Mazagon Dock Launches India’s Fifth Scorpene Submarine

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) launched the Navy’s fifth Scorpene-class submarine Vagir today.

“Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene class submarine 'Vagir' launched at Mazagaon Dock today. Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Western Naval Command Chief, was present on the occasion. With this, India further cements itself as a Submarine Building Nation,” the government said in a statement.

Project 75 Submarines

The submarine is among six French-origin Scorpene submarines being built in India, named as the "Kalvari class." The $3.75 Billion (INR 26,205 crore) contract for their licensed production was signed in October 2005 under “Project 75.”

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Stealth features of the Scorpene submarines include advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimized shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons. They can undertake multifarious types of missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance etc. India has also approved the acquisition of over 100 heavyweight torpedoes to be equipped on these submarines.

The Navy currently operates 4 German HDW-class submarines and 9 Russian Kilo-class submarines. It had last inducted a conventional diesel-electric submarine, INS Sindhushastra, procured from Russia in July 2000.