NEW DELHI: The sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was handed over to the Indian Navy today. The submarine, named “Vaghsheer”, is scheduled for commissioning on January 15.
Vaghsheer underwent a series of comprehensive and rigorous tests and trials over the past year. The Naval Group of France collaborated with MDL to build the Kalvari-class submarines, a variant of the Scorpene-class designed by the Naval Group.
The Indian Navy has already commissioned the earlier five submarines in the class Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, and Vagir.
The state-of-the-art technology used in the Kalvari-class submarines ensures superior stealth capabilities, enabling the vessel to emit minimal noise during undersea operations.
Designed for a variety of missions, the submarine is capable of anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance and special operations. It is equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, advanced sonar systems, and precision-guided weapons. Additionally, it can launch missiles from beneath the sea.
Vaghsheer distinguishes itself from its sister submarines with indigenously developed features, including an internal communication and broadcast system, main batteries and Ku-band satellite communication capabilities.
The Kalvari class is a conventional diesel-electric-powered submarine, renowned for its ‘silent’ undersea operations. Its modular construction allows for future upgrades, such as integrating Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, which extends underwater endurance. On December 30, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,990 crore contract for the future incorporation of AIP technology into the Kalvari class.
AIP is a marine propulsion technology that enables non-nuclear submarines to remain submerged for longer durations. Conventional diesel-electric submarines need to surface every three to four days to recharge their batteries, whereas submarines with AIP can stay underwater for eight to 10 days. This significantly enhances stealth and operational effectiveness.