Fifth Scorpene Submarine Vagir Delivered to Indian Navy

• Sixth Submarine set for delivery in 2024

By Gulshan Luthra

Mumbai. The fifth Scorpene submarine, Vagir, was delivered to the Indian Navy on December 20 and is set for ceremonial commissioning in January 2023 after routine procedural paperwork and checks. By 2024, the last of the six contracted Scorpene boats, Vagsheer, is also due for delivery.

Built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) here in collaboration with the French Naval Group, the boat has completed all the “major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines.”

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar told India Strategic in an interview that the Navy is progressing the “augmentation of the submarine fleet in accordance with the 30-year Submarine building programme sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the apex body for defence, in 1999. “While there have been delays in the ongoing Project 75 programme – of the Kalvari Class – it is envisaged that the delivery of last submarine under the programme will be 2024.”

The 1999 programme sanctioned 24 advanced technology diesel electric submarines.

Project 75(I) with AIP

The Indian Navy is also processing a case for another six diesel electric submarines but with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) to give them longer time underwater. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working on developing the system in collaboration with a foreign shipbuilder for some time.

Observed Admiral Hari Kumar: “The P 75(I) project is being progressed in accordance with the guidelines of Strategic Partnership Model and the RFP (Request for Proposals) for the same has been issued.”

Under this model, a foreign OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) will have to share technology with Indian research institutions like DRDO and a shipbuilder like MDL to win the mega project.

Besides the Naval Group and Spanish Navantia, others in the fray include Germany’s Thyssen Krupp, Russia’s Rubin design and South Korea’s Daewoo.

How long does an AIP-equipped submarine stays under water? That is indicated by Navantia which says it is offering its 3rd generation S 80 State-of-the-art conventional ocean-going submarine with AIP, capable of operating independently under water for up to three weeks.

Nuclear Submarines

The Indian Navy is also looking for six nuclear propelled submarines (SSN) without the nuclear weapons, and another four nuclear propelled and  nuclear armed, that is, with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (SSBN). That programme is classified and not much details are available.

India currently has one 6000-tonne operational nuclear attack submarine, INS Arihant, and the second one, INS Arighat, should be operational in 2023. It is already undergoing extensive sea trials. Work on two more SSBNs is ongoing.

A new series of bigger, twice the size of Arihant class, submarines is also planned.

The Scorpene Proramme

The first Scorpene was launched on 6 April 2015 and commissioned by the Indian Navy on 14 December 2017 as INS Kalvari, or Tiger Shark. There is substantial Transfer of Technology and time on building each of the successive boats has been reducing. A notable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Indian Navy within a span of 24 months, according to an official statement.

The Kalvari Class, as the Indian Navy Scorpenes are designated after the first boat, are non-nuclear, conventional diesel electric attack boats but highly advanced in sensors and weapons for hunter-killer operations to acquire, designate and fire at an adversary surface or underwater vessel to sink it. Some of the systems installed on board are specific to the Indian Navy requirements like connectivity with Indian aircraft like Boeing P 8(I), ships and satellites. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRRO) ensures a good 24 x 7 all-weather connectivity from space.

Launched on November 12, 2020, Vagir commenced the sea trials from February 1, 2022 and it is a matter of great pride that she has completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines.

The statement pointed out: “Submarine construction is an intricate activity as the difficulty is compounded when all equipment are required to be miniaturised and are subject to stringent quality requirements. Construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is another step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat – Self Reliant India – and enhances self-confidence in this field, a notable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Indian Navy in a span of 24 months.

The four already commissioned and operational Kalvari class submarines are INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagsheer.