The Indian authorities commissioned the fifth Scorpene-class submarine INS Vagir into the Indian Navy at an event held at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday, with honorary guest, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.
The Scorpion submarine was built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai in collaboration with the French Naval manufacturing giant Naval Group. It is the fifth submarine built under a USD 3.5 billion deal with the French company as four of the Kalvari-class of submarines have already been inducted into the Indian Navy. Vagir means “sand shark” in local language and represents “stealth and fearlessness”, qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner.
The Indian Navy explained that the submarine will boost its capability in furthering the country’s maritime interests in deterring the enemy, and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to provide decisive blow in the times of crisis. According to the defense ministry, the induction of Vagir is another step in consolidating the Indian Navy’s position in reflecting MDL’s capabilities as a premiere ship and submarine building yard.
Moreover, the ministry indicated that the Vagir will boost the Navy’s capability to further India’s maritime interests and is capable of undertaking diverse missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and surveillance missions, adding that the induction of the submarine assume importance as it comes amid growing tension in the Indo-Pacific region as China has increased its military build-up.
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