Mumbai: The fifth submarine in the Kalvari Class, INS Vagir, built by the Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., was commissioned into the Indian Navy here on Monday in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, a defence official said.

Adding to the Navy’s fighting prowess, the INS Vagir literally meaning a sand shark symbolising stealth and fearlessness has been indigenously built with technology transfer from France.

Officials said it will further boost the Navy’s capabilities to further Indian maritime interests in deterring enemies, for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to provide a decisive blow in times of crisis.

INS Vagir the third submarine to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in two years — comes with a sophisticated weapons package, the best of the sensors in the world, mine-laying, wire-guided torpedoes, sub-surface to surface missiles capable of neutralising a large enemy fleet.

It can also launch marine commandos for special ops, has a state-of-the-art torpedo decoy system and its powerful diesel engines can quickly charge batteries for stealth missions, said the officials.

INS Vagir comes with a glorious legacy with a submarine of the same name commissioned in November 1973 which was decommissioned in January 2001 after three decades of valorous service to the nation.

INS Vagir has been developed under the Indian Navy’s Project-75, which pursues the indigenous construction of six Scorpene-class submarines. Meanwhile, four Kalvari-class submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.

INS Vagir has been built indigenously at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, under collaboration with Naval Group, France. First commissioned on 1 November 1973, the erstwhile ‘Vagir’ undertook numerous deterrent patrols and operational missions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). However, the submarine was decommissioned in January 2001 after three decades of service.

The submarine was re-launched and named ‘Vagir’ on 12 November 2020 and was deployed on its first sea sortie in February 2022. Notably, the submarine has undergone a series of comprehensive acceptance checks amid stringent and demanding sea trials prior to being cleared for commission. ‘The Sand Shark’ (Vagir) represents ‘Stealth and Fearlessness’, two qualities that are synonymous with the ethos of a submariner.

According to Commanding Officer CDR Divakar S, INS Vagir can be deployed both closer to the shore as well as mid-ocean. "It will be ready to meet all the requirements of the Navy and the country," CDR Divakar said, ANI reported/

Notably, the induction of Vagir is another step towards the Indian Navy consolidating its position as a builder’s Navy. It also reflects MDL’s capabilities as a premier ship and submarine building yard.