Unveiling Vagsheer: India’s Sixth Homegrown Kalvari-Class Submarine Revolutionizes Naval Pride
On April 20, 2022, Vagsheer was inaugurated by the Defence Secretary of India,
Dr. Ajay Kumar. Vagsheer is the final vessel of the six P75 Scorpene® submarines
entirely constructed by the Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
based on years of fruitful technology transfer and collaboration with Naval
Group.
Vagsheer represents the final installment in the series of six Kalvari-class submarines ordered by India in 2005 to be launched. MDL teams are now tasked with completing the integration and operational setup of the equipment and machinery onboard prior to commencing sea trials, which will include weapons and sensor evaluations.
The launch of Vagsheer underscores the triumph of the indigenous submarine construction initiative by the Government of India. These submarines have been thoroughly manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) leveraging a transfer of technology from Naval Group, in alignment with the Indian Government’s “Make in India” strategy. This series of six submarines is equipped with various systems developed in India by skilled and highly qualified Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). MDL and Naval Group have cultivated a robust industrial ecosystem comprising over 50 Indian firms, with their future endeavors extending beyond submarines, thereby advancing industrial and technological autonomy. These dedicated initiatives epitomize the success of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision championed by Prime Minister Modi.
Alain Guillou, EVP International Development at Naval Group, expressed: “We are honored to celebrate this successful partnership with MDL, and we remain steadfast in our support for upcoming projects. We take pride in the achievements of the ‘Make in India’ initiative as we progress towards a genuine sense of an ‘Atmanirbhar’ naval defense industry. The achievements of this program are collaborative and solely aimed at bolstering the Indian Navy. We cherish our long-standing relationship and cooperation with India and its navy, and our teams are dedicated to continually exceeding their expectations.”
The Scorpene®, a contemporary, high-performance, and stealthy submarine
The Scorpene® is a conventional submarine weighing 2000 tons, designed by Naval Group for a multitude of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, long-range strikes, special operations, or intelligence gathering. Exceptionally stealthy and swift, it boasts a degree of operational automation that allows for a reduced crew size, significantly lowering its operating costs.
Its combat superiority is underscored by the presence of 6 weapon launching tubes, capable of carrying 18 various weapons (torpedoes, missiles). With 14 submarines sold worldwide, the Scorpene® has become a significant reference point for conventional attack submarines (SSK) across global navies. It can be seamlessly modified to meet the unique requirements of clients, and ongoing enhancements to the Scorpene guarantee the effortless integration of state-of-the-art technology onboard.
Naval Group, a long-standing ally of India
Naval Group is active in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Naval Group India. Established in September 2008, Naval Group India’s objective has been to foster the indigenization of equipment for the Scorpene® submarine, support the Indian defense ecosystem, and advance design services in India with talented local engineers. Naval Group India aspires to be a visionary leader and to expand its engagement in empowering additional industries by creating a robust ecosystem that can address the diverse defense requirements of the nation.
