/h) when submerged and a maximum speed of 11 knots (20 km/h) when surfaced, according to reports. For power, the INS Vagsheer is equipped with four MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines, 360 battery cells, and a quiet Permanently Magnetized Propulsion Motor.

The INS Vagsheer is also regarded as one of the world’s most advanced conventional submarines. It will be outfitted with the most cutting-edge technology available. This submarine is outfitted with powerful weaponry and sensors that can neutralise threats both above and below the water’s surface.

It also boasts a cutting-edge SONAR and sensor suite, allowing for exceptional operational capabilities.

According to reports, the INS Vagsheer will undertake sea testing after being handed over to the Indian Navy on April 20. It is slated to join the navy fleet in March 2024.

P75 Scorpene project?

Project-75 (P-75) was conceived in April 1997, when IK Gujral was Prime Minister. The government had issued a purchase order for 25 submarines at the time.

The P-75 was originally a 30-year submarine construction plan in which India was to develop 24 submarines: 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs). In 2005, India and France agreed to build six Scorpene-class submarines for $3.75 billion.

Mazgaon Docks Ltd is the Indian executing company, whereas DCNS, now known as Naval Group, was the French executing company.

So date, four submarines of this type have been commissioned: the INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, and INS Vela. INS Kalvari was commissioned on December 14, 2017, after being launched on October 27, 2015. INS Khanderi was commissioned on 28 September 2019 after being started on 12 January 2017.

INS Karanj was commissioned on March 10, 2021, after being launched on January 31, 2018. INS Vela was commissioned on November 25, 2021, after being launched on May 6, 2019. On November 12th, 2020, Vagir was launched.

China and Pakistan’s submarine forces.

The launching of the INS Vagsheer is significant because India’s relations with Pakistan and China remain fragile. According to a story in The Print, Pakistan is thought to have ten submarines, five of which are conventional Agosta 90B class (Khalid class) vessels of French origin.

According to Military Balance, the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ annual assessment of military capacity around the world, China has six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) armed with nuclear missiles, as well as around 40 attack submarines, six of which are nuclear-powered.