Important Facts For Prelims
Submarine Vagsheer
- 22 Apr 2022
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders launched the sixth Scorpene Submarine 'Vagsheer' of Project-75.
What is a Scorpene Class Submarine?
- The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems.
- Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.
- The Scorpene class is the Navy’s first modern conventional submarine series in almost two decades since INS Sindhushastra, procured from Russia in July 2000.
What is Submarine Vagsheer?
- About:
- Vagsheer is named after the sand fish, a deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
- The first submarine Vagsheer, from Russia, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in December, 1974, and was decommissioned in April, 1997.
- 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.
- Features:
- Vagsheer is a diesel attack submarine, designed to perform sea denial as well as access denial warfare against the adversary.
- 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 optimized shape, and it can launch a crippling attack using precision guided weapons, underwater or on surface.
What is Project-75?
- 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.
- The contract for six submarines under P75 was given to Mazgaon dock in October 2005 and delivery was to start from 2012, but the project has faced delays.
- The programme has been undertaken with transfer of technology from French company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
- 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.
