The Indian Navy has launched a fifth submarine ‘Scorpene’ submarine Vagir at Mazgaon Dock in South Mumbai. Scorpene is equipped with modern technology to evade enemy radar. Vijaya, the wife of Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik, launched the submarine through video conference. Naik attended the event as a chief guest through a video conference from Goa.
Six submarines of the Scorpene class have been manufactured at Mazagaon Dock under Project 75 in the Navy. Two submarines of this series, INS Kalvari and INS Khaderi, have already joined the Navy fleet, while the trial of Karanja and Vela Submarine is underway. A target has been set to include all six submarines in the Navy by the year 2022.
The officer said these submarines are capable of gathering intelligence on the surface, effective in anti-submarine warfare, laying landmines at sea and monitoring in the area. This submarine is named after the Indian Ocean hunter fish ‘Wazir’. The first ‘Wazir’ submarine was sourced from Russia which was inducted into the Indian Navy on 3 December 1973 and was discharged on 7 June 2001 after three decades of service.
Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilding Limited (MDL) said in the release, “The construction of the Scorpene submarines was challenging for MDL as it became challenging due to the ease of completion in less space.”
According to the release, “To ensure radar avoidance properties, the submarine has used the latest technology, such as modern sound absorbing technology, low noise and capable of moving at high speed in water.” It also has the capability to attack the enemy with precisely guided weapons.
MDL said that it could release anti-vessel missiles launched underwater and from the surface, along with attacks from submarine torpedoes. According to the MDL, its ability to hide underwater from the enemy is its specialty which is completely safe and has no break compared to other submarines. MDL said that this submarine has been designed keeping in mind all the needs and operations of the Navy.
