Unveiling INS Vaghsheer: India’s Sixth Homegrown Kalvari-Class Submarine Emerges from Scorpene® Legacy
On 15 January 2025, INS Vaghsheer, the sixth submarine of the P75 Kalvari-class, was formally inducted into the Indian Navy during a ceremony graced by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and attended by Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, as well as the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, along with numerous other senior officials. Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman & CEO of Naval Group, was also in attendance alongside a team from Naval Group representing both France and India, to celebrate this noteworthy achievement.
INS Vaghsheer is constructed by the Indian shipyard Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), utilizing the Naval Group’s Scorpene® architecture.
Launched on 20 April 2022, INS Vaghsheer has successfully completed its sea trials and is now part of its sister submarines, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela, and INS Vagir, which were commissioned in December 2017, September 2019, March 2021, November 2021, and January 2023, respectively.
Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman & CEO, expressed: “We are privileged to be involved in the triumph of the P75 program, a cornerstone of the Indo-French strategic alliance and a significant achievement in India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Naval Group remains steadfast in its commitment to assist the Indian Navy through upcoming projects with Indian industrial partners.”
The commissioning of INS Vaghsheer underscores the success of India’s indigenous submarine construction initiative. This vessel has been completely fabricated by MDL, with technology transfer from Naval Group, in alignment with the Indian Government’s “Make in India” strategy. The series of six submarines in the P75 program is equipped with a variety of systems developed locally by proficient and highly skilled industries, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). MDL and Naval Group have fostered a rich industrial ecosystem comprising over 50 Indian companies, alongside an Indian subsidiary employing more than 70 Indian engineers to bolster the Indian Navy.
This strategic collaboration enhances industrial and technological autonomy while unveiling new market opportunities for local industries, highlighting their expertise obtained through the program. Consequently, Naval Group contributes significantly to the establishment of a robust Indian naval industrial ecosystem.
The Scorpene®, a contemporary, high-performance, and stealthy submarine
The Scorpene® is a 2000-ton conventional propulsion submarine designed and engineered by Naval Group for diverse missions, including surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, long-range strikes, special missions, and intelligence collection. Demonstrating exceptional stealth and speed, it features a level of automation that allows for a reduced crew size, significantly lowering operating expenses. Its combat capability is accentuated by its six weapon launch tubes and capacity for 18 weapons (torpedoes, missiles).
With 14 submarines currently operational or under construction worldwide, and over five additional submarines set to begin construction shortly, the Scorpene® stands as a vital reference for conventional attack submarines (SSK) among navies globally. The design is easily adaptable to the specific requirements of any naval customer. Continuous enhancements by Naval Group’s dedicated and skilled designers ensure the smooth integration of cutting-edge technology.
Naval Group, a committed partner of India
Naval Group operates in India through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Naval Group India. Founded in September 2008, Naval Group India aims to support the indigenization of equipment for the Scorpene® submarine, develop the Indian defense ecosystem, and provide design services in India with talented local engineers.
Naval Group India strives to realize the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and evolve into a center of excellence for the support and maintenance of P75 submarines by further empowering Indian industries and establishing a robust ecosystem that caters to the diverse defense needs of the nation.
