Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine, Vaghsheer, part of the Kalvari-class Project P-75 initiative, to the Indian Navy.
The diesel-electric attack submarine, designed to perform a wide variety of tasks, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and area surveillance, is indigenously built, and incorporates cutting-edge technology.
The acceptance documents were signed by Chairman and Managing Director of MDL Sanjeev Singhal and Rear Admiral R Adhisrinivasan, CSO (Tech), in the presence of senior officials from MDL and the Indian Navy.
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"The delivery of this Submarine is a testament of MDL's professionalism, expertise and experience in constructing complex war platforms, significantly enhancing the might of the Indian navy," the company said in a tweet.
The Navy is set to commission the submarine on January 15, along with Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class and Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class.
What makes Vaghsheer submarine lethal?
Vaghsheer is one of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world. It is armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems. The submarine also features modular construction, allowing for future upgrades such as the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.
Vaghsheer is named after a shark with distinctive long tails used for manoeuvring and to stun their prey, and this characteristic that truly depicts the lethality of the submarine, the Indian Navy said.
The submarine can carry up to 18 torpedoes and is capable of launching anti-ship missiles. Billed as a step forward in strengthening India’s maritime security, Vaghsheer not only enhances the operational capabilities of the Navy but also strengthens India's maritime defense posture.