Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (“MDL”) continues its saga of ‘self-reliance’ ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ Initiative of the Government of India, with the delivery of the Sixth Scorpene Submarine ‘VAGHSHEER’ of Project P-75 on 09 January 2025 to the Indian Navy, subsequently to be commissioned into Indian Navy as INS Vaghsheer. The Acceptance Document was signed on Thursday by Shri Sanjeev Singhal, Chairman & Managing Director MDL and RAdm R Adhisrinivasan, Chief Staff Officer (Tech), Western Naval Command in the presence of Commanding Officer Desig., Vaghsheer, Cdr. Vineet Sharma, MDL Directors and distinguished Indian Navy Officers at MDL.

Vaghsheer, was launched on 20 April 2022 and has undergone a series of comprehensive and rigorous set of tests and trials, for more than a year, to ensure delivery of a fully Combat Worthy Submarine, capable of operation in all modes and regimes of deployment.

Speaking on the occasion, CMD MDL conveyed that with the delivery of Vaghsheer, India further cements its position as a Submarine Building Nation and MDL has lived up to its reputation as one of the India’s only shipyard with capacity and capability to meet requirements and aspirations of the Indian Navy in all dimensions. The delivery of six Submarines namely, Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir and now Vaghsheer, reaffirmed India’s membership in the exclusive group of Submarine Building Nations.

The state-of-the-art technology utilized in the Scorpene has ensured superior stealth features (such as advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noised levels, hydro-dynamically optimized shape etc.) and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapons. The attack can be launched with both torpedoes and tube launched anti-ship missiles, whilst underwater or on surface. The stealth of the potent platform is enhanced by the special attention provided to her characteristic underwater signatures. These stealth features give it an invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines.

Vaghsheer can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e. Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, Area Surveillance etc. It is designed to operate in all theatres of operation, showcasing interoperability with other components of a Naval Task Force. It is another Potent Platform, making a transformational shift in Submarine Operations.

The Submarine boasts of a very high level of automation with a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and a Combat Management System (CMS) which integrates the various diverse equipment, systems and sensors fitted into one formidable platform. The state-of-art features also include superior stealth features such as advanced Acoustic Silencing Techniques, Low Radiated Noise Levels, Hydro-dynamically Optimised Shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision Guided Weapons which include both Torpedoes and Tube launched Anti-Ship Missiles.

The stealth signature of this potent platform is enhanced by the special attention given to reduce acoustic, optical, electro-magnetic and infrared signatures. These stealth features give it an invulnerability, unmatched by most classes of submarines in the world.

In addition to above, Vaghsheer is different from the previous five boats wherein the Submarine is fitted with indigenously developed Air Conditioning Plant and Internal Communication & Broadcast System in addition to Main Batteries and Ku-Band SATCOM (Rukmini).

The Scorpene project would not have achieved the current progress without the unconditional support, course correction and active encouragement of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), MOD and Indian Navy throughout its various phases of Construction.

MDL has undertaken and completed an extensive modernization programme for its infrastructure and facilities to meet the increasing demand of Nation’s Maritime needs. MDL today is capable to build 10 Capital Warships and 11 Submarines concurrently. Further programmes are underway to expand the capacity of the yard in a significant manner and to make the yard future proof.