Submarine Vagsheer and its features and capabilities

Vagsheer, the sixth submarine of the P75 project of the Indian Navy was launched at Mazgaon Dock Ltd. It is the last of the Scorpene-class submarines made under the P75 project and can join the Navy fleet within 12-18 months after sea trials.

The project

• P 75 is one of two lines of submarines, the other being P75I, as part of a plan approved in 1999 for indigenous submarine construction with technology taken from overseas firms.
• Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.
• The contract for six submarines under P75 was given to Mazgaon dock on in 2005 and delivery was to start in 2012, but the project has faced delays.
• Under P75, INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj and INS Vela have been commissioned. Sea trials are on for Vagir.
• Vagsheer is the sixth; its production was delayed due to the pandemic.
• This project envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore.
• It will be the first under the strategic partnership model which was promulgated in 2017 to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.
• The strategic partnership model allows domestic defence manufacturers to partner with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence.
• Acquisitions under the Strategic Partnership model refer to participation of private Indian firms along with foreign OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in ‘Make in India’ in defence.

Why ‘Vagsheer’

• Vagsheer is named after the sandfish, a deep-sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The first submarine Vagsheer, from Russia, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 26, 1974, and was decommissioned on April 30, 1997. The new Vagsheer will be officially named at the time of its commissioning.
• Features
  • Vagsheer is a diesel attack submarine, designed to perform sea denial as well as access denial warfare against the adversary.
  • It can do offensive operations across the spectrum of naval warfare including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance.
  • It is enabled with a C303 anti-torpedo countermeasure system. It can carry up to 18 torpedoes or Exocet anti-ship missiles, or 30 mines in place of torpedoes.
  • Its superior stealth features include advanced acoustic absorption techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape, and it has the ability to launch a crippling attack using precision-guided weapons, underwater or on the surface.
  • Scorpene submarines can undertake various types of missions such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance etc.

About 30-year Submarine Plan:

• The Cabinet Committee on Security, in June 1999, had approved a 30-year submarine-building plan which included the construction of 24 conventional submarines indigenously by 2030.
• P75I succeeded the P75 under which six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class, based on the Scorpene-class, were being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited) – the third submarine, INS Karanj, was commissioned in March 2021.
• Of the total 24 submarines to be built in India, six will be nuclear-powered.
• India has only one nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, at the moment. The INS Arighat, also a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, is to be commissioned soon.
• INS Chakra, a nuclear submarine, which is taken on lease from Russia, is believed to be on its way back to the country of origin.

Significance:

• One of the Largest ‘Make in India’ Projects: It will serve to facilitate faster and more significant absorption of technology and create a tiered industrial ecosystem for submarine construction in India.
• To Ensure Self-Reliance: From a strategic perspective, this will help reduce current dependence on imports and gradually ensure greater self-reliance and dependability of supplies from indigenous sources.
• To Protect Indo-Pacific: This is keeping in mind the rapid increase of the nuclear submarine arsenal by People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) (CHINA) and to protect the Indo-Pacific from future domination by the adversary.

Exam Track

Prelims Takeaway

• Various Scorpene class submarines
• P-75
• Make in India in Defense Sector

Mains Track

Q. INS Vagsheer is another addition to India’s navy defense capabilities. DIscuss the various other additions made in India’s navy capabilities under P-75.