Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘Vagir’ was launched on Thursday at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock.

According to an official statement, Union Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik launched the fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘Vagir’ of Project 75 in Arabian sea waters at Mazagon Dock, in Mumbai through video conferencing today.

On the occasion, Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Western Naval Command Chief, said: “I expect Vagir will be commissioned in a year’s time. We have two Kalvari-class submarines already operational in Navy. We will be happy to receive the balance four in a very quick time.”

Vagir is part of the six Kalvari-class submarines being built in India. The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built as part of Indian Navy’s Project-75.

These submarines can undertake missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance, an official said.

Vagir is named after the Sand Fish, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The first Vagir, a submarine from Russia, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 3, 1973, and was decommissioned on June 7, 2001 after almost three decades of service to the nation.

“Building the Scorpene was indeed a challenge for MDL, as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially due to all work having to be done in the most congested of spaces,” MDL said in a release.

MDL has always been at the forefront of the nation’s progressive indigenous warship building programme. Till date, it has built Leander and Godavari class frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class Destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, the SSK submarines and it continues to contribute to the national security with its P-15B Visakhapatnam class Destroyers and the P-17A class Stealth Frigates.

The 5th of Indian Navy's Kalvari Class submarines (Project 75) launched today at Mazarin Dock.

Named 'Vagir' in accordance with the Naval traditions by Smt Vijaya Shripad Naik.

This development project further cements India as a Submarine Building Nation. pic.twitter.com/OtWgTZAkCT

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