Mumbai: INS Vaghsheer, the sixth submarine of Kalvari-class, was delivered to the Indian Navy on Thursday, January 9. It is a diesel-electric attack submarine based on the Scorpene class. This submarine has been named after a Vela-class submarine of the Indian Navy, INS Vaghsheer, which was decommissioned in 1997 after 22 years of service.
The last of the Kalvari-class submarine was launched on April 20, 2022 and its sea trials began on May 19, 2023. Initially, the submarine was to get commissioned in December last year. However, it was postponed to January 15, 2025.
The Indian Navy called it a "formidable submarine with unmatched pride". "Reborn, Stronger and Stealthier! Watch the remarkable legacy of #INSVaghsheer. Mark the date 15 January 2025 ! The new Vaghsheer, a formidable submarine with unmatched pride is set to be commissioned soon," the Navy said in its X post along with a video with sneak peak into the history of the old INS Vaghsheer.
Reborn, Stronger and Stealthier!⚓
— IN (@IndiannavyMedia) January 7, 2025
Watch the remarkable legacy of #INSVaghsheer.
Mark the date ️15 January 2025 ! The new Vaghsheer, a formidable submarine with unmatched pride is set to be commissioned soon.#IndianNavy #LegacyReborn #AatmanirbharBharat@Indiannavy… pic.twitter.com/cJEKcwt0pb
Key features of The INS Vaghsheer - Kalvari-Class:
The submarine is a diesel-electric attack submarine based on the Scorpene class. It is designed by the French naval defence and energy group Naval Group and manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai.
It is capable of enemy radar evasion, area surveillance, intelligence gathering, advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape.
It can launch precision-guided weapons with both 18 torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles at the same time.
It is 67.5 metres long with a beam of 6.2 metres, and has a maximum speed of 11 knots (20 km/h) surfaced and 20 knots (37 km/h) submerged.
It has a maximum diving depth of 350 metres and can stay at sea for 50 days.
About Kalvari Class Submarines:
The Kalvari-class submarines are classified as Project-75 submarines (P-75). Submarines of this class are diesel-electric attack submarines. These submarines were constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, with technology transfer from French firm Naval Group. The design is based on the French-origin Scorpene-class submarine.
The five other submarines of this class inducted by the Indian Navy are - INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vaghir. All these submarines are currently in service.